Have you considered any other color? Just looking at your kitchen I immediately could see an aged cream color. It would be more complimentary to your red. I agree that the brown may be too dark with the floor and I think the white could work. I like the counters to be in the same tone as the floor. I'm sure you'll get lots of replies and you make the right decision for you.

What about doing both? A dark color on the bottom cupboards to compliments your floors and ground the space) and creamy white on the top cupboards. You can probably find some examples of kitchen pictures that show this combination.
Another idea is any color that you like - dark on bottom and lighter version of the same color on the top.

How about cream cabinets to match your bisque dishwasher and dark bronze or black hardware?

Are you going to change your countertops? If not, I wouldn't paint them white - it would be white on white and just too much white. If you are going to change them, then I definitely vote for white cabinets!

I also think a dark brown looks great with white countertops, so I'd go that route if changing your countertops are not in your plans.

I know how you feel about trying to update the oak but man - i just hate the idea of painting wood. I don't think DIY paint looks as good as long as a good stain/urethane either. Any way you can get them refinished? Pay someone to strip all the doors and drawerfronts and restain and poly yourself?

I would paint the cabinets in satin black -- and add modern stainless hardware.

Here's an inspiration photo!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Black-painted kitchen cabinets

I think a cream color would be my vote.

I used dark gel stain on my cabs and I love them but your kitchen has a modern vibe going in red,white and black/grey. I would do white with a black countertop (something with grey specs). Or like someone suggested above do a black or dark grey on the bottom and white on top. But I wouldn't do browns or creams unless you have something else like that in the house.
Also get nickel or stainless hardware/faucet.
I think a black a white kitchen with red accents would look great. What type of countertop are you planning?
I used gel stain on kitchen cabs and painted powder room cab in white. I love them all.

Did you notice in teacats picture that they have the dark on bottom and light cupboard on the top?

What also might looks good is a very dark charcoal grey (close to floor color) on the bottom and a soft grey on the top. You could leave your countertop white for nice contrast between the 2 greys and to tie in the white window frames and other moldings. If you get NEW counters white with grey or black flecks would look nice.

I had the same decision to make a few months ago. I did as you are doing -- I asked for help from the forum. One forum member, perhaps it was teacats, posted a picture of a kitchen with beautiful ebony cabinets, and I knew that was the way to go. I have red walls in my kitchen. I painted the cabinets satin black and they look stunning with my white appliances and white countertops. I have no regrets whatsoever. At the time, someone made the statement that black cabinets look more modern and up-to-date, and that was the look I wanted for my old brown cabinets. And, besides, it's only paint. But, speaking from experience, I know you'll love black cabinets.

Stargirl do you have a picture? I do like the look of the dark cabinets, and do agree it is quite modern looking. My only concern is it will make my already small kitchen seem smaller, and with the dark floors, and dark fridge it might not look good. I was also worried it might not look good with my red wall that i don't really want to get rid of.

I wish I had pictures but I don't modernmissus. But, I can assure you, there is no kitchen smaller than mine. I have a black and white checked backsplash, and with the black cabinets, the kitchen looks fantastic. And I, too, love my red walls and wouldn't get rid of them. The only concern I can see is that you have dark floors and fridge. My floors are wood laminate and I use a red accent rug in front of the sink - but my fridge is white.

This idea of white cabinets on top and dark cabinets on the bottom is certainly growing on me now. The best of both worlds! Although I have to admit I never thought i'd like the mixed look, but i've seen a couple pics now, including the one teacats posted and I think it looks great. Seems like the perfect solution to my dilemma. I could then get either dark or light cabinets cause it would blend with both! What would you guys suggest for the cabinet around my fridge though. I think it would probably be best just to paint that whole area white since my fridge is black.

I personally think leave the cabinets alone! Put in black countertops and make it like my inspiration kitchen. If you look in the kitchen gallery place, the kitchen I love belongs to babs711.

Good Luck!
Alicia

My first thought is .... I agree with camarodreamer....I would leave well enough alone, maybe upgrade the countertops and hardware. Did you consider glazing them? You have a lot of cabinetry, whatever you do is a big job. I would call in a faux painter, I wouldnt do it yourself. Your kitchen doesnt look "that old". How old is it?

I was once debating the same thing, and I found trying it out first (digitally) was helpful to me. Maybe these will help you:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

OMG!! I LOVE the black cabs! It doesn't look too dark AT ALL!

Me too. I vote for black.

wow I would have thought all black would be too dark but that photoshop looks awesome! But you will HAVE to do white countertops and white backsplash.

Wow photoshop is amazing! Thank you so much for doing that kris ma! I think they both look great :) It makes me so much more excited to get started! I'm trying to convince my hubby now that we should do the white on top and dark on the bottom. Wish me luck!