How to Chalk Paint Coastal French Kitchen Cabinets
After moving, we couldn’t afford to renovate our kitchen, so painting the cabinets was the way to make it more likable until we could. At the time, we were just starting toward Coastal French style and had no idea how to chalk paint coastal French kitchen cabinets (or any cabinets). We just knew we didn’t want to live with the dark brown anymore!
Far and away, prepping and painting these kitchen cabinets was the biggest job we’ve ever tackled (and we’ve tackled a lot). It took a couple weeks. Like eating an elephant (one bite at a time), you paint cabinets one very organized brush stroke at a time. Meanwhile, you empty your kitchen into the dining room. It isn’t fun:
Most people use latex on kitchen cabinet jobs, but I love the muted look of chalk paint‘s finish. Also — and critically — it doesn’t require stripping or sanding. If it had, this project would have been dead on arrival with all the grooves in the paneled doors. That said, chalk paint requires two coats of sealing wax at the end (for a wet room like the kitchen). So you have to weigh whether you want pains up front, or at the end. It’s not for everyone!
Prep Work to Chalk Paint and Whitewash Kitchen Cabinets
Though we wouldn’t need to strip the cabinets (God-awful task), the surfaces had to be squeaky clean. We didn’t want any hard-to-see remnant foods and oils, or the original stain bleeding up through the chalk paint layers. This job would require more than the typical chalk paint project of a damp rag to remove dust and cobwebs!
There were differing opinions on how to go about this. We ended up using Glossoff (a liquid sandpaper) and something called TSP (trisodium phosphate), basically a harsh detergent. Those were followed by steps of light hand sanding and shellacking. The Glossoff and TSP both required great care, and gloves, and protective eyewear, and a mask/fresh air, because the stuff is caustic! After applying the TSP, we used a new sponge to carefully rinse it off with a fresh bucket of water. Then I had to worry about where to dispose of it because we’re on a waterway and phosphates wreak havoc on wildlife, etc. Shellac is no picnic either.
Looking back, I think it was overkill. If I had to do it all again, I’d ditch the Glossoff and TSP and opt for a more environmentally / human-friendly alternative like Simple Green’s Surface Prep. Then light sanding, and shellac (no avoiding with our dark original stain). Maybe another light sanding. I’d only do an application of TSP in extreme cases — like on a highly soiled, greasy cabinet over a stove.
At the end of the day, you’re simply trying to get the cabinets to a state where they can accept paint, without anything bleeding through. Our originals were highly lacquered and a dark stain color. I understand why the experts I talked to were wringing their hands with concern!
Before any of this cleaning went down, though, all the cabinets were diagrammed, removed, labeled and given a specific place to live on the garage floor during the project. It was all a little tedious up-front. It paid off in the end, when it was easy to figure out where all 31 items belonged!
To recap, the prep steps for how to chalk paint coastal French kitchen cabinets:
- Diagramming and labeling doors and drawers
- Thorough cleaning and degreasing all surfaces.
- Light hand sanding with 150 grit sandpaper (to prep for shellac)
- Shellac application
- (Optional) Another light hand sanding and wipe down (to prep for paint).
Finally, Time to Paint!
After all that prep work, most people would pick a single color and be done with it. But I wanted a complicated whitewashed look. The first coat was a layer of Annie Sloan’s Paris Grey.
Then we mixed Annie Sloan’s Pure White with water, 50/50, and carefully applied it — not too heavy, not too light. Juuuuuust right. I used mostly straight, continuous brush strokes so the result would mimic wood grain. Since it was hot (August) I had to be mindful of evaporation, too. When I got near the bottom of what I’d mixed, the paint ratio would creep higher. Sometimes the whitewash would be too thick, or I’d mess up the strokes and quickly wipe it off with a damp cloth. However, I had to be careful not to lift any of the underlying dry gray paint when I did so. There were a couple times I had to start a panel over with a new coat of gray because I hated the way the whitewash layer dried. This is my over-analytical life.
Then we had to flip them all over and do the backsides. With the drawers, we only did the whitewash on the front. Thankfully, chalk paint dries visibly and very quickly — in about 30 minutes, give or take with the conditions.
Chalk paints require a layer of sealing wax as well. Usually, just one coat does the trick. But this being the kitchen — where water abounds — two coats are recommended. (Hangs her head). But we’ve come this far, so may as well finish! Like other paints, the wax takes about a month to fully cure, and has really proven to be a wipeable, waterproof surface.
We did not use chalk paint on the cabinet box interiors and shelving. For this we used a tough, self-leveling paint by Benjamin Moore.
To recap, how to chalk paint coastal French kitchen cabinets:
- Base coat of Annie Sloan Paris Grey chalk paint
- Coat of white wash (50/50 Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint and water)
- Two coats of Annie Sloan clear wax
- Paint the box fronts with chalk paint
- Wax the box fronts
- Paint the box interiors and shelving with latex paint.
Over the years, we’ve nicked and dinged the chalk paint, but I’d expect the same from latex. Kitchens take a beating! I’ve touched them up twice over seven years (the first with more success in matching than the second). After nine years (2024), I’d say they are ready for a redo or replacement. Once we added new countertops, backsplash, sinks and flooring, though, no one was paying attention to imperfections in the cabinets anymore … it can wait!
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BEFORE & AFTER PHOTO INDEX
