They say the new "in" in appliances is black, I do love black. People are now choosing it instead of stainless. I think the main problem with this kitchen is the island, you can "beef" that island up by adding legs to each corner. And personally, I would change the top on it for sure. Adding beautiful glass tile on the space between the counter and cabinets would also help. I presently have oak cabinets and am having them re-faced to French Country,in fact the project started yesterday. I think that oak is dated. At least that's how I feel in my own home.

Check rustoleumtransformations.com for a solution on the cabinetry. Good job on the lighting fixture!

The white appliances will blend better with white cabinets and make your hardwood floors stand out. Bronze hardware also looks good on white cabinets. Go darker on your walls with paint and tile backsplash.

Then, have a pro come in and sand and stain your butcher block darker.

Hi Donna, love your new lighting fixture! Now if you add the oil rubbed bronze hardware you love and pull that color into the backsplash too it will tie all the pieces together. I attached a bunch of rich, earthy hued mosaics that I think could work, but you definitely need to bring home samples and look at them with your adjoining room colors (red and tan?) and make sure they complement your light fixture and new hardware. You can go on our website for samples, or look through our other selections as well (these are just a few).

As suggested above, your white appliances will blend better with white cabinets. However, this is a big job and is difficult to strip if you later decide you prefer wood. So, if you're apprehensive (as it seems you would like darker stained cabinets?), it's best to do the small changes - hardware, backsplash, accessories - first, and then see how you feel about the cabinets and appliances.

Hardware on cabinets is not going to do a lot for your kitchen. You need to replace the lighting and window treatment, and to have all countertops match, with some gloss and color there. But you kitchen has a more fundamental problem - isn't your island much to close to your base cabinets? Do you have the recommended 48 inch clearance for traffic?

I would say to stay on a small budget if you are.. just simply change the hardware including hinges also! ... put a fresh coat of paint on the walls.. add a backsplash, keep your island top but refinish it maybe darker and go with a new countertop. if your just trying to go for a fresher look it would help for now until replacing your cabinets.. but i wouldn't invest in tons of money into it unles you are going to replace your cabinets also.. then you can invest in your kitchen properly. you are more than welcome to email me to help you with picking finishes that will compliment your items your wanting to keep. =) I lovee picking out finishes!

Loving the new light fixture. I don'' t think the white appliances date your kitchen. For me, it's the worktops. I'd go for a dark granite effect, for a cheap update, and replace the top of the butcher's block with something beefier. The cupboards are a nice classic style. I don't think I'd go darker, but I may be tempted to paint a pale shade - grey/taupe/french grey? and possibly replace the knobs with something more modern. Maybe change the doors on one of the double wall units to glass, that you can light up behind to break up the line a bit.

I love the tile examples! And I definately will change the hardware to the same oil rubbed bronze. (going to try to refinish the existing first) And the darker countertops with the new light, tile backsplash seem like the way to go. As for the room, it ranges from 38 to 40 inches depending on what side it is. It seems to be fine. The side with the drawers, (all 12 of them! ) is the widest. I also love the idea of the glass doors! We already have the mini wine station set up with the under the counter wine rack and I plan on changing the two doors above with glass centers. OK, the WINDOW!!!! What to do with the window above the sink?!?! Thanks everyone, this is a great way to update!! PS, I have a mini kitchen downstairs that I will be looking for ideas on too! Great house, just a much older couple who built it and we saw the potential to make it ours :) Susan, here is the dining area just outside a wide door way that I painted tan and dark red.

Donna, those are lovely colors, you just need to hold up samples of tile in that room to make sure they go as well. I would think warmer would be better, but you need a real life sample next to the real life paint - always looks different in person! If you are replacing the counters, I will have all new suggestions for a backsplash! Once you make that decisions I'd love to see a swatch of the counter and give you some matching backsplash tile options:)

We do plan on changing the counter tops to a darker granite look. And then maybe the island a slab of real granite down the road. I just worry that the darker i go on the materials the more the appliances will stop blending ?

I think as long as you don't make the cabinets black or espresso the appliances won't stick out. If you go darker on the counters you could either match similar tone for the backsplash or contrast with a very light backsplash (if there's veining or speckles in the counter finish the lightest highlight will look stunning in the backsplash). But, definitely do the counters first, it will be easier to design a backsplash to match, we have tones of colors and finish options!

Hi, Donna! I hope you don't paint your cabinets. The texture of oak isn't great for painting and your cabinets look like a decent quality, although it is hard to tell from the photo. Lovely raised panels. Painted cabinets often end up looking like a cheap attempt to hide poor-quality cabinets.

