more kitchen pics & adjoining dining room

open to dining room

What color are the walls ? Painted cabinets are always nice. Are you open to a different color for cabs white dove or a white with a hint of gray. What about stain and paint combo

Walls are currently BM revere pewter but will change if I paint cabinets. Cabinet color would be "classic gray" by BM & wall would be london fog more of a soft gray/beige...losing the greenish tint. What were your ideas on stain/paint combo?

I think your cabinets are a very pretty color now. Since your dining room furniture is painted, I worry that it will be too much painted wood in the space. But my preference is lots of stained wood with just a few painted pieces, not the other way around.

Paint the island and leave the rest stained

I'm with you. I am not crazy about the look of the cabinet color now. I would go with it and paint them grey. And maybe do the Island a glossy black. Or a black stain on the island, that would be great. The challenge is to prep them right so that the paint stays on through all the tough wear and tear required of cabinets. Get a real pro to do it, or go to school on the guys at your paint store and get ready to use that steel wool and sand paper really effectively.

To me, the kitchen side looks too woody/country and darkens the room. I don't necessarily want to go through the hastle of painting but really like the look of coastal, light & airy. I was leaning towards cream cabinets to begin with but the kitchen designer thought they would look "dirty" with my then white appliances & I have not quite gotten it out of my system. I think paint would contrast nicely with flooring & lighten/break up the look of so much wood.

I just painted my cabinets and am extremely happy with the results. See before and after pics attached. The color was Dunn Edwards Gourmet Honey.

Your cabinets are beautiful!! If I were to make any changes, it would be to replace the partial backsplash with a full one. I would also put roman shades or a valance on the windows.

I think that your countertops are the problem. They seem to suck the life out of the room. The cabinets are lovely. I like the idea of painting the island only. Replace the knobs with satin nickel, install a backsplash for some interest and call it a day.

I painted my similar cabinets bm China white and adjacent dining area bm white sand. I loved the way my accent Color of blue popped. It was very light and airy. My antique wood looked great with the lt tan wall. I used satin nickel pulls

With the wood floor it looks too woody to me. They are nice cabinets and the floor looks nice. I'd paint them white [Benjamin Moore cloud white].

I think the current walls and the cabinets are clashing. The gray is nice, but doesn't work with the warm tones of the cabinets. Consider a soft warmer tone for the walls, like BM Philadelphia Cream. It may make the cabinets seem less out of place.

The countertops are drab, but the wall color change may make them seem less dull. Get rid of the horrid 4-inch backsplash afterthought and go for a bright or white tile backsplash all the way to the countertop.

I do like the idea of painting the island.

It is a VERY rough image, but stick with your instincts about painting the cabinets, or just glazing over them with "Classic Gray." Also painting the island a contrasting color would look awesome and downplay the peach undertones in the peach countertops......... You have awesome taste for balancing what exists, neutralizing the peach, and keeping it updated!

The backsplash is part of corian countertop so has to stay. A good mix of opinions-makes it interesting. If anyone finds an inspiration pic..I'd love to see it!

Your cabinets are beautiful just the way they are, I would paint the walls a nice rich color such as Behr's Pumpkin Butter icc-62, Florentine Clay icc-101. This would bring out the warmth of the cabinets and the lightness of the countertop. I would also consider adding some type of stone backsplash! I am no designer, but I did that in my new kitchen, and everyone loves the results. Best of luck to you! Oh and one more thing, how about adding some hints of greenery, such as an herbal garden on your kitchen window!

BM classic gray would bring out the gray flecks in countertop but would also look very subtle against countertop as a whole - not stark at all (it looks cream in my kitchen) I had a bm color expert in home & because of trees, west light, etc,...my room pulls green & tends to be dark in the kitchen area. Very interesting to have someone that works with color so easily give opinion. For all that are for keeping wood...my hubby is smiling. We've had a word or two about paint:)

i've had white cabinets for the last 20 years and i'm redoing my whole kichen. my new cabinets are the color of yours LOL wanna trade? I do think yours are beautiful...but the color of the counter tops is not doing anything for the room. Ever think of doing one of the new counter top treatments to change the look?

