What is your dilemma?

Looks good!

kootenaycapable - thanks for pointing that out....not sure where the text went! Here's the request.

I see two questions: yes, you can do blue in the kitchen (I just did), just pick your blue carefully. As for shiny materials, you can pick matte surfaces. There are lots of matte tiles for backsplashes, and some matte materials for counters. I did Corian, and mine is matte, but I know not everyone loves Corian. There's also butcherblock. I think there are matte options for stone/estone, but I'll let someone else address that.

Have you considered soapstone? We love ours (Belvedere, from M. TeixeIra). It‘s matte, and does not get cold like granite and estone...both of which are shiny.

Just look for a hard variety of soapstone, like Belvdere and Stormy Black.

I agree no white appliances and without actually seeing a floor plan there is no way of knowing anything.As for shiny there are tons of options that are not. BTW since you are planning on selling in 5 yrs I would keep everything quite neutral and I will tell orangey cabinets are a real pain to work with maple is a nice wood why not leave it natural

I like your color scheme very much. I did white appliances with light spice- stained maple cabinets and am very happy with the warmth the appliances add to the space. Also easy to keep clean. My countertop is Corian Juniper (bluish) which has white and an orange specks that pull the colors together beautifully.

Here is a sample of the cabinetry wood and stain. Does it look orange? Am I still making a mistake?

JanMoyer Exactly! I have been working with a pro and have deliberated design, function, and appliances. What I'm hoping for here is some additional ideas for texture, color, and surfaces. designer.

I know when all the pieces look right together, but can't choose them myself.

@ElsieJean

You are planning a five year kitchen. roughly

I would not advise white appliances, no matter the length of stay, and especially with a sale at SOME point. Nobody, but nobody wants them, and stainless is as forever as you will get, with any cabinet stain.

Your flooring in your home, should be as much as possible......ONE floor material.

Last, a "pro" could mean a cabinet seller at a cabinet shop. Post a LAYOUT first, and add photos of the existing space.

I can't think of a "designer" who'd recommend white for appliances, unless a sleek and modern white laminate kitchen.........and ICE white apps.

Post it all. : ) to this point in time, and the plan.... the layout: )

And yes.........it's too "orange" ....I'd rather you did a slate blue stain or simple maple in a natural state.

There is nothing wrong with doing a kitchen to a feeling YOU love. Just be careful the color goes in easy to switch locations unless you are staying.........FOREVER.

@JanMoyer.

I hear you re the stainless. There's time to change that.

DH insists on wood; there's no getting around that, so slate blue is not an option. And the natural finish is too modern/Scandinavian for me - too sleek in an almost Craftsman, almost stick, almost primitive house. Other options?

"Modern" is as much a function of door style as stain. We can't SEE your layouts, they are too small. DH needs to consider what the buyer up the road in the "committed to five years" stay scenario. Or be willing to adjust home pricing accordingly. People buy homes for location, schools, number of bed/baths.........and kitchens. Yes, kitchens. Me? I'd consider a soft white cabinet, soapstone counter, the warmth of hardwood flooring..............the stainless apps. The corn color, the blue, the ginger? These are accents to please YOU.

Which direction does the natural light come from?

@JanMoyer. That's about as large as I can get them. When I click on them, they come up quite large on my screen.

You're clear about resale and the kitchen's role in that, I hear you.

@tdemonti

The east window is at your back from the first drawing immediately above, next to the dining room door. There is also a door with a full pane of glass on that wall.

The west is across (7') the sunroom from the peninsula (3 large windows there.)

I'm not contending with a professiona designer. Jan offers most valuable advice. I've used it often. I was also in real estate sales for a number of years - yes a kitchen is a huge consideration for people who cook.

We just remodeled with resale in mind 5 or so years from now. We also love to cook and entertain, and both work full time. Ease of daily upkeep was a major consideration. Our investment was in the cabinets because flooring, appliances, and countertops are much easier to replace.

Try placing different stain samples in the natural light in different parts of the space throughout the day. Maybe a different floor tone?

@tdemonti - thank you!

Like I said, I know when it looks good, but I can't put it together myself, so this is all helpful. My thought was as much neutral as possible, with art providing the color.

I think I'll return to the cabinet maker for options for the stain - really do NOT want a color so will check out other stains... and ask around again re the natural look; I'm concerned such light cabinets will be out of sync with the rest of the house - oak floors everywhere else - mahogany stain on doors upstairs. Years ago we rejected a lovely Victorian home in our neighborhood for that very reason - updated and super slick Scandinavian kitchen that was jarring in comparison to the rest of the house.

I'll repost later this week with some cabinet options, and then, HOPEFULLY, will get some direction re coordinating countertop, backsplash, and paint which is what I was intending when I started this post yesterday.

Just sayin, but I would want my sink under a window, especially with a beautiful view.

@Kate Me too! We tried every which way to Sunday to make it happen but it required a complete reconfiguration that our budget isn't allowing.

I suggest that before you look at stains....explore the kitchens of other homes that are the age of yours. Period cabinets? Colors used. Like you, I have rejected homes that have inappropriately “remuddled” kitchens and baths. You don’t want to be that Home five years from now! Hardwood floors and a cabinet stain that matches the wood in your home. Stainless appliances. Neutral counters. Classic hardware. And then add color in places or items—-a stand mixer, area rugs, beautiful bowls, artwork, etc.—-that can be taken with you. Consider yourself as your home’s caretaker for generations to come. Good luck!

@ptreckel

Great idea! We've been in a few neighbors' homes who recently remodeled, but it could be a nice time to connect in the winter when we are all so housebound (MN).

Forgive my ignorance - what IS a neutral counter??? I really don't get it.

A "Neutral" counter appropriate to the house, and the look you want is soapstone, Or a HONED black granite. Or a marble. It's natural , organic, and would work with any cabinet tone or stain. None of the above are "shiny". It's no different than what I said just above : ) On spice tone?

I looked up honed black granite to see what they look like with different cabinets (not all of these may be honed however.) The last one is probably too light for our house mish-mash style. What do you think of the stains on the first two?

And DH will be thrilled with a dark counter!

@JanMoyer What can you tell me about the material and stain on those cabinets? Or a link to the site where I can discover it? Thanks.

I can't tell you anything but what I have told you , Elsie. I have no idea what your source is for your cabinetry. I would stay far from the spice, I posted a photo to give you an idea of what soapstone or a honed black granite would LOOK like with spice toned cabinets. I can't blow up your photo's...... and DH wants what he wants.

I would say....... get with "Your" designer, or at least explore others in your area. Kitchens are an expense, are best done with LOCAL help, in your home and with pros local to you.