While I think dark cherry kitchens are beautiful, I've switched from dark cabinets to white for our last 2 kitchens and I love them! So if I were you, I'd do white. I think it's a classic that will appeal to many prospective buyers, plus you said you like the look of it yourself which is most important.

I think you'll find that either one would be beautiful and not everyone here will agree with me, but to help you make a decision, I'll cast the first vote--white.

If you have a very large kitchen with lots of natural light go for the cherry cabinets. A smaller or darker space or an area of the country where cherry cabinets are not popular will call for white cabinets. Don't stress. Either choice will turn out beautifully. God bless you!

If you have a very large kitchen with lots of natural light go for the cherry cabinets. A smaller or darker space or an area of the country where cherry cabinets are not popular will call for white cabinets. Don't stress. Either choice will turn out beautifully. God bless you!

Condolences! Although it may not be easy to adjust your new circumstances, please be gentle with yourself and don't worry about venting.

You're an experienced remodeler/builder so you know that you will move past the stress once you finalize this decision. If you don't want to flip a coin, my vote is for white/cream cabinets for a classic or modern look. Tinker's classic white w/ soapstone is a timeless look, but you can easily opt for a more contemporary style with white cabinets. Resale is important, but I hope you will enjoy planning and living in your new home!

thank you phoggie! It can be a hard decision! While flipping through magazines, I do admire both kitchens, white & cherry, but my true love is white & creams. If you recall, I decided to have an affair and go with dark cherry cabinets in my old house. DH's desires and the kitchen designers influenced me to cheat, and I did. There is no doubt, the cherry cabinets were beautiful, and my kitchen did get a lot compliments, but my heart belonged to another... so in new house was easy, I knew I would be faithful, and choose white!

Having both, I can say the dark did make the room feel very closed in. My kitchen was large, but the cabinets did make it feel so much darker. I know white would have changed the whole look of the house, and made it feel more open and airy.

White does show a little more dirt (drips, fingermarks), but was long as you wipe it, it's gone and no worries. What surprised me about the dark, is that I found they looked much dirty, more often! The dust.. it showed a LOT, and I found that I was cleaning them much more than I did my new white.

I'm among the best for not being able to decide things, so good for your making decisions on other stuff, you're ahead of the game! Do you have any pictures to post? What is your other decor like... ? Do you tend to go towards darker furniture?

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathies.

I think you're overwhelming yourself with thoughts of "post-retirement" which is only natural, given what's happened. But all along the way through life, since we know not when it will happen, any day could've been our last, yet we can't live our lives as if each day is our last or we would all make terrible choices. Instead we live to enjoy each day as the gift that it is, and yet live as if this is still one day of so many yet to come...because it is.

When we were building, we added a guest room suite downstairs that I thought could be used for my Mom if she needed to be with us, and our thought is to use it for a "granny nanny" should we be infirmed but still at home. It wasn't until later, when she was in the nursing home dying of terminal cancer that she told me, when she first saw that space, she thought to herself, "Is this the room I will die in?" Unfortunately Mom never even got to see our house finished. You can't foresee the future.

My grandfather had terrible leg pains and the doctor put him on Percodan when he was 75. My mother asked the doctor, isn't that a narcotic and addictive? The doctor replied, he's already 75...how long will he be addicted? We found out. 24 years. He died at 99 due to damage done by long term use of percodan. You can't foresee the future.

You are only in your 70s and you may easily live 10 or 15 years or more in this house, by which time, styles will have changed again. (My uncle will turn 100 in January and is still living at home by himself and doing very well.) So don't worry about it. You may live in that house long enough to want to remodel it again, or you may get hit by a bus tomorrow and never see it done. Build what you love just as you have before. Relax and enjoy the process just as you have before. And just as has happened in the past, when it's time to sell for whatever reason, a buyer will come along and be happy with it too. It's your house...do what you want with it.

Somewhere inside you know what you want...you just have to quiet your mind long enough to be able to hear it.

Sending my best peace, comfort and courage thoughts your way.