@ folk 698-I could see wanting a change after 20 yrs:) but I see so many beautiful white kitchens. Good luck

I would keep the cabinets as they are. 4 years old, the is new. Just couldn't do it, but I would change the counter top. Paint chips, I know its cheap to do, but it will chip. Spend your money on the counter top and back splash and paint the walls. These changes will be a big huge difference on how you see your kitchen,

The cabinets look like a nice quality!!! Don't ruin them with paint. Change the hardware, the counters and add a backspace. I am sure that will be a significant change. Good luck!!!!

okay, just reread that you do not want to change the counter top.

pic painted island.

Quality of cabinets are very good/custom built. I went with corian to prevent having seams-especially where the kitchen bumps out a foot- would have had 2 seams close together if I didn't go with corian. The color of the corian doesn't bother me...doesn't look peachy like pic- more of a sand color. I realize paint vs wood is just a personal preference - would be much easier for me to paint if the cabinets were ugly orangy builders grade oak but still envision light & airy:)

I'm wondering if a darker shade of gray on the walls would make the cabinets and your white dining room furniture "pop" more.....now your walls, cabinets, floor, counter tops are all light.....beautiful room.....you have good taste, I am sure you will get it right........good luck

I lived with gorgeous maple cabinets for 10 years because they were new. Never enjoyed my kitchen. New house and I have just painted my cabinets bd white dove. What a waste of ten years living with something I didn't really enjoy. Do what you want not what's right. It will please your soul. I painted my very first kitchen myself years ago and they still have the same paint. It's all in prep. Sand primer and only bm paint.

@ brody 1313...I've tried different paint colors- don't want to go darker as this area of kitchen is already somewhat dark naturally .. thank you for suggestion:)

aahhh...sms9758 ...you understand....I would like for it to be a diy project due to $$. Can you give me tips on prep for paint? The bm paint rep that came to my home said there is a product that would allow me to skip the sanding process becausep? the finish on my cabinets is rather "light". It began with a P & basically is applied on & then wiped off. I am a little leary...did the paint job you did ever result in the door panels "shifting" over time that allows a small line of natural wood to show & have to be touched up?

I would scuff sand and then prime with an alkyd primer "fresh start" then I would caulk the joints in the panels with Benjamin Moore's elastomeric caulk apply caulk and wipe with a wet rag this will prevent the shifting and exposing of any wood also if you have nicks or dents fill with wood filler and then lightly sand it smooth. And finish with two coats of Benjamin Moore's advanced paint in satin or semi gloss that's up to you on the sheen

I would use a tumbled marble backsplash like the attached photo.

Thanks for the tips RFF. @ DB Klain construciton-I actually really like the timeless simple look of subway tile but not sure what color-will wait to see what cabinet color looks but would love suggestions on subway tile.

Unless you spray the cabinets and poly you will end up with chips and wear. The real issue is the everything is in the same middle tone and the color of the floor doesn't go with the cabinets , nor does the countertop help you. But the cabinets are beautiful. Try painting the walls first. You have a ton of cabinets too are you sure you want to take on such a HUGE job????

@lk designs- no I'm not sure I want to take on a huge project:) I would plan on a week for the main work, hopefully, with help from hubby. I have done alot of painting /the bm rep helped her mother brush paint her kitchen & said if you use the right brush & product- it can turn out professional looking. I do think I have alot of detemination once I start a project. I have looked up alot of diy kitchen paint projects as well. I beleive I would restain the island a very dark color as suggested earlier in a comment. Still contemplating though

You could test a darker gel stain (on the back of a door perhaps). That's fairly easy to use and I've like Masters a little better than Min wax. They have blacks and greys too, if you try it on the island. Good luck!

laurakaplandesigns can you put gel stains over finished surfaces?

Thank you!!!!

I had my maple cabinets professionally painted by spraying the paint on. I also antiqued them before that. It took me three weeks to take them down paint everything inside and out let them dry then rehang them. It was time consuming but I loved standing back at looking at the great job I did and the big change it made!
Also my kitchen now has white cabinets and Delcata granite with Gary's and toupe colored walls.

Yes -- gel stain works over previous finishes.

how does it adhere to clear coats?

If I were you I won't touch those gorgeous cabinet so my advice is to put the back splash first and then deside

Rockin-- I've used it over without sanding & color still goes on although lighter. A very light fine sanding and seems to soak in. Try it on something!

ok i've been staining for 15 years and i've never heard of stain penetrating a solid surface like a lacquer or conversion varnish with out removing it. and ive used gel stains and i've never just put it over clear coats. essentially you would be painting on the stain.