topic Re: Another kitchen cupboard question in Home

Another kitchen cupboard question

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 23:07:16 GMT

Sigh...I had my self convinced to paint my wood kitchen cupboards instead of having them cleaned up and restained.

We have an open concept family and living area.

The family room has a large fieldstone fireplace, that takes up 3/4 of the large wall. It is a cozy room. I have lived 40 years in this house and have wanted to update the cabinets for several years.

I went to Sherwin Williams and purchased four of their stick on samples....nice size squares that help with color selection, they are really nice!

Fast forward, I am having second thoughts on painting...I am thinking it might make the kitchen look to contemporary. I need to go with a light color, because our house is dark. Thinking of paint in the kitchen sort of concerns me...like maybe to much of a change from a dark cabinet to a light cabinet.

Maybe I am overthinking it...I don't know. Not that anyone can make that decision for me, I guess I am just venting on my inability to make a decision...it would be an expensive mistake.

Any advise or previous experience appreciated.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

ThinkingOutLoud — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 23:15:56 GMT

If you could post picts of the 2 rooms that would help.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Janey2 — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 23:17:49 GMT

Are you changing the cabinet handles? If so you can get very traditional handles and you will not have a modern looking cabinet.. I don't think a color makes a cabinet modern or not, it is the style of the doors.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Marsha2003 — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 23:18:25 GMT

I had my kitchen cabinets painted white, but they are paint-grade wood anyway, not stain grade wood. The architecture of my house is transitional, but my furnishings are traditional. The cabinet door profile is a raised panel with no curves and I have simple ORB knobs. I think the lighter color lightened up and refreshed the look of the kitchen, but I still dislike my dark and busy granite counter and backsplash.

As you said, only you can make the decision, but I wouldn't be concerned that white would be too contemporary necessarily. A lot of cottage kitchens have white cabinets.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

On It — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 23:30:25 GMT

The proper prep work prior to painting is crucial. The cabinets have got to be ready to accept the paint, or they will chip. I think TSP was what Lynette Jennings used.

I don't think painting them will look too contemporary. Watch the hardware. That might make the look too contemporary. I saw a vintage house done in navy blue cabinets, with a beautiful white backsplash, a white quartz countertop, and brass hardware and faucets. It was stunning and still fit the time period.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:07:46 GMT

The contractor cleans, primes, paints, and does a top coat for chipping. Currently I do not have any hardware, so that would be something we would need to purchase.

I lean toward dark colors and would love to do a dark color but not in this house with the lack of windows and decent lighting. The color would have to be light. The opening to the right of the fireplace insert is a space for wood. There is a small table sitting in front of the opening.

Attached are two photos, kitchen and family room...it is one large space

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Sooner — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:07:47 GMT

@Mom2Dogs Sometimes things a lot lighter will make darker walls and furniture and floors look older than they are, or sort of worn. Just something to think about, and coming from a hard lesson learned long ago.

I didn't know if you were saying "dark"as in not much light, or dark as in paint, flooring etc.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:09:12 GMT

@Sooner Dark, meaning not a lot of natural light in the house.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:14:37 GMT

ok - Looking at those 2 photos, I think painting the cabinets any of the colors from the fireplace would just blend and feel cohesive and not feel contemporary at all.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Janey2 — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:26:47 GMT

Hard for me to see the color of the backsplash, but if it wold go I would paint the cabinets a cream or off white. Will blend in with the stone fireplace,

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:33:44 GMT

The bottom of the back splash is neutral with a splash of green, and a little brown (small tiles) the larger tile is on top, also netural.

Those large paint squares on the backsplash are the samples I picked up at the paint store...creams and one is a little more grey.

Thanks everyone for the replies....this is a tough decision!

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Janey2 — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:41:51 GMT

@Mom2Dogs Can you strip the cabinets and put clear shellec over them? You would have a natural wood look and they would not chip.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:47:32 GMT

@Janey2 I have not considered that, interesting thought.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Sooner — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 01:52:00 GMT

What if you painted the cabinets a mid-tone taupe, gray, or ecru color to pick up a tone in the rocks? It would be lighter than they are now, but still have color and blend in with the rest of the room. I think a shade strong enough but not dark might be lovely.

I hate deciding things like this and do feel your anxiety! FOR sure!

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

LizzieInSRQ — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 04:21:56 GMT

Perhaps a shade of green to break up the beige and brown. Bold choice but it could be exciting, elegant, or bring outside in. You say you have green in the backsplash...

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Queen of shop — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 04:42:50 GMT

@Mom2Dogs I always liked the idea of a kitchen/family room. You're lucky to have that. The space of the two rooms together in the pictures is lovely.

If you go with painting the cabinets, I would paint them a very light dove grey. It will lighten the area and pick up the color from the fireplace.

Good luck in making your decision. It's not easy.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

ECBG — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 05:43:49 GMT

I would consider cabinets with a light stain.

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

Lilysmom1 — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 08:22:12 GMT

@Mom2Dogs it is a difficult choice. I think lighter cabinets would be nice. Some kitchens go with a different colour top and bottom. If I were you, I would stop in a paint store and talk to staff. Bring photos. When we built this house, I was terrified of colour. The staff at the paint store and at the contractors really encouraged me to try something different than white and I am so glad I did. They also came up with colour combos I never would have dreamed of.

The other option is to talk to a friend who has a great sense of style or maybe an interior designer. Surely that can't be too expensive for one consult?

Whatever you choose, good luck. LM

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

haddon9 — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 10:18:22 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
What if you painted the cabinets a mid-tone taupe, gray, or ecru color to pick up a tone in the rocks? It would be lighter than they are now, but still have color and blend in with the rest of the room. I think a shade strong enough but not dark might be lovely.

I hate deciding things like this and do feel your anxiety! FOR sure!

I like this idea! I would go with one of the lighter neutrals in the stones. It would bring a lighter more airy look without being too bright like a white cabinet. BTW, I love white & off white cabinets but I think a like lighter shade from the stones would be the perfect balance. It would tie the two areas together and brighten it up!

Re: Another kitchen cupboard question

faeriemoon — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:45:01 GMT

I think I'd go with a mid range paint color. Darker than your original light color plan, but not too dark.