A makeover with Sherwin Williams Thunderous: Kitchen Island Reveal
After 23 years of daily wear and tear, my kitchen island was begging for a refresh. From the multiple knicks and scuffs, it was showing its age, so I turned to Sherwin Williams Thunderous (SW 6201) to breathe new life into my island.
Truth be told this is the 4th color this island has had. Pictures are in chronological order from when we first moved in, up until last month.
This deep, warm green-gray with earthy undertones gave my island a sophisticated, high-end look while hiding imperfections beautifully. The color is really a chameleon, as it looks equally green…. and gray. What do you think?
This is not the only ‘green’ in the house. I painted my bathroom cabinets a couple of years ago in a color called Mossy Bank. You can see that transformation here. Since then I have also painted the breezeway in SW Thunderous as well as the Dining area ( planked wall and cabinet).
Why I Chose Sherwin Williams Thunderous
I wanted a color that would complement my existing kitchen while adding depth and contrast. As you know, I painted my fireplace mantel in Thunderous 2 years ago and fell in love with the color….. just took me this long to tackle this space. Sherwin Williams Thunderous was the perfect choice because:
✔ It’s a rich, moody gray-green that makes a bold statement without feeling too dark.
✔ It pairs beautifully with the warm wood tones, my white cabinets, and the natural light coming into my kitchen.
✔ It hides everyday wear and tear better than lighter colors… something that is key on this island.
✔ It has an elegant, timeless appeal, making it perfect for a long-term update… or until I’m ready to change it up. 🙂
Painting with Sherwin Williams Thunderous
Once the cabinets were cleaned and prepped, it was time to paint. (I used a degreaser to clean and a deglosser, along with a sanding block to prep the cabinets for paint). For this project I did not use a primer.
I applied two coats of Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in a satin finish for a durable, furniture-like result. I have never used the emerald urethane enamel before and I will tell you, I wish I had. It is amazing. It dries to such a smooth, hard finish, even when using a roller.
✔ I applied two coats using a high-quality angled brush for edges and a foam roller for smooth surfaces.
✔ Each coat dried for about four hours before applying the next.
✔ The final result…. A beautifully rich, velvety finish that transformed my island.
The Big Reveal
After letting the paint fully cure for 48 hours, I stepped back and admired the transformation. My once-scuffed and worn island now looked brand new. The depth of Sherwin Williams Thunderous gave it a sophisticated, look that made the entire kitchen feel refreshed.
To complete the makeover, I added new brass hardware for contrast. My previous hardware was getting worn since they were spray painted brass a few years ago. I also added a fabulous new runner ( in Lagoon/Brick) that ties it all together.
Final Thoughts
If your kitchen island or cabinets are looking tired but a full remodel isn’t in the cards, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Sherwin Williams Thunderous is the perfect rich, moody color to elevate your space while hiding imperfections beautifully.
This budget-friendly update took a couple days but made a huge impact—proving that sometimes, a little paint is all you need to bring new life to your home. You guys know I am no stranger to a gallon of paint and truly believe it is the fastest most budget friendly way to transform any space in your home.
Would you try Sherwin Williams Thunderous for your next DIY project? Let me know in the comments.
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I’m very interested in this SW paint. I have a couple of questions.
1) What brand of primer did you use?
2) Do you paint the frame first?
Your island looks beautiful!
I love that the color has the perfect hint of green, while it isn’t a shocking shade. It’s just subtle enough that it ties the room together. I’m in the process of putting colors together so I can hire a cabinet painter because I definitely don’t have the time or expertise to paint it myself, but I never would have considered using a green shade in my kitchen. Now, I’m thinking I might need to completely change that thought process and add the color to my list. Thanks so much for sharing!
What color is the upper cabinets. You said white. What brand and color ?