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There is definitely nothing “wrong” with our kitchen, but it needs some jazzing up, some life put into it, a touch of something. Problem is I don’t know what to do with it.
We have all new appliances (yes, I chose black over stainless steel), recently hung new Oil Rubbed Bronze light fixtures, I spray painted all the knobs to match the light fixtures, the tan/gray/brown Corian counter tops have to stay for now, and we are not changing the hardwood flooring. So, with all that being said, what should we do? Backsplash is a must, but I can’t decide on color/style/design. Should we paint the cabinets a white or a cream or should we leave them the maple? (Maple cabinetry wouldn’t be my first choice, but it is what it is. They are in excellent condition and we can’t afford new cabinets!)
Here are some recent pictures. Notice how everything is VERY TAN.
View from Breakfast area into the kitchen
View from Back Door into Kitchen
View from Dining Room
View from Hallway
Closer view of countertops and cabinets
Very tan, right?
So, after seeing the pictures, what do you think we should do? Paint the cabinets? Do a backsplash? How can we add some color without spending a ton of money?
Hayley Crouse is a wife, mother and multifaceted designer. Her love of sewing, crafting, cooking and interior design infuses her daily life and naturally spills over into her online presence. She pushes the envelope of her creativity and hopes that others will be inspired to do the same. She currently authors the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog, is the pattern designer behind Mouse House Creations and is a collaborative designer with Willow & Co. Patterns.
I’d paint them white! The greenish/tan color of the walls doesn’t compliment the golden color of the wood cabinets. Other than that the kitchen is lovely – the light fixtures are fabulous. PS I like the Corian countertops very much, but I’m not at all a fan of granite.
I love white cabinets. My kitchen looks so bright and clean – when it’s clean. 😉 But really I love them and they would look great in your kitchen. I would also do a back splash if you can. Maybe subway tile in a color to coordinate with the walls? Or a pretty glass or tile. I think chalkboard paint would be fun on the empty side of the island that you can see in the first picture, keep the kids entertained. =]
Rebecca and I were on the same wave length. I was going to say paint the cabinets in a warm white, maybe a colored penny tile back splash, and the chalk board paint on the island. I just got a small tub of the chalk board paint at lowes for 13 dollars so it is pretty inexpensive. Maybe a colorful island runner for you island or some colorful pot holders, kitchen towels,hot pads…ect. You do have a very beautiful kitchen. Our house is 30 years old and all we have left on the inside to do is the kitchen and baths….oh what I would do to have you kitchen. I was just looking at back splash and have the page copied if you are interested for ideas..here is the link…there is a cork one down the page that is so neat..HTH…
I was sitting in my kitchen last night and thought “What about painting the island one color and the cabinets another?”
I currently have dark maple cabinets and then a distressed black island. Add some more wood details on the end caps, some wooden posts or shelf brackets on the overhang of the countertop and it looks like a piece of furniture. I have those detail on mine and LOVE it!
I love the shaker style maple cabinets and would not change them. However, the wall colouring is not working with it. After you add a backsplash it may tie in better. I don’t have a suggestion for your backsplash, but wanted to vote for keeping your cabinets the same.
Thank you so much for the input! We have decided to paint the cabinets a cream color and the island an accent color~!!! I can’t wait! I really appreciate all the input!
I recently tried the Annie Sloan chalk paint. NO SANDING or prep. Just put it on and clear and then dark wax them…super easy. You could use this on the cabinets. I used Irish Linen. It’s a medium gray. I too like the top and bottom cabinets a different color or the island. Have fun, experiment. Backsplash would be relatively inexpensive and add a great deal , would also be a pop of color or distraction if you don’t want to do the cabinets right away.
It’s expensive and maybe not what you want to do now, but hold off on painting anything. I think if you pop a slab of warm toned, interesting granite, the whole room would change. It would break up the cabs from the floor and allow you to accessorize. Then if you want to tweak stuff, I say go for it! Art and granite ftw.
I know this was well over a year ago. And I really like that you painted the cabinets, cream and the island a darker color. (That is exactly what I want to do in my kitchen.) I am not a fan of granite. So, when I do my kitchen I’m going to re-do my countertops using the IKEA Butcher Block countertops. I’ll stain and finish and they are extremely reasonably priced. Take a look at this link to see what I’m talking about: http://kleypas.blogspot.com/2010/04/few-questions-answered.html
I know this was well over a year ago. And I really like that you painted the cabinets, cream and the island a darker color. (That is exactly what I want to do in my kitchen.) I am not a fan of granite. So, when I do my kitchen I’m going to re-do my countertops using the IKEA Butcher Block countertops. I’ll stain and finish and they are extremely reasonably priced. Take a look at this link to see what I’m talking about: http://kleypas.blogspot.com/2010/04/few-questions-answered.html
An AMAZING colorful backsplash would do wonders!!
