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Design DilemmaHome RepairKitchens
charlene_williams13

Replacing centered cabinet handles

4 years ago

Has anyone replaced handles that are smack dab in the middle of the cabinet door? I’d like to restrain these a slightly darker walnut/nutmeg color but would the holes be super noticeable with wood filler?

Featured Answer
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Go retro style and redo your kitchen like this. You already have the cabinets, the rest is easy enough to do
    One of my favorite retro redo's. Is this the look youre after? (these are walnut, so imagine your wood instead.) read the link if you want to see what they used here:


    https://www.avintagesplendor.com/our-kitchen-reveal/

    i've done a lot of wood refinishing on all types of wood w/all types of stains.

    You're going to see the hole if you don't do it correctly.

    But, if you want to try it, strip and sand off the old finish first. Get a good wood filler in the same color of the wood. (Birch is what you have)

    Break off a little piece of toothpick and shove it in the hole, tape off the back side of the hole and fill w/the colored wood filler. the pick gives the filler something to bite on to. Make sure to get enough in there or else you'll end up w/a divot. try and scrape off all the excess around the hole.




    let it dry. get a 100-150 grit paper and sand it smooth. finish w/a 220 grit. use your fingers to go over it. they'll tell you if it's perfectly smooth.

    (when you remove those doors, make sure you mark them so they go back in the same place. After 60 years, they hang a certain way and if you mix them up, they won't look right)

    Even if you end up painting, you'll still want to do a good job filling the hole so it won't show through.


    There are diff wood fillers. you want something that is stainable/and can sand. I've used this brand and some others.



    Give the cabs a final sanding w/220 (no higher) and apply a wood conditioner before applying the stain. Use something like Varathane or General finishes.

    You may want to see what they look like after you strip off that clear coat. they probably used a shellac or oil clear coat and it yellows w/time.

    I believe those are solid doors and not a veneer, so you'd be able to sand them without issue. Have you ever refinished wood? If not, I'd suggest you look at some how-to's. (or you may end up painting them!)

    try going w/something in this color. But, strip off all of the old stain. trust me on this one. don't think you can just coat it w/darker gel stain!


    If you're going to do it, do it right.

    hardware. it would be cool if you got some mod knobs or handles. (and, if you like a more natural finish, use a slightly light wood filler.


    Both of these next pics have similar cabs.


    This one is walnut, but you could still copy what they've done here.

    I love what they've done here.

    Mid Century Modern Meets 2020 · More Info


    geometric cube backsplash in white, w/black grout, honed black countertop, gold hardware, gray tile floor, is completely doable in your kitchen.

    wayfair has this smaller 2x3" tile (Metro Rhombus), but HD carries a larger one from Merola Tile.


    Or, use the penny rounds. comes in 20 diff colors


    https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/kdc-tile-and-marble-ceramic-penny-round-mosaic-wall-floor-tile-kcti1014.html?piid=54547801

    Or, for a really cool look, do the black pennyround backsplash, white quartz (or even formice) and your wood cabs. This would look great

    https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/roca-tiles-cc-mosaics-beveled-porcelain-mosaic-floor-tile-roct1053.html?piid=59143158

    these matte black are on sale.



    Here's a DIY makeover

    https://retrorenovation.com/2016/07/11/birch-wood-kitchen-1950s/

    If you think you want to go modern




    (painting these are simple because they're slab front. you can add on trim molding to the fronts if you like) Or, just leave them as is.

    Sand, prime, sand again, and paint. you can replace your hardware (Etsy is a good source for original MCM cabinet hardware! )


    if you do paint, try a cool soft aqua and a wood butcher block countertop.


    https://shannontorrens.com/1950s-kitchen/

    If you like the retro look, think about getting an aqua formica countertop


    Both of these cabinets are similar to yours. you could easily do the blue countertop, lights, hardware and even this glass mosaic backsplash.


    or go with a white quartz or granite, tile backsplash
    here's the link to how they did one

    https://www.dreamgreendiy.com/2016/02/15/our-budget-friendly-mid-century-kitchen-makeover/


    not the same wood, but it's the same style. remove that scallop piece over your sink. bring in white quartz top, and a geometric type of tile for your splash. a large rug, new hardware




    If you end up painting them white, do a walnut butcher block countertop and the black pennies


    black countertop, multi-color penny

    I actually love this penny because of those golden brown tones that would work beautifully w/your cabinets. do gold hardware w/this choice



    black countertop, wood cabs, and a white 4x4 zellige tile (or try Cloe or Portmore. same look)


    lastly, wood cabs, honed black granite or quartz, white elongated hex tile



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