keep it.

Thank you

I agree. If they’re of good quality and you’re happy with them, I say keep it. Paint when you’re really ready for the change; ready enough that small chips won’t annoy you 😅

I think the cabinets look great and wouldn’t paint them. I know you said you just changed the hardware but black hardware would really tie everything together. Love your kitchen chairs, by the way!

Thank you. I was thinking of doing that and now I am convinced.

I think your kitchen is lovely as is.

I like your kitchen too but I'd take up those throw rugs and show your floor more. Maybe replace them with a runner or two if necessary.

I know you are convinced already, and I agree!! Keep the maple, it's very pretty.

you did a very nice job. I don't mind that particular wood tone, but, I do like the idea of painting the island!

what if you did this darker charcoal color and then brought in some natural woven stools?

Or, you could do some stools like these (not the gold legs, but a nickel color)

(I'm also on board w/getting new hardware. pulls. Black would be nice and tie into the chairs) (Koofizo-Amazon)

here are some hardware choices in the black or the nickel.

I also think removing the pic frames and doing some cutting boards/vase/some type of countertop display would accent the granite better

ditto a center piece on the table. some greenery and a bit of color would be nice

BTW, you see this island (and the decor on top?) this is a similar color you could try.

I also like the idea of jazzing up the island panels w/some trim work

It can be simple like shown on these two

or something more intricate/decorative. (you can search "DIY kitchen island panel trim)

one other suggestion, replace the generic pantry door in there w/something darker and maybe a diff style

you could also do a salvage door, or paint it a diff color, or do a salvage type of look. (search "kitchen pantry doors" for other ideas.

You asked if you should follow the trend of the all white cabinets, so realize several articles are saying that trend is past its peak. Natural wood cabinets are making a come-back. I've also read posts where the professionals recommend against painting cabinets like yours; sometimes they advise that it's not as nice as getting new with a baked on finish or something like that. I think you can do what makes you happy, but I just wanted to alert you to those points if you don't hear about them already.

Thank you for your great ideas. I am definitely getting black hardware. Also will be removing some of the small throw rugs and keeping runners except by sliding door- I have 2 dogs and they both had acl surgery so I have runners all over so they have traction. I will look for longer runners so it looks better. I love my new floor, but I have to consider their needs. As for runners, I have Loloi Skye gray/appricot. Should I get something with more color?

I'm going to throw out a really dumb idea for your dogs…carpet squares over the whole floor. I worry about you tripping over one of the runners. Feel free to ignore me.

Love that you’re keeping the maple and considering black hardware. If you choose to paint the island as @Beth H suggested, then you may want to change the runners to complement the color you use. If you have good under-rug gripper pads, they are completely safe. I have never tripped on any of my kitchen runners.

Loloi has many, many rug options. I think you could prob bring in something w/a bit more color. Up to you.

example- something like this rug would be pretty under the table, or as a runner.

It has the black and the warmer colors that work w/the wood.

Same w/this one (Della, lulu/georgia) But Loloi has one in Spice w/similar colors

these cooler blue tones will pick up the granite colors and still work w/wood and your other element. (it's the Denim color)

Ruggable has this one.

I would paint. Neutral or interesting. The natural wood color is just a little meh

RedRyder, can you please help define "good" under-rug grippers? I have an entire pad under one of mine, and it pleats and creates a little mountain range. I searched in Amazon and found tape, and square and triangular stick-ons. Can you advise? Will any of them mark my floors? I mean, they're "sticky" I assume, and it's humid here. Do they break down? What does that look like? How often do they have to be replaced? Is it difficult to peal off old ones? Sorry…just don't know and need to.

Keep. White cabinets would emphasize how deep into GRAY you went and that's not where I would want to go.

cdgalo, you asked if you should have more color in your rugs. My first thought was, "yes", and connect to colors in neighboring rooms. So I looked in your pictures and I didn't see any colors. So, do you actually love neutrals, or are you just afraid (like me) to add colors? If the former, I like your idea of adding contrast with black handles, and maybe adding black and white or cream in your rugs a little more. Beth provided a couple. If the latter, there are lots of color schemes to go with maple cabinets. Beth provided a coral rug as an example. Coral and maple with cream are very nice. Another classic is maple, olive, and cream. I even think maple, coral, olive and cream are very nice. Then there is the cool side with maple and turquoise. I have a room with maple, iris, and a green that is slightly blue. The thing you might think about is what colors you could add to both the kitchen and the adjoining room with the fireplace and that you love. There are colors that I just react to. If I see a favorite shirt in a certain color, I know I just must include it in my purchase. If you don't already know what your favorite colors are, maybe go look in your closet, because you might feel braver experimenting with color in your wardrobe. The thing about color is that small touches can have a big effect, especially if strong or repeated. The other thing is about lighting. There are two schools regarding northern light. One says you must have warm tones to balance the cool northern light. My own living room is evidence that cool northern light on warm creamy paint looks like mud; I got bad advice there. I am switching to a cool blue grey next (to better compliment cordovan leather seats). But I placed blue things in there and noticed that only the bright things didn't turn grey in low light. That's ok with me, because it's my living room. I like the idea that it will be subdued in evening but will be brighter in daytime. Just consider those things. To see what colors you might like, bring objects into that space and take note of them through the day.

