Rhonda, I can relate. I have honey oaks too, and hate them. I think what you do depends on degree of dislike and budget. I've hired a local (Portland, OR) contractor to 1) replace raised panel doors, 2) new hardware), sand and gel coat solid boxes, 3) new crown, 4) add pulls, 3) paint all a grey taupe. $5500. I've already added new Quartz tops, and the vinyl floors will be replaced with hardwoods. Good news:. Cabs start Monday, so I can post an "after" pic a week from today. I hope it helps. Please, help to end the honey oak plague that exists in our world. And please, no more white shaker fronts with white subway tile. Already passe, in my very humble opinion.

Here's the "before" shots. Stay tuned!

the pano shows that the kitchen and your table and chairs are the most traditional elements and that the other furnishings in the family/living room are more transitional/soft contemporary. It would be best to edge up to that style. You don't need to do it all at once but definitely Paint the cabinets a white. (A big job if you do it correctly ~ making sure that you prepare the surface and use quality paint ( and the "right" color white , check against your tile floor ) and applicators. (Hire a pro?) If a little of the graining ( not wood color) shows under the paint that would actually add character. Also doors can be purchased singly so if the center panel cannot be removed to install a seeded glass panel behind then perhaps you can find an appropriate style door to replace one or two that would look good with your more decorative items behind. The white would definitely be appropriate. Don't let the nay-sayers hold you back! Go with your "gut" feeling!

Yes the valance needs to go, new lighting in the center of the kitchen ceiling : a modern track ( not the old style) with spots would accent your personal style in the living area. ( Home depot has them as well as Ikea) , a new chandelier over the table and why not paint the chairs a white as well to lighten up that area ( no need to match table top but maybe the table legs could be white as well. ( Did not see the legs) Your recessed lighting shows that you already have a "newer" home.

I know this would be the cost-effective way to go if you aren't in to a big remodel>

Voila! a new kitchen to go with your soft contemp style in the adjoining room ~ Good Luck!

If you're not sold on painting the cabinetry, I agree, you can easily restyle the kitchen. The ceiling light and valance are killing me! ;) I don't mean that in a harsh way. New lights, silver hardware, and a new paint color in the kitchen would shift the mood. I could see a very pale grayed-down teal paint... Good luck!

Pretty cabinets

If you redo the backsplash, end it at the end of the upper cabinet on the left by the peninsula.

Don't paint the cabinets. I agree with updating everything else. Remove the valance above the window and replace the light fixtures.

my kitchen is this colour wood and cannot wait for it to 'GO' but totally confused on my choice! My husband would like to replace kitchen with modern glossy units in white. I am not sure I I would be safter a plain, more modern shaker (not in frame!) shaker door with more modern handles for cosiness..although I do like the modern kitchens. We have revamped best part of the rest of the house as 'soft contemporary' as you call it, in and walls throughout are at present in Jasmine white. The house has lots of windows and bright airy feel but the kitchen is North facing so it needs to be light. However I do think some of the glossy whites are infact extremely cold, but a lot of the ivory tones look like dirty white! and some border on a more yellowy vein of crème which I do not like at all. Its a nice kitchen and I want it to have the wow factor but am so scared of changing to something I will not like. What do you think is the most popular..glossy or matt classic shaker in white or ivory? Help I am loosing the will out of fear of getting wrong and knowing how expensive it is likely to be.

I have oak cabinets and like them and do not consider them a plague:)

I have a vintage / French country style and did a refresh last year with new counters, backsplash and Kohler Whitehaven apron front sink - "short apron" style so I could keep my standard sink base. This does not appear to be your style, but does show the change that can come about with a refresh:

I have always had the glass door, but I did change out the hood and added the plate rail by retrofitting a cabinet a few years ago.

I am short and would not like the microwave over the range in my kitchen. One change you might consider is a dedicated vent hood - either stainless to be more modern or wood to be more farmhouse / country. If this were my kitchen, I would consider removing the cabinet to the left of the window and replacing with shelves.

I noticed your sink base doors are too high for even the short apron Whitehaven, though if you like a more farmhouse style, you can skirt the sink.

before resorting to painting the cabs, do what others have mentioned first.

remove that valance and curtain thing. maybe think about a light color roman blind or woven wood shade. you're making that window 'heavy' with what you have. (and frankly, those valances went bye-bye with the do-do bird!)

absolutely spend the money to remove that light fixture. make the entire ceiling the recessed lighting.

while we're on lighting, have some under cabinet lights installed to brighten up the countertop area.

paint the walls in the kitchen a different color. whatever color that is, is not doing your cabinet tone any favors.

And lastly, if I were to spend an money in that kitchen, it would be the flooring. that green/gray tone of the tiles doesn't play well w/the cabinet tone. I think you could do a lot better. Or maybe it's that horrid florescent light that is completely throwing off the color!

Ok, maybe "plague" was too strong a word. Just an opinion concerning honey oak. Not all oak cabinets are bad in all settings. ☺️

The colors were trendy in the 90's. If you paint, get a pro, this isn't a do-it-yourself job. Find someone who pretty much only does interiors. You can pick a nice beige, white or gray and have the foundation to base countertop choices and decor item selections on.

