Need help with kitchen cabinets

Karen Ashton

10 years ago

We are not sure whether we should paint our oak cabinets antique white or leave them.

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hayleydaniels

10 years ago

Leave them as is. I think oak will be back in style in a few short years.

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Comments (23)

njmomma777
10 years ago
I like painted cabinets, as long as they are done right!
saratogaswizzlestick
10 years ago
It looks nice as it is. Pretty granite. You can get it painted if you are tired of the oak but the grain may show. If you do paint I would get rid of the scalloped edge.
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I love the tall units but you need to go straight to the ceiling to prevent dust and dirt settling on the top. I would put a row of small up and over cupboards along the very top as an option. Very handy for unsightly bulky items. I don't like the end open shelves by sink very dated but what you could do is a long double shelf all the way along the island with a wine racking either side for balance vertically. I think shelving each side of the sink would be better. You have a lot of cupboards but no deep drawers which are highly valued these days. Good selling point. I Like your colour suggestions... The little Greene paint company have a lovely grey so does farrow and ball. Where are you sourcing your Quartz and what flooring? Do your ovens have easy open shelf doors ..handy as they retract so don't get in the way as you take food out..Neff offer best ones. If you want a better balance of tall you could always do fridge freezer one side and pull out pantry on the other with racking. Then on sink side don't go all the way along the wall just have it as centred space so you can pull out larder doors. On your island you will need your bin as this'll be prep area? What is the room opposite tall cupboards? Need the island to look good from that side as that is what you will see. Hope of help. I'm embarking on the same thing and have spent hours and hours researching!
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abbyjean
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The oak looks awesome with your counters and everything looks like it is in good shape. How about new door knobs instead? Are they gold with the stainless steel in the room? Maybe even something black for them.
Kathy Kossnar Fitzmaurice
10 years ago
I agree black iron door nobs and some a few black rugs that have a iron design to them.
km kane
10 years ago
you are going to get lots of opinions on this. Personally, I like painted cabinets, I don't like oak, and with the color of the granite and back splash, it seems to me this kitchen could use something to jazz it up a little. But hey, it's your house, not ours. I would suggest you peruse photos and hone in on what you like. Then talk to a designer who can come in to see how your kitchen joins the rest of your house, what your ceiling height is, how the light enters the room, etc. It's not a bad idea to spend a few $$ to get some drawings to get a better idea of how updated cabinets could look. You may not have to paint all of them, maybe just the island? BTW, a good professional can paint or stain oak and make it look good. Have fun and enjoy!
PRO
Elizabeth's Glass Gallery
10 years ago
Three stained glass panels of a growing grape vine would look gorgeous in those windows.
wlkgbrz
10 years ago
I vote on painting them antique white, but I have ulterior motive as I have the same cabinets and want to paint them. You go first and post pics so I can see how they look :) Changing the knobs and removing the scallop and arch over the stove will update the look quickly and cheaply. Could try that first before painting.
swamp
10 years ago
My vote would be to paint. It is what I am planning on doing with my kitchen with similar honey colored cabinets and floor. To much similar tone. I am looking to paint gray with a bit of blue in it but I keep coming back to off white since we have black granite on island.
PRO
Sound Painting Solutions, LLC
10 years ago
I would paint them as well. I think these would look great white. If you decide to paint them I would recommend using a conversion varnish over paint. You can still have it made in any color, but it will hold up longer than normal paint. Good luck:)
km kane
10 years ago
@swamp - you CAN paint your cabs off white and the island a grey blue. That would look very nice! @kashron66 could do the same - this island could go a rich russet to give some color balance so that not all is off white. Check out houzz for different colored islands
PRO
Sound Painting Solutions, LLC
10 years ago
Here is a project we did last summer: http://www.houzz.com/projects/327747/Sammamish-2013
User
10 years ago
The oak is nice. The arch over the stove could be a fire risk.
Erica
10 years ago
It is a pity to paint such a noble wood as oak. Why not paint the walls another color that brightens up the whole? And it's easier and quicker done.
lucidos
10 years ago
I agree with Kathy. I think what you are missing here is the contrast. Along with the knobs and pulls such as these http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Stone-Mill-Hardware-Ivy-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Cabinet-Pulls-Pack-of-5/6425992/product.html?refccid=I2ERXA4EGEFYNDSPVOKNBX34SY&searchidx=22 I suggest painting a black border on the wood floor. Similar to this to follow the lines of the room. http://timbercreekflooring.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/double-border-hardwood-floor.jpg I would also eliminate the scallop over the sink and add a sleek stainless blind with a valance. Then I would choose a color I could live with (seasonally) and add that in a smattering throughout the room such as a cherry red http://www.gokitchenideas.com/ceramic-kitchen-canisters/ . Alter the wall color to compliment the tile and counter top in a warm rich caramel color. http://www.modelcars.com/model-kit/testors-caramel-all-purpose-enamel.jpg I would remove the spice rack in back of the stove top and add something more artistically dominate such as an old bread oven door. http://www.thak.ca/ironwork/grapevine-bread-oven-doors/ Lastly, I would paint the crown molding and other trim in a higher gloss but the same color as the wall.
PRO
Thos. Baker
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
This is a tough one because I love painted kitchen cabinets and your kitchen would be beautiful in antique white. Several commentators agree that the issue here is color contrast -- as the cabinets, flooring and counter tops are all closely color-related. You could re-stain the cabinets a darker or lighter stain, (as opposed to painting them) replace the pulls and paint the walls. Ericamusacchio's comment that oak is a noble wood is poignant and true. A home with solid oak cabinets often has a strong appeal for potential buyers. So my question is: do you plan to stay in this home for many years or would you be selling it in the near future?

