I think replacing the uppers would look fine. There are also several members that have added 12 cabinets with glass fronts on top of their existing uppers. You could do that and have them both the old and new uppers painted the same white.

One of my sort-of inspiration pix was from one of the HD cab co catalogs (not Thomasville but I don't remember which one, sorry) that had darker wood lower cabs and white upper cabs on light blue walls -- looked very pretty, light & airy. I tossed the pic but I believe the 2 diff cabs were 2 diff door styles. If you're near a HD you could just go there and browse the catalogs. HTH.

I like the painted tin??? behind the range!

Our new kitchen will have walnut lowers and glossy white uppers (Euro-modern), so you already know how I feel about mixing wood and white. Glass-door uppers would also work, if you don't mind having some indication of what's inside even when the doors are closed, or go with stephanielynn's suggestion, and add the smaller cabinets with glass fronts above what you already have. Go with what speaks to you.

Given your eclectic look and tastes, I'd say replacing the uppers would be a dandy idea. You could also add the 12" cabs on top as someone above suggested.

I have a request - could you post (or send me via my e-mail in my profile) a close-up of your painted tin backsplash? I'd LOVE to do something like this behind my stove but Hubby things that painting tin would "cheapen" it. I'd dearly love to prove him wrong.

petlady - I'm so jealous. I love that combo but it wouldn't work in my center hall colonial. Love the glossy white and walnut. Are the lowers going to be more traditional looking or also a contemporary door style?

bmarshall - I think it would look great to have different color/style uppers vs. lowers. I too am going for more of an eclectic look with painted black raised panel doors on the perimeter with no uppers, stainless shelving, rift cut oak island and then a separate frig/freezer/pantry area possibly all in stainless.

Bmarshall...set your fears at ease...I think your kitchen looks very nice! I really like the mix of textures & materials.

Sometimes when I see kitchens like yours I wonder if I made a mistake going for a more traditional & formal style kitchen.

As to your question...I think it would work to replace the upper cabinets. You could even replace the 30" w/36" and then add the 12" on top of those (if you have at least 18" of space above your current cabinets).

Good luck!

If you really want white uppers, paint what you have first before deciding on doing anything else. The space above them isn't "wasted" space unless you have a LOT of infrequently used stuff that currently doesn't have a home. I think actualy having the space open makes things look less crowded and paiting those existing cabinets white may be all the lift that your heart desires for your kitchen. It's totally NOT worth the $$ buying new uppers when those can be painted, that's for sure.

those cabinets look as if they're in great condition. i would have a local cabinetmaker add boxes to the top space of the upper cabs. you could put glass doors on them and add inside lighting as well as crown molding. since you like white you can have them stripped and sanded and painted. i think it would save a great deal of money to do it this way and it would reduce waste. sounds like a dream kitchen to me! GL!

Mahlgold, thanks for your kind words. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but did want to answer you. I wish I lived in an all-modern house, but it's a neo-victorian in New England. Much of my furniture is now mid-century modern, despite our architecture. But when we decided to do a kitchen, and I poured over kitchen photos, the Euro moderns were the ones that spoke to me, so I decided to go for it. The door styles will all be slab. And along with the walnut lowers and glossy white uppers, we will have a macassar ebony island. The closest I can find to what we'll end up with in terms of finishes is the "Connoisseur," last kitchen on the right-hand side. Just roll your mouse over it to see a large photo. The transitions kitchen just above it also mixes dark and light cabinets.

Here is a link that might be useful: mixed cabinet kitchens

Actually, a reallly inexpensive option would be to paint the current upper cabinets and add paint grade moldings to the ones that already there and paint them white to match.

Sue

Oops, not sure the moldings would work, it kind of looks like you have full overlay doors that might not leave enough room above them. It would be worth checking with a carpenter, though, to see if they could be retrofitted in some way that would still look nice.

Sue

Thank you all so much for your great advice. Live wire oak - yes, you are right. Some people do like the look of 30 in cabinets. My issue is just as much about my lack of storage as it is my preference for taller cabinets.

I really like the idea of adding cabinets on top with glass. I guess that's called stacked cabinetry? After browsing online, I might actually like that look more than the solid 42 inch. I would probably do textured glass because it would be more functional than decorative. Okay... I think I know the answer to this last question, but I thought I'd throw it out there just in case. I would have to keep the existing uppers and the new top cabinets the same color, right? Either stick with the wood or have everything painted white? For some reason, I think I remember seeing someone on this site about 6 months ago who posted a picture with white on top of wood?! But I'm probably wrong.

Pbrisjar - The backsplash behind my stove is just a 4x2 piece of Armstrong Metallaire. I ordered it online from Lowes. (I think shipping was outrageous to have it sent to the house, so I did store delivery). Mine is the large floral pattern. And it is actually metal. Home Depot sells a faux tin backsplash that is made of plastic. This isn't the same thing.

Are you thinking of Sombreuil Mongrel's kitchen with the white on top of stained cabs? I think his is a soffit with molding, but it's the same idea. He has a current thread out there, "My New Kitchen Door". You could take a look and see if that's the right kitchen.

Looks great!! And you have to go with your gut! Would you mind emailing me offline. I don't want to keep posting on this thread. Thanks

malhgold at optonline dot net

Thanks for the info bmarshall. Hubby is a die-hard HD shopper so I rarely see the inside of a Lowe's. I'll have to see if I can convince him to cross the line so we can take a look at them. Those plastic ones at HD just wouldn't work for behind a range.

Would love to see the remodel. Currently looking to replace uppers only