Fancy copper hood and leaded glass in upper to left and right of stove would break up all the brown. Perhaps some shimmery glass tile for the backsplash? Also, layers of lighting to provide more depth. Good luck!

You can darken them, don't paint them. They can be darkened with lacquer stain, I do it all the time.

Food for thought: Wood darkens as it ages.

thank you all so much! I love your ideas!

hi Underwood painting! Thank you I will look into darkening them. I appreciate your idea!

Lia, I just end looked up lacquer stain and it looks like it can only be applied on bare wood. I would definitely research this carefully. I just wish I had your beautiful kitchen.

Hello nancyann0277a,
How kind of you to look that up! I appreciate the tip..
I wish I could give you your dream kitchen:)

Lia, I'v been in the painting business for 35 years and applied lacquer stain to colorize cabinets hundreds of times, working with some of the top professionals in the field of fine wood finishing, I spent 8 years working in just cabinet finishing using lacquer, stain, chemical varnish, catalyzed epoxy coatings, etc.. Lacquer stain is basically thinned lacquer tinted with dye stain, it can be applied right over lacquer then I usually apply a clear topcoat.

Also, Vjs12 is correct that Cherry Wood darkens dramatically with age, not all wood darkens in fact Oak actually lightens with age, but Cherry will darken quite a bit, usually within 6 months of delivery.

I had a designer friend plan my kitchen. He installed all cherry cabinets and in the center he placed an ultra modern German style stainless steel open island which immediately became the wow factor in the room. It was light, airy, reflective, and perfect for storing pots, pans, and other cooking items. The open shelving gave it a professional look and the cherry cabinets became a subtle backdrop to the drama of the island which is the eye catcher. The mix of metal and deep dark warm wood balances the room. The walls were then wallpapered in a matted red and white fine line striped wallpaper which looks invisible with everything else happening in the room. He designed this look in 1991 and it still looks modern and chic today. I love my kitchen and the exposed cookware makes me want to cook, and my friends all want to help since everything is at hand.

I agree with many comments, live with it for a year. They are beautiful cabinets. The top molding appears heavy. If after one year you might want to replace the inserts of some of the top cabinets with frosted glass. Another idea is to remove a few doors and display dishes that repeat a color in your kitchen. This would break up the solid dark color.

I would NOT paint all of the cabinets but agree that the island might be just the place to bring in some color. Also, changing the wall color is an easy and inexpensive way to play up that classic cherry finish. Great idea about bringing in a few glass doors in your upper cabinets.

Thank you all so much!

Hello Underwood Painting.
Wish you could lacquer stain my cabinets!!!!!! Do I need cabinet restoration? Any particular product that you can suggest? I appreciate your input, thanks!

Here's something I've been doing, but it takes a little work, automotive paint the gloss will blow you away , you must prep first scocth brute cabs then prime sand with 400 grit wipe down with a damp cloth tape off the area and shoot they will look so kook and the colors are many.

I always do a small test sample first, but it's probably a standard nitrocellulose clear lacquer, that's the most common, it could be conversion varnish or non yellowing acrylic, but just do small test on the inside of the door first.
Also remember that lacquer can only be applied by spray.

Thank you for the information- I am going to need a professional. Any product you suggest?

We have completed many projects with Fine Paints of Europe. All sheens and colors are available. You may want to look at our Procelana if you are interested in high gloss.

Thank you MS Colours Inc.!

what did you finally end up with?

I'm curious as well. I have a new cherry kitchen that I would like to paint, too.

Hello-- I ended up having them professional painted, changed the pulls and backsplash!

Lovely!!

Hi---looks gorgeous! Great decision.

Please make sure you get it professionally done. Unless you are a serious DIYer!! :) best of luck and thank you for the compliment!

Thank you for your kindness Natalie. Now I'm going crazy searching for the right wall color. Grays look blue or purple in my house:(

Lia---check BM's Collingwood, Rodeo, and Nimbus for walls. If you prefer darker, BM's Baja Dunes is a lovely color. Good LUck!
[houzz=][houzz=][houzz=][houzz=]

Lia! Hi, I'm gonna spank you! I never knew you had a post. Were you afraid I'd try to help? lol :) You made a great choice! Your kitchen looks amazing! I'm so jealous. I'm definitely doing white cabinets when I move. I've seen too many that I like now on houzz. ;) I'm very excited and happy for you! :)

And Lia, what color are your walls? I know you want to change it, I was just wondering because I like the color. :)

Hey Zazzy:) it's an older post:) my wall color is Sherwin williams bittersweet stem. You are so kind:)

Zazzy:) Here is a close up of the color

Natalie! Thank you for the colors I will check them out.

