In my opinion, and I visit this kitchen often as she is one of my friends, these dated kitchen cabinets were made to look like they belonged and worked when we added the contrasting painted cabinetry, counters and flooring. You can't imagine how beautiful and warm this kitchen is in person and how it fits the personality of the homeowner. Yes the oak cabinets are dated, but handled by design, in way that gives them an air of quality and purpose, like we did here, gives them a timeless appeal in my honest opinion. This homeowner loved a warm, comfortable, almost craftsman style with her favorite warm colors of red, ochre, greens, etc. as accents. This kitchen fits her perfectly.

Thanks for your question.

I would never paint or replace oak cabinets regardless of how many times we are told by HGTV that they are "dated". It would be ridiculous to ruin expensive real wood cabinets because of the latest buzz word that is being used to brain wash people into thinking they must have whatever cabinet style and/or finish that HGTV is promoting. Some things just aren't logical. Unless you just do not like your cabinets or if they are in poor condition, don't listen to those that want you to spend money for no good reason.

Thank you for that! We have a basic 3 BR ranch built in 1965, the cabinets were custom, not cookie-cutter. Yes, they're oak but in perfect condition.