Phoggie,
I vote for white.

Because I think it will be a brighter space for YOU and that as one's eyes age, getting better light and contrast can make things easier.

It is also a nice "clean slate" in a zen kind of a way.

Just some thoughts......

You are not old! When you are in your 90's then we will talk about it!
From what I am hearing from your posts, your gut is saying white or cream. As stated above, either white or cherry new kitchen will be fine for resale in these next 10 years.
I am going to say that you will be in this house for the next 20 years. By that time the new owners will want a completely diffferent kitchen. So, let's not worry about them.
You know the pros and cons of both choices. What will nake you happy? Think about your space and imagine a white kitchen in it. Does it put a smile on your face? If so, you have just made one decision.

You've received great advice already but I just wanted to add my condolences on the loss of your husband.

Phoggie,
I'm post retirement and did a kitchen 2 yrs ago and went for white..I can see where the dirt is easier and we dropped a whole wall of upper cabinets down to the countertop(bumped countertop out a few inches) so I wouldn't have to climb to reach everyday things also, I can't say enough good things about having an elevated diswasher cabinet...so much nicer than having to bend down to the floor.
Best of luck on your new kitchen.

Lots of great input and advice from many posters. I'm finding that as I've gotten older the "this has to be a forever decision" has become increasingly difficult for me to make. I hope you will be able to relax and find peace with your new build, and know you so miss the input and having someone to share thoughts with since the passing of your dear husband. You've had much to deal with.

I do believe either choice will be beautiful. From my own experience, my original cabinets were wood with a wood kitchen floor and my home is on a wooded lot without a lot of natural light. I found my kitchen (a mid size room) to be pretty dark & closed in. We painted the cabinets a soft, creamy white a few years ago & replaced the counter tops with a nice solid surface neutral, and I have loved it. It is a much brighter and more cheerful working space. (My eyesight's not what it used to be & it has helped). We have 6 grandchildren & have lots of spills, but it cleans up nicely. I've never had cherry, but think they are equally lovely. Just go with your gut feeling, and once you decided don't second guess - just enjoy your beautiful new space.

Thanks to all who have responded so kindly to my woes.
The rest of the house will be traditional...furniture light,and tables, etc. will be dark. White woodwork, painted walls....probably a soft sage, etc.

Not only are the cabinets a problem, but so are the appliances...SS, Black, or White???? ORB, Polished nickel, crome, black, antique brass?????

My cabinet builder hates painted cabinets and they are a 22 percent upcharge!...so he is steering me toward the stained cabinets.

Some like, some hate SS for finger prints....but I have an opportunity until tomorrow to buy a 4 drawer SS frig. at a very good price!....do I go for it?...or not? It is only
$1699..which is under the local dealer's cost. I guess this is the immediate pressure. IDEAS PLEASE!!! Thanks.

I guess I agree white is more timeless. I did my first white kitchen 15 years or so ago, did another one about 10 years ago, and am going with espresso this time. So, I was doing white while others were doing dark and buyers loved it and my houses sold quickly. Now I'm doing dark while lots of others are doing light. I'm sort of contrary that way. It might be dated sooner, and it might not sell as quickly, but who knows when I'll be thinking about that. And I may have painted it white by then!

Lots of people are thinking about resale when they build, not just those who are older so you aren't alone in considering that issue. If you are still on the side of wanting white appliances, or light appliances, I think dark would be a mistake as your kitchen will showcase the appliances. Not what I would like to see as a potential buyer. Go white and let the white appliances tie in. At least that's what I would do if I were in your shoes.

I like integrated appliances. I like the refrigerator and the dishwasher to blend right into the cabinets. Then, I only have to worry about the finish on the cooktops and oven or range.

As for problems with fingerprints on stainless steel, if you are living alone (condolences on your loss), keeping fingerprints off the finishes is pretty easy because you will be careful to use the handles.

P.S., If I were to choose a kitchen today, I think I would choose white or cream.

