My guess is your home was build in the 1980's? My thoughts. Start over on the kitchen and hire a professional to update your lighting, plan out proper storage, etc. Next, put in new hardwoods throughout the first floor or if you can match the existing then do that. You cannot just remove the upper cabinets and get that kitchen to work. If those cabinets are as old as they look, they are at the end of their lifecycle. I know, mine were just sent back to the 80's to RIP. On your stairway, I had mine sent out for the bannister to be restained to match the new hardwoods. I painted the risers and spindles, but stained the stair treads. You also need to add color, stencil or wallpaper to the entrance. I would also look at updating the baseboards and adding trim to get that updated look. Your home has good bones, but like all homes, it is starting to show its age and needs some TLC to bring a refreshed look to it. One thing I had to do, was to add overhead lighting and lots of it. It has really improved the livability of my home which was built circa 1977.

You are right! Thank you for the reply. It was built in 1988 and I am trying to get it into the current decade!

I'm approaching the finish line of my gut due to a plumbing issue flood, all the bathrooms, kitchen, entry, dining room. I learned a lot, so feel free to ask. You can do things to save $, but materials and finishes have so improved it is not cost effective to try to save 40 year old cabinets. The thing that really stood out that needs attention is your lighting. You have fluorescent lights in the kitchen and no overhead lights anywhere else. Get pot (canned) LED lights in the corners of your living spaces (not blue LED). And get a comprehensive & updated kitchen lights. During the winter months my 80's house seems so dark - but not anymore

Sorry about the flood damage but congratulations on your rennnovation. Just in time for the holidays! I would love to be finishing rather than beginning. Are you posting before and after pictures?

Yes, under my idea book, The Great Interior Make
Over - Money Pit II. I haven't been good about posting updates, but if you give me a few minutes I'll post more. The bannister isn't in yet because more cabinets have to go upstairs,

Bellburg, you have that charming portrait of the Duchess of York before she was the Queen Mum! Is that a print? I admired. That woman tremendously.

Well, it is a some sort of oil painting reproduction that was purchased for $17 many years ago as a joke. I was setting up a practice with a partner and we went to pic up the chairs, they had a 'clearance wall' and I joked that the woman in the painting could make 'eyes' at the painting of the "thinker" across the room. It because hysterical when we found out the painting was only $17 and a portrait of the Queen Mum - so we had to get it. When my partner retired, I got the Queen Mum. Many people who come into the house comment on the painting and ask if its a relative. I always smile and say "I wish." The house is suppose to be finished for Christmas - or the majority of it. I know it seems rough, but all the bones are done - now just the finish work - trim, paint, haunting cabinets laying floor.

Pretty crude due to the program, but hope it helps,

Hopefully this helps

Traditional

If you decide to paint, I would say get rid of the uppers. It will open things up tremendously. Some of these doors will paint out nicely, but most will not. The size of the doors and the style are very dated....even when painted out. The exposed hinges are also going to date the project.

I'm usually a fan of painted out oak kitchens and am all for the saving money will getting what you want...but in your case, this might not work out. There are many things dating this kitchen and only 1/2 of it is the dark stained oak. The oak can be painted to get it updated....the other things just won't be "fixed" with a $6K paint job.

The style of the kitchen (the layout) also dates it. I would hate for you to lay out $6K for paint + $18K for counters and $3K for flooring/lighting only to realize you should have just started again.

And whole home flooring may not be an option if these are engineered hardwood floors. It MIGHT be possible if they are solid (they have a slight bevel so I'm not sure which one you have). You would have to remove tiles + carpets and have EVERYTHING sanded and refinished (sand + refinish = $5/sf....not including the new wood + install) to get it all the same colour.

With the things you have "up in the air" right now, and with the cost of all these projects ($30K kitchen reno + $10K-$20K flooring update) you might want to get some design help so that you don't run off the rails. You have some MAJOR decisions to make....the kitchen being only one of many.

Good luck. I don't know if these cabinets will look good with paint...and I'm normally a "go ahead and paint it will look great" type of person.

Bellburg thanks so much for the foyer picture. Very helpful! I first saw it on a small mobile device and thought you found something close to my foyer and then realized WOW that IS my foyer!

Cancork appreciate your comments also. The input here has helped me decide not to invest money in the old cabinetry. Will get quotes on removing uppers, soffit and taking cabinets to ceiling. Because of my 45 degree angles - custom cabinets versus the prefab will get us more space. Thoughts on making the area by the pantry a double pantry to help offset the loss of upper cabinets - that means loosing the counter space which is primarily a beverage area for us. Do you think we should do wood or painted cabinetry given the stained trim and doors in the house. We will replace all flooring including the foyer floor. Was thinking we should choose a color to somewhat match existing baseboards and stairs. Our paint Sherwin Williams kilm beige in kitchen and foyer is in good condition.