My step-MIL has one of the most beautiful, inviting kitchens I have ever seen, featuring oak cabinets and white appliances. She bought high-quality cabinets and stained them herself in a warm mid-tone.

I recommend trying to do brushed nickel hardware, which is what my MIL did. It gives a nice, modern edge to oak. Target and IKEA have packs of simple hardware at reasonable prices. Amazon might have something, too. Brushed nickel hardware will look really great, if you ever upgrade to stainless appliances. Bronze looks nice with oak, but probably more so with black appliances.

Granite Transformations was correct in saying that paint is very important in making oak cabinets look updated. I used Antique by Waverly, which is a beige with a very slight orange undertone, next to my too-orange cabinets, which I am waiting to update. It really helped to tone down the orange.

A tile backsplash would be money well spent. Does butcher block need occasional oiling? I think so.

Good luck! I think your kitchen has great potential! Attaching a photo of an oak kitchen that I really like. Source is cabinetsplus.com

Angel Wings, Thanks so much for the picture! I love the countertops! I think my husband would not appreciate painting the cabinet and they are in excellent shape and very good quality. I did think about darkenung them a bit but there are alot of them and I have never done it before. There is a picture of the new Island light that we replaced the old one with. It is Oil Rubbed Bronze. I did buy two sample handles in ORB and they do look nice. I was afraid that a brushed nickel finish light would get lost against the lighter color of the cabinets. Uh! I will take into consideration your ideas! Thanks so much!

Donna, I think oil rubbed bronze will be acceptable with your white appliances. Choose a classic design and you should be pleased.

For other areas of the kitchen:
I would leave the oak cabinets the way they are. The best way to paint them is to take off all the doors and send them to be professionally stripped and sprayed. Painting with a brush or roller does not give a smooth finish. You could paint the cabinet frames yourself, however. Do it yourself sprays need perfect preparation to have a good result.
That said, a nice cleaning with a product designed for wood might be needed.

I read on Houzz in the last week or so that white appliances are acceptable these days. Whew! That is the color I have.
Similarly, glass tile is said to be trendy and will likely be out of fashion much sooner than other kinds of tile.

I would not go with granite countertops. I would use one of the new Formica ones. There are some beautiful choices, and Formica is easy to care for. If you choose a dark color, you will probably want to install under-cabinet lighting. One can purchase "warm" LED strip lighting (just cut to length!) these days.

Keep your expensive butcher block. Check online for ideas of how to clean and oil it.

Remove the wallpaper and wall decor and paint. Remove the window valance. Wash the window and trim inside and out and live with it for a week or two to see how you like it.

I am concerned that with the Sandy storm causing so much damage this week, that prices will be higher right away and products more difficult to purchase. That is why I am suggesting a very conservative approach to spending for decorative purposes.

Best wishes. Your kitchen is functional, In good condition, and has many quality materials already!

Oil rubbed bronze is warm and beautiful next to medium oak. I think you will love it! Target has multi-packs of ORB, too. I'm not a Target employee, by the way. :o) I am redoing my kitchen soon, and I have been looking for hardware that doesn't cost $4 plus each!

Twenty-five years ago there were fewer options and people were using Formica. Formica type countertops are a poor idea today. No one wants them. They scream cheap apartment. Not pleasant to cook on. But oh my they were exciting when they first appeared on the market - after WW II! All the little color choices and tiny busy patterns. Just think of all of the countless "modern" kitchen products that have gone obsolete. At the same time, the use of the kitchen has changed - it is the party room in the house - and food styles have changed, too. Men are in the kitchen in droves and men want very substantial tough products around them. Cement, stainless steel, wood, granite!

Oops. I was thinking of a nice solid surface countertop, perhaps Corian. I did not mean to suggest Formica as something that screamed cheap apartment. I am sorry if I offended you.

I wouldn't worry about your white appliances. They are classic and neutral. Go with the ORB pulls and you will be amazed at the transformation. Do that first, then worry about the paint and splash.

I second the recommendation for Target. At my last house I got really cool pulls there - I wish they still had that style. I had (and still have) cathedral raised panel cabinets - pretty much impossible to make look modern. They were oval chrome loops on 3" centers - they looked funky and contemporary - but didn't clash with the arches on the cabinet doors.

Search the internet for kitchen hardware. First find what you like in person & then search for something similar online. Often good deals. Order a small amount at first so if you have to return, it will be easier.

If you order hardware online (actually if you order ANYTHING online) make sure you check the return policy before placing your order.

Many knob distributors charge a restocking fee and most charge outrageous amounts for shipping - $7.95 per vendor minimum in many cases - so your shipping costs more than the pulls.