If you think you are going to have to sell in the next 5 years I might look at the trend in your neighbourhood and see what type of kitchens are selling and perhaps follow that. If you think you are 10-15 years before selling then do what you want. Except you don;t know what you want. Ok - look back at the favourite kitchens that you have had - what did you like, not like about them. Which one evokes the warmest feeling? - what kind of cabinets did it have, maybe follow something from your past that you really liked.

Phoggie, I am sorry you have found yourself building this house on your own. Making decisions can be so difficult. I would go with white for your cabinets. It is classic and will always be "in style" no matter what the flavor of the moment is. Yes, you will need to wipe up spills, but I have found that to be pretty much a non-issue. I like the way it lightens my somewhat dark small galley kitchen. The walls in the kitchen and in the keeping room (fancy name for eat-in and sitting area-ha) are Saybrook Sage and the creamy white looks wonderful with that.

Oh, and if I don't have my glasses on, I don't even notice the spots where the pups have shaken upon coming in from the rain! ;)

Condolences on the loss of your husband. You are to be commended for having the emotional and physical strength to continue on with your building plans. Your DH would be so proud of you. I have been following your posts.

I get the feeling that you would enjoy white cabinets so just do it. I really think you will enjoy them; you are at a point in your life where you need freshness and a whole new look. And I have the feeling that you have many good years ahead of you - you seem like a spry 70+ person. If you like the looks of stainless - go for it. If not, white cabinets and white appliances look nice in a traditional kitchen. I have to make these decisions in a couple of years also, as my older kitchen needs a face-lift. I'm 60 and will continue to work for 3 more years, but the way I look at it, I will have lots more time to wipe the food drips off the white cabinets and the streaks off the stainless once I retire (if I go that route).

The one hesitation I would have would be the 22% extra for white. Is that an average price? Perhaps someone else can answer that.

You WILL make the right decision - remember, please yourself, you should have several good years to enjoy, neither will make that much difference in resell! And when you make your decision, don't look back.

Tuesday

Rather than a painted finish, why not go for a linen white wood stain?

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. I hope you can look at grieving him as a good thing ( You had such a great marriage that you will always miss him)
Could you do a less formal cherry and some painted? I like that look. I also know that resale is important. I would contact a local Realtor and ask for advice as to what is selling and what he/she thinks will sell in the future.
Wish you luck.

I send my deepest sympathies, too. And I am humbled by your strength.

Annie has given you superb advice, and I second everything she has said.

Might you be holding on to the cherry, perhaps as a bit of what has gone? You appear to be clearly in favor of white or ivory.

I, too, question the upcharge for paint. That seems completely backwards to me. Can you interview other cabinet people, or at the least ask for an explanation? If he means to paint them himself, and he hates paint, then I think you are asking for trouble down the road.

We just bought a Samsung 4-door, which I would never have thought I'd like, but fell for it in the store, and I love it. The drawer in the middle can be set to different temperatures, depending on what you put in it. It's really wonderful when you have a dinner party (and you will!), because all the wine can go in it at a higher temp than the fridge, and you can get at it so easily. And their freezer drawer is head and shoulders above our old GE Profile for storage and ease of access.

Phoggie, everything you say points to white for cabinets you will be living with for the indefinite future. White for classic elegance that never goes out of style. White for the kind of light spacious look that always sells well. White for more flexibility decorating. White because, ultimately, they're only cabinets, and this isn't the home you were going to build with your husband.

White because you like it better.

Phoggie, if there is any sort of separation in your kitchen, you could use two different finishes, such as an ivory glaze with the cherry~that's what I chose to do.

For perimeter cabs, the ones on an outside wall, I have cherry. The interior ones , including an eat-at counter(peninsula?),I have ivory glazed. It's been almost 4 years and I love the look. The flooring would also play a part~mine are dark hand scraped and if all cabs would have been dark, it would have looked like a cave. Also consider how much light you get in your kitchen during daytime hours . ;o)

girlfriend, we have already talked about this. YOU want white/cream. Just go for it. No worries about the resale. It will look great.

