If you told me a few months ago that I’d be standing in this125-year-old kitchen, hand-sanding cabinets with paint in my hair, I would’ve said sure—because that’s just how we roll around here! These original cabinets had already been painted a creamy white years ago, but repainting them a deep, earthy green? People still thought we were a little nuts. Most people dream of gutting everything, ripping out the old, and ordering brand-new boxes. But for us, saving and repainting what we already had wasn’t just a budget move—it was the secret to getting that cozy, collected English cottage feel without losing the home’s soul. See how painting our cottage cabinets Acacia Haze turned out!
Why We Chose to Paint Our Vintage Cabinets:
*This post contains affiliate links.
New custom cabinets can easily eat up tens of thousands of dollars in a renovation budget. That’s a massive chunk of change! Since the original cabinets in this 125-year-old house were already painted white, keeping the existing boxes and giving them a fresh coat of paint was a total no-brainer.
By working with what we already had and doing the prep work ourselves, we saved a bundle. And here’s the best part—those savings are exactly how we freed up room in the budget to splurge on the things that really bring the space to life, like the checkerboard tile and those stunning unlacquered brass pulls from Baldwin Brass.
Here is why repainting ended up being the absolute best decision for us:
- A finish that actually lasts: We used HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Cabinet and furniture paint in a satin finish, and I was so impressed. It levels out beautifully as it dries, so you don’t end up with those annoying brush marks or a cheap DIY feel. It looks completely high-end.
- No limitations on color: When you order new cabinets, you’re usually stuck picking from a small handful of standard factory colors. Painting our own meant we had complete freedom to test samples, watch how the light changed on them throughout the day, and find the exact shade that played nicely with our floors.
Why Green Was the Only Choice for Our Cottage Kitchen:
Going with green wasn’t just a preference—it was literally the only color that made sense once we looked at our floors.
If you followed along with our kitchen renovation, you know I chose a bold, brown-and-cream checkerboard tile for the floors. I love those floors, but they are a focal point for sure! Any color we chose for the cabinets had to play nice with both tones without fighting them or turning into a muddy mess. White felt way too stark and cold. Navy felt too heavy. Cream would have just melted right into the background and vanished.
A muted, earthy green turned out to be the magical bridge between the two. It pulled the rich warmth out of the brown tile, picked up the softness of the creamy white, and immediately gave the room that thoughtful, intentional feel we were craving.
It also nailed the exact English cottage vibe I’d been dreaming about. I kept coming back to pictures of European farmhouse kitchens—spaces with painted cabinetry, open shelves, and warm brass details that look like they’ve been lovingly put together over decades, not ordered all at once from a catalog. Green just anchors that look so naturally. It feels organic and grounded, giving a cozy, lived-in charm with just a touch of the unexpected.
The Four Greens I Considered Before Choosing Acacia Haze:
Finding the right green was definitely an exercise in patience! We tested four other popular Sherwin-Williams greens before getting to the one, and each had a little something that wasn’t perfect:
- Clary Sage: A gorgeous soft gray-green, but next to our brown checkerboard floors, it completely washed out and felt way too cool.
- Olive Grove: It had the warmth we wanted, but by mid-afternoon, our natural light turned it straight-up mustard. Definitely not the vibe!
- Dried Thyme: A lovely muted shade, but it leaned a bit toward a darker neutral; it almost read like a “greige.” We wanted the cabinets to softly shine.
- Privilege Green: Rich and moody, but a bit too intense for our kitchen size. I was worried it would overpower the room rather than ground it. I loved this one and ended up using it on the living room wainscoting.
Then we tried SW Acacia Haze, and it was our total Goldilocks shade. It had the depth of Privilege Green without feeling heavy, the warmth of Olive Grove without turning yellow, and the softness of Clary Sage without disappearing. It looked perfect at every hour of the day!
You can see the DIY makeover of the vintage cabinet (shown above) here.
How Handy Pail Saved My Sanity Mid-Project:
To be honest: painting cabinets is a long, tedious job. To help us tackle this transformation for the One Room Challenge, the sweet team at Handy Pail sent over a few painting tools, and they made such a difference in keeping the mess under control! I am the world’s messiest painter so they definitely came in handy…see what I did there? 😉
If you’ve ever tried balancing a heavy paint can on a step stool while dipping a wet brush, you know my struggle. My absolute favorite was their little handheld paint cup with a magnetic brush holder. Being able to secure my brush right inside the cup, instead of resting it on a messy rim or a rag, was huge—especially when doing all the detailed trim work on our cabinet doors. They also sent a paint can pourer that kept paint from pooling in the rim and dripping down the sides of the can.
They might seem like small additions, but when you’re hours into a DIY project, those thoughtful little upgrades keep things moving smoothly and save you from total painter’s frustration!
Why Unlacquered Brass + Acacia Haze is a Match Made in Heaven:
If you ask me what turned these cabinets from pretty to unforgettable, it was 100% the hardware. We chose unlacquered brass pulls and knobs from Baldwin Brass, and I am not exaggerating when I say they are the single detail everyone asks about when they see the kitchen!
The way this brass looks against Sherwin-Williams Acacia Haze is absolute magic. Acacia Haze has these subtle, warm undertones that grab onto the rich golden tones of the brass so beautifully. They don’t fight each other for attention—they just sing together.
What makes unlacquered brass special is that it’s a “living finish.” It isn’t shiny or flat like polished metal; it naturally ages and patinas over time. As it develops those darker spots and rich character, it ties in so seamlessly with the muted green of the cabinets and the rich brown in our checkerboard floors. It gives the space an instant, authentic European cottage feel—like these cabinets have been sitting in a cozy English home for decades, collecting stories and getting better with age.
If you’re considering Acacia Haze for your own home, trust me on this: pairing it with unlacquered brass is the magic touch that makes the whole room feel complete!
What Makes SW 9132 Acacia Haze So Special:
Sherwin-Williams Acacia Haze (SW 9132) sits in that absolute sweet spot—it’s definitely a real color choice, but it never overwhelms the room.
My favorite thing about SW 9132 is how much of a shape-shifter it turned out to be throughout the day. In the soft morning sunlight, it leans into a delicate, airy sage. But once the evening rolls around and our warm lights kick on, it deepens into this gorgeous, cozy olive. That subtle shift keeps the kitchen feeling alive and interesting, no matter the time of day.
Pairing this shade with our unlacquered brass and checkerboard floors finally gave us that warm, layered European cottage aesthetic I was chasing—all without the custom cabinet price tag.
If you’re dreaming of green cabinets and want a shade that feels grounded, timeless, and full of charm, SW 9132 Acacia Haze needs a spot on your sample board. It’s the color that truly made this 125-year-old kitchen feel like home.
Are you thinking about taking the plunge with green paint in your own home? I’d love to hear what colors you’re considering—drop a comment below and let’s chat!
Until next time,
-Libbie
You may also enjoy:
