That does look very nice, but the counter is not quite as gray as yours is currently, or at least yours appears to be more gray and white tones from the angle we see, while this one is more taupe and ivory? I guess?? I do know that ivory, taupe, and cream and white can play nicely together. LOL I guess it is all about a balance, and than bringing it that one color with an opposite hue on the color wheel which plays nicely with each one of them in value to the eye. Someone with an expert eye or training in that should be able to tell you if you can get where you want to be on this, while I know others have more doubt. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/252060910364875649/?lp=true      OF course, you can scroll thru all of this page and possibly find something not tried yet. I see a certain Navy, coral, rose, and other tones here that might better suit your style to bring this all together. Salmon may even be here some where. Enjoy browsing in case the ideas have not stirred your soul as of this time! :) SeaGlass.....very very pretty with ivory, taupe, and gray

Jen S saved to New home interior

Paint
colors for dining, kitchen/family room/sunroom and basement. Benjamin
Moore, white dove, revere pewter, Kendall charcoal, beach glass. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326299935483970442/                  Many more to browse thru.. IF you lean more Green, than Sea Salt is also seen with the above colors... or less 'turqoise' you might enjoy SW Rain on your walls? And Eider White is possibly better for your adjoining area even? You just have to look thru them, and if you can't resolve it within a couple of days, maybe you are going to have to consider painting the cabinets white to give you peace, as someone stated way up top in this post?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/326299935483970442/

Very pretty gina:)

Agree with others change wall colors.

1st get light bulbs hue the color to your liking then choose color changes, because light hue will effect any color choice.

It's quite remarkable how mucha bulb can effect color. photo below same wall color with different light bulb hues.

Some creme kitchens for inspiration.

They can be beautiful, bright & elegant with the right lighting & wall color combo.

This photo has more creme due to counter warmth.

This photo has a lighter countertop, closer to the color you have.

Going to try changing the lighting first then reevaluate. Would you change the under cabinet lights to cooler bulbs as well, or maybe leave them warm to try to warm up the counter and backsplash, but change can and pendant bulbs to cooler bulbs?

Please post a few more photos of the space, the cabinets against flooring, window placement, closer view of cabinet & countertop on walls.

Do you want a warmer feel to kitchen or a cooler feel? or a combo?

That will help Houzzers answer that great question better.

Following

So I switched out all of the fan bulbs to 5000k, as they were 2700k. If I go with this, I’ll probably need to install dimmers, as I generally prefer to not have bright lights, and have generally leaned toward the warmer side when choosing bulbs. It does seem to help some though. I’m posting some picture where I had one new bulb and all the old, and you can tell the difference. Then I’m including more pictures of the kitchen and living space, since it’s all open. I had recently bought the white curtains for the breakfast room in anticipation of painting my kitchen cabinets bright white, so I’m planning on trying to find something that would better coordinate with the cabinets to see if that would help (obviously the curtains just further emphasize the contrast between the cream and bright white). Also, the table is temporary, as we have a new table on order. I had chosen white, but can still change the finish, so would choose to stain (not sure what color) if I keep the current cabinet color. Any other feedback is welcome! Thanks for all the help!

Also, I’m open to adding in greens, blue or yellows, as that is the color of my Le Creuset collection.

Also, I’m open to adding in greens, blue or yellows, as that is the color of my Le Creuset collection.

One thought I have, based on some of the suggestions (and some of my own preferences) would be to paint the island and the wall around the kitchen/breakfast area in a lighter blue that coordinates with our chairs. Sorry for the tiny paint swatch, but I’m attaching one I like. Then I was thinking about maybe getting a new pantry door, wood with glass in a stain that compliments the floors and barstools (and new table). All of this, plus new curtains in the breakfast room that are more of a cream/ivory, possibly with some blue if I can find that. One other question - could I add some sort of trim by the fridge to create more definition between the two rooms and get away with only painting in the kitchen (including picture of the wall where the fridge ends and breakfast room begins).

