love that picture you posted! I was wondering how stainless steel would work with the natural wood and white cabinets.

I personally think stainless goes with everything because it is reflective and kind of blends in. If you were to go with white cabinet fronts, you could also do white appliances and maybe save some money. LG makes a "smooth white" which is very pretty. If you are going to paint, I would pick your appliances first so that you can choose a white paint that coordinates with the appliances. Whites are all over the place.

Yes, Paint the cabinets. Way too much wood grain!
Stainless is good, but gets lots of fingerprints if that's a concern. We love stainless too.
What colors do you like?
Definitely choose your appliance color first before you choose a paint color.
Keep it all light, clean and uncomplicated.
Warm Regards,
Karen La Du
Joseph Macaya
for Decorative Philosophy
Check out our kitchen work on HOUZZ in our projects. TOO many to cite here.

thank you everyone! I didn't want to "ruin" the cabinets by painting but I've always dreamed of a nice clean country feel kitchen with white cabinets and butcher block counters.... what type of counter would you recommend? could we do a granite or other natural stone?

You neglected to mention the type of floor in the kitchen and this is an important issue in making suggestions but nevertheless you might consider an all white kitchen which would look stunning with your wood beams.
In this ref/inspiration pic the counters and back splash appear to be marble.

if interested mouse over the caption for more info

@decorativephilosophy I would love a clean light and airy kitchen (but not too stark or modern) with some pops of color (see our red mixer and green le creuset pot). our dining room walls are gray mirage from BM. It is a light grayish color with green undertones. we were thinking of doing a shade lighter in the kitchen.

another suggestion with hanging pendants and contrast back splash

something maybe like these but maybe a little more color or warmth.

Those are both very pretty. For the counter tops, if you like a more natural, traditional feel, I would choose a granite. Probably something light that picks up the warm tones of the wood ceiling.

If you were considering a slightly rustic look you could paint the cabinets a very light, what appears to be a grey/green, paint in the ref pic. which u cld modify to yr specs
(Are you aware that green is tending for 2015?)
If that makes a difference

grey cabinets would complement matte stainless steel

Please paint the cabinets white!! I love that look with the natural oak beams in the pic Anne dee posted. Your idea of using a paler version of your greenish-gray living room paint for the kitchen would be gorgeous with white cabinets. When you paint the cabinets, be sure to putty in the knob holes so the knobs can be properly placed. They are way too high! New knobs should be in the bottom corner...about an inch up and over. I actually think you should replace the doors with bigger ones with a simple mission-style frame. If you can match your island top, more butcher block counters would be nice. So would bluestone (a natural grayish black stone, not blue!), honed black granite, or a white and gray granite. Your kitchen is going to be spectacular!! I'm jealous!

You have very rustic/modern plain doors and drawer fronts. I am not sure they will ooh good in white. Probably a espresso tone or a white wash would work better. I would stain the island in a different color, so the butcher block looks good there.

What is your floor?

Paint all frames of lower cabinets dark grey but leave the drawers as wood. Paint all frames of upper cabinets white. Add white caesarstone benchtops. Loose the chintzy curtains and rooster and keep the lines as clean and modern as possible to counter balance all that wood overhead. Add a white fan and some modern lighting, maybe pendants. Reposition cupboard hardware to outer corners consider alternatives.

[houzz=][houzz=]

thanks for those suggestions. We aren't really going for a modern look though. we live in the country surrounded by farmland. we would like to keep the country vintage feel. I agree about losing the curtains but the rooster was my grandmother's so that stays due to sentimental value :)

Hi. I'd like to ask if cabinets are a different wood than the ceiling?Cabs have less knots and to me look nice, and so I wonder if you'd paint/whitewash some or all of wood above...?

Your inspiration pix all look bright, white and clean. Find one and imitate the look.

So much potential! Definitely try to re-purpose the butcher block top from the island into a new island, without reusing the base.