Looking for suggestions on refinishing this hutch

13 years ago

This is a beautiful cherry hutch cabinet that was one of the first pieces of furniture my mother bought over 60 years ago. I want to use it in dining area of my kitchen as a server/bar/buffet and for the extra storage it will provide. Although in its current condition it closely matches my cherry kitchen cabinets (see picture below) - it would be adding more dark wood to a north-facing kitchen already in need of light. I'm torn between painting it in a lighter color or just cleaning it up and leaving it as is. What do you think? If I painted it, what color(s) would you recommend? Would you change the knobs and/or remove the plate rail (my daughter thinks the plate rail should go, but I'm not so sure)

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Barbara Stock Interior Design

13 years ago

Then again...sometimes taking a beloved piece and making it your own makes you appreciate it even more. If you decide to make a change, I would remove the plate rails. If lighter is what you seek, cream with a brown antiquing glaze would be beautiful. You might want to change the hardware to something rust or oil rubbed bronze, as well. Alno has a nice line of rustic and well-priced hardware you might like. Note in the second photo, the back of the coffee bar is stained dark, which could be lovely and tie in with your kitchen cabinets while providing contrast. Good luck!

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Comments (13)

nancykelley
Original Author
13 years ago
No suggestions yet? (Running upstairs sobbing hysterically)
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Susan Mills Design
13 years ago
Eek! No sobbing, it is a beautiful piece and the fact it was your mothers makes it even more special. I love it the way it is, how about using white dishes sparingly to freshen it and make it a bit brighter. I would not do anything to alter it. It's really lovely.
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Cat Rowe
13 years ago
I agree. Especially if it already goes with your cupboards. I like Susans idea of white dishes
These pieces are great in a kitchen. A nice place for a stack of towels, wine bottles, you could also use
It as extra pantry space herbs, oils, teas, coffees. Dry goods. Good luck Nancy! Cat Rowe
portpiro
13 years ago
I'd consider painting the backboards off white. And I think I agree with your daughter. China always looks lovely displayed on shelves like this eg blue and white, or green, red and white. A good excuse to start a collection of something eg teapots or ginger jars or just some lovely old pieces.
dvanvrst
13 years ago
I am not an interior designer or decorator but I would never paint beautiful cherry wood that looks to be in such good condition! The hutch is lovely but it is a lot of wood. My suggestion is to cut three pieces of foamboard exactly to fit the back of each open shelf on the hutch. Cover them with a lovely, light airy fabric, like a soft yellow, light gray and white pattern. Install the fabric panels in a temporary way so that you could change them or remove them easily. I think it would be pretty to showcase a few pieces of lovely white ironstone and pewter against the fabric. How lucky you are to have such a lovely heirloom!
Ramona
13 years ago
I'm always in favor of more light bouncing around. You could paint the back and the sides and drawers off white, leaving all the horizontal surfaces as they are and it would brighten it up, but leave enough wood grain to harmonize with your cabinets. No crying allowed. Everything we do here is fixable.
Natalie
13 years ago
Hi---I would paint it simply because you have so much wood already, it would be more interesting painted. I think a wallpaper bringing in hues of your kitchen would look great. Pics for inspiration. Hope it's helpful. Good Luck!
[houzz=
Graham & Brown - Sonnet Wallpaper · More Info
][houzz=
Whistling Thorn Wallpaper · More Info
][houzz=
Amy Butler Passion Lily · More Info
][houzz=
Eclectic Kitchen · More Info
][houzz=
Bruce Avenue Residence Lower-Level Family Room 4 · More Info
]
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Aegean Design Studio
13 years ago
What other colors are you using in your kitchen?

I like the idea of painting the hutch, and would go with a color that compliments your walls. Are they pale yellow? Antiquing the piece would also look nice; off white with a darker glaze. Maybe check out a kitchen remodeling showroom and see what color doors they're showing. Gray is really in now; is that what your counter is?

If you leave it the way it is, I agree with adding either white dishes and serving pieces, using platters along the back to make the cherry pop.
PRO
Motivo Design Studio
13 years ago
Removethe stain and bring it back to bare timber then give it a wax with bees wax. I have used some furniture olike this from toucan trading in Fremantle WA.
nancykelley
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you, all. Some very good ideas here! I especially like the suggestion about painting it a cream color with an antique brown glazing - and I love those bronze handles, they'd be just perfect. I am definitely leaning toward painting it because its such a large dark piece and I need something lighter in my kitchen to break up all the wood
Kelley Nancy
13 years ago
Barbara Stock: I really liked the pictures you posted, and I checked out the "Alno" hardware website as well. Thank you for the great ideas. I'm thinking of doing it in a cream color as you suggested, but looking for a different color antiquing glaze - brown may not be the right choice. At any rate, its given me fresh ideas on it and I am grateful for the help.
nomadkath
13 years ago
I would definitely try changing the hardware and displaying white or light colored plates before painting it....you can always paint later if its not working for you. like dvanvrst's idea as another way of temporary changes that will help you visualize something different. You could always add more lights in the room, and accent colors to brighten it.