Oh happy day!!

[BlsdMama]

So... when we moved into this house we KNEW we were doing a kitchen remodel.
It was weird - split by an overhead cabinet and a breakfast bar and frankly, we need SPACE because 3-4 of us help cook at a time.

Then the fridge would hit the wall and it was poorly laid out.  I LOVE oak cabinets, but they were stained really dark red.  It had poor lighting.

Item by item, we fixed. We took every cabinet off the wall and figured out a totally new layout.  We moved appliances, tore out the soffit, replaced the ceiling where the overhead bar cabinet had been.  We installed can lights EVERYWHERE.  We cut in a pass through so I could have sun out two windows.  We painted. (Three times, but no judging.)  We hung everything back up. We've been here about five years now and it's been an ongoing process.  The first three years we did a LOT (finished the basement, new floorings, concrete, landscaping, you name it!)  Then I got sick and everything went on hold both financially, emotionally, and physically.  We're trying to tie up loose ends and new cabinets weren't in the budget, so I found this stuff - polyshades.  It would theoretically deepen the color and add a layer of poly for protection and shine.  Great, right? I made my plan.
My hubby had a business trip to Saudi for a whole week! He left and the kids and I had the flooring up the same night and took off all the cupboard doors.
And what happened?
Every bad thing.
Turns out, if you're REALLY picky about flooring, you can't just get in flooring in a week, even if you were doing a DIY install.
And the Polyshades?  It's great... ish.
It was like cutting the girls' bangs.  I tried to get it just a "little more" even.... until I'd put on three coats.  It didn't look BAD exactly, but it was exhausting.

Needless to say it wasn't done when he got home.  Having been married to me for years, I think he almost expects (or prepares) for these fiascos... er surprises? 

SO, back to the Polyshades. It chips.
Honestly? I could have cried.  So I haven't had doors on my cabinets for six months while I decided to just PAINT or to strip, sand, re-stain, and poly.  
I HATE paint.  

It's not quite true... I don't mind paint in OTHER people's kitchens.  But, I LOVE oak.  I love everything about oak.  I love the grain of oak, the warmth of oak... My house was owned by an older couple and the cabinets were pristine. I've had a TON of doctor appointments in December and holidays and birthdays and.....  And, frankly, I was worried the project was going to be WAY too big for me and I didn't want to KNOW that I couldn't do it.  So, I finally worked up the courage to begin the task of sanding and stripping the first doors.

First? It is a lot of work.  I have a new orbital sander that is doing great.  It's making it easier.  Then I couldn't get the corners clean.  But we sorted that out today with different products (gel stripper, a wire brush, and a razor blade.)  

I put on the first coat last night and it was too light.  I went and got dark walnut so that it's 50/50 special walnut and dark walnut and stained again.  It's perfect.  Oh happy day!

It's warm but brown tones instead of red.  It's deep without being overwhelming.  This is ACTUALLY going to come together after a year of frustration!!!  I've done five drawers and two doors so far.... only 37 more to go, lol.  It's easily 2-3 weeks of work for me, but at least I know it should look right when I'm done.  The relief is overwhelming!

Edited January 14, 2020 by BlsdMama

[wintermom]

You are an extremely patient and determined woman! Way to persevere and get a finished product you love!! Very happy for you. 

I'd have given up long before you. 

[Ottakee]

Sounds lovely.  We need pictures though :-😃.  

[PeterPan]

Yes, pictures! 

[moonflower]

this needs pictures

[Melissa in Australia]

Great job