Should I paint my maple wall unit white?

ng2013jg

13 years ago

I am having my natural maple kitchen cabinets painted white and am unsure about whether to paint the wall unit in the adjoining family room as well. The railing going upstairs will remain natural maple and is visible from the family room. The flooring in the kitchen is Brazilian Cherry up to just behind the sofa, carpet in the family room and up the stairs currently a putty color, but may change to a more grey tone.

My entire home is just too "woody" with yellow ( from the yellowed maple" and red (from the hardwood and furniture). I am hoping to create a more calm palette by spraying the kitchen a shade of white, changing the backsplash to a light grey subway tile, but don't know what to do with the wall unit. My husband likes wood and would like to keep it the way it is.

I would appreciate anyone's suggestions/advice.

Featured Answer

nasmijati

13 years ago

I think a third color to tie the red flooring and furniture to the yellow colored maple would look better than painting the family room maple a white color.
There are some good color experts on Houzz. I hope they come right over to your post!
Your house is beautiful. Best Wishes.

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Comments (18)

latifeh hammad
13 years ago
I don't recommend painting the wall unit if you don't like its color try to restain with different shade and I think there is white stain or gray
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PRO
Ironwood Builders
13 years ago
I'm never a big fan of painting hardwoods. I think the white painted maple will look good, but unless it is an off-white it will be too stark against the stone...ans still won't solve the contrast issues with the red furnishings. I'm no color expert either...just a woodworker.
mmilos
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I agree painting them white might be too stark against the stone. I'd be tempted to paint (or stain) the cabinets and mantle black or a dark charcoal gray to give some weight to the bottom section of the fireplace. Paint your stair hand rail the same color.
libradesigneye
13 years ago
Do not paint these. Look at the classic gray stain - that will take them in a taupe gray direction if you need a change. They need to harmonize with the fireplace stone, not your furnishings or kitchen, and the beautiful grain should come through, otherwise you have devalued what you've got there. If the kitchen hasn't been painted yet, and it is this high end maple, hope you will consider a gray stain there too.
PRO
House of Fine Carpentry- CABIFY Cabinetry
13 years ago
I would not change the colour of the wall unit. I might suggest paint the portion of the wall where you have the two picture frames a lighter colour. Than maybe put glass shelves in that space.
PRO
House of Fine Carpentry- CABIFY Cabinetry
13 years ago
You could always add crown moulding to the room it might add to the look.
Jayme H.
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I really like the wood on your built ins..not looking outdated at all...I would paint. as someone suggested..lighter paint in the recessed areas will help light it up. Also maybe replace dark mirror above with something lighter.
rouxb
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I think it is all a matter of taste-either would look fine in my opinion. I prefer the unpainted wood but that is my taste.
nancywojo
13 years ago
I think white is too harsh. I would pick a color in the stone, not too dark, because the sofa is dark.
Good Luck.
ng2013jg
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks to all who have commented so far - some really good advice. I am definitely having second thoughts now on having the wall unit painted. Having it re-stained is cost prohibitive as it is much more work to completely remove the finish. I still intend to have the kitchen resprayed and some updates made to my range hood and island, I'm thinking BM Cloud White, too stark with light grey subway tile?
jillian1996
13 years ago
I would have a paint color expert come to your home with their "fan deck" and help you choose a creamy white color for kitchen. Paint looks totally different in each home. I think painting the built in would brighten the room and again, would
invest in a paint color expert to help you choose the color. Could look very coastal with the right color of paint. Definetley a matter of preference as the others have commented.
User
13 years ago
I would consider painting the recessed portion above the cabinets a color closer to the cabinet color but pulled from the stone, something that works well with both - perhaps a lighter tan, khaki or taupe, to lighten the area a bit.
PRO
webber custom woodworking
13 years ago
I think the grain on the mantle is nice, but the cabinets below look a bit uneven. Painting them will clean this up and lighten the feel overall, or simplify it even more and paint the whole unit. I love the look of natural wood, but too much of it can be heavy, especially if it yellows. You might also consider changing the pulls if it is in your budget.
Tamara Brooking
13 years ago
BM Atrium white is great for kitchen cabinets!
timtom
13 years ago
I just painted my cabinets marscapone by Benjamin Moore with all my trim simply white by Benjamin Moore. Both are great.
Claudia Ray
13 years ago
Was it difficult? Did you spray or use a brush? How long did the project take?
jjhy
13 years ago
We are currently decorating a new home at the beach and using a decorator for the first time. We do have painted built-ins and cabinets in Eider White by Sherwin Williams. It is a really nice soft white with grey tones and would go great with your backsplash. Our wood floor is distressed and looks a lot like the color tone of yours. The color also goes great with browns (oil rubbed bronzes) and the green on your wall. Our trim throughout is the same color, all in a semigloss, except for Kitchen which is a lacquer paint. Good luck! That is a nice space you have there!