HI,

We often have the same design issue with our project. Sometimes we build the cabs up to the ceili, using a tall upper, or we, and this is what I'd suggest for you, is put up an extension above the uppers, and then add the crown. See if you can get the cab supplier to sell you panels ( plywood) to match the existing cabs. You can also add a cleat at the ceiling which will make the installation of the crown easier.

Good luck

Cabinet profile

Another “BEFORE” pic

Basically a foot of empty space...

Will you be adding crown moldings in every room? If not I would keep it simpler than your inspiration pictures which have full room crown moldings.

Do stacked cabinets. Make the small cabinets on top glass paneled, and put in LED puck or tape lights to illuminate them from inside. I think cabinets look best going all the way to the ceiling. See below:

rossington architecture · More Info

Barrington, RI Kitchen · More Info

I think it looks "off" when there's too much crown moulding--looks disproportionate to the size of the cabinets. This way, you can fill the space, have a lovely display option, AND you can put in proportional crown.

Thanks Sabrina, that’s the one option which is not appealing to us.

We would need to find the exact cabinet profile of the existing kitchen to build the new cabinets.

The cost would be significant.

And finally, wife has made it clear that she does not need/want more cabinet space.

It's not hard to match the profile, but you would likely need to have them custom-made.

Yes, it would require that you spend some money on it, but it will look much better than the alternatives.

Either blocking with crown up to ceiling or keep as same.

Later if you do not go up to ceiling, adding crown to the room will dress it up.

Please update us with a picture when you finish.

That's good to hear you're going to be having the cabinets sprayed by a Pro & have a designer to help.

I know a few past clients who had their cabinets painted & put new counters on at the same time. For whatever reason, the cabinet paint job did not holdup well to normal wear & tear, especially the edges around drawers. It got to the point, they had to redo their kitchens. They never wanted to paint their cabinets again & wanted to buy new cabinets due to their experience. They had to buy new counters within 3 years. I have also had many clients who had success having their cabinets professionally refinished. I prefer to wait a few months of cabinet use before putting counters on to verify the paint job is holding up well before I put $$ into the new counters.

With that said, suggest to talk to your designer about their client's past outcomes of painted/sprayed cabinets & warranty to know what to expect.

The fact the cabinets are being sprayed, is a good sign.

Also request some extra touch up paint to store for any possible touch ups in future.

Wishing you success with your remodel :)

I would remove the cabinet over the desk as it ends at a weird height relative to all the other cabinets. Remove all the existing cabinet crown, build a box up to the ceiling for all the cabinets and add new crown at the ceiling and a smaller detail where the new soffit meets the Cabinet box.

Not a pro.

Personally, i would want to leave them as is ... primarily because if you cover that last foot or so, you visually shrink the ceiling size and, therefore, visually shrink the room size.

If what you add is not going to "match" and be a part of your cabinets, it will look like what it is: a patch.

Added benefit:: above a corner cabinet you may have space to stash something you want either totally out of sight and out of mind and out of reach of children either in a lock box and/or in a low wide decorative container with a lid.

But then, I much prefer the look of that first wood finish cabinet pic to the white paint so ... you should go with what YOU like.

JuneKnow- The cabinets are 42”. The open space is about 12”. The crown would be about 5.5” tall, rest would be the filler/blank. Something like this-

I agree that neither option is great. Both are meant to fill space to the ceiling, which doesn't need to be filled. I'd leave the cabinets as is, with the exception of lowering the sections that are higher (the corner shelf and the thing above the desk). That design was frequently done in the 80's - 90's, and isn't done anymore. Desks aren't used in kitchens anymore - are you keeping it? I'd make a few tweaks to the cabinetry before painting it.

Carrie B - I like that. Can you tell me the measurements of each component of that build up?

Design girl - I’ve heard this re the desk but honestly we like it and get a ton of use out of it.

you could do something like this that matches the door style. then it doesn't look like you have a giant crown/filler

otherwise, do some boxes

I hope this helps:

Carrie has shown you 9”, this is 6”. I find 12” to be a bit much.

Whether you decide to go to the ceiling or not, it's going to be a dramatic change which will look nice either way. here's some before & after photos that may help you decide.

Keeping the cabinets as is...

building it up to ceiling partial

building up all the way

This old thread might be useful for you. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2574661/13-inch-cabinet-crown-sounds-huge-positano-anyone

Replace the uppers with appropriately stacked cabinets.

We opted to do over cabinet lights rather than build up 9" to the ceiling. Love the soft lighting option.

Imp1959- do you have a pic?

I would remove the cabinetry and shelf unit from above the desk and if possible reuse the cabinets with the doors to replace the ones on the opposite side. You would end up with two glass fronts and two door fronts on the left side and nothing above the desk. Not a fan of the diagonal shelf unit in the corner, but I’m not sure what the options would be. You could take the hood up to the ceiling once all the cabinets are at the same height and do nothing above the existing cabinets.

P.S. Once your kids get older you are going to want that liquor in a locking cabinet.

@SF This isn’t a great pic- I’m out of town so can’t get a good shot. The first pic is before any crown, but you can see the lighting.

In the 2nd pic, the large cabinets flanking the window has crown that goes to the ceiling. The uppers have crown that ends about 8” from the ceiling and have LED lights on top. Ceilings are 8.5'

Thank you.

This is a great look to me, can’t tell what that exact height is though

@lmp1959, late reply here but I would love to see your finished kitchen.

@schmegs55 Here are a couple of shots!

Not sure why I'm not seeing the uploaded photos🤷‍♀️

Bummer! I love your kitchen and am doing something similar. Would love to see how it turned out!

shoot me an email at lisaptx55@gmail.com and I'll send you a couple of pics. :)

Will do!!

Lmp1959, I did shoot you an email. Let me know if you didn’t receive it. Curious, what paint color did you go with for the window wall, etc? I’m struggling!

I didnt see your email- what was the subject line? maybe i just missed it

All our walls are SW Shoji white

Trying to post pics again- from my phone this time

These are great! Thanks so much for sharing!!