I got a 14" solar tube and, honestly, I don't notice a difference in the intense colors I picked with the natural light or artificial light. But I did find that the first cabinet stain that I picked in the cabinet maker's showroom was nothing short of aweful in the light of my kitchen. That little oversight cost me nearly $2K.

My colors are all saturated. Perhaps that makes a difference. I dunno.

Here's one in daylight from before it was finished:

Here's artificial light and flash further along the project.

Below is a link with pix and a short novel attached to the first image. Want to add that my skylights are western facing and I live in TX. um...yea. Thanks for any input~

Thank you imrainey~ Didn't realize you have a solar tube...I remember your kitchen...looks like a feel-good space. I know well the 2K mistakes....I clearly only needed one 2'x4' skylight instead of two.

Here is a link that might be useful: Before kitchen

We get a lot of natural light through a bank of picture windows in the kitchen/DR. As it's east facing, the light is more neutral than the west-facing windows, I've noticed.

I think if you're going cool colors, they do need to be saturated. Warm colors can handle bright light better. All colors will be noticeably lighter - note in imrainey's photos, the natural light photo seems overall a good two shades lighter than the artificial lighting photo. My kitchen photos also reflect this difference.

Hi Kat--what a pretty room you have! I'm anxious to see what kind of advice you get, because I'm planning a remodel that involves adding another west-facing window to an already super-bright kitchen.

The pictures you shared immediately reminded me of this website, because I'm always amazed at how much light seems to bounce around these rooms. I don't know if they all have skylights? Or is it the white walls? But they do mostly have painted cabinets. Maybe a little darker in value, but still not extra-saturated. Light, but muted... if that makes sense, as opposed to your current cabinets, which I would call light and bright. Anyway, I just wanted to share these pretty pictures, maybe you'll find some inspiration in them.

Oh, and the only advice I could offer is to have your granite honed instead of polished, so it won't glare you to death. :)

Good luck, I hope you'll share your progress!

Here is a link that might be useful: Light-filled, painted cabinet kitchens

Can someone tell me more about solar tube? I never heard of it before. I just googled and saw what they are but how do they look in a kitchen? Do you only install one? How much natural light do they provide? How much does exposure matter? How much $$$$?

OK... I'm done now. Thanks!

remodelfla, if you search the forum for sun-tunnel or suntunnel or "sun tunnel" you should see some posts about them, including pictures. I put two 10" Velux sun tunnels in my new halfbath and hallway, and they are great. They cost about the same as a large skylight (~$250), but they are easier and cheaper to install because they are designed to fit between standard rafter spacings.

Actually I think mine were 14-inchers, not 10-inchers ... not sure how much that affects price.

Our kitchen has two large windows (S and SW exposures), and it also borders our atrium so it has tons of natural light. We chose a rich, warm red for the walls. However, red maybe a bit adventurous for cabinets...

Thank you for taking time to respond....

alku05, I know; I considered red...but as the temperature rises here...it's just too hot of a color for the cabs.

The link that amanda_t sent inspired me ~lovely rooms. I'm thinking a beautiful rich gray-ish taupe for the cabinets....in the pix above you see that my adjacent rooms have gray walls...so it'd flow. Happy to have a different perspective. Thanks Amanda!

If you have paint color suggestions, please share...I'm looking at BM (something like Grant Beige) and also Martha Stewart, as these shades are her domain. TA~ Kat

Here is a link that might be useful: just great small neutral kitchens