For those that voted, any reason why you chose the answer you did?

Tooky58. I agree- At first I loved it, but generally speaking it is a very dark corner in the house and while I typically love dark woodwork- it shows every fingerprint and piece of dust. I'm pretty type A when it comes to that, so.... those are my reasons for considering the change.

Really like your kitchen!

White shows every smudge, every single "oops, I had spinach in my hands and had to open a cabinet"- or whatever. Half a dozen of one, 6 of the other... Kitchens are work horses, and so...Things will show, no matter the color.

To "lighten up"-

1- You could always change out your backsplash for something coordinating, yet lighter. Easier than getting your cabs painted!

2. Pendants- nice for your kitchen, but what's the max wattage? Get a dimmer switch, for them. Or replace them with lighter, brighter fixtures.

3. Speaking of dimmers, get one for your your can lights, too- if you have one, use it!

4. Your stools- replace them with some sort of leather/vinyl off white Something lighter, that complements the granite) seating that is really comfy. That would be your light, and it would really lighten up this kitchen,

I'm normally a big fan of bright kitchens, but I think your's looks gorgeous the way it is!

I have white cabinets and hate them, they came that way. Dirt, anything on your fingers shows up, always having to clean around the knobs etc. Imo, keep that gorgeous wood. We're planning on adding a double peninsula as I have no! counter or storage space, going to paint the lowers a deep blue and go lighter on the top. No more white kitchens for me !

Your kitchen is almost identical to mine and I love it. Don't change a thing. I had a white kitchen in a previous home but I prefer the dark cabinets.

I voted to keep it because even though I normally like white, yours is exceptionally beatiful and when I tried to fit white and greige with your backsplash and countertop it was hard to see it work. But that might be the picture and the lighting. As it is the kitchen all works together beautifully. I see you have a dark piano in the adjacent space...that makes the kitchen not feel alone in your white/greige space.

I agree with brightening the lighting. I will add though to maybe change the under and over cabinet lighting? I like a warm glow normally, but a bright white might change the ambiance enough for you. And perhaps try making it more uniform instead of spotlights?

Is that a fluffy cat on the table in the second picture?

ishop19- haha- no not a cat:) For the holidays I draped white fluffies on the benches of the table to warm up the space:)

Here are some photos of the rest of the main level.... hopefully this will give an idea of the difference for that corner IMO. I have a lot of dark pieces, but that corner just seems sooo dark to me. I also have and LOVE gray- but I can't live in a sea of gray:)

I'm not trying to debate my way out of your opinions. I just want to be darn sure before I make an investment- or a mistake!

I voted no because I think you can do better than white. White will work, but try two neutrals like misty gray and graphite. Disclaimer: I like contrast.

This is really pretty! I'm thinking a charcoal/dark greige for the island.

HM, check out Merillat's website for other ideas and here's a link to our blog post on the new gray finishes they've just added.

We had the same problem in our kitchen (it was in a dark corner and didn't get much natural light). We had 2 Solatubes added in the ceiling to bring in natural light---and it made all the difference in the world! Google Solatube and see how much difference it can make.

Two story home:(

Solatubes can be added to a 2-story home. It just depends on what is above--and the roofline. It is worth having a representative come out to take a look and see if it can be done.

Interesting. Thanks.

And don't forget the hardware https://www.hardwareresources.com/collection/category/549

I've used Hardware Resources for a long time and they've got a large selection.

I was thinking this for drawers.

http://www.hardwareresources.com/decorative/knobs-and-pulls.html?color=7832&mtype2=85665#view/2981AB

I see what you mean with the rest of the pictures. Could you leave the island as is and just paint the other cabinets? Also could you show us more accurately the color of the backsplash and countertop with white paper next to them to start with or white paint samples ideally? Or do you already know that white would go with them just fine?

The top photo is from another home that did white cabinets. The countertop is on the island only, but I think they go well together... The second photo is of the granite up close (from my home). The bottom two images are just from a google search.

I would consider leaving the island dark- but it is showing its wear more than the back which is why I want to change it as well and I'm thinking of the dark greige (almost charcoal) to pull out the smoky tones and tone down the gold hue.

The hues of the backsplash on these are similar.

Granite and backsplash in my home

The last three posts with pictures are helpful. Is that the same countertop in the first picture of those last two posts as your current one? If so, yes the shade of white on those cabinets works great...I agree!

But, I'll throw a couple thoughts to consider. None of those pictures have gray wall paint. All the wall paint is more golden and the cabinets except for one appear more cream or off white than white.

What color paint is the white on your trim and would that white work on the cabinets with your countertop or would you have to go creamier and if so, would that be ok?

This started as a poll and keeping the cabinets unpainted won hands down! But I think you are determined to paint. I agree and I would change my vote if I could, but only if the right "white" works with all of your elements.

"I would consider leaving the island dark- but it is showing its wear more than the back which is why I want to change it as well and I'm thinking of the dark greige (almost charcoal) to pull out the smoky tones and tone down the gold hue."

Makes sense.

Wall color I have and want to keep is Balanced beige SW7037- has more of a gray undertone. The accent is Warm stone SW7032. Warm stone is one of the colors under SW on this grid. It is also the color I'm considering for the island.

In this example the bottom cabinets are painted warm stone which is the color I'm thinking for the island.

Oh, I love warm stone, I've looked at it a lot!

Your walls look more gray in the photos.

What is your white trim color? Would you use that for your white cabinets?

It seems like you've thought this through and this isn't your first rodeo. The only problem was the voters ;-)

The trim is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17. I would use that on the cabinets. I've considered doing a glaze to cut down on the starkness of the white for the cupboards, but I want to test it first- so that it doesn't look too yellow next to the white trim

Ben Moore White Dove is such a good white! I won't use anything besides Ben Moore!

We went white in our bathroom with same color granite and I hate it. It is brighter, but the granite looks yellow and ugly against the bright white. Now considering replacing the whole vanity or painting a darker color.
You might try putting a different finish on the dark wood to keep everything from leaving marks?

Ashley Brant- do you have a photo that you wouldn't mind sharing?

I'd also considered glazing the white so that it wouldn't look so stark against it. These images are VERY CRUDELY photoshopped to show the space with the white and various island colors.

Ashley Brant,

"We went white in our bathroom with same color granite and I hate it. "

Do you know the paint brand and color name of the white you used? .

HM BRNTZ,

i like it with photo shopped island color number 3. I assume warm stone is number 1...in that picture at least it doesn't seem to work with the gold tones.