I'm sorry your kids are not helping you out with this. They don't know the stress you are feeling. We can feel it and we are just friends that you haven't met. Get what you want. You said it before, the white kitchens make you happy.

call that builder and give him your decision!!!!

Let me go one step further~I *loved* cherry, and my original thought was to have all cherry. Now that I have the ivory glazed, and If I could have only , it would have definitely been the ivory glaze. Because of the lighter color, they're brighter and more cheerful, hands down! ;o)

Let me go one step further~I *loved* cherry, and my original thought was to have all cherry. Now that I have the ivory glazed, and If I could have only , it would have definitely been the ivory glaze. Because of the lighter color, they're brighter and more cheerful, hands down! ;o)

How about creamy white with bisque appliances? Sounds like you like white best.

Phoggie,

I have been seeing your posts for a while and have become very interested in your house-building process!
You are brave and determined, and you can do this!

I also commented on your post in the Building A Home forum seeking opinions about 8' vs 9' ceiling height.
I'd love to know what you decided about that, and also what you decide about your cabinets.

Btw, although I was told that painted cabinets would cost significantly more, that didn't end up being the case. I guess it depends on the cabinet maker you choose.

Let me just echo what melsouth said above. I was quoted an upcharge by one cabinet maker for painted white, but in our current new house the price was the same for stained or painted white from a different cabinetmaker. Perhaps you can get an estimate from another shop. It also bothers me that your cabinet maker is trying to discourage you from using white since he prefers stained. He should NOT be doing that. In a previous home, I let myself be pressured to do some things by the cabinet maker and always regretted those choices since I really preferred other things, but felt I had to go with his recommendations. As others have said, you're stronger than you even realize after sustaining the loss of your husband. It's natural to struggle with decisions following that...and sometimes I've found just getting a bit older can make decision making (particularly so many at the same time) more likely to be overwhelming. Just take them one at a time, and it will get done. My sincere sympathy over your loss, and I hope you'll still find the joy in each new day you have.

Regarding appliances--if YOU like white cabinets and choose that, you can go with either white or stainless. With cherry, IMHO stainless would look best. We went with stainless in this house with white cabinets because I didn't care for the appearance of big white refrigerators. But we chose the stainless look frig that doesn't show fingerprints. I've found that the stainless undermount sink I thought I'd hate, is actually less work than my previous white one. As with so many things, in the long run, it will work out. Just take it one step at a time. Keep us posted. You have so many friends here ready to help you.

What about purchasing cabinets - someimes w/ sinks and some applicances + counter tops included -- from Green Demolitions? They have several different styles and configurations. Scroll all the way to the end for the "on sale" kitchens. Seeing the kitchens "in place" could help envision how they look. Plus the pricing could help with your budget. They also claim that shipping is very reasonable.

Here is a link that might be useful: Green Demolitions Kitchens

WOOHOO!....I did make one step closer~~ Sears had a sale that was only for a few days....Whirlpool 4 dr. French Door Frig...for a heck of a sale that was too good to pass up ($800 off)...and it was Stainless Steel~~ I waited until the last day to call the salesperson and tell him I would take it, because I decided it was only me and I am not hard on things, and while I was on the phone, he said that he had a great looking self-cleaning gas range that they were selling out of and it was discounted $300...and if I didn't like it, I wasn't married to it....so I said to put that on my tab also...My girlfriend who was with me laughed and said that she had never seen anyone buy a stove without seeing it...but I said, "I don't cook anymore...it is only a place holder". The salesman also said that if they have any upcoming sales for dishwashers and microwaves, he is going to let me know~~

Anyway...it is at least hickory floors/gunstock stain and SS appliances...and I am leaning very hard toward white or cream with a "blackish" countertop....probably laminate.

Three different cabinet makers have told me about the up-charge for white cabinets....guess there is so many steps that they have to do to keep them from chipping.

kashmi...that is a good price, but NJ and KS is a far piece away from each other...so I can get them made at a better price here because of freight.

THANKS to all of you for your continued support! You "friends" mean so much to me at the end of this keyboard.