You have a pretty curtain there, just end that blue above the molding of your upper cabinet. I love your entire area. Very very pretty. I say, just end the blue where your molding is at top and be done with it.~~~ OR, I don't think this would be awful, you might enjoy it? Paint that wall to the corner, that the refrigerator is on? It's mostly windows, and I think it would be very very pretty with your curtains? And it won't affect the other wall since it ends with your ovens. Sweet.

I like your current color better than the blue:)

Good job on the lighting!

Yes a dimmer will be nice, too.

The light bulb above pantry may be better back to the 1st bulb. Only that bulb. Or paint that door same color as cabinets. Or leave it as is.

No matter what.

It looks so much better! Especially closeup in the kitchen. Well done :)

I like the color you have now. I would stay in the light neutrals, because creme is easily effected by it's surroundings.

This 1 looks nice, because it has a lot of windows & direct sunlight.

Maybe ...

I'm concerned due to less light it would look more like this below. They'll get shadows again.

I would add blue in decor if you want blues.

Under cabinet lighting on a dimmer would be great, too.

I got different curtains for the breakfast room, and I think that helps. I’ve attached before and after photos. I’m also leaning toward ordering this door and staining it for the pantry. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Builders-Choice-24-in-x-80-in-24-in-Clear-Pine-Wood-10-Lite-French-Interior-Door-Slab-HDCP151020/202523519
And I can still change the stain color of our new kitchen table (trying to get away from the bright white). Does anyone have a recommendation for stain color for both the door and table that would work well with our hardwoods, cabinets and blue dining chairs? I don’t want to paint to match the cabinets, as I have white dishes. I’ve attached a picture of the same table for reference (don’t love that color though).

I like your curtain change, too!! Everything you are doing, is taking you away from MORE painting. That's a good thing and more fun.... It looks so nice.

Listen to your gut. Paint them white and enjoy your kitchen the way you want to

Just a thought. Paint the pantry door and trim same color as cabinets, but use chalk paint on the center panels to make a useful message board.

Love your new curtains... I would paint the pantry door and door trim to match the cabinets

One more update. Got the new pantry door (Habitat ReStore for $38!!!) and need to stain it. Leaning toward a darker stain similar to the bar stools. I think with all of these changes I will be fine to not paint the cabinets. Also planning to hold off on painting any walls for now. Thanks for all of the advice!

Super cute Gina:)

I think painting them the new door the same as the cabinets, might be difficult to match, since they were done at the factory? If not, well that would make the entire line more cohesive. Since your bar stools are dark, it would bring that color to the kitchen area too tho, so at this juncture, I'd say it's a toss up. Neither one would be a bad choice... Afix some of those window privacy sheets that do not stick to the glass, just cling to it on the inside of the door windows? There are some really simple and some very artistic options available online or at the Big Box stores, like HomeDepot.<https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LCB2TEA/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01LCB2TEA&pd_rd_wg=YlyUv&pd_rd_r=0A9HW4XDRGSS54PDYS5K&pd_rd_w=Ppd5G>; For fun times, you can leave the light on in the pantry and the colors will show thru? I just picked this because I noticed the print on your window panels. There are 1000's to choose from and you may want a very plain design.

I like what you've done w/the rest of the room.

I would not stain the door the color of the stools. don't particularly care for that color stain w/ the coloring of the kitchen. Paint the door a shade darker than your wall color or leave it on the natural side. have you even refinished wood before this door? you don't want it come out blotchy, so make sure to use a conditioner after sanding and before applying your stain. try a gel stain.

https://www.pittsburghsprayequip.com/2017/06/30/gel-stains-pros-cons-uses-apply-gel-stains/    A neighbor had that put on their wood yard fence. I am not sure that it looks as nice as a traditional stain, but it may well be what is on your bar stools, too? On the outdoor fence, it just looked heavy, perhaps, I guess compared to the stain fence in the next yard. It must be easier to work with. Since it can be slow to dry, plan for that, BUT make sure the door fits well when hung first,--- so you don't wind up shaving off a finish that may keep the hinges or the latch area from working easily. Do single only, coat the edges, and don't heavy coat the three inside 1/2 inch lengths where your door frame stop surface, will come into contact with paint/gel stain.. It's amazing how much hassle you can get into doing that. You are almost done. :D

I'd do a walnut stain or paint them to match your cabinets. You can take a cabinet to get a good color match at any paint store.

