Don't know for sure. But your cabinet height over the stove looks just like mine and I was able to add an over range microwave, without any issues. My microwave ends 4 inches below my cabinet.

1) I think that having the cabinet go all the way up above the stove would be okay, but the problem is that it's already so small that the bottom of the cabinet would be almost level with the top of the others, and THAT would look funny!

2) You probably thought of this already, but it looks like you have wiring coming into your valence area above the window. Most likely this can be dealt with. What about removing the wooden valence & shelf completely, and if the wire is coming out of the wall, put some sort of wall sconce light like the Restoration Hardware wall sconce shown below...

3) If you paint the cabinets (great option!) What about removing the doors above your peninsula to create open shelves. You could wallpaper the back of the cabinet with a modern wallpaper in either an accent color or else something more sophisticated looking. Another option if you paint would be to order new doors from a cabinet shop so that you can add glass doors in the upper cabinets. And...while on the subject if getting new doors I would recommend a Shaker style (flat panel) or something similar. Arched top raised panel like you currently have is a little fussy & ornate to look very updated.

HAPPY PROJECT & GOOD LUCK!!

-Will

Hello Jen,
It was a great idea to remove the upper peninsula cabinetry and put the one cabinet in its place. I also agree with removing the valance over the sink, it too is dated. As far as the moldings I would add a large cove molding to the perimeter of the room and delete the crown on top the your existing cabinets. I love the previous suggestion on a countertop microwave and a new stainless hood. Painting the cabinetry will really brighten up your space and a more contemporary hardware should do the trick.
I think with the right wall color and a great tile backsplash, your kitchen will look like great.

Hope these "Budget Friendly High Impact" additions transform your kitchen to the look you are trying to achieve.


Torry Manzo
Renaissance Kitchen and Home

Hey Jen..

I agree with removing the trim piece over the sink, finding a more appropriate light for over the sink and painting the cabinets. That being said, I'm not sure it's the moulding that's dating your cabinets. You might consider just replacing the doors. I like the idea of shaker style for your space.

Microwave/Range Hood combos are dictated (building code) by distance between the bottom of the unit to the top of the stove. Maybe another Houzzer can give you the exact measurement. If you have any floorspace available, you could put a countertop microwave on a butcher block cart to reserve your counter space.

Finally, I don't think you have an option except to extend the crown moulding as it ends abruptly where the original cabinet hung.

Good Luck..

Jen-

I do like that you removed the upper cabinets above the pennisula - it opens the area.

If you plan to keep the existing doors on the uppers I would recommend using crown molding, it finishes the traditional style cabinets that you have. I would also extend the ceiling crown molding all the way around as well.

If you plan to put a microwave above stove you could raise the cabinet above for a step effect - it needs to be raised at least 3" but check the height of the microwave so the bottom is level or 1 -2 " above the bottom of the wall cabinets. You may also want to bump it out for another step effect.

Good luck it looks like you have some options to think about.

Mary Garst
GP Stone & Cabinets

Hi Jen, the style of the cabinet really defines your kitchen, I agree it looks more 'contemporary' by removing the molding on top, but people will know this is a 'minor' facelift rather than a complete overhaul when it's time to sell.

I love the direction you are going! Go white cabinets and whith your surface choices
Keep it simple and add pops of color in accessories.
Post when done!

I did not have clearance for micro/hood vent + wanted more powerful vent than micros have, so simply retrofitted upper cabinet(near an existing outlet so I had power) to house small micro (GE Spacemaker is cabinet depth). Then the cabinet door I had taken down cut to allow for micro-very inexpensive way to get custom look. Good luck

If you have to keep the cabinets, yes, remove the crown and paint them white. However, my first thought is to rip them out. Yes, all of the upper cabinets. They are a huge dark shadow in the room with space above and space below. In this set-up, I'd rip them out and replace them with open shelving. That INSTANTLY gets rid of the "country" feel you don't want. I'd have all white dishes, or another matching color, or a funky collection of colorful Fiestaware on display? Maybe use a nice tile on the walls as a backsplash and the wall behind the stove and run it up to the ceiling. I'm a sucker for ceramic subway tile as it gives nice clean reflective surface. I'm not a fan of cabinets that don't go all the way to the ceiling...as it creates a place for dust and people feel the need to fill that space with knick-knacks and fake plants.Open shelving would make your kitchen feel much bigger and more open and it doesn't cost much at all to install.

