My sympathy to you as well. We purchased a luxury condo in a newly renovated triplex in Chicago a couple of years ago…it has high-gloss, Italian-made, white cabinetry! They are always in style! And the silver lining is you can right size in the same building. It will be a fresh start in familiar surroundings…hugs and best wishes!

High gloss/lacquered cabinetry is still popular. If moved in already, can you take a picture, as updating the backsplash and/or counter, hardware or lighting might be all you need.

Try Ikea as they have kitchen planners who will help and budget, interest and support should help you decide. With the loss of your husband and major changes in your life it’s a difficult time, so take your time to decide.

I think a loss so recent/ deeply sad, .......is not the best time for big decisions on anything. Even moves!

We don't know city, location, resources, or any single thing! But I'd consider carefully if you can even possibly avoid a big change like this, at this moment.

Good luck to you, and if a truly necessary relocation? Move in, get with friends and family, take care not add additional stress, and cabinetry ?! Focus on the rest of the space, for now, keeping as MUCH as familiar as possible.

Death, divorce, moving all lead the stress parade : ) Take good care of yourself. Time is the only healer.

@mytwo cents Your comment started my day with a smile. Love it! i also thank you very much for your creative and caring comment. I am not too familiar using Houzz to ask for advice so hope this reply reaches you.

It did! Thank you for sending the smile back. Best!

@Susan thank you for your comnent. i am very grateful to all who replied. it was reassuring to receive such positive feedback. I love my building and am happy I will be able to continue to live here in my familiar surroundings.

I am soon to be 77 yrs old and I still love my white high gloss cabinets this is pic of my kitchen. I am so sorry to hear of your loss so take some time to start healing before making any big decisions a move is all you can handle right now I think.

@Maureen thanks for responding and sending the pics. i am thrilled to have such timely and very much appreciated feedback. i have not moved in but have access and will post pictures shortly. that would be great if I can make it look wonderful without a majir expenditure.

@Jan Moyer Thanks for your comments and sage advice. I am a widow for the second time in my life so am cautious about big decisions. Hopefully, reaching out to Houzz members will help me avoid major and costly design mistakes. i am so pleased to see such caring and sound advice my first time to ask for advice.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting your kitchen is a wonderfully eye-catching contrast of materials and love the splash of vivid color. i‘m getting such great inspiration and ideas from all if you who have replied. .

THIS is the new place??

I can tell you now, there's a line around the block, and up a street beyond for folks who'd in ONE single heartbeat take that kitchen!! Even if they hate minty green paint

When you said high gloss, I pictured something else.

You want a little blast of color? Get rid of the riser, tile the back splash.

Put a vibrant runner rug on the floor. Do you need a fan blowing dust around? Get a great flush or semi flush light.

Do you hate the counters? Do you want stainless appliances?

You have to post a few inspo pic of a kitchen you could absolutely love. : )

But compared to all else in your life right now? This isn't, if it is yours........ appearing to be worthy of one single tear.........unless you are talking about blasting open a WALL.

No need for any reno unless you want it. I have a lot of green in my house. I think it is fabulous!

@Maureen I have posted a couole of pictures of the cabinets although they don’t look as ”shiny” as they are. I am very much in learning mode on the Houzz app so have a little difficulty navigating.

That’s a totally workable kitchen. New backsplash and get rid of the mint and it’s a new place!

At Linda Mullen

As I said ( scroll up ) .....? There's an envious line around the block on that blank slate

Post INSPOS....... of the dream space, a color you love, or better yet?

The condo you are leaving BEHIND. I'm with Hallett and Co on this one.

@JAN MOYER I am in the process of selling my current condo and have chosen this smaller condo. I have not finalized or moved yet. Furnishings are seller’s, not mine. I seriously considered these high gloss white cabinets 20 years ago for a, new at the time, house. That might be where I get the idea they are dated. They are shinier than they appear, Thanks very much for your comments. Great input!

a bit of help from a local handyman and it will look totally updated.. just getting rid of the green will make a big difference, pull in the blue from the ocean an do a peal and stick back splash. If your feeling really into it, change the counter tops, would not be much

Yes.

"I am in the process of selling my current condo and have chosen this smaller condo. I have not finalized or moved yet. Furnishings are seller’s, not mine."

We understand that. But you live somewhere now, and it looks like SOMETHING which might be a clue as to what you DO like?

Post pictures of that- the space you (for now)........inhabit : )

Add what you love or wish you'd done differently or are sick of.

We bought our condo knowing he wouldn’t be here long. The glossy white cabinets were 35 years old and in great shape. Swapped out appliances, painted, and added a backsplash of blue-ish green glass subway. Four years later and I’m still happy with it. I’m sorry for your loss. Almost three years for me.

I spy the ocean in the distance!? This kitchen is awesome. Just needs different paint color (something you may like) and add a vase full of flowers or a plant. Cute towels. Call it a day and enjoy the view!

Lovely condo! Personally I would change the mint green wall color if you plan on painting before you move in. So sorry for your loss. Good luck with your move!

Saw your picture….won’t take much to make it your own and may be something to look forward to, without being overwhelming or costly. It’s a difficult time though and you may not be ready, but from experience, keeping your mind occupied might help.

A handyman will be all you need (paint same color as cabinets, to make kitchen feel larger/brighter). Take your time looking at pictures on line (try Pinterest as well) of small white kitchens for things you like. Just make it a project, until/if you decide to move forward. If backsplash is too much $/effort, just paint and update hardware/lighting.

Thought you might like the combo below, timeless, yet modern.

Really good price:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LDBXW49

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/Lighting-Ceiling-Fans/Nathan-James-Ophelia-Semi-Flush-Mount-Ceiling-3-Light-Fixture-with-Glass-Shade/36133740/product.html?refccid=OEDDXC3ZKZECDEGZOOBYJ3TDLE&searchidx=70&option=69862776

Hi, Linda … I’m so sorry for your loss.

I was widowed and had to sell my dream house, and downsize, too. It’s a very emotional and difficult experience to have to move after suffering such a devastating loss — especially to leave the last place they lived. It feels like we’re leaving the memories and essense of them. To live somewhere else, not only without them by our side, but somewhere they never saw. It can be overwhelming.

But no matter where we go, they’re still with us. They live on in our hearts forever.

It’s still so fresh for you. At 3-4 months out, I was still learning to accept he was never coming home. My heart goes out to you.

Everyone has given great, helpful, kind advice here, I don’t have anything to add except to be gentle with yourself. Don’t rush into too many big decisions yet, if possible. It’s going to take a lot of emotional energy just to move.

.

After writing all that, I scrolled back up and saw that I’d initially missed your post that you’ve been widowed twice. I’m so sorry! I’m certainly not telling you anything you sadly already know. I’ll leave it, though, we never know who might be reading, and if something will resonate.

I think your kitchen looks wonderful and I wish you many years of happiness in your new place. I hope you’ll keep us updated. ❤️

I really get just how glossy these are when I see the floor reflected off of the lower cabinets. And still, I think they are absolutely fine. Change the paint color and you've got a great kitchen.

Sorry you have to make all of these decision in a time of turmoil. Glad there is another workable option in your building. It is so nice to have that continuity of not having to move elsehwere.

Sending you a hug from Michigan.

Sending you another big hug from Oregon.

Linda: My heart goes out to you for the loss of your husband💗. I think your new kitchen is quite charming! I would keep the look for now. I think it takes a lot of energy to renovate anything. Take time for yourself for now.

Big hugs to you, Linda.