We paint are oak cabinets and I love the results

Thanks everyone! The valence came with the house, I guess I understand why he left it! I will try some of the updates you all have mentioned here and post progress photos. I'm a fan of doing things a step at a time so hope you all will stick with me while I work on this project.

All the best! It can be fun and very rewarding!

This is how I updated

Someone mentioned updating the chairs. I've been watching some colorful windsor chairs and they are at a HUGE discount right now. I really like the mint color but I don't know that it will go with my living room color scheme. Maybe Teal? Here are some of the pillows I have on the grey couch, and a picture of the different chair colors that are on sale right now. I know I can always change pillows, but I'd like to keep them if possible.

Don't do the mint chairs. If you want colored chairs to get a more modern look, have your current repainted in gray, which ties into the sofa in the more formal part of your space. Definitely consider new, modern lighting and other suggestions people have made--removing valence; considering a couple glass-fronted cabinet doors, perhaps some open shelving over your peninsula. It's very tempting to change small, individual things, but since you have an open space, it's important that all the elements harmonize and echo each other--materials, colors, style etc.

agree totally with housegall200 on repainting current chairs grey to flow with sofa colours etc..and considering new more modern lighting ... love what you have done so far don't forget to show us the finished pictures. That is thing about a classic Shaker kitchen you can always repaint!!! luv it! x

If you do not paint the cabinets, then you need to be sparing with gray in the kitchen area. Cool grays and warm wood tones do not play well together - neither brings out the best in the other - kind of a muddy blah look. The cool grays were formulated for white cabinets and trim or very dark woods. While gray is modern, it has become so ubiquitous that its overuse will mark it as a "dated" color in the next decade. Small amounts of gray, especially if warm grays or grays that lean green and some that lean blue can work. I have some gray in my countertop.

Black would be a more timeless color for the chairs, but you can always try the green - it is just paint:) I like it when people experiment with adding colors that make them smile rather than trying to be "on trend".

The black chairs look great. I'm tired of gray, too, but suggested the chairs only to tie in with the sofa. Here and there, gray can work against golden wood. Wouldn't want to see much more of it in the kitchen proper though.

Sorry. I love gray as a neutral, especially a warm or dirty gray or Taupe! but please not for the chairs. I DO love the idea of black for them as well as for the legs of the table. Too much "matchy matchy" is too much (with the gray). BTW, from the pics of the dining area it looks like the tile is more neutral beige as opposed to Green/gray in the kitchen so assuming it is a lighting ( fluorescent )

or computer monitor issue.

Forgot to mention agreement with another that over counter accent fixtures on the non-cabinet counter would be great ( however additional electrical expense). The idea of over counter cabinets would not be a welcome idea.

Again, have fun!

Just wanted to give an update on the project-

In the past week I removed the valence, picked out a new light fixture, and I bit the bullet and went with the mint chairs thinking I could paint them if I didn't like them. (I really do)

Its a small update but I thought it made quite a difference. Next up I got an estimate for the open shelving next to the peninsula. It was $400 for labor to remove the cabinet and install shelving. Does that seem high? With the cost of shelving it'll cost me about $600. That's what more than I was expecting.

On the "to do" list for next week:

• pick out some glass doors for the cabinets flanking the microwave

•paint the back doors and all the window trim (every inch of this house is painted in Shermin Williams Bone White, the trim deserves to feel special)

•remove oblong light fixture in kitchen

•look into possibly replacing the table in the breakfast area. This is a tough one, because the set belonged to my husbands grandma, so it holds some sentimental value (which is why I went with new chairs rather than try to paint the old ones).

The cabinets are in great condition. I like the idea of new light fixtures, matchstick blinds, new backsplash. What if you removed the one cabinet hanging by itself and replace with matching wood selves and add a beautiful kilim rug.

Does that estimate include patching the wall? If you remove the cabinet, you are probably going to have to re-paint the entire kitchen.

Laraine, did you read any of the comments, she got an estimate to remove the cabinet and install shelves.

Rhonda,

the changes you made are a great start to your new space. Keep up the good work!

Just curious, why would I need to repaint the entire kitchen and not just the patch? I have the same paint (flat) and have done touch ups in the past that are barely noticeable.

It all looks good. I read that something that "heirlooms" can weigh you down. You feel obligated to use them, they have sentimental value but they just don't fit your home decor anymore or you really don't love them. Make your living space something that you love, not controlled by something you have an attachment to but just doesn't work. Find it a new home with someone who will love it. Maybe a family member would like to own the dining set.

If you've painted recently, then you probably won't have to. I should have asked that before I posted.

$600 seems very high for removing the cabinet, patching, and putting in a few shelves. Just leave the cabinet for now and save your money for the glass front cabinet doors.

It already looks transformed! Also, I like the mint chairs. They're playful....:0). Hey, also maybe consider a colorful area rug for the kitchen?

Nice work. Don't understand why you would want to remove that cabinet? (and the back splash there?)I think it offers more balance to the rest of the kitchen than open shelves would. Do you like to dust?? Thinking this should be the cabinet with the glass doors?

