![PaintArticle](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/PaintArticle-583x204.jpg)
The Power of Paint!
I have been in my duplex for over a decade now and slowly, room by room, I’m making it my own. It’s been a gradual process because I’ve been honing my own style and, as we all know, renos can be expensive.
While I’ve replaced some countertops, carpeting, and redone a few floors, some of my biggest household transformations have come via A CAN OF PAINT – and not even on the walls! Big change for relatively small change. (However to be clear, I didn’t do the painting myself, I hired a very well-priced professional!)
Kitchen Cabinets:
The main living area is an open space concept, living room, dining room and kitchen combined. I wanted the kitchen to look more modern and updated. I painted the cabinets white (Simply White), the same colour as the walls.
The following year I re-did the backsplash, then replaced the countertops and finally, last winter, re-stained the floors darker. Granted some of these projects were pricey but I saved a lot by simply repainting instead of replacing those cupboards.
![Kristina's kitchen - before](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/3-583x437.jpg)
Kitchen – Before
![Kristina's kitchen - after](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/21-583x437.jpg)
Kitchen – After
Bathroom Cabinets:
My bathroom cabinets were maple-coloured and tired. In the master bathroom I painted them Benjanim Moore’s Wenge, a dark brown to play off the granite countertop. In the guest bathroom, I went with a darker grey on the cabinets and lighter grey on the walls. It looks cool and crisp.
![-5](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/5-583x437.jpg)
Master Bathroom – After (Sorry, I forgot to take a before photo!)
![Kristina's bathroom - before](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/12-583x777.jpg)
Guest Bathroom – Before
![Kristina's bathroom - After](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/6-583x777.jpg)
Guest Bathroom – After
Bedroom Furniture:
The bedroom really wasn’t “me” for a long time. The furniture was heavy and overly masculine. (See photo at the very top.) I got rid of the bed frame (saved for a future guest room), but what to do with the imposing and dark chests of drawers? They’re very utilitarian – i.e. big enough for all my gack – so I’d be basically looking for the same thing in another colour.
![Kristina's bedroom furniture - before](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/4-583x437.jpg)
Dresser – before
![Kristina's bedroom furniture - before](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/11-e1357683215548-583x777.jpg)
Tallboy dresser – before
Peridot’s Leah Balderson put me in touch with a great painter, who spray painted the chest of drawers and tallboy a glossy white. (Simply White again.) I love how they turned out…fresh and more feminine, for probably a third of the price of buying new. Plus, I much prefer recycling to tossing or reselling.
![Kristina's bedroom furniture - after](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/IMG-20121120-00703-583x437.jpg)
Dresser – after
![Kristina's bedroom furniture - after](http://www.annaandkristina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/10-583x777.jpg)
Tallboy dresser – after
My work is not yet done
I hate the tiles in the bathrooms. Maybe a project for 2013! What are your penny-saving reno tips?