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This is just wrong...

7 years ago
I just purchased this home a week ago and need some suggestions for this weird kitchen/dining room look. I believe the original homeowners intended this to create a visual separation between their kitchen and “dining room”. They had a dark table and chairs as well. I like the idea of this dark cabinetry to use as a bar, but can’t get past the two different styles and colors of cabinets. Any ideas?

Comments (27)

  • 7 years ago

    Either get a similar table or paint the rest of the cabinets the same colour to unify or remove the cabinets all together and replace them with something else , All those lights are a distraction too.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Someone ruined a Contemporary with a Remuddle. Live with it as it until you can really fix the issues.

  • 7 years ago

    If you can find out who the manufacturer is for the darker cabinets, you can buy the same doors for the upper lighter cabinets. You can ask them for the stain color and stain the bottoms of the lighter cabinets.

  • 7 years ago

    Wow. It looks like not only are the cabinets different colors, but different styles. Add in the orange and maroon and that’s quite the kitchen.


    What is your budget? Are you looking for a gut reno or a quick, temporary fix?


    Definitely choose one color for the walls. Maybe you could have the boxes painted and get new doors all the same.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Please add photos of the countertops and backsplash. Also give some idea of your budget. The flooring goes better with the dark cabinets than the oak. Consider immediately repainting the walls a white that works with the flooring--white with faint hint of gray I would think.

  • 7 years ago
    So in addition to the different styles, colors, we have an island with yet a different style of cabinet and different color quartz. As the entire place needs painting on the interior, I would prefer to put off a full kitchen remodel for another year or so. I’m not a fan of the oak cabinets and like the dark much better. I’ve considered removal of the dark section, refacing or painting. If there’s anything I’m overlooking, please share.
  • 7 years ago
    It looks as though the kitchen had two remodeling at two different times. Hence the differing cabinet styles. Other than a complete redo, I'm not sure that you can do much of anything to improve the appearance of your kitchen. I'd start meeting with KDs, to get an idea of a budget, and start saving for a full renovation.
  • 7 years ago
    You say you, 'can't get past the two different styles and colours of cabinets'. IMHO, the different door styles will always look odd together, regardless of the differing colours and wood grains, so I think you first need to decide if that is something you can live with. If not, then I would suggest doing nothing until you are ready to replace/reface them. If you think the different doors are something you can learn to live with, then I would consider painting or staining them (one or both styles) either one colour or colours that better complement each other. Of course, painting out the orange and plum walls will help too.
  • 7 years ago
    Perhaps in addition to painting over with white/off white I could see about having the oak cabinets refaced with the same style and color of the dark cabinetry?
  • 7 years ago

    It almost looks like this kitchen was remodelled with all " Good deals" found in the stores , make up your mind and just keep the ones that you like even if you decide to paint them the design is different and they still will not get along , one thing that will is to remove the doors to the ones that you don't like . .

  • 7 years ago
    Believe it or not, this kitchen was designed this way from the original build 8 years ago. I’m quite sure it was the homeowner and not the builder that chose this hodgepodge of cabinets, colors.
  • 7 years ago

    Then the builder had some cabinets left over from other homes and decided to make them work for this house , The only way that I would have bought this house would have been if I had had enough money to change this "hodgepodge" ..there must have been a good reason why you made that choice right ?

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I would pull out the cabinets in the dining area & paint the oak cabinets white.to go with the appliances. The orange and burgundy walls have to go and the lighting needs to be replaced. This is your least expensive fix.

  • 7 years ago
    This home has some design/decor challenges without question, but it is entirely cosmetic. It is a gorgeous house with amazing views. My main challenge, however, is convincing the spouse that after spending this much on a home, sinking another 50k into the kitchen.
  • 7 years ago

    The previous owners made a typical mistake. Instead of making the most of the existing kitchen and decluttering their kitchen stuff they just added more storage. I'd remove the dark cabinets in a heartbeat. It looks ridiculous.

  • 7 years ago

    Before you do anything short term and short sided, come up with a plan for the entire kitchen/house. Once you have an overall plan, then just start working it until you get it all done. Ultimately, the cabinetry needs to be the same color, the same style, and the same hardware, and the counter tops need to be the same, so put that into your plan and come up with budget and your time frame to fix all of that.

  • 7 years ago

    So three options:


    --Beverly's--removing the dining area cabinets and painting everything else white. Floors, appliances, countertops are different though.


    Mission Hills Farmhouse 2 · More Info


    Or:


    --Painting the oak cabinets to match the dining area cabinets since you're inclined to dark cabinets anyway. Get matching hardware and live with it. Just make sure your wall paint goes with the floors, which look very different in your second set of photos. I thought they were more white, but they do have darker, warmer tones.

    Irvine-CA · More Info


    Or:

    --Remove dining cabinets, drywall the wall, find a great looking oak buffet for that spot, paint the sink island white, get a round thrifted oak table and combine with modern chairs.




    For some reason, your Dilemma made me think of this:

    The Hearth & the Home · More Info


  • 7 years ago
    I’m with the consensus that the dark cabinets have got to go. Is it possible to reuse that large section somewhere else in your house? We had a similar situation in what is our (separate) dining room which the original owner used as an office, complete with overhead fluorescent light fixture! Totally removed the cabinets and shelving and used them in my sewing room. Ideal for that purpose. The other idea is to donate them to a Re-Store for Habitat for Humanity. They don’t belong there for a number of reasons, but they still might be put to good use.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    With all due respect, there's too many things wrong with this. I would rip it all out & start fresh.


    A whole new kitchen remodel.

    In this case, it would be worth the investment.

  • 7 years ago
    It sounds like you might be up for a larger kitchen remodel in a year or so.
    In that case I would live with it for the year and save your money and enjoy the extra storage.

    It’s not ideal but why spend on painting the cabinets. If a remodel is not in the cards then I would suggest painting the cabinets.
  • 7 years ago

    Paint the walls and peninsula a nice neutral color (no more magenta or coral). Pick an accent color you like and get some accessories in that color to provide some cohesion. Allow yourself and your husband some time to live in and enjoy your new house. There's enough stressors without arguing over a kitchen remodel.


    It takes time to research and plan a kitchen remodel anyway. You can begin your planning by using the idea books on Houzz. When you can afford it and the time is right, you'll be ready and glad you waited to invest in a kitchen you will love.

  • 7 years ago
    I want to thank you all for you input and suggestions. This is an amazing community and an invaluable resource. I appreciate all the comments and will post photos when I decide what to do.
  • 7 years ago

    I'd get copies of all the permits for the place from city hall. It should be enlightening.

  • 7 years ago

    I would remove the unit, put backs on it and sell it as furn iture... I think they were drinking when they penned this plan? In time the open area will tell you how to make it nicest!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I highly suggest hiring a KD to get this space cohesive. Right now it looks like an outdated cabinet showroom.


    The windows above need less attention. I'm not sure if it is the ceiling that has shiny paint or the bright sunlight causing the glare above.


    I would definitely address that, too.

    By painting the walls a light color like white or creme, the squares will not be so apparent.


    Maybe different windows.


    or stacked glass open on both sides in front of windows.


  • 7 years ago

    gets a prize for the most bIzard kitchen design ever! Looks like someone couldn’t make up their mind. I would say save up some money, scrap everything and start over.