sporty- someone mentioned earlier if your recessed lighting may be changing the tone of your island/ cabinets. We didn't really explore that but I know that depending on the bulb, warm or cool, it can affect the color of the cabinets. So I was wondering if when you have the chandelier on and not the recessed lights are you getting a different tone on the pantry wall vs what you are on the island when the recessed lights are on?

sporty, you are being too hard on yourself and on your gorgeous kitchen. As for this thread, you've been the epitome of gracious.

Ted and others called your counter quartz but if it's actually quartzite, as you refered to it initially, and as it looks to me in that fourth photo, I remain convinced that the island top will make a huge difference.

i also think that ted is onto something with considering the lights and your undertones, and adding upholstered chairs.

Sporty, I know you've made your decisions and I'm still going to put in my two cents! 1st, trust yourself! The two finishes do not look good together. 2nd, as a former kitchen designer, yours let you down in several ways. Enough said about that. 3rd, please, please get in touch with Maria Killam, as someone else suggested. She will give you the guidance you're looking for and help you find low cost options to pull it together. She's a miracle worker and just what you need in this situation. I hope you'll post more pics when it's done. Good luck!

Hi from New York too! All the elements alone, are gorgeous. But put together, it just seems to be missing that WOW factor. I think because it's very monochromatic. I think, like many suggested, you are missing some POP of color. You can achieve this with accessories. Besides, paint/hardware/rugs/light fixtures aren't permanent and are EASY, Less expensive changes. If in a year or so it still does not work for you, then explore painting the perimeter cabinets. (But just know, that when you start to touch the finish of the cabinets, this will most likely void any manufacturer's warranty).

I'm back... I believe Grace reed hit the nail on the head for me when she wrote that I should trust myself because the two finishes don't look good together.

So now I'm kind of back to trusting myself again.

To a direct cabinet distributor in the post above - since you are in New York too would you be able to help me with possibly painting the perimeter cabinets ? Do you any pictures of cabinets you've seen painted and do they last and do they look good? Another thing we were thinking about was just swapping out the doors of the cabinets but leaving the cabinets in tact so it would be grey backs and white fronts instead? Just throwing out the ideas that me and the designer had....

Still not running to do anything I think I will end up finishing at the way we planned but I like to explore all the options especially since I know my gut is right. My friend said to me can you sum up the responses you got? I said 90 percent said it doesn't look good. Does that sound right to whoever followed this?

Sporty, I share your pain, having similar experience with new build. Same issues with undertones & lack of contrast. After living with it for awhile, I went least expensive route & changed paint & pulls & light bulbs for better color. After few years, new table & chairs. After many years, I am now looking at changing countertops & backsplash. One thought not mentioned prior: maybe switch to black cabinet pulls to increase contrast? Not as trendy as brass, neutral with your light fixture, hides fingerprints . Best wishes for success making your beautiful kitchen into your heart’s delight.

50/50 to keep island and pantry wall and change perimeter. And vice versa.

Which do you love better with the FLOOR?

Do NOT change the perimeter doors to white and leave the frames grey. No no no.

If you got actual quotes from reputable painters/your cabinet guy that may sway your decision.

I think you have enough input from the community. Now it’s up to you.

Well hmmm I think the gray cabinets look better with the gray floor. The ceruzed doesn't look great with the floor. But I appreciate the beauty of them way more.

I think 90% is about right, but those are opinions based on PHOTOS. There are elements of your kitchen that are absolutely gorgeous (those cerused cabs especially), but overall it seems off in the PHOTOS of your UNFINISHED kitchen. Also, my biggest problem is with the floor, and 1. The photos show a lot of floor and 2. I, personally, don't like wood tile. That's my problem, not your problem.

it sounds like there is no significant financial downside to finishing and then re-evaluating. When it's done, take more photos with different lights on, at different times of day and start a new thread. Also, get some people with strong kitchen opinions in there to see it in person.

The cerused cabinets are clashing with your gray cabinets. The cerused cabinets are beautiful, however, their brown stain has yellow undertones. You need something more neutral or with gray/blue undertones. Perhaps a deep gray or near black stain on the cerused cabinets? Or as suggested above, a dark blue stain that works just right with your gray perimeter cabinets :) Some contract would be nice, but everything else in your kitchen is working very well together. Please only consider changing the one element that doesn't...

No brass, too trendy...IMHO

"Do NOT change the perimeter doors to white and leave the frames grey. No no no. "

Agreed!!!

And don't even think about doing anything to that beautiful cerusing.

sporty2222, Maybe I have missed it, but exactly what is your countertop material? Quartz? Quartzite? Which color or pattern?