Ok, Here is what I did: Stripped the wallpaper and painted the walls chocolate brown. Re-used the hardware (there were 57 handles!) and painted them oil-rubbed Bronze to match the new island Pot/light rack. And added a wine hook plaque above the window and used it as a curtain rod. I acually used a pashmina for the curtain and I love it but i wish they made them longer. I may just add another one and drape them to look like one swag. I'm still not done but I do like my kitchen way more than I did when we bought the house!

Oh oops! That is a picture of before I actually added small hooks in the corners and actually placed the "curtain" on correctly! I was just looking at the color when I took this picture! We also bolted an antique looking cast iron french fry slicer and the far end of the butcher block. It looks awesome too. I will post an updated pic after I take one :)

Ok this is the most updated. I still want to add a tile backsplash but I have to wait until we recover/replace the countertops. But I can certainly live with this until we do those things! Thanks for all the great advice!

It looks great, Donna! I love the dark brown walls with the light maple cabinets and floors! Keep us posted about the counters!

I agree it's a big improvement. The dark paint, new light, and painted hardware look great.

Have you considered painting just the island white? It would really pop with the butcher block countertop, and would tie in well with the white appliances. The horizontal grain on the back of the island looks cheap to me. To really update the island, add white panels to the sides and back instead, in a style similar to the existing cabinets. It's probably made with standard size cabinetry, if so you could panel it with standard cabinet doors.

I would recommend keeping the cabinets since they appear to be in good shape. Change the door hardware to match the finish on the lighting fixture you will be hanging above the island. Either oil rubbed bronze or brushed nickel will blend with the appliances. I think that the wallpaper needs to be removed and the room should be painted a neutral tone to complement and not compete with the red walls in the next room. Then have some fun with new quartz/granite countertops (I would leave the butcher block top on the island) and really add some bling with a great backsplash. Installing a backsplash is relatively inexpensive and can add so much personality to a kitchen. A great way to bring in a pop of color. Follow this link to our blog where we discuss and show photos of just a few of the backsplashes that we have installed - http://redcarpetconstruction.blogspot.com/2012/01/backsplash-difference.html. You have a beautiful space and can easily update the room without breaking the bank.

Hi Donna,

I'd like to see a the updated picture with the paint you chose. If you're hanging a pot rack that's oil rubbed bronze my suggestion would be to replace the hardware as well.

I like the suggestion of installing a new backsplash and countertops too. I'd go with a subway tile or mosaic. I prefer the look of subway tile, you can check out a few samples we have here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/mosaic-tiles/colors/subway/

I think the Amber or Noir could work well for your kitchen, they'd compliment the cabinetry and probably the paint from the colors you mentioned.

I'd also install new countertops, you can see a few of our samples here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/granite-countertops/colors/

I think either Walker Gold or Bianco Modena would look great in your kitchen. The nice thing about our counters is that you don't have to do any demo or risk damaging your cabinets.

Good luck with your project!

Thanks for all the GREAT ideas! I have been pondering what to do with the bottom part od the island and neverthought about someting like Wainscoat! And if I do it in white I think it would definately add a great touch to the kitchen! I still don't love the white appliances but for now they are staying. And if I do the Wainscoat in white and later change to stainless appliances I can always paint the wainscoat!! I'm so excited about this! We also went to a home show in Cinncinati over the weekend and looked at refinishing the counter tops. Any thoughts or experiences with this? we spoke to a rep from Eco Refinishers They claim to be even commercial worthy. It is a type of resin ( I think) spray coating professionally done. We have a lot of counterspace and this would be a cheaper way to go. The existing countertops just like the appliances are still in good shape so we though it might save us some money and recycle the boring old cream laminate. OK, Go! :)

Looking forward to pictures of the new island!

If you paint the countertops you'll still be left with the dated and ugly integrated 4" backsplash. It might be ok for a temporary solution, but I'd redo the island and leave good enough alone. The cream isn't that ugly. Save the money for future new countertops.

Wow - what a transformation already!

I agree with winterriver on the counters - they are not terrible and now that the walls are so dark they really brighten the space.

If you do decide to do the backsplash, make sure you buy enough tile to do the whole thing - counter to cabinets - then when you get rid of your laminate, you can cover the gap left by the 4" backsplash with the same tile.

I totally disagree with nevadan about laminate counters. Plenty of people still buy them and some of the HD versions look almost like real stone. If they are in good shape and neutral like yours, they are fine. Save up and get whatever you want - granite, quartz, soapstone, wood, stainless, concrete - whatever.

(Notice I left corian off the list. some people love it but I'm not a fan of spending that much money for something that will scortch.)

