It’s rare for a project to go exactly as planned, but the green lower cabinets Robert and I envisioned for our kitchen have turned out even better than we hoped. This kitchen refresh—focused on paint, hardware, and lighting—proved how dramatically a few thoughtful changes can transform a space.
I’m completely smitten with the Sherwin Williams Billiard Green on the lower cabinets. The color reads deep and modern while still pairing beautifully with traditional elements, and it complements the existing leathered granite countertop that carries a subtle green undertone.
Forgive the odd lighting and the slight purply-teal cast in a few photos—once the doors were attached I grabbed my camera during sunrise to capture the new cabinets before the electrician arrived to continue the next phase. These early shots don’t capture the true depth of the paint, but I’ll be sharing better-lit images soon as we complete more updates.
Earlier in the process we added a faux pressed tin backsplash and refreshed the walls and cabinets. That simple pressed ceiling tile backsplash made an immediate visual impact and provided a stylish backdrop for the new cabinet color.
This is a refresh rather than a full remodel—our plan is to live with these updates while we save for a major gut job to change the kitchen layout down the line. For now, paint, hardware, and lighting swaps are doing the heavy lifting, and the results are impressive considering the modest investment.
We explored many green options before choosing Billiard Green—dozens of swatches and samples narrowed it down until this deep, jewel-toned shade felt right against the countertops and overall aesthetic.
Since the existing white cabinets had yellowed slightly with age, we also repainted the uppers in Benjamin Moore Simply White for a crisp contrast. We used a proven cabinet paint process and Benjamin Moore Advance for a durable, smooth finish that behaves like a professional spray job.
Deep green cabinets are very on-trend right now, but beyond trends I love how this color fits our home’s high-contrast style—dark, saturated hues paired with bright whites give rooms a high-end, tailored feel for a fraction of the cost of a full renovation.
On hardware: I initially tried four different brass spray paints to refresh the existing knobs and pulls and save a little money. Each finish ended up looking glittery or off, so I opted for a set of aged brass cup pulls and matching knobs instead. They coordinate with the new lighting and will withstand daily wear better than spray paint.
We installed the cup pulls and are waiting on the knobs—opening cabinets without proper pulls is surprisingly awkward, but it’s been a fun part of living through the refresh.
The cost so far: roughly $340 for the backsplash, paint, and hardware. That’s a fraction of what a pro cabinet paint job alone would cost, and the results feel much more significant than the budget suggests.
Here’s where we are on the kitchen refresh to-do list:
- Cover existing backsplash with pressed ceiling tiles
Paint kitchen cabinets Sherwin Williams Billiard Green and Benjamin Moore Simply WhitePaint walls Benjamin Moore Swiss CoffeeAdd new knobs and pulls- Add mini pendant light over sink
- Take down cluttered shelf and add command center wall
- Swap old track light for new aged brass light
Remove shamrock cut-outs from built-in shelf- Refresh floor grout
- Hang wall art around coffee bar
- Add accent rug
If you’d like to see our cabinet painting steps in action, check out the quick video tutorial in my Instagram Stories highlights for a concise walk-through of the process. More updates coming soon—can’t wait to share the finished lighting and final styling touches.