Personally i would not have the pantry door the color of your stool legs. I would match it to your cabinets. Take a small door off and have SW match the paint.

gel stain is a quicker drying material than regular stain. I've used it and it's been dry to the touch within 4 hours. they both give off similar end results, gel stains are a tad easier to work with and less messy when using a rag to apply. This is what I like to use

But, I still wouldn't stain the door a dark color to match the stools. it's too heavy looking. paint it the same as the cabinets or one of your accent light blue or light gray colors. you can also use a mirror finish spray on the glass panels if you don't want regular see-through. I did a similar door like yours and used it.

Wow, Gina! You're making a lot of great progress. Well done ;)

So it makes sense not to do the door dark. I’m really not wanting to match the cabinets, because then it will still contrast the bright white trim, and my goal is to minimize those points of contrast. In the middle of this, I need to decide on a stain or paint color for our new table, that coordinates with our existing chairs. Can anyone make a recommendation?

More choices.

maybe my monitor is off but i only see a bright white trim around the door panel. IM0 paint the door trim and Pantry door to match the cabinets, or even have it blend into the wall? IDK...The first thing my eye was drawn to when I looked at your kitchen was the pantry door and the trim. I just feel if you stained the door/trim it would draw attention to it. I would rather draw attention to your beautiful counter.

use the GF milk paint, rather than staining it. pick one of the creamy colors, a light gray that matches your wall/curtains, or the very light aqua that goes with your accents. (I'd also do those stools to match any of those too)

they have a sea gull gray and a driftwood gray,,and a Linen color, ,,would look something like these

a darker gray

or you could do some layering w/off white and the gray, and let the natural wood show underneath the door.

and here are two others,,the light aqua and a very pale dusty pink

Yes the American walnut or paint it Beth has pretty ideas. If you stain it the trim still needs to be painted to match the cabinets

Any updates?

Have you ever thought about doing a black table...

Also love this picture of cream and white kitchen...

I’m still trying to decide. I’m leaning toward selling the chairs and maybe getting some that match the cabinets. Then thinking a lighter to medium stain on the table and a lighter stain on the door. I think I’d rather stain than paint the door. Just keep looking at pictures trying to decide exactly what I want to do!

I had thought about a dark table. I like this look. I also like these chairs (and they’re on clearance): https://www.target.com/p/scrollback-with-nailhead-trim-dining-chair-2-piece-dove-gray-ave-six/-/A-15194820

Just not sure if the gray and black would work with the cream.

Here’s my update on what we decided to do. Thanks for all of the advice! I’m happy with our end result! We’re still waiting on 3 more barstools and I need to finish them all, but otherwise it’s done.

Looks good! Thanks for posting an update.

Wow, what a transformation! Love ALL of your updates! I too have a new build and chose antique white cabinets and wish they were white!! It’s been 4 years:(. There are days I don’t mind them, but the majority of the time I wish I could repaint them!!

Would paint the white trim around your pantry door the same colour as the door.

Looks great Gina:)

gina, great job! love the door color and so glad you went w/lighter bar stools. It all blends beautifully. you're a good sport to take on all the advice thrown at you.

Wow! Great outcome, Gina! Way to go! Thanks for sharing the update ; )

Nicely done. I would consider painting the trim around the pantry door, same color as door.

I am neutral on that door trim. All the trim is one color, the door stands alone like a bit of a change of pace. I just think everyone really loves the color of the door? ;) so they want MORE of it in the setting. I am so happy the door change and color, with the lights and the curtains bring you to a happy place in your kitchen. SO MUCH easier, albeit alot of different little things, but it is just a very charming place to be. Really like your paint colors. Very comforting place to be, just like a kitchen should be. Beautifully done. Congratulations!

Gina, I'm here 2 years later, and had to add how much I'm glad you did the natural, light wood for your stools and table! I was hoping for it the whole time, but I couldn't figure out how to travel back in time. 😉 The lighter wood warmed up and softened the whole scene, and made the cabinets look like they belonged there. Gorgeous! Perfectly cohesive. I wonder what it all looks like now...?! ❤