Christi for ThosBaker
PRO
Ambry Design
10 years ago
I am surprised no one has suggested new doors!!! Obviously your cabinets are in great shape. Sometimes a new full overlay door with a great color can make it look like you spend a ton of money on new cabinets, even though you didn't. You can always keep the original doors stored just in case they "come back in style". Then I would say get rid of the valance, get modern hardware, add a light rail to bottom of cabinets and some accent lighting, and hello 2014!!
Karen Ashton
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for your comments and advice. I have a lot to consider.
Vicki Bauer
10 years ago
Your kitchen is warm and inviting. I wouldn't do much to change it. New pulls or knobs in flat black would stand out and give a design element to fit your style. Painting the walls would be easy and a quick change. A large Tuscan platter would be a nice touch hanging above your cooktop. The island is beautiful but if you want change, paint if a flat black and then rub the finish with wax to give it a furniture sheen. Add a few accent pieces in colors (that will pop) to contrast with the golds. I love the oak cabinets but not necessarily the valance. The arch is really a nice touch of style.

The one thing I would not do is paint your cabinets white. When I moved into my new home, I had white cabinets. I was constantly wiping finger smudges (usually newspaper ink because my husband thought his hands were still clean after reading the paper). After a while the finish was also washing off. We thought of refacing them but our original cabinets were made with quality wood. New doors were painted particle board and you don't want that stuff near dampness if the finish cracks or peels. So we hired a cabinet maker to build new doors. I had no choice except to paint so this time I chose a color and then had them antiqued so I would see ever little smudge.

Of course, if you and your family always have clean hands and your husband doesn't empty the dishwasher with newsprint ink on his fingers, you might like the sterile look of white.

If you add a rug(s), try a colorful and bold print or something geometric. Also, hanging stained glass panels in your windows would be striking too and you could pick up those colors in you accent pieces. This one is clear http://www.ebay.com/itm/Study-in-Clears-Large-Stained-Glass-Window-Panel-NR-/291053310285?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item43c421114d

Keep us posted. We want to see what you decide. Remember, it's easy for friends (and strangers) to live vicariously through your dilemma and suggest ways for you to spend your decorating budget. When you make your final decision, sleep on it. You will know when you've made the right choice for YOU.
lucyhomedecor
10 years ago
Remove the scallop & hang a pendant light over the sink. New knobs in bronze/black & glass in several of the cabinet doors would give you an updated look. Also paint the walls a color that goes with the rest of your home, maybe a sage green. You could paint the island a flat black for some contrast. Then put out some colorful accent pieces (red bowl of lemons or pears, colorful cookie jar, etc) to liven up the room.
Vicki Bauer
10 years ago
If you put a glass panel in several of the doors, you are going to need lighting in those cabinets.
imhofan
10 years ago
Yes, good comments to consider....I love your oak! Solid and low maintenance. I agree with others: Replace your hardware w/oiled rub or darker black. Remove the cornice over sink, replace sink light with pendant (? metal); consider fabric or woven woods/ roman shade. Perhaps large round tray over stove in place of small scale spice rack. Paint your walls and crown molding....
nikit3
10 years ago
I just recently painted my cabinets white and I love them. I think they would look great painted an antique white.

Need help with kitchen cabinets

hayleydaniels

Comments (23)

njmomma777

saratogaswizzlestick

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