Lia, I'm not kind, I'm honest. I love your kitchen .... I want it! Lol :) You made great choices. I think I better read mine again and double check your suggestions. Maybe I should fly you here to help. Lol :) Really great job. :) Thanks for the paint name, it looks like that nutty type color I was trying to describe. :)

Well if it is nutty... I'm gonna have it:):) I'm actually coming up there this month. Thank you for your kindness:) I adore you!!! I ended up doing glass tiles 2x8

Lia, you're welcome here anytime! :) Thanks and right back at ya! ;) The tiles look awesome. I told you guys I love the "glow" that glass tiles give. :)

They are super shiney! Zazzy I love your tasteful taste:)

Lia, what taste? Maybe for yours. lol :) Or food. Lol ;)

My mamma lives with us- she's the cook:) nothing like nonna's cookin!!

:)

I have bright cherry stain on red oak cabinets in my one year old house.. The cabinets are bead board, and the red oak grain is so overwhelming it's hard to even notice the bead board.. Love the cherry finish but hate the wood grain. Makes it look like a cabin but rest of house is not cabin at all. Have thought of having them sanded and putting in dark cherry stain,but. I don't know if. That will even cover the wood grain. They really bother me.

Lia. Your kitchen is positively beautiful and you made such wise choices. Wish I had gone your route to begin with - you knew what would make you happy. I posted a similar post a couple of years ago. and received the same great advise. I received all the alternatives you did - I have changed the granite tops (brown ice - beautiful) and they needed change anyway, installed backsplashes and changed lighting and actually installed a new light colored island. Changes made it better but still not satisfied. Next I was going to change the floor from wood to lighter ceramic. Like you my cabinets are custom in excellent condition not as new. Now, since seeing your post, I am convinced I should have had them sprayed. Here is my question. What did you pay to have them sprayed and what was the brand and type of paint they used?. My estimates to professionally spray (lightly sand, prime, paint and overcoat) have averaged between $10,000 to 11,000. Is that in line with what you paid? Thanks for any input - good job!

Hello Hooverwoods:) sounds like you won't be happy until they are white too!

The wall cabinets were cherry and the cost around $4000 but the island was $1500. Typically they charge $100 a door. Please please make sure they use lacquer. I had mine matched to a Sherwin williams color and no glaze. I truly wish you the best of luck! 10g sounds like a lot- I have a pretty big kitchen. How many doors do you have?

Thank you for the reply. My kitchen is large, probably a little larger than yours, but not that much. The information you gave me is a good starting point and I do want a professional job but I was a little taken back by the estimates (of which there were 2). I will get a couple more estimates- I live in Columbus Oh - I know rates differ from area to area. Your investment was certainly worth it. I will post a picture when I get it completed. Thanks!

So Lia, what did you end up doing? I found your post because I have the IDENTICAL issue. My husband is ready to kill me :) In my defense I was trying to rehab a house at a 500 mile distance, and I was not able to spend a great deal of time in the kitchen seeing how the light played. Now that we are moved in (one year later) I see how dark the kitchen is with these cabinets. And, I regret not getting white. Every day. Where did you finally land decision wise?

Oops just found your picture. Beautiful ! Now I'm just plain jealous. How bad was the cost? (if you don't mind me asking).

No problem at all:) the island was $1500 and the cabinets $4000. I have to say it was so worth it. It seemed so dark in my kitchen- now it's bright and happy. Once you go white you can't go back:) I wish you the best of luck!!!!!

Lia it looks wonderful. When they painted did they sand and strip the varnish before painting? And how long did it take ?

Lia, how has the paint held up over the last year or so.

I'm in the same spot - I had new cherry kitchen cabinet made and I hate how dark they are. Everyone I know tells me to never paint cherry but I can't stand my dark kitchen. Yours looks great!! Are you still happy with the white?

Super happy!

Hi Lia, did they spray the lacquer on the cabinet boxes too? Does the lacquer come in different sheens ? Looks like this is an old post but I’m in the same situation now so any information regarding the finish would be much appreciated.