Welcome to post #2 of the big Kitchen Reveal week here at 1915 House! If you missed the first post, you can read it here. Our house came with a really old dishwasher. Really old. As in, it was purchased and installed in the mid 80’s. Which – as you’ve probably already figured – makes it approximately 30 years old. Pretty old for an appliance.
You’re probably thinking, “That dishwasher needed to be replaced when you replaced your fridge!” And maybe you’re right, but here’s the thing…I love this old dishwasher. I really do! It’s a little noisy and I’m sure it’s not an energy & water efficient model – and it’s an ugly beige color. (blech) But boy, does it do a great job on our dishes!
Our dishwasher story
In our farmhouse, before we moved here, we went through two newer dishwashers. They were quieter, and more energy & water efficient- and prettier, but they did a horrible job getting dishes clean. We basically had to pre-wash all the dishes before loading the dishwasher. Which, if you have to do that, what’s the point, right? My thoughts exactly.
I remember looking at this old dishwasher when we were going through the house on our final walk through and asking the previous owner if “that thing” still worked, fully expecting him to say that they hadn’t used it in years, and was mildly surprised when he said that it had worked for them when they were still in the house. (They had been out of the house for 9 months by that time). I basically just nodded, smiled and moved on – thinking that we’d be replacing it within a few weeks of moving – I was sure it was going to function as badly as it looked.
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Old, ugly dishwasher…Time for a facelift!
(please extend grace for the blurry, yucky picture here – honestly, I completely forgot to take a “real” before pic for you) #newbloggerprobs
I’m so happy to say I was WRONG! This machine, as ugly as it is, does a fantastic job and so we’ve kept it and used it 1-2 times a day for the past year. When I painted our kitchen cabinets, the beige dishwasher stood out like a sore thumb even more (if that was possible). So I gave it the same treatment I gave our thrifted refrigerator. I cleaned it up really well using this amazing stuff, roughed up the surface with a scratchy pad (is that what it’s actually called??) and I painted it (with leftover appliance paint we used for the fridge)!! Of course I did. Are you surprised? π
Hello, newly painted dishwasher!
Now, while it is still far from looking like a new machine (I do realize this), it DOES look better than it did in it’s dingy beige color. And it still runs like a dream and cleans our dishes so I don’t have to. π And THAT makes me happy.
Don’t forget to pin and share, if you found this helpful- π Have you ever painted an appliance before? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
They don’t make appliances like they used to so why not hold onto what works? What a great update that now looks beautiful in your updated kitchen. I’m so proud of the changes you’ve made in your once very outdated kitchen to a fresh and beautiful space!
Thank you so much Toni – you’re a dear. Your support has been such an encouragement to me π <3
I had no idea you could paint that! You’re going to have me paint all the things, friend! I love how it turned out and freshened it up!
Ha ha!!! It’s amazing what kind of creativity a tight budget will force on a person… π So glad you liked how the dishwasher turned out! π Hopefully it’ll run for another 30 years… π
this is SO awesome Sarah! This actually looks like the exact dishwasher we had growing up, LOL! Your kitchen looks fab – great job! π
Lol!! It probably IS the same style dishwasher you had growing up, Christy! π Thanks for the sweet words on the kitchen updates…it was quite a process. I always appreciate your comments <3 <3
Such a clever thing to do Sarah!! Love the transformation and your kitchen looks AMAZING! π xx
Thank so much Sam! I appreciate your encouraging words – always fun to hear from you! π
I love this idea. Is there anything you cannot do my friend? God’s truly given you a gift. It warms my heart to be a witness of you “walking in your purpose”. I know your mom has to be smiling from the PEARLY GATES, (I’M SURE YOU’D PAINT) lol. Love you friend
Sonja – sweet friend – you have no idea how much your words mean to me. You made a tear come to my eye at the mention of my Mom smiling down on me and also a smile to my face at your comment about me painting the pearly gates – LOL! π Love you so- <3
This is so awesome and I am going to paint my dishwasher!!!
Thanks Denise! I’m so glad you liked it and found some inspiration here! π