Painting cabinets--Laundry Room #1

My kitchen is a typical tract kitchen--oak with oak doors and a laminate inset. It's very ugly and old, like 20 years old. And I'd love a gorgeous kitchen redo with an apron front sink and a 5ft butcher block island, but I'm realistic. 

I would not change the kitchen's footprint, although cabinet function could be better. So having new cabinets seems like a waste of money. If I am going to spend money in the kitchen then I'd put in new counter tops, although I can't decide what type right now.

Painting seems like the best option to freshen up the space and make the white, tile counter seem less ugly. I've decided that I want the uppers painted in white or off-white and the lower cabinets painted a different color. I'm between gray-brown and brown, although I pinned an image with red lowers the other day and even my husband thought it was awesome.

In the meantime, I'm watching my mom's progress as she and my dad paint the laundry room Coco. The laundry room cabinets are oak with a white wash. 

My mom applied at least two coats of Coco to the doors. The first coat was not thinned. She used Annie Sloan wax/paint brushes for her application. 

She painted the groove detail first and used a blue, mechanic-type towel to take off any excess around the edges. Then she worked over the rest of the door. The clear wax was applied to the cabinets and face frame. The lowers are nearly done. With new hardware it will be stunning! 

Child's desk

My house is small with a general lack of storage, therefore everything has a purpose or does double duty.  My daughter's room is very small, but she's wanted a desk just like her big sister. So when I saw this jewel at a garage sale I jumped on it. After all, what kindergartner doesn't need a desk.

The week before I'd taken a chalk paint class at Loot in Soquel--a birthday present for my mom. I picked up Antibes Green. There is something fresh and bright about this color, and it fits Alyssa's personality perfectly. My first coat was 100% Antibes green, but I toned it down with 1/4 Pure White on the second coat..

The desktop did give me a bit of grief, but nothing that couldn't be easily remedied. It was a very shiny, smooth laminate and the paint wouldn't stick to it. So after I roughed it up with 100 grit sandpaper the paint stayed put. And that was all the sanding I had to do!



I added a clear wax, some custom European butterfly knobs, and a little Emille and Pure White on the handles--Alyssa's request.

I'm very happy with it. (Excuse the cords! Alyssa wanted to use it before the handles were finished.)

Napkins repurposed

I purchased two napkins on clearance at Target for a few dollars each.

I had no idea what I'd do with them, but I loved the colors. There were two different fabrics on each side of the napkin.

Then I started to redo my family room and brought in a new, neutral couch. I immediately thought of the napkins, which had been moving around my house looking for a home.

Both napkins were finished, so I carefully took apart the stitching on the side where the tag was placed, leaving the three other sides in tact. I bought 18-inch pillow forms for the insides.

I used a similar thread and the same stitch line and hand stitched the pillows back together.

I love them! And I can flip the pillows over when I want a new look.

Welcome Home!

Welcome to 2nd Generation Design! 

I, Erin, along with my mom, Katie, will be updating this blog with our furniture, craft, and sewing designs.

I've spent my life watching my parents create wonderful things with their hands. My father is a very talented craftsman, from custom cabinets and furniture to hand-made guitars. My mom, Katie has always liked to craft and sew. (She can sew amazing things!) She, too, watched her mom refinish furniture when money was tight. And now it's a passion.

I've begun to follow in their footsteps. First it was my mother's old dresser, which I painted turquoise and antiqued for my daughter. Then I began creating Pottery Barn knock-offs as decor for my home. And it's cascaded from there.


We learned about Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint a few years ago and we started refinishing more furniture. It's been fun and a growing passion for the both of us.

We hope you'll enjoy this blog as we share our designs and some of my father's amazing guitars!

~Erin and Katie