Hi Jen,

You're on the right track. Remove all the molding. If you have the space to put the microwave on a butcher block cart / island and add a flashy industrial looking hood (stainless would be perfect), do that. Otherwise you can raise 3-4" existing cabinet and add the microwave hood.

Don't listen to people saying your cabinets are too old, they're just the wrong color! Look at photos of new kitchens, there are lots with your shape, but they're mostly white. Go white or off white, and if you're feeling enthusiastic, add a GLAZE to the fronts. It's easier than it sounds, get a colored stain (chocolate looks good, but teal or burgundy is adventurous, just make sure it's a subdued hue), water down the stain in a bucket, and wipe it over the grooves with a rag. Wipe off any excess right away. Some people us a paintbrush to paint the entire cabinet with the stain, then wipe off the flat areas. Either way this will add pop. Then invest in some sleek chrome handles, and voila!

And, for the best tip yet, go to home depot and get the newest thing in backsplashes: stainless-steel look vinyl tiles (resemble tin ceiling tiles). I just did these in a kitchen and they came out fantastic. They are a little pricey ($20 / large square) but the money you'll save on installation compared to ceramic tile or glass will even out. All you do to install is glue them down (liquid nails) and use an exacto knife to cut the outlets, etc. They even sell a molding for the corners. It's easy to do and looks rich. They are heat resistant and wipe down with a damp sponge.

Someday, you may want to replace the countertops, go with a dark granite (uba tuba) or bright (red).

Best of luck to you!
Karen Fopiano
Owner, Dream Home Designs

I love the ideas so far. You might want to consider a soffit to bring the look of the cabinets all the way to the ceiling and then you can still have your crown molding. Check out some of these HOUZZ links and good luck!

Thanks for your ideas, everyone! Wow! You are so generous with your thoughts! It's funny, because when I asked my Facebook friends if they thought I should paint the cabinets white (and posted pictures), I got such a negative response that I started to think I was crazy for even considering it. For the Houzzers who mentioned a backsplash...yes! That is on my list too! And I am in the process of picking out a new paint color. Regarding the microwave and cupboards over the stove: I have now posted pics of the part of my kitchen that is across from the peninsula. When I told my handyman my thought about putting a stainless steel microwave over the stove (and getting rid of that horrible mismatched bisque range hood), he suggested that I take out the 16" cupboards over the stove and replace them with the 12" ones from over the current (tiny and low-power and mismatched) microwave. That would give me the 18" clearance I would need for the microwave over the stove. I was thinking about yanking out that whole section--the microwave shelf, the small cupboards above it, and the "dust collector" shelves to the right of them. (The shelves are shaped in such a way that it's hard to accessorize without putting a bunch of small knick-knacks, which looks busy and fussy in my opinion. Anyhow, I was thinking of putting the two cupboards that are now in my basement after being taken down from over the peninsula. I measured, and they fit perfectly. I like the idea of having a microwave over the range because it connects better with the "triangle" in the kitchen. My kitchen isn't big, but the current placement of the microwave is a little inconvenient believe it or not. But I don't know if that will be too much cupboard in that section if I do that. Anyhow, you'll notice that my fridge is that same horrible bisque color and so is the sink! All of that has to go! But one thing at a time, so says my budget. :) Thanks again for the wonderful ideas!

Oh, I forgot to mention that if I put one of the 12" cupboards above the microwave over the stove, they will be exactly the same height as the cupboards on either side, so hopefully it will look like it was designed that way. I noticed you can't see the little 12" cupboards unless you click on the picture on the left.

Jen,
I'm with you on this. If you take the existing cabinet above the microwave cabinet, than you are going to have great height for the new microwave. My only question is what is the size of the old peninsula cabinets you are going to use to replace the area where the existing microwave and shelf unit. It looks like you have about 42" wide of wall space between the refrigerator and the door so as long as you have a cabinet combination that is between 36" and 42" wide and about 30" high it will look great.
I also feel that with the new stainless appliances, backsplash and freshly painted cabinetry, that your kitchen should look great without spending too much money.


Torry Manzo
Renaissance Kitchen and Home