It sounds pretty unanimous that there is not enough contrast between the gray cabinets and island. Hindsight is always 20/20, but if I were starting from scratch I would swap the gray cabinets for white for contrast and to make the island pop, but leave everything else exactly as is. My second choice would be to go darker on the flooring if I really wanted gray cabinets. It depends what your heart is set on… If you love the gray cabinets for example.

I think your gut is telling you that you made a mistake with color, but I would say to live with it for a while; look at it in different lighting, play with contrasting cabinet hardware on the island, purchase some colorful barstools or rugs you can return (Red, orange, yellow, or teal) or even test a swatch of bright white paint on the walls… and then follow your heart with deciding what to do next.

It will work out. Trust yourself, and definitely let us know what you decide!

Idk how long ago this was completed - still saying, leave it for a while - take glances, and long, pondering views around the space. Trust yourself to see what bothers you. But, experiment with whatever you have: bring in a colorful rug, use large bathrobe, and I mean that. Who doesn't have to try options???

Have you ever seen metallic linen curtains? Maybe a rich mix of neutrals with accent color in rug, etc. etc... your kitchen isn't worth over-spending - and course idk if you'd have to [to re-do it].....

Sporty you just couldn't leave us, could you?

If you feel that the perimeter cabinets look better with the floor than the island does why are you even thinking of changing the color of them? You would still have the issue of the floor with the island. It really comes down to the island. Either you need to put the dollars into changing it or deciding that you are going to live with it and work on the following to make it come together:

1. Changing the chairs with an upholstered fabric that will tie everything together.

2. Explore the warm/cool lighting and see if that is affecting the tone in the kitchen.

3. Look at paint colors for the wall.

Another thing, have you considered bringing in another designer to get another opinion (like you haven't gotten enough here-lol)? I feel your current one is grasping to come up with ideas now and might be getting tired of the project. Heck, if I was your designer I would have brought you some fabric, different paint colors and even a rug for you to look at even if you didn't ask. With the hope that would give you an idea of how these changes could pull it all together and at the same time give you some visuals rather than suggesting all these other wild ideas like painting the doors white and leaving the boxes gray- YECK! Doing that is not going to give you that sleek modern look that you want for your kitchen. She/he is grasping..

Maybe you should contact Maria Killam as other have suggested??

Not the best example but will give you an idea of how your cabinets would look with white doors gray boxes.

Thanks for showing me....

i don't know. Today I decided I should go dark on the island and pantry wall. Like super dark - charcoal! Painted not stained. I don't know. I'm so confused.

Sport....if you are confused then do nothing right now. Just think about what you want to do and how much you want spend. If it takes you 6 months to make a decision so what. If you rush it you may make another decision that you are not happy with.

Here’s an example of a gorgeous wood island (possibly not cerused, but similar in finish style) with grey perimeter cabinets. You’ll notice that the cabinets are quite a bit lighter than the island, and the floors are significantly darker. It gives depth and richness to it, but it’s still light and airy.

In your room, it’s the similarity in the shades that makes it not work, along with the undertones. (I’m using the actual definition of shade, meaning how much black is in the color, not the different hues.)

Have you found any sample kitchens (posted here, or on your own) that have cerused cabinets that you like?

Are all your clothes beige?

No all my clothes are black!

I thought this was the look I was getting.

Is your island made out of red oak?

This photo is my inspiration for your room - wait, is that allowed ;-)

Buy stools with fabric that warms, like you hoped the island would warm.... [?]

This paint is a nice beige....what would happen if you painted the ceiling... ??

Spinnaker Development: "Boutique Beige" by Dunn Edwards

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/1512-dolphin-terrace-beach-style-dining-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~235522[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/1512-dolphin-terrace-beach-style-dining-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~235522)

Tedbixby I don't know about the material I just meant in terms of the two colors I thought that my brown was going to be a little darker but I was mistaken.

Please consider not changing your kitchen [imo, unless it's the cool-toned lighting, though nice I'm sure]....

... you thought it would have more contrast, look deeper/ richer?

Now you have to add items for that. Photos have shown how nice a warm/ or gold-toned light could be.... doesn't matter if you spend $1,000 for two new ones, isn't that better ?....

[https://www.houzz.com/products/ribbons-23-pendant-satin-copper-prvw-vr~24775198[(https://www.houzz.com/products/ribbons-23-pendant-satin-copper-prvw-vr~24775198)

23" or 31" across.

