This is an attractive kitchen and I like gray, but personally, I think I would get tired of the gray cabinets pretty quickly. I would go for either a cream color, or a light to medium stained golden tone like maple. What do you think of the color of that door in the corner next to the pantry? Maybe something along those lines. Or you could reverse it and do dark cabinets with a gray island.

I personally think that grey is too much, also. In the questions below the pic the designer answers that the painted cabs are woodmode. I would assume the stained are also. Maybe go to the woodmode site and try to figure out that color. Then go back to Houzz and search for that color? You might find some other color schemes that way.

I also think you need to keep looking for inspiration pics. I know you like the mix of cab styles and the stain on this one, but this kitchen has a TON of grey. So if you don't like that, get it out of your inspiration folder. Or save the pic and crop out as much of the grey as you can. People sometimes see something and say they love X but not Y and then when they see X in their space without the Y, turns out they didn't really love X, they only loved X in the context of Y. Does that make any sense? e.g., you love that island color, but if you get it with white cabs, suddenly it's too dark and the difference irritates you

DH & I agree with both of you about the gray. It's too much and we will probably tire of it quickly. I am trying to figure out if those cabinets are also wood-mode and their stain color so I can compare that against other color options.

Here's one with the perimeter cabinet color I like and a painted island - cannot tell if that's a gray? But DH is getting thrown off as he thinks it's too busy with the backsplash.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchens-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~5787675-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro

I also suggested bringing in a waterfall counter for the island and leaving all cabinets the same color as seen in this picture. But DH is worried the waterfall counter is too much of a trend that will go away and also concerned about the expense.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/huntington-beach-contemporary-kitchen-orange-county-phvw-vp~162920-Beach-contemporary-kitchen

DH is a fan of this slab style and overall color / finish. I like it but think it might look dirty and dated very quickly.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-clean-warm-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-san-diego-phvw-vp~845494--contemporary-warm-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-san-diego

Ayeâ¦.

It'll make it easier for folks to help you if they can see the pics right in your thread. (It takes right-clicking on the pictures at Houzz, then copying the gobldygook for the large image, then pasting it into your thread. Here are the ones you listed. : )

A:

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Bethesda Kitchen & Bath Designers Aidan Design

B:

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Herndon Photographers Bob Narod, Photographer, LLC

C:

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Michael Fullen Design Group

D:

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators Kristin Lam Interiors

fwiw, I like "B" and "C" the best. If it was me, I think I'd choose to do a gray island if you want to mix finishes. That way if gray suddenly becomes yesterday's wash water, it's easy to switch to a new favorite color. ; )

I'm currently obsessed with gray kitchen cabs and I love this design ...

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jane Lockhart Interior Design

I love slab doors...no grooves for food or spills to get stuck in and much easier to wipe down. I think I'm having trouble mixing the dark gray and dark brown together...for me, they are just too gloomy together. One or the other needs to be lighter for some relief and visual contrast. If you go this route I would definitely do the island in gray...it can be repainted easier than cabs down the line as laughable mentioned.

LOVE 'A' !!!

I think that Kitchen A looks odd. The gray and the stained brown clash in my opinion. I love both on their own but together it looks like oil and water to me.

I love the last photo of the white kitchen with a gray island. Very nice combination.

Kitchen B also uses gray and stained wood but it works. I think the shades are more contrasting and most importantly the backsplash used really ties it together.

Good luck!!!