Do I dare paint the cabinets?

10 years ago

We live in a unique Acorn home -- kind of ski-lodge style with LOTS of wood. It was built as a vacation home and has a tiny kitchen. Surprisingly, I actually don't mind the size, but I'm in wood overload and the cabinets are very dated. I'd love to paint the cabinets a light gray or white but my husband says her thinks it would look odd in this home. What do you think? (I'm including photos of the adjacent areas, too.)

Featured Answer

PRO

Middlefield Glass Inc.

10 years ago

The wood cabinets are gorgeous, but if you really want to break up the all-wood look of the room, you could always install some glass in the cabinet doors. It'll give something new to the room without losing the more rustic feeling the wood gives. Wood loves color, but the design choice and color are up to you. If you need some more ideas we have so many projects to look through.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
I think a gray would be great it even picks up on the backsplash .
shivece
10 years ago
It will look different and current, not odd, and will address your feeling of wood overload.
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miacometlady
10 years ago
How about painting the trim around kitchen windows and island cabinets a barn red? I'd continue red theme in adjoining room with red buffalo drapes and a few accessories. I think this would satisfy the need for color and change without the enormous task of painting all the cabinets. Oil rubbed bronze kitchen hardware and curtain rods. Keep us updated.
Lisa B thanked miacometlady
PRO
Kitchen & Bath ReStylers
10 years ago
I think painting the cabinets would actually enhance the rest of the wood in the home. There is a lot of wood, in several different species and colors and it feels busy to me. If you paint the cabinets, you will reduce the amount of wood and they will no longer compete with the other wood in the space. The floors, the staircase, and the ceiling will all be more distinctive without the competition from the cabinets.
Lisa B thanked Kitchen & Bath ReStylers
lagrandecurieuse
10 years ago
How about gray for the lower cabinets and white for the upper ones? The gray should pick its color from the backsplash and the white would give an airy light to the kitchen.
Lisa B thanked lagrandecurieuse
Lisa B
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks Kitchen & Bath ReStylers. I agree with the busy feel and while I appreciate everybody's comments, I'd like to tone down the rustic feel, not feature it.
PRO
Kitchen & Bath ReStylers
10 years ago
If you do decide to paint, look into replacing the hinges. I believe Amerock still makes retrofit hinges in a variety of colors. Better yet, if you can, go to concealed hinges. When we paint cabinets, the wood grain goes away, leaving only the form of the door and the hardware. Hardware then, becomes a critical element. If the hinges go concealed, then you can set whatever tone you like by your selection of hardware.
PRO
Kitchen & Bath ReStylers
10 years ago
I have one other comment. I love the soaring ceilings in the space, but the cedar strips lock the home into a bygone era. I have done several projects where I was able to convince the owners (usually the husband) to let go of the wood ceilings. When we did, the project jumped out of the 70's and straight into the new millennium; the results were stunning. Even the husband, who reluctantly caved on the ceiling issue, agreed it was the right move. We got the best results from sheetrocking over it.
Lisa B thanked Kitchen & Bath ReStylers
PRO
Comwest Construction
10 years ago
I think your light grey color idea is a winner. it will bring a new look to your home, make sure you change all the hinges as well.
Lisa B thanked Comwest Construction
studio10001
10 years ago
You have a number of ideas to choose from already, so I will add only these tweeks - paint the trim black on the ledge over the fridge, so the upper windows are tied in, place a rug in the kitchen to add some colour, and remove the backsplash under the TV, if not altogether. That area should help you transition into the living room, not read as kitchen, and is a good place to test a cabinet colour change, so choose one that goes with the living room design.

Replace the bar stools for something befitting your contemporary up-do. Drop ins will keep the sightlines free. Good luck with your project.
Lisa B thanked studio10001
Najeebah
10 years ago
if you do paint/ stain grey, use a warm undertone, so that it doesn't clash with the rest
Lisa B thanked Najeebah