The reason I'm asking if it is red oak as the color of the wood will affect the tone of the stain. To me your sample that you showed earlier seems to match your island now? Where was your designer in this decision? I'm guessing that you showed her your inspiration photo and conveyed your desire for this contrast?

idk, grabbing some lights - has milkweed texture:

[https://www.houzz.com/products/drum-shade-with-diffuser-orange-milkweed-texture-18-inch-prvw-vr~89305670[(https://www.houzz.com/products/drum-shade-with-diffuser-orange-milkweed-texture-18-inch-prvw-vr~89305670)

2 of these - use just the bottom three possibly for best blend. Nice with smooth, clear furniture - adding texture...

[https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-contemporary-ceiling-lamp-multi-metal-prvw-vr~50479624[(https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-contemporary-ceiling-lamp-multi-metal-prvw-vr~50479624)

Has wood-grain appearance they say, in other colors also.

[https://www.houzz.com/products/slamp-woody-suspension-light-prvw-vr~12933091[(https://www.houzz.com/products/slamp-woody-suspension-light-prvw-vr~12933091)

sporty- I was scrolling through your dilemma and some how or other I missed oldbat's photo shop photos posted on Sunday showing the island, pantrywall and some of the perimeter cabinets with the island having a counter top. From that perspective, the counter top seems to soften the island. I think you should put a white sheet or poster board on top of the island to see what a white counter top would do.

It's beautiful. Your gut instincts were correct. Put some Persian runners on both sides of the island and change the light fixtures to ones with a complementary color. Two pops of color will change your mind I think. (By the way, those lights are gorgeous but too tonal). This is a cheap option until you know how you really feel about it.

Uh, the kitchen is absolutely gorgeous! If you saw my kitchen, you'd LOVE yours!

I think everything will be OK and once you have everything in place and your "personal" accents you won't be staring at one element. You have a beautiful space many would give anything for, so just be happy! :)

sporty, I came upon gallery of neutrals galore - take a look?

http://www.steelskininc.com/gallery

Does your kitchen have any natural light? I'd like to see your cabinet paint color with natural vs. artificial light. When looking at your inspiration kitchen a few posts up, that kitchen has a TON of natural light and the painted cabinets appear lighter than yours but that could just be because the room seems dark with all the artificial lighting.

I think your decision to paint the walls for now is smart. It's inexpensive to do as well. I think if you go lighter on those and add in some texture with rugs and upholstery, you'll come to appreciate your kitchen better. We did a gut remodel about 5 years ago and there are several things I couldn't do because of budget constraints/overages that I sulked about for a couple of years and now I appreciate everything for what it is instead of what it's not. Best wishes to you!

Please contact Maria Killam before you choose paint or other changes. She is amazing and can do wonders in helping pull this lovely kitchen together for you. Please contact her.

Hi!

Fabulous choices, great cabinets and that island is Wow!

The only recommendations I can offer is to change the backsplash to Calacutta marble and possibly change the wall and ceiling color. It is essential to properly balance the gray and beige hues, otherwise you'll never be happy. Pick up a square foot or two of the Calacutta marble and place it against your existing backsplash--- see what you think... :))

Pics for inspiration. Keep us posted and Good Luck!

You inspiration picture looks like the island was made with Hickory or Cherry wood....which stains much differently than Oak...that might contribute to the problem, but honestly, I love your kitchen and have a lot of kitchen envy for your space.......but you gotta do what you gotta do, is all I can contribute.

if you look closely at the concentration of 'grain' in the wood used in your cabs that's what's making it look light. The stained portion is dark. All the graining is light. Red oak can do this because of the open grain. Another wood with closed grain like cherry, mahogany or walnut will stain as dark but allow a much less concentrated light cerussing effect.

Here's a similar dilemma with undertone problems: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4970954/these-cream-off-white-cabinets-are-killing-me#21236698 

No solution, but lots of info that might help you.

Hey all it’s been a while since this post. Last week we install the countertop on the island and wow did it make a difference !!! I have to say I’m actually really happy with the kitchen right now and the only thing I would like to change is instead of the glass table and Lucite chairs I want to bring in some white to the table and chairs and my barstools which I haven’t gotten yet.

Thanks everyone and happy and healthy new year to you all!!

I'm so happy for you that you are back in love with your kitchen. Enjoy it as it is a lovely space :) Please post pic's as you complete it.

Looks wonderful

I think it's a great beginning. I would add a fabulous rug, plants and other textures such as fabric or art.

So glad you left everything, I love tone on tone, it looks gorgeous!!!

looks good. and I love the hardware on the tall cabs

So happy for you. Happy New Year!

A classic Brno chair would be lovely. It could pair with just about any table style. I’d settle on the table first if you are looking to replace that. Glad you are happy w the island top!