Paint the walls ceiling and banish the green door.

what color would you paint the wslls

Recover the bar stools in a bright pattern with white in it coordinating with the green door. Add a (washable) kitchen rug and bright dish towels. Some white accessories on the counter.

Some mint and rosemary on the windowsill.



Not too many accessories but these will brighten the kitchen right up.

To keep it light. I would go with cream or creamy light beige on the walls. If you want color and like the green door, a light sage green.

I have been looking at your cabinets and I don't see any wood grain. They actually look a little like they are painted - just wood tone. I am wondering if they were gel stained. It can be hard to tell from a picture. While I personally like stained cabinets, the monotone color of gel stain reads almost like a paint. If this is the case, the natural look of the wood has already been lost and paint becomes more of an acceptable option to those who like wood.

Sorry, but the cabinetry disappears into the floor. I mean no disrespect to hubby, but this is not "fine" cabinetry, and is a bit dated as well.

You might give him some great before/after visuals.........he may change his mind. They don't have to be white to significantly brighten the space. That doesn't seem to be the problem other than lighting could use an update too.

Basically, what is bothering you is the monotone of red cherry, in flooring, cabinetry, and even ............table and dining chairs? It literally BEGS some contrast : )

http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/modern-gray-kitchen-makeover-pictures

You need to break up all the wood. Look at Edgecomb Gray for the walls. Paint door a soft off white.A roman shade on the window in a pretty fabric. Check out theshadestore.com for fabric ideas. A runner in front of the refrigerator. Recover counter stools to coordinate.

Paint the door lighter, buy lighter chairs and add a light rug. If you can add a glossy-finish backsplash tile it would make a world of difference. Good luck!

^^Agree with the lighter paint for the door and walls. Get upholstered stools to break up all that wood and use a light color. Remove that small protruding cabinet that faces the dining area (like someone above posted) - it really blocks the light. Take everything off the countertops and the refrigerator side as it is cluttering up your kitchen. Do this so you can see the kitchen. When you add back small appliances, be very selective so you don't eat up all of your countertop space. I would remove that small wood valence over the large window. You have great light coming in, just remove those few items blocking the light.

thank you all for the great ideas. Jan your idea about before and after visuals worked. he actually liked the gray cabinet idea!!! If you can believe this the kitchen is only 8 years old and the cabinets are custom cherry. The previous owner saved all receipts. so working on a limited budget I'm going to do the cabinets in gray, banish the awful green door, change light fixtures, change stools and table. I want to change the ugly granite but not in budget. Butcher block is cheaper how do you think that would look? If I change the counter tops I could get a beautiful farm sink!

Please keep posting ideas!! But I'm very excited my husband finally broke. lol

In my mind, butcher block just adds more "wood" to the room. A contrast is necessary. Good luck.

Be sure to select a gray (or whatever paint you choose) that suits your countertop and floor.

I painted my previous owners 2005 custom cherry kitchen a few years ago - in SW Creamy. I haven't regretted for even a moment.

I have a very similar layout. What is on the other side of the green door? In our case it was an office with good windows (but could be dining room) so we put in a glass pocket door. Sorry I don't have a better pic handy!

yep, its an office with a lot of windows. that's a good idea. I would like to knock down walls and put on a edition to the house just not in budget yet.

If you can't put a pocket door into the existing walls but like the look, you can put the door on a slider like a barn door on the other side. We debated between the two options and could have gone either way. In our case, that wall was being reframed anyway to move the doorway to its present location so we went with the pocket door.

Paint the cabinets a light color, add some open shelving above or by the stove. It looks like you have plenty of cabinet space on the other side. Use a softer looking bar stool maybe something with fabric.

Can you take a pic of your countertop?

I know a lot of houzzers recommend getting rid of the matching 4" backsplash lip. That might help with your renovations - especially if you don't like the granite. Then maybe just paint the backsplash area?