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How to lighten up this kitchen?

12 years ago

We are looking to lighten up this kitchen by painting the cabinets and the walls white. We chose white subway tile with the intention of refinishing the cabinets in white. However, I now hear a lot of advice against painting cabinets. Especially since ours are brand new, I am not sure I should mess with them. Just paint the walls white leave the cabinets as is? Any other ideas out there?

Backsplash: white subway tile
Countertop: river white granite
Flooring: cream textured tile

Featured Answer

groveraxle

12 years ago

If you paint them white, you'll lose what little contrast you do have.

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Comments (213)

PRO
User
11 years ago
get a fixture over the table that can be hung a little higher, but still fill the space this way you can let the pendants be seen together in the space.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Flair lighting thanks again! After I found these pendants, I was considering a flush mount over the dining. What do you think?
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RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Ilovephotography: thank you so much. It took a whole year to make the changes and mostly decisions. I am glad it was worth the wait.
PRO
User
11 years ago
it will be lost. it will be small on that big ceiling. semi flush or hanging, here is an example,see in attached pic how it is hung a little bit high because of the crystal hanging...
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Flair lighting: Thanks! Will wait for the pendants to arrive. So much harder to match brass fixtures unlike chrome.
PRO
User
11 years ago
the brass will be hard, but also think of the fixture you will put in the living room eventually too. as you will see this fixture with the whole space.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
True. Looking for an all crystal chandelier for dining with no metal exposed. In my budget, this is all I found so far.
PRO
User
11 years ago
budget please lol.
PRO
User
11 years ago
i found this collection.... but it might be out of budget for you ...
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
This one is a steal at 135$, but for the right one up to 300$.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
And this one is 180$. Both all crystal from Overstock.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
I am being wary of brining in too many shades of brass/gold - the kitchen hardware is brushed brass, dining table is antique brass and the island pendants will be brass too. Brass Central? Haha
PRO
User
11 years ago
what is the table size?
PRO
User
11 years ago
when do the curtains come? what color rod will use?
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
90x40
It's 30" high

The right size for the chandelier should be close to 24"?
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Haven't picked the curtains/shades for the patio door yet. The fabric/panels will be white with brass hardware.
PRO
User
11 years ago
idea switch...
PRO
User
11 years ago
longer than wide would be nice 24 is a good size, 28 .....in there...
PRO
User
11 years ago
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/chandeliers/color_white-@-ivory/page_1/
PRO
User
11 years ago
I think they show a good selection of choices, and the prices are fair. I wish you had a lighting store around you....if you do shop local!
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks a ton! Loving some of those "skinny" antique brass fixtures. We do have a lamps plus here. May be worthwhile to pop and see if they have any of these in store.

Used up better half of our budget on the pendants. However, I Love them and I was keen in globe pendants. With so many chandelier options hopefully, it was worth splurging on those!
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
http://m.lampsplus.com/products/crystorama-sutton-antique-white-28-inch-wide-chandelier__r0933.html

This ones a favorite.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Was also considering this from OS not sure if it is too modernish although it is antique brass finish.

http://www.overstock.com/#/9371831/product.html
PRO
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
love it! now we can find that about 200 cheaper lol! the white one. not the long one. now i think the long would block out the pendants and sight line to the living room.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
And this http://www.overstock.com/#/Home-Garden/Sutton-6-light-Antique-White-Crystal-Chandelier/5306506/product.html

Similar to the lamps plus antique white but with more bling.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Flair lighting: Bingo! I just did! Half the price on OS.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
http://www.overstock.com/#/Home-Garden/Sutton-6-light-Antique-White-Crystal-Chandelier/5306506/product.html
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Looks pale pink but reviews say it is white. Some complaint that it's too white!
PRO
User
11 years ago
fyi Crystorama fixtures are awesome. check out their actual website.
PRO
User
11 years ago
they are both crystorama hahaha.
PRO
User
11 years ago
i think it will bring some bling but not to modern. go well with the table.
PRO
McAdams Remodeling & Design
11 years ago
Greetings,

How about replacing a few strategically located cabinet doors with some with glass framed inserts? Then you could display some glassware and use LED lighting inside. This company has done great work for us in the past. http://northwestled.com/
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Flair lighting: Crystorama website! Spend better part of my day ogling at their chandeliers.

Can't wait for those pendants to arrive so I can then pick a Crystorama.

Thanks so much!
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Mcadams: I was aiming for a clean minimalistic look with our kitchen. I like "stuff" tucked out of sight. But that's just me. I do think that glass panels can bring in airiness and texture to a kitchen.
PRO
User
11 years ago
usually they will have local dealer section so you can call a store or visit one to place the order. often times they might have one on the floor for less.....sales! bring in your best inter-web, (lol) price and they will match it. its good to see in person the paint finishes if you can.
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Pendant lights up. Now on the hunt for a chandelier to match.
jc07
11 years ago
Leave the cabinets as they are. The contrast is appealing. Paint the walls white if you want light, and open up a few of the cabinets by removing the doors or installing glass.
acm
11 years ago
@jc07 -- are you paying attention?the photo immediately above yours (and several others above) show that "as they are" is already white. that decision has flown...
PRO
User
11 years ago
LOVE IT!
abbyjean
11 years ago
GREAT choice on those! Hope you find a chandelier.
susanmarguerite
11 years ago
You can put lighting above the cabinets and under the cabinets. It's not hard and fairly cheap.
susanmarguerite
11 years ago
Also, bar stools: don't use dark. Off white leather stools would be easy to clean and durable. Something like this would be a good choice. Have darker stained legs to match the dark cabinets and the off white leather would lighten up the area.
susanmarguerite
11 years ago
A light but colorful rug in the area before the kitchen would give you color. Also. Use some colorful decor on the counters. Flowers, green plant, great canister set.
susanmarguerite
11 years ago
Your kitchen is great. Don't be disappointed. It just needs a little tweaking and good accessories like any room does. It's a great looking kitchen.
PRO
User
11 years ago
ideas again lol....
PRO
Progress Lighting
11 years ago
Under cabinet lighting would make a big difference! Here are a few options from Progress Lighting:
http://progresslighting.com/products.aspx?product=P7041-30
http://progresslighting.com/products.aspx?product=P7510-30
http://progresslighting.com/products.aspx?product=P7034-20WB

Good luck!
RM
Original Author
11 years ago
Flair lighting: Love it! Leaning towards the white/ all crystal chandelier. I think more brass would be an overkill?
PRO
User
11 years ago
murray fiess makes a series called Chateau, in white, check it out.
PRO
User
11 years ago
its the bottom left in my above pic.
karkey
10 years ago
You could replace a few cabinet doors with glass doors. That would help to lighten the dark cabinets.

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