Budget-Friendly Kitchen Makeover: How Sheri from Brass Walnut Transformed Her Cabinets & Created Limewashed Walls with One Step Paint
, by Danielle Knip,
5 min reading time
When it comes to achieving a designer look on a budget, few things make an impact like paint. Sheri from @brasswalnut recently gave her kitchen a stunning transformation using our One Step Paint—and the results are proof that timeless style doesn't require a big renovation budget.
With just a few quarts of paint and a little creativity, Sheri completely reimagined her space by painting her cabinets in the color Graphite, then used the leftover paint to create a subtle limewashed wall finish with a soft accent of Amour Gray.
This cozy, lived-in look brings depth and character to the room, creating a sophisticated, organic atmosphere with a fraction of the cost of new cabinetry or expensive wall treatments.
Step-by-Step: How Sheri Transformed Her Kitchen Using One Step Paint
For the Cabinets:
Prep is everything! Sheri scrubbed her cabinets with dish soap and a scouring pad, followed by a deep clean using Clean Slate to remove built-up residue.
Repairs + sanding: Any dings were filled with wood filler, then she scuff-sanded the surface using 220-grit sandpaper to remove shine.
Final clean: She wiped everything down again with Clean Slate.
Paint time! Two coats of One Step Paint in Graphite were applied using a sprayer (but a 4” roller works just as well!).
Add depth: To create subtle tone variation, Sheri added a few drops of a lighter color into the paint and misted on quick sprays for added dimension.
Seal the finish: She applied two coats of Matte Sealer for durability and a soft, non-shiny finish.
“I just couldn’t justify spending $10K on new cabinets. With $100 in paint, I got a high-end look that fits my vision—and my budget.” — Sheri, @brasswalnut
For the Limewashed Walls:
Sheri used her leftover cabinet paint to achieve a rich, aged look on her walls—without the traditional limewash technique.
Here’s how she did it:
Patch & prep: She filled any damaged areas before painting.
Base layer: Rolled on One Step Paint in Graphite in 2’ sections.
Mist with water: While the paint was still wet, she lightly misted the wall with water.
Dry brush technique: Using a 2” brush, she dipped the tip into Amour Gray and gently applied it in large “X” strokes to blend.
Step back & assess: She let each section dry before moving on, adjusting the blend as needed.
Bonus tip: She painted her trim to match the wall, giving it a seamless and sophisticated finish.
“The subtle variation in tone brings just enough age and depth—it’s the easiest way to get a limewashed look without all the extra steps.”
Sheri’s Total Investment:
One Step Paint in Graphite: 2 quarts – ~$80
Matte Sealer: 1 quart – ~$20
Clean Slate: A little goes a long way!
New Hardware: $80
Upper Cabinet Removal: Free!
Ready to give your space a fresh new feel like Sheri did?
This DIY-friendly makeover is perfect for anyone craving a cozy, European-inspired look without the heavy price tag. Whether you’re refreshing cabinetry or adding old-world charm to your walls, One Step Paint makes it easy to get the look you love—on a budget.
🖤 Follow @brasswalnut for more inspiration and stay tuned as she shares the full kitchen reno reveal!