The cabinets might not drive you so crazy!!!
I’d paint them white! The greenish/tan color of the walls doesn’t compliment the golden color of the wood cabinets. Other than that the kitchen is lovely – the light fixtures are fabulous. PS I like the Corian countertops very much, but I’m not at all a fan of granite.
I love white cabinets. My kitchen looks so bright and clean – when it’s clean. 😉 But really I love them and they would look great in your kitchen. I would also do a back splash if you can. Maybe subway tile in a color to coordinate with the walls? Or a pretty glass or tile. I think chalkboard paint would be fun on the empty side of the island that you can see in the first picture, keep the kids entertained. =]
I think some visual interest on top of the upper cabinets may help to pop some color and texture (bowls and baskets?)
It is a beautiful kitchen. Maybe you could paint the counter stools a pop of color too (once you pick a pop color LOL).
Should you choose to paint the cabinets. I am a huge fan of dark cabinets on the bottom and light on top.
Have fun planning!
Rebecca and I were on the same wave length. I was going to say paint the cabinets in a warm white, maybe a colored penny tile back splash, and the chalk board paint on the island. I just got a small tub of the chalk board paint at lowes for 13 dollars so it is pretty inexpensive. Maybe a colorful island runner for you island or some colorful pot holders, kitchen towels,hot pads…ect. You do have a very beautiful kitchen. Our house is 30 years old and all we have left on the inside to do is the kitchen and baths….oh what I would do to have you kitchen. I was just looking at back splash and have the page copied if you are interested for ideas..here is the link…there is a cork one down the page that is so neat..HTH…
http://www.google.com/search?q=penny+tile+backsplash+photos&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=564
I was sitting in my kitchen last night and thought “What about painting the island one color and the cabinets another?”
I currently have dark maple cabinets and then a distressed black island. Add some more wood details on the end caps, some wooden posts or shelf brackets on the overhang of the countertop and it looks like a piece of furniture. I have those detail on mine and LOVE it!
I love the shaker style maple cabinets and would not change them. However, the wall colouring is not working with it. After you add a backsplash it may tie in better. I don’t have a suggestion for your backsplash, but wanted to vote for keeping your cabinets the same.
Thank you so much for the input! We have decided to paint the cabinets a cream color and the island an accent color~!!! I can’t wait! I really appreciate all the input!
If you are considering buying, building, or remodeling your home you may be asking whether or not you should invest in a utility sink.
You need this backsplash
http://www.homedepot.com/Kitchen-Backsplashes/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbcsz/R-100625482/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
You need this backsplash
http://www.homedepot.com/Kitchen-Backsplashes/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbcsz/R-100625482/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
I recently tried the Annie Sloan chalk paint. NO SANDING or prep. Just put it on and clear and then dark wax them…super easy. You could use this on the cabinets. I used Irish Linen. It’s a medium gray. I too like the top and bottom cabinets a different color or the island. Have fun, experiment. Backsplash would be relatively inexpensive and add a great deal , would also be a pop of color or distraction if you don’t want to do the cabinets right away.
It’s expensive and maybe not what you want to do now, but hold off on painting anything. I think if you pop a slab of warm toned, interesting granite, the whole room would change. It would break up the cabs from the floor and allow you to accessorize. Then if you want to tweak stuff, I say go for it! Art and granite ftw.
I know this was well over a year ago. And I really like that you painted the cabinets, cream and the island a darker color. (That is exactly what I want to do in my kitchen.) I am not a fan of granite. So, when I do my kitchen I’m going to re-do my countertops using the IKEA Butcher Block countertops. I’ll stain and finish and they are extremely reasonably priced. Take a look at this link to see what I’m talking about: http://kleypas.blogspot.com/2010/04/few-questions-answered.html
I know this was well over a year ago. And I really like that you painted the cabinets, cream and the island a darker color. (That is exactly what I want to do in my kitchen.) I am not a fan of granite. So, when I do my kitchen I’m going to re-do my countertops using the IKEA Butcher Block countertops. I’ll stain and finish and they are extremely reasonably priced. Take a look at this link to see what I’m talking about: http://kleypas.blogspot.com/2010/04/few-questions-answered.html
I LOVE the look of my white cabinets, don’t get me wrong, but they are a pain to keep clean. I don’t recommend it haha