sue_sherman's Ideas

Reply to: They are beautiful! I love QSWO and I love the slight bevel instead of the sharp 90 degree corner of standard shaker doors (I have the 90 degree corner, local cabinet guys don't do the gentler bevel you have there). Nice choice!

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Reply to: I have a quartz that has shades of gray and brown. But it may be too light for you compared to what you showed. It’s an Allen + Roth quartz named Auric. Sorry about the lighting glare. I should get some better photos.

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Reply to: @Pintsizekitchen. Thank you for your feedback. As much as I want to go with my first choice of Praa Sands on Perimeter with the white cabinets and Torguay on island, which would be painted the darker gray color that I posted I'm so nervous it will be too much with the veining. Yep-stressful it is! I just want this to look really great when finished- and not walk in and say "Damn, what have I done." This is the last home we are building -- this will be our retirement home that we will move to when I retire in 2 to 3 years! Going back to my home state of RI!! Here is a better picture of the center island. What do you think- Praa Sands for both Counters, or Torguy for one and Praa Sands for the other??? So hard to visualize the different combinations.

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Reply to: It is certainly true that for the last several years many design magazines and shows have primarily shown white cabinets. That is changing, and I am seeing a lot more stained / stained mixed with painted cabinets. There will always be both, but the design world can focus on one more than the other. One has to remember a lot of that is marketing 101 - make the person feel their present stuff is dated so they will buy new stuff. However, I also understand trying to make a kitchen reflect your style. Painting cabinets is a good way to give new life to worn cabinets - extend the life while one saves for new cabinets. However, painting over previously finished cabinets is not as durable as factory painted cabinets. Wood moves with changes in temp and humidity, which can cause hairline cracks in the paint at the joints. This bothers some more than others. This is why factory painted white cabinets are either MDF or a wood and MDF combo - it is more stable to temp changes. I can't tell from the pics if your cabinets are oak or maple. If oak, the texture of the grain of the wood will show through the paint - not the color of the grain, just the texture. This is why oak is not a "paint grade" wood. Again, this bothers some and not others. I think it important to have all the info before you make a decision. Problems with painted over previously finished cabinets are much more likely with a DIY job, especially an inexperienced DIY person or with a busy active kitchen - kids helping or even older cooks who are not especially careful. If you want to decrease the wood a little you could remove the over the range microwave and replace with a stainless hood. You could remove the cabinet and micro and do a T style hood. You might remove the wood shelf over the window and the glass cabinet over the peninsula. I am neutral on appliances. I dislike black, but I have a neighbor who prefers it, so to each their own:) Since most of the trim is already white, I would paint the crown molding, but not above the cabinets - that should stay wood. I have a smaller kitchen, but with oak cabinets and found new counters / sink / backsplash refreshed it nicely - but I do have a vintage / cottage style which can work well with older cabinets - mine are older than yours. Your cabinets go up to the ceiling and have no arch so that is really nice. My kitchen: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 I also have a "wood kitchens" idea book which includes some refreshed wood kitchens. This is the type of thing I am seeing in new design pics, less white, more wood - though still see white too. Often the stained wood is mixed with a lot of white or ivory - something I tried to do in my own kitchen: Not my kitchen- newer design pics:

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