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kellymiller23

Need help with kitchen update

8 years ago
We have a pretty large kitchen in a custom ranch style house in semi-rural area. The oak cabinets are original to the house (1984) but seem to fit the style of the home and are beautifully made. The granite countertops were added in 2009 by the previous owner. The kitchen suffers from a lack of natural light, and I would like to replace the granite and backsplashes with something lighter. The floor will be dark wood ceramic tile, which we have already installed in the rest of the house. The appliances will be Viking stainless steel. At this point we are keeping the cabinets as is, as well as the layout. We are not moving any walls or appliances. Any suggestions on brightening up the space (that do not include painting the cabinets white) would be greatly appreciated. The last photo is a inspiration, but worried that the door style on our cabinets might not work.

Comments (14)

  • 8 years ago
    More photos (from before we moved in) to provide more context to the ranch style of the house.
  • 8 years ago

    I think your inspiration photo is beautiful and those ideas would apply nicely to your kitchen, especially the marble-look quartz countertops. Though with dark floor tile, I wouldn't do the full farmhouse sink and pure white backsplash. The brightness might be too contrasting and make your floors look dirty by comparison.

  • 8 years ago
    I would uptade the kitchen window behind the sink and if possible open it up all the way to the ceiling. I would remove the counter with second sink, and make a larger island with just the stove
  • 8 years ago
    remove this part
  • 8 years ago

    You need an electrician and to add about 5K worth of lighting. Start with under cabinet LED tape lighting.

  • 8 years ago

    I would seriously rethink doing Viking appliances. Do some research as they have been nothing but trouble for most people in the last 5-10 years. Check the Appliance Forum.

  • 8 years ago

    The money you save on replacing and repairing Viking appliances you can spend on better lighting :-) Seriously, Viking makes terrible appliances. You will not be happy. Look elsewhere. IF it were me I would go with Bosch or Miele depending on budget. Wolf/SZ is expensive when you consider their oven is a problem with their blue enamel chipping- so you can do a Wolf range top and get a different oven.


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    When I changed out my flooring from white vinyl to hardwood, it took me a few weeks to adjust to the change. The hardwood is natural, so not so dark. I love my undercabinet lighting - so definitely do that - best and favorite change. My sink is a "short apron" Kohler Whitehaven which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. It is just as deep inside as the "tall apron" style. Do be sure you like the look of the shorter apron - see it in a plumb supply shop if possible. The Kohler Vault which is stainless also comes in a short apron style. Kohler Whitehaven is on backorder right now, but since you haven't started yet, you can wait for it if you like it. Subway tile that leans a bit cream rather than ice white usually works best with oak - but it also depends on the cabinet stain tone. The tile in the inspiration pic looks slightly creamier than the countertop - as does in my kitchen too, though there is some cream in my countertop:

    [https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042)

    This is also the time to consider any layout changes. I would be incline to move the stovetop to the exterior wall - then you can vent and do a stainless hood. The pretty hood is probably one of the things you unconsciously like about your inspiration pic. I would not let the stovetop get too close to the sink, and there might not be room, but you would get much better venting. It is possible to stain a wood hood to match your cabinets - I did that, but it can get expensive compared to a stainless hood which would still be attractive.

  • 8 years ago
    Great feedback, thanks everyone!
  • 7 years ago
    After saying I didn’t want to paint the cabinets, I changed my mind. We kept the existing granite countertops, marble backsplash and cabinet door handles, changed the doors and drawers to a Shaker style, and painted the cabinets Sherwin Williams Pure White. We chose Wolf and Kitchen Aid appliances and a light wood-grain tile floor. Kitchen feels much brighter now!
  • 7 years ago

    wow turned out great!

  • 7 years ago

    You changed the ceiling too! Very nice job!

  • 7 years ago

    What a transformation!