First house: outdated kitchen

13 years ago

Hi everyone- thought I'd reach out for some help with our kitchen. This photo is the seller's and is the current state of the space. We just closed on the home so expense is a concern. I really dislike the finish on the cabinets but we're a little afraid to stain them ourselves. Since they will stay the way they are, would a dark paint look good? Also, we are thinking of counter-height stools (iron/wood?) for around the island but can't decide for sure. Help!

All of the pictures are the as-is state so we will start from scratch (the fridge is going w/the seller so we will have to decide on stainless steel or not...and then hopefully replace the biscuit colored appliances).

Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Christopher James Interiors

13 years ago

Definitely paint the cabinets. Start with a lighter base coat and then add a darker glaze coat to give the cabinets some depth and highlight the detail of the facing. Add a tile backsplash give the space some texture and additional color. Good luck!

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Comments (12)

zlozano
13 years ago
Iron chairs, paint on walls to warm up the space and you can change color of cabinet with rust oleum cabinet transformation. No prior experience and my mom and I did it in 3 days. Nice kitchen a lot of potential
alwaysdesigning
13 years ago
If you paint cabinets in a warm white with a really nice backsplash, not too busy but reflective and glassy, and update the barstools you can freshen it up. Keep the tones in the same family as the floor so it doesn't clash (is the tone yellowish, pinkish or what?). The greenery hanging around and the ledge full of small things really clutters it up. The ledge doesn't need anything except maybe a very large key artwork hung above it or leaned and braced on it. Good luck
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smldesigns
13 years ago
My daughter had the same cabinets and her husband sanded them down and then white washed them. Her college roommate made the mistake of painting hers (oak) without apply Kilz which seals the grain in the oak. If you decide to paint, make sure that you seal them first. My brother in law had the same cabinets and he sanded and re-stained his darker. Are you counter tops laminate? If so, you can now paint them also though I don't know anyone who has. The bar stools are nice. I think I prefer metal, but I would wait until you do something with the cabinets before you change them. Also, I would add knobs or handles to the cabinets for a little flourish.
PRO
Christopher James Interiors
13 years ago
And add hardware! :)
Natalie
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Hi---I would definitely do a monochromatic color palette in this space and in doing so-you need only to paint and add a backsplash. Invest your money in SS appliances, new stools, and some fantastic lighting. Pics are backsplash options and stools. Wall colors: SW 6046 Swing Brown, SW 6067 Mocha, and SW 6066 Sand Trap...
Hope this is helpful. Good Luck and CongraTs!
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PRO
Lavieestbelledesign
13 years ago
Paint those cabinets. Staining may be tedious. Check out my before and after kitchen cabinet makeover to see what a difference it makes. I painted mine "french white." Also some cabinet hardware would make a huge difference. Check out www.knobsforless.com. I think lowes and home depot have that "big box store" blandness. Hope this helps! :)
dinka06
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, everyone! Maybe we can try the cabinet transformation without staining- it's definitely something I'm not comfortable doing on my own.

I like the idea of a warm color since the kitchen gets a lot of sunlight. We've circled "Mariner Blue" as part of Martha Stewart Living collection, but now that I've seen a picture of another user's project painted with it, maybe it's too gray??

I was thinking about iron chairs like the one below. I like brown and iron but I can't seem to find one that meets that criteria and doesn't have microfiber seats.
Natalie
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Be careful of the gray color you use in your room---otherwise your floor tile may end up looking pink and your counters yellow. Check more of a taupe/gray/beige color palette. Good Luck to you.................... :)
dinka06
Original Author
13 years ago
You're right- the Mariner Blue is out. The floor tile already has a pink hue to it so I'm not going to do anything to add to it!
Natalie
13 years ago
For the heck of it check these colors and see if they will work for you... : SW 7030 Anew Gray, SW 7031 Mega Greige, SW 7037 Balanced Beige, SW 7038 Tony Taupe, SW 7023 Requisite Gray and SW 7024 Functional Gray... 6 colors ---3 color charts total. Good luck finding your stools without upholstery. :) [houzz=
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Kaitlyn S
13 years ago
Upholstery on a stool is SO EASY to change. Look at the bones and then buy a couple yards of fabric and a staple gun.