My best under rug pads are a grey soft padding on top and a maroon-ish rubbery (but not sticky to ruin your floors) underneath. I have avoided the “rubber netting” ones because they absolutely can “melt” into your wood floors and ruin them. You need to buy better ones with some thickness.

The one in my kitchen is a beige rubber one that is thinner than the ones I use in the bedrooms and hallway. I can’t remember where I got it but it doesn’t move when I’m walking around the kitchen. I keep it in between my sink and cooktop island.

I will look online and see if I can find links to ones that look like mine.

https://www.rugpadusa.com/products/contour-lock

This product is what I use to protect my hardwood floors. There are different ones for other types of flooring.

This is what I don’t like: https://www.rugpadusa.com/products/super-lock-natural. It’s all rubber and can ruin hardwood.

Good rug pads last forever. Worth the money.

I do love several of the rug options @Beth H posted.

I use the contour lock on the Loloi runners I bought from Lulu and Georgia-now I see them on other sides for much less. I bought Skye gray/apricot because my other tiles had a pinking tone and I wanted to tone it down with the gray. I do love the color of these runners and they go with the Classic Home Rustica Stone Gray. I do have brighter color rugs in other rooms so maybe I should add more color. I will look at the runners that were suggested. Thanks for all your help.

I am not afraid of color. I have oriental rugs in my front rooms and red club chairs in the living room. Had to slipcover them in a light color because the white dog hair was all over them and it was a losing battle. Had a red runner on center hall steps and replaced with a neutral. They are individual bullnose treads that stick to the floor so I wouldn't have to put nail holes into newly finished floor. Found them on Etsy. OakValleyDesignCo.

Pretty kitchen! I love your cabinets as is but I do agree with Beth’s ideas for the island, and I do agree on adding color. Post an update when you’re done.

I think you should paint the island white and get new black hardware for the cabinets.

Cabinets look fine to me as it. With new hardware and rugs, and accessories on your table, it will look very different. And as you say, chipping in the future is likely to bother you. Painting the island would present similar issues. It will be an ongoing significant expense of time and financial resources to keep painting them. Since you have nice well-made cabinets, suggest you keep in their current condition.

Thank you for your help. I am not going to follow the painted cabinet trend. I am going to follow the many good suggestions I was given. Appreciate all your help.

Ok, sounds like you like red and pink? I can definitely see either or both with maple. I'll look forward to seeing what you choose.

Red is my favorite color. In fact I have red slipcovers for the family room. I live in NJ and like their warmth for the winter. I am leaning toward the Loloi Spice. that Beth suggested. I also like the denim, but I do want some color. When I decide I will post a photo. Thanks for your help.

Happy to hear you’re leaving it, you have a lovely home … everything flows so well.

Just wanted to share the Karastan Spice Market collection of rugs. I have two myself (one is in my kitchen) and love them:

https://incrediblerugsanddecor.com/collections/karastan-spice-market-rug-collection

I think deeper colors would be beautiful in your kitchen.

Rugs Direct and other sites carry them, too, if my link doesn’t have the sizes you need.

Beauitul, please show when finished, keep the maple!

Yes,please post when you’re done.

I will definitely post pictures when I have made your suggested changes. Thank you

Found the Loloi Marine spice runners and am ordering more Amerock black cabinet pulls. I will post pictures when everything comes. Thanks all for your help.

Here it is. I changed the cabinet harware to black (Amerock Tpulls and changed the runners to Loloi Marine spice-identical to Lulu and Georgia Delia. I am using larger runners so I don't any little throw rugs. I think it looks cleaner. I put a few more things on the Kitchen table. Your thought please. I really appreciate your help.

One of my reasons for runners is laying on the rug. He had on ACL repair. My big dog had both knees done.

My other reason for the runners

I love the runners and hardware. Looks like your babies do too, so wins all around. I struggle with table decor myself. Hope to see the pros ideas for you.

The red couches have these slipcovers for the winter. The upholstered couches are an oatmeal color.

Cosmo likes the darker rug too!

Looks fabulous!!

I agree with Cosmo! The rugs look great.

Wow! You did a great job! I love the red! And the black hardware made a surprising difference. It all looks wonderful. I hope you are very pleased.

Thanks to all of you I made the changes that I did. I would not have done it on my own. It is amazing how a few small changes make the room come together. I appreciate your help.

Love that you have considered your furbabies in all of your decisions!

They are part of the family and I have to take care of their needs.