http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/

It not only can be used on cabinetry, but also on furniture and other woodwork.

That said - You have an awful lot of wood there! Are you sure you'd rather paint that rather than deal with the walls, which IMO need more attention and will give you bigger impact for your efforts?

I don't see anything wrong with painting the wood if that's what you'd prefer, but I'd rather see you remove the border/wallpaper in the kitchen and change the countertop to something more dramatic. It looks a little pink in the picture. In the living room the wood jumps out quite a lot because it has such a strong contrast with the white walls. Toning down the walls will give your scheme more unity. You might even consider wallpaper--there are some awesome choices available these days. Not only patterns but gorgeous textures and grass cloths. That way you're not adding just one colour to the walls but subtle nuances of several tones. Without knowing what area rug and furniture you're using in that room, it's too hard for me to make a specific suggestion.

Always do what YOU like, not what people insist you should like...we painted our old oak kitchen cabinets white and it's SOOO much better and less like a dungeon now. But our floor is red tile -- you will have a very white kitchen - maybe put in some solid surfacing countertop with some muted beautiful color, add some color on the walls (stay muted/I agree with cynthia above "toning down" on walls) paint trim everywhere, but consider leaving upstairs bookshelves, or maybe even fireplace -- a little texture & contrast here and there can be good. They way it is now is overwhelming, but the kitchen is most offensive to me with different height cabinets adding to it. Try new lights, hanging lights with warm shades or glass in the kitchen...If you create a semi- uniform light colored palette, that will allow you to add color with art, furniture, rugs which is always fun.

You have to make the house yours and if you want to paint then paint. The wood is still there and it's only paint. I don't know why people get so bent out of shape over painting wood. I have had oak in my house for over twenty years and it's going this year for sure .I'm sick of it. I use Kiltz primer and Benjamin Moore paints. The wallpaper border is probably on your hit list to. Looks like this home has the old 80's decorating. Time for a change.

Hi argetman, this is my opinion on updating honey oak woodwork, don't think painting them a solid color is the best solution. Wallpaper needs to be removed definitely.

I'm not afraid to buck the trend here, but please, please don't paint your beautiful oak trim and cabinets. By all means, paint the walls a warm, rich color, remove the outdated wallpaper and update the cabinet hardware. A new countertop and light ash or natural hickory flooring would downplay the oak cabinets.

Hello,
Congrats on your new home-- very nice open space! I would agree with what the others are saying-- yes, it IS ok to paint the oak trim and woodwork--especially in your living room that will freshen and modernize the space immediately. You'll need primer ( I usually use Kilz) and remember you don't need to go stark white-- Benjamin Moore Dove White is a soft, clean white. Then you can pick a favorite paint color ( neutral because of the size of the space) or textured wallpaper for your walls. In the kitchen, I would suggest staining the base cabinets an espresso or mahogany as suggested above, update the hardware, and frankly, think about removing the uppers completely ( at least along the sink wall) as they seem very overpowering and unbalanced. In their place you could put shelving for a more modern look; remove the wallpaper, replace countertops with granite or Caesarstone, and enjoy! ( phew! )
Good luck!

Anna

Right now it's a bit of a sea of oak, indeed, especially in addition to the previous owners furnishings. I'd suggest taking a sample of your oak to the paint store to find something to complement it, because your LR built-ins are quite nice, but crying for a companion color. If you go with something muted and warm, my temptation would then be to paint all of your posts and spindles (not stairs or railings) black. Then I'd paint your island and lower cabinets black, along with all of the smaller/lower sections of your uppers, leaving the taller/deeper upper cabs oak to tie back to your built-ins. Unfortunately then the appliances would have to change as well. And a new countertop incorporating your colors in a natural material would be brilliant. You might actually start by taking your oak sample to the rug or fabric store to get you started on your color palate, unless you're moving in with something you love that can be your starting point. Good luck; big project, but with great potential.

I am in the same situation. I have a home with cherry cabinets in the kitchen and the den. I started in the den and painted the crown molding. I was happier with the room immediately. I then proceeded with painting the built ins. It transformed the space. It now feels so much cleaner and crisp. I painted the walls pale silver from restoration hardware and put down a striped rug in blues with a hint of yellow. It was a very inexpensive transformation. The kitchen will be next. I will hire a pro for that though. I think you should go for it if you like a lighter look. Some people just don't like brown no matter how good the wood is. Good luck!

Just found you a photo of a kitchen mixing up wood with black cabinetry:

try re staining the wood cab., remove wallpaper and I would consider changing the countertop...that can help.

The wallpaper, applicances, and coutertops are going to go for sure. Thank you for all the suggestions!

It's a great space! I hope you will be able to post an "after" picture here soon! Good luck with this project!

I say paint it. I painted our oak stair rails and balusters a beautiful gloss pure white and it brightened, opened and cleaned up the space. It also made the house feel more classic. I appreciate that it's oak, but for a child born in 1981, that oak just looks way too 80's/90's to me. Especially when you pair it with brass hardware and fixtures, 80's wallpaper, and ugly counter tops. Go for it! Paint it, You won't be sorry!

I agree with cgsteinman, I would not paint quality wood. Here's an idea for kitchen modernization without painting. Black granite is about all you need for your kitchen to be lovely. Beautiful stairs & railings as you have paint in a beige tone will be less stark a contrast with the oak If you keep the oak, buy a wood fan to repeat the oak on the ceiling. The white fan is not enhancing the wood

I am also not a fan of all the timber work, as beautiful as it is, it doesn't scream contemporary! I think if you paint the cabinets, bookcases, stairs and window frames in a semi gloss off white (I'm not a big fan of full gloss), remove the wallpaper in the kitchen and do a semi gloss off white on the cabinet doors with a contrasting wall colour. With the cabinets and floor all light colours you can afford a dark stone bench top or equivalent. Stainless steel appliances will really give you a sleek modern look in the kitchen. You can then experiment with wall colours in the lounge to compliment your furniture and decor. I think it looks like a great project and I hope you will post some "after" shots for us!

Go to Valspar, Sherwin Williams, or any online paint visualizer site and mix and match the colors on your own uploaded photos or one of their photos. Then, go crazy!

DON'T MESS WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL WOOD !! paint your room a warm color, you will do fine. the woodwork is just beautiful. Good luck