If you want to do something simple to update, how about change out the lighting above the island? We can help! Let us know if you have any questions. http://www.eurostylelighting.com/

For others considering a kitchen makeover: Oak cabinets can look just fine! Despite what some home designers and renovation shows (who exist to make a profit) tell you, don't feel like you have to follow the latest trend to have a nice kitchen. Go with what you like and feels right for your home. Traditional oak cabinets can give a warm, earthy and cozy vibe to a kitchen as opposed to say, an all-white kitchen (which can look drab and sterile over time). For a more eco-friendly approach, consider giving your existing kitchen a fresh look instead of a full-on replacement. You can add pizzazz with new drawer pulls and handles. Replace broken hinges and door glides with durable hardware. Sand and refinish, or reface worn surfaces of wood cabinets. It's not only eco-friendly, it's budget-friendly.

Hi Donna,
Your kitchen updates look amazing. So inspirational! I found this little blog because I have the EXACT same issue with my new kitchen in our new home: light oak cabinets, white appliances, beige laminate countertop, brass&white pulls. lol! Our cabinets and appliances are in very good shape as well & won't need replacing for a while.. as much as I'd love all stainless. I really want to paint the cabinets white (my dream kitchen color) but it's a terribly huge job & we have no idea what we're doing; we'd definitely need them to be professionally done. My additional issue is an off-white tile floor! (12x12 tiles) - another costly replacement issue that just can't happen for a little while yet.

I wanted to change to oil rubbed bronze pulls as well but I'm also worried about the floor clashing, too. So much white. Yours look terrific, however. A nice fresh look, and you have that great hardwood floor! I am going to try a nickel & the OR bronze side-by-side to see how it looks. We have to replace 44 pulls.

You got some great tips here, I must say, and I'm definitely going to use some them for my kitchen, too. I was studying your 'after pic' & it looks so nice. I LOVE the idea to add wainscoting and/or some sort of faux-leg feature to make your island stand out. Have you considered replacing your kitchen faucet with an OR bronze one? That would look awesome, updated & match your new pulls. :) Great job & God bless!

Love all the changes you made, I hope you will change the counter tops and add a nice back splash soon. Keep us posted!

Interesting that most of the comments were posted in 2012, and include a comment about the new "in" appliance trend for black to replace stainless. Not exactly ancient history or a study in Houzz Archeology, but a little look-back on the subject of trends.

Angela, more info please on the counter top color in photo you posted, please?
In same boat as Donna. need to kerp white appliance and oak cabinets. need backsplash, countertops, flooring color recommendations. I think I'm playing safe and staying too light.

I also have natural oak cabinets with dark granite tops and they look very nice. My floor has tile in a beige tone. The dark countertop will ground your room. I can send a picture if you are interested in seeing.

If I can be of any help to you please let me know how! Susan

I would do 'this' in a NY minute if I had Formica counter tops, go to you tube and look at how amazing doing it yourself with a kit can look !!! I had bought one for my Mom's bathtub as the finish was off in places. This stuff looks just like the real thing if done right and honestly after watching it done on you tube, I believe anyone could do it !! Looks just like granite !!

The next time you replace the kitchen faucet, you might get the dark metal fixtures to match the pot rack. The price of the cabinet hardware is low compared with the cost of other changes you might consider, so I would suggest you get the dark metal hardware to match the pot rack. Since you have red accents in the next room, perhaps you could buy pots and pans and some small appliances in red. You might add a kitchen valence, dish towels, and potholders in a red and white plaid, check, or toile to bring more red into the room.

I have a solid butcher block island ,too. I sanded it down, and bleached the wood every day for about 2 weeks, to lighten it up really well. then will sand it again. Then i will get some tong oil, and oil it really well, a few times, and leave it as is, with just the tong oil. I am also going to paint my island a glossy black . and am hoping to eventually paint my oak cabinets white/ greyish-white! Good luck!

a black island or "expresso"island with the oil rubbed bronze light fixture you installed will look really good, with the white appliances too!

You all do realize that this post is almost 3 years old don't you?

Oil rubbed bronze knobs and pulls look best on light colored cabinets like white or off white. That said, if you are leaving the oak on the wall cabinets as is, you want to choose brushed nickel or satin nickel knobs and pulls. That is the best color for medium colored cabinets.

Another idea would be if you don't want to paint all of your kitchen cabinets maybe you could paint your Center Island.

Update it by placing bamboo flooring and counter tops a light modern design

Hey Donna,

I would suggest changing your cabinet hardware to match your light fixture. I think that new light fixture is super cool and adding new Oil Rubbed Bronze hardware to your cabinets would really help draw the room together. I would check out Century Hardware! They have lots of options in Oil Rubbed Bronze that i think would look great in your kitchen!

Shabby chic