I agree with Lori, keep the cabinet.

Well new glass doors should cost me a heck of a lot less than $600, so I think I will try that first. Thanks!

The new chairs and lighting look great! The window looks great without the valance too!

Your cabinets are in excellent condition, but I personally feel like the honey oak really dates your kitchen! I'm always a fan of white cabinets, and since your countertops and appliances would still look nice, I would go for either the white or a light color such as a taupe or pale blue/gray (depending on the colors throughout the rest of your house). It will really make it look more current.

And, one other thing, no matter what you do with your cabinets, please think about updating the cabinet pulls. There are so many choices and this, like the lighting, will make a big impact!

Keep posting updates and photos, please :)

If you DIY, I made these shelves for under $60 for all of them - they are rustic though:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573

However, the cabinet is fine too - $600 is quite a bit - due to the labor, so less if you DIY.

If you want to incorporate mint green in the space, you could keep your existing dining table/chairs and add mint counter stools and curtains. Ex.

I can't believe I'm asking this, but where can you buy glass doors for cabinets? I checked lowes and Home Depot online with no luck. There's a bunch of cabinet sites I've never heard of, so I'm wondering which are reputable.

also- one of the companies I got an estimate from for refinishing the cabinets is willing to knock the job down to $1,500. It almost feels too cheap but he says business is slow these days. He has good reviews on home advisor. I'm thinking about taking the plunge after all .

I took a door from a cabinet (not from the kitchen) to a cabinet shop and the cabinetmaker used a router to remove the panel. (If I wanted to put the panel back in I could, but I would need clips to hold it in.) Then I took the door to a local glass place and they put the glass in for me. The only difficulty I had was the cabinetmaker was busy and it took him over a month to get to my door. The glass place only took a few days. Any competent carpenter can router out a panel. It was not a big door and I think I was charged about $20 for removing the panel - but it is the sort of job a carpenter might name a price off the top of his head.

Rhonda, your kitchen is fairly large. If someone is offering to paint all those cabinets for $1,500, it can't be good! Not sure where you live, but that's not even close to what a professional would need to charge.

Have you actually seen their work? As in, someone else's kitchen? How long ago was it done? How is it holding up? Did you get at least 3 references? (And did you talk to the customers directly?)

Thank you jhmarie for that explanation! I had no idea that's how they did it.

Mary- He sent me pictures of his work and I read reviews on homeadvisor, but I haven't talked to anyone personally. I've never hired someone for a job like this I didn't realize I could ask for references, that's very good to know. All of the reviews seem to have been made directly after the job was completed, so I would be interested in knowing if their opinions have changed with time.

The estimates I got for painting the cabinets were on both ends of the spectrum. $1500, $2000+cost of paint, $5900, and $6500. I only received quotes from companies with good reviews but I do worry that some reviews may not be reliable.

My son and DIL paid about $1200 to have their kitchen cabinets painted - in a kitchen half the size of yours.

The painter said all the right things regarding prep, brand of primer & paint, etc. (They showed a "sample" door beforehand, but their work didn't even come close!)

It was a major live & learn for them! They realized their mistake, and took responsibility for not doing the proper vetting.

Personally speaking, it was such a poor job, I wouldn't have paid them until it was right, even if that meant they had to do it over!

Unfortunately, that doesn't cover anyone's time and inconvenience!

I wish you the best!

Hey Rhonda, I live in Portland, OR and just had my oak cabinets painted last week. Maybe half the cabinets you have. They also put new fronts on all boxes and drawers, new trim, and painted all plus my slider. $5600. It took a full week and a full crew of btwn 2-4 each day. So the two higher quotes are prob in the ballpark. Here's a picture of after

Beautiful, Eileen! I love the backsplash too.

I'm glad I posted the estimates, you guys may have just saved me from a very expensive mistake. With t he prices you all have listed, do you think it would be cheaper to get the countertops replaced? Honestly, I really like the pictures of the white counters with oak cabinets up thread, but I only have a budget of about $3500. (note- I am not in a HCOL area)

Prob cheaper to replace the counters.... I agree, white with oak looks great in the correct place! If you love it, that's what counts.

Your cabinet door has a raised panel that's set into the framework. Take a look and see how it's fastened in. Some are just held in place with clips or toggles and maybe some glue. Don't cheap out with a carpenter, go to someone who does this kind of thing. If a carpenter makes a hash out of it, they'll be hard to replace, if not impossible. When planning a project, always look for the worst case scenario and go take that into account.

So, I finally bit the bullet! Love the results. Thanks for all your advice everyone.

Very nice change! you must love the new lightness and how it all works with the rest of your decor ~ Congratulations, now the stage is set if you decide to do more!

Transformed!!! Very pretty.... Did you do it yourself? I also love the new pendant over the table, esp. With the mint chairs.

Very nice, about to do mine, very similar to start. I'm concerned about gaps between the doors and how they were originally hung and if the see through gap between the cupboards will show more when a lighter color such as a white. Did you have that issue anywhere? You did a fabulous job. Can you please post a close up of one set of cupboards?