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candy_munz

Kitchen Update Dilemma

6 years ago

My Husband and I are about one year into our first home... we are looking to do a lower investment update to our kitchen/breakfast nook rather than a total reno as we anticipate selling in about five years. Our general aesthetic is a french country. Currently the kitchen is right out of 1990 with oak cabinets, light tan formica counters.


We intend to paint our cabinets and because it's not a permanent change he's agreed to let me have my way with two toned cabinets; with my goal being a greyish

navy bottom, white on top. We do plan to update the counter tops, but not the floor tile.


The cabinet colors I prefer make me lean toward lighter greys/white granite counter but the floor is more tan...



When we moved in, we painted the walls Sherwin Williams "modern grey" and our dining room is a light blue with white wainscoting and hardwood floors. Our appliances are black stainless.


A. Should I stick to something more beige for the counter to match the kitchen tile;

B. Will that look ok with navy cabinets or is there another color I could consider for the bottom cabinets?

Comments (9)

  • 6 years ago

    I bought pieces of white poster board and samples of the paint colors I wanted to use in my kitchen. Paint one coat and let it dry for several hours then paint the second coat. Masking tape will hold the pieces to your cabinets and give you the visual you two need. Remember paint is affected by lighting so look at these morning, noon, and night. Move them around your room so you understand how the windows affect the colors. My husband was disappointed the blue on our island wasn’t as deep as he wanted until he saw for himself how the four different sides were affected by the light. If you are planning to install under cabinet lighting, it would be a good idea to do it now, before you make your final decision on the paint.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    You have warm peachy floors. All of your selections sound very cool which is going to make the floors look more warm. If you cannot afford to replace them don’t highlight them by making them stick out like a sore thumb. Convince yourself that you can like some warmer tones.

  • 6 years ago

    The color scheme for the cabinets sound fine. The floor needs to be replaced.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I agree with Halley. Your choices will clash instead of blend.

    Sorry, not the advise you want to hear.

    Can you show us your space? If you can be opened minded, I think we can come up with a nice refresh.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Remodeling1840 has given you an excellent suggest! There is no substitute for seeing things (as close as you can get them) in place!

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    IMO the blue and white will not work with those floors. What are the rest of the floors on that level? If all hardwood then do the same in the kitchen it will give you a good payback too. I would keep it simple as to style and color in the kitchen and stay away from a distinct french country look if resale is the aim, you can have some decor to give that feel .

    Candy Munz thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks All! I will try to add some more photos this evening!


    I am not dead set on the cabinet colors, it's just suddenly became clear to me yesterday the blue and white aren't going to work and now I don't know what direction to go in! Or what other colors I could consider. I don't think I can get the hubby to agree to ripping up the floor so I'm going to have to redirect my plans to new colors lol

  • 6 years ago

    ...could something more towards sage and ivory/cream rather than blue and white be an option?

  • 6 years ago

    If you are planning to have the cabinets professionally painted that will not be a minor cost. Even professionally painted cabinets will show wear in five years time.


    If you are planning to paint them yourself - in five years they may not look very nice, do you expect to replace before you sell? Oak is difficult to paint, due to the grain. DIY painting is difficult on any wood variety. Add five years of wear and tear on top of that.


    I'd seriously reconsider painting unless the finish on the cabinets is in very bad condition.

    Why not post a picture of the room so we can see it, not just the floor?