Hi Lyndsey :)

I think you’re having trouble selecting an off-white color for your cabinets because the undertones of some of your other finishes are fighting each other:

- Santa Cecilia granite countertop has yellow undertone

- backsplash which looks to be travertine? tile has pink undertone

- analytical grey wall color has green undertone

So it becomes really difficult to select a harmonious cabinet color :( So I totally see why you’re struggling.

I think it it would be extremely helpful to know what your goal of this kitchen project is? What bothers you about your current kitchen that you’re trying to fix? For instance: Are you trying to lighten and brighten the space, hence want to paint the cabinets? Are your cabinets in poor condition/damaged and need to be refinished? Do you feel it’s too busy and want a simpler, calmer space?

There are multiple ways to approach this dilemma, but I really think that knowing your goal will point us in a direction that’ll work for you! Either way, we need to sort out the conflicting undertones because that’s the Achilles heal right now.

Please share additional photos of your space that show rooms kitchen is open to (very open floorplan) and any other rooms in your home that represent your style. Also any inspiration photos you may have!

I personally feel that your cabinets are beautiful!! If you’re trying to update, brighten and freshen the space, I would personally consider keeping the cabinets the same and replacing the countertop and backsplash with something in the white/cream family. This would remedy the undertone issue you’re having.

Cost wise, the price to have someone professionally paint your cabinets will not be inexpensive at all, and may run around the same as the counter/backsplash option.

If you’re set on painting your cabinets off-white, I think you’ll need to replace the backsplash with a simple off-white or cream solid color tile that pulls from the tones in your countertop. And believe me, I have a white kitchen and love that look, so I totally understand being drawn to that!

It it looks like some of your knobs/pulls are removed, so I assume that means you’re replacing the hardware? I think that’ll make a big difference in updating the look too.

Looking forward to seeing this come together and hope we can help you along the way :)

I agree with the comments above....the cabinets are beautiful...change either or both the countertop or the backsplash as these colors are not compatible with each other.

Lyndsey,

Forgot to ask, why isnt the navy or turquoise kitchen of your dreams in the cards right now? Do you think that would involve a complete gut renovation which isn’t in the budget? Or are you anticipating selling in the coming future? (If so, that obviously affects what choices should be made)

Even if a fully navy or turquoise kitchen isn’t in the cards, perhaps there are some elements of those colors that can be incorporated here and there!! To make your heart sing.

I’m about to run my little guy over to a program at the library, but later this afternoon during his nap I’ll post some photos of the different directions you could go with this kitchen :)

agree 100% with above comments. It’s the backsplash and countertops that are dated the most. a good paint job should be well over five thousand but you will still have a yellow countertop and a pinkish backsplash.

Aw man, thanks for the comments guys! After being in this house with small kids for eight years, the cabinets are showing wear and there is quite a bit of water damage on many of them and some are broken (didn’t show you that photo!). So...that was where my head was at with going ahead and painting the cabinets. They are already priming today so this is a done deal! In my area, painting cabs is still a big thing (we might steer behind the times a little) and a big thing people look for in resale (we could be moving in a couple years). Honestly, it might not be trendy but I still love my granite! It hides stuff so well and never looks dirty. And I never even notice my backsplash and I just don’t care that much about it. It’s hard for me to warrant changing something just for cosmetic reasons (counter and backsplash) versus need (cabs). We got an amazing deal on the painting so I feel good about it. I’m going full steam with Antique White. After looking at it forever and being in complete decision making paralysis, that’s what I’m going with! I’m going with brass/gold knobs to add a little bit of funky and I have lots of Anthropologie-esque and plants to add character. I have a very open floor plan with my living room right there in all it’s colorful glory, so I’m thinking the lighter will look nice. I’ll be happy to post a pic when I’m done. Thanks for listening!!

Did you ever posting your cabinets ? How are they holding up and why what color ? I’m in a similar boat and would love to see an update

*painting

I have almost the same issue. What did you end up doing?

I just painted my uppers SW patience (I think 7555 or something) and lower SW dried edamame. And they look awesome! This is in a north facing room. The paint was color matched at Home Depot with Behr cabinet paint. I don’t know how it will hold up and don’t know if I would use this brand again but the color is great.

Also, here’s the before picture. And in the previous post, please ignore the awful yellow mustard wall, that will go!

Wow that looks great - those colours I think are perfect. I would have removed the backsplash and got something that tied in better with your granite, but I like how you've chosen to tie the lower cabinets with the granite, and the uppers with the backsplash. it seems to harmonize everything together in a way that moves the focus away from both elements (granite + backsplash).

Thank you! Well said. I think you’re spot on. We were only doing a minimal renovation (tile floor going in now) so paint was really the easiest thing. And I think it worked well. It only took me 20 hours + and a deep dive into undertones to get there.

Here’s a better pic