Keep or replace kitchen cabinets in MCM?

11 years ago

What would you suggest for the kitchen below? The house was built by understudy of Frank Lloyd Wright in a midcentury modern community and has cabinets I am not a big fan of, but can live with. I could allocate up to 25k for the kitchen (excluding floors, covered separately).

Current plan for critique:
-consistent floors thru all open area (living, dining, kitchen, hall)
-take down wall where current owner has table
-add kitchen island about where table is now
-add consistent countertop on both island and current cabinets
-new backslash (current owner only tiled to stove and stopped)
-new sink/faucet
-replace hardware so consistent
-keep current appliances until one breaks and then get new matching set

But since I am not in love with current cabinets and they are not in the best shape is it best to just bite the bullet and renovate the whole thing (it would be nice to match island and cabinets)? Any other ideas?

Featured Answer

MarleneM

11 years ago

Great kitchen! For the cabinets to function better, maybe look at interior fittings. There are many available, for example pullout peg boards for frying pans to hang on.
How about an island like this, waterfall edged on both sides in the countertop material you select. A good cabinet maker should be able to match the wood and stain of the cabinets for the underneath face, or it could be painted for a pop of colour, but I like the wood look as it won't look so much as an add on if it matches your existing cabinets. Cabinets on other side of island, for storage, could be a gloss white.
http://houzz.com/photos/6338945

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

suzyq53
11 years ago
Hi Jessica - I really love your kitchen. I would try to save the cabs which fit the space perfectly. They are unique and look great with the ceiling. Your new island doesn't to match the outer cabs. There are lots of island options that would compliment the existing cabs. If the existing cabs aren't is great shape can you get them fixed up? What's on the other side of the wall you intend to remove? Can you post a picture of the style of the room you're opening to please?
Jessica D
Original Author
11 years ago
Hello Suzy- here is a picture of the 2 false walls to living/dining we plan to remove.
Related Professionals
Miami Interior Designers & Decorators · Palm Bay Interior Designers & Decorators · Macon Interior Designers & Decorators · Cape Girardeau Interior Designers & Decorators · Roanoke Interior Designers & Decorators · Moline Interior Designers & Decorators · Santa Maria Interior Designers & Decorators · Crestview Architects & Building Designers · Philadelphia Architects & Building Designers · Atlantic City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · McAllen Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Barnstable Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Eugene Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Rapid City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Anchorage Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
suzyq53
11 years ago
Thanks Jessica - Awesome space! Would the island have seating too?
Jessica D
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes- I think we would put 2 stools at the island. Any suggestions on color for island if we pick a floor similar to the ceiling?

I think we can fix up the cabinets a little bit (and they'll probably function better with less stuff in them - I never saw cabinets this full until I started house hunting and saw nearly every home we looked at with crammed cabinets)
PRO
Gray & Walter, Ltd.
11 years ago
It would be a crime to remove the cabinets. You can add more cabinets and an island in a complementary style. New counters, floors, backsplash and appliances will cost more than 25k I fear.
brickln
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Agree with the waterfall edged island- flat front Formica base cabinets in black or a pop color. Terrazzo flooring. If you're waiting on new appliances, it's best to hold off on new cabs so you won't be constrained to specific sizes and layout.
PRO
cg interiors group
11 years ago
Replacing the cabinets, I'm afraid, with everything else you want to do would be very difficult within your current budget. I'm assuming the walls you want to remove at not load-bearing, but I'd still suggest starting with a contractor's estimate for the construction changes, then a cabinetry company to estimate your island, then see what options are left. One thing that jumped out at me was the refrigerator - replacing it with a counter-depth model will give you more circulation room all the way around.
suzyq53
11 years ago
I don't think you want to add flooring that matches the ceiling. That will be too much dark brown. I'd go with a much lighter wood or as brickin suggested terrazzo would be in keeping with the mid-century vibe. FYI - terrazzo is pretty spendy. I like the white waterfall island for your space if you go with white counter tops. You can look at solid pattern modern veneer panels and cabs for the island in a color like the ceiling or one of the colors in your existing cabs.
pdk920
11 years ago
Your kitchen is attractive and has character and authenticity. If repairs are relatively minor I'd keep the cabinets. You have good suggestions for the other changes you want to make; sounds good!
Jessica D
Original Author
11 years ago
The island suggestion is beautiful- thank you!

I can work to repair or replace the interior broken shelves, add some interior features and fix parts where the exterior laminate surface is peeling up a to make them more functional. Confirmed walls are not load bearing (they do not touch the ceiling), power lines to be relocated to island.

Agree- that extra-large fridge with the door opening towards the wrong way has to go! My current home also has white appliances, so I might do a switch between the two houses to have something more desirable until one of the appliances break and it's time to get new.
MarleneM
11 years ago
You're welcome, Jessica! I think it's going to make such a difference when those partial walls are gone. Post some pics of your updates. We all love to see them.
karimf
11 years ago
The false walls will be an easy demo project to open up the space and add an island. Your cabinets look in good condition, enough that you could reface the doors with a style and color wood you like and make the boxes to match. This is a very cost effective way to make it look like you got all new cabinets for a fraction of the cost and labor. You may even be able to do much of the work yourself depending on how handy you are. I agree about the floor. Don't make it too dark. You have a dark ceiling and assuming you keep a dark cabinet color it will be too many dark colors in the room.
karimf
11 years ago
Oh and of course do a new backsplash to put your personal touch on the space. Maybe a pop of color.
Melissa
11 years ago
Your house is gorgeous and the cabinets are gorgeous too!--I wouldn't change them and also love @MarleneM's island suggestion. Would love to see pics of the whole space.