elbit: I don't quite get the white kitchen obsession, either. I guess it seems "fresh" or clean (i.e., sanitized) in some way.

I think this transformation is beautiful-- really done thoughtfully-- but I'm betting that if the cabinets had not been painted and everything else changed around it (backsplash, wall color, lights), it would have been equally beautiful. Previously, on my screen, the kitchen had an overall yellow look-- but I think changing all the surround, but keeping the cabinets their natural maple, would have 'fixed' that. I'm guessing Chad Esslinger Design would have done a stellar job, either way. :)

When we re-did our kitchen 20 years ago, we used cherry for the cabinets (no staining of it, just natural cherry) and lots of glass-fronted upper cabinets. We recently replaced the limestone countertops with soapstone, which I love, but kept the still pristine limestone backsplash (which had dark gray/black veins running through it). But those cherry cabinets look like they were put in yesterday. They've only gotten richer in tone, from sunlight and age-- but wow-- they are gorgeous. Maple and cherry are, of course, two different types of wood-- so not sure how maple might fare over the long haul-- but to Sandra above who is thinking about painting her cherry cabinets-- think about having them stripped instead. Someone may have initially put a dark stain on those, which they don't need. It's such a beautiful wood-- can't imagine painting cherry (or maple, for that matter). :)