What would you do with these kitchen cabinets? - Page 3

[Pinoikoi]

Personally I would hire a woodworker to come in and replace/repair the damaged cabinet fronts, then resand and stain a lighter color. Replace the black hinges with stainless ones and keep the stainless nobs.

I love wood though, so I wouldn't replace all the cabinets.. they can be lovely with just an update.

[Sarah W]

Originally Posted by sunflwrmoonbeam

Personally, I'm a big fan of darker colors, even in small areas, and I think the finish on those cabinets are gorgeous. The ones that are falling apart, are they repairable? Because if so, I'd fix them and stick with what you have.

There's NO WAY I'd paint over those...they are gorgeous! I agree, I would try to fix the ones that are broken.

Can you take a pic of the whole kitchen?

[tine1973]

There are some really good ideas here! For the drawers that are not in great shape, I would take them out, put a support in, and find some baskets that fit in those spaces.

[Blooming]

Originally Posted by tine1973

There are some really good ideas here! For the drawers that are not in great shape, I would take them out, put a support in, and find some baskets that fit in those spaces.

Ohhh, I like this idea, I've been wondering what to do with those.

DH and I are going to paint the cabinets. I know, the wood can be beautiful but once you see a picture of my whole kitchen (which I'll try to take when it is clean.) I think you'll see why we need to get rid of the cave feeling that the dark wood gives.

[lightheart]

What about removing the doors to the upper cabinets or some of them. You could paint the insides of the cabinets or put down contact paper or both.

[RGsMom]

I would also agree w/ cleaning them up/sanding a couple of those down so they work better and painting them white. I do love the wood, but it'll be easier to repaint than stain. Good luck!

[lanamommyphd07]

just a thought here--but they look like pine cabinets, and from the look of that one drawer, seems like a nice light possibility. Just as a test, take a swab of polyurethane and test it on that worn away spot on the drawer and wait a coupe of days--you'll see what your cabinets would look like with no stain--just poly'ed bare. I did this after stripping paint and was very happy with the results in my super tiny kitchen.
Once cabinets get painted, it's just a matter of time before they have to be junked, imo. They don't close right anymore, some people paint over them a few times, and then there's just a gunky big mess--just my experience so far.
I also have all white dishes so when I took off some of the doors it opened the place up so nicely.

[weliveintheforest]

I think if it were me I would fix up and sand down all the wood and refinish it either natural, or with a very light stain. It looks like it would be quite light naturally.
I like the 'rustic' wood look, and wood goes with almost everything, leaving lots of options for counters and walls etc.

If I didn't do that, I would paint all the cupboards and trim white, and colour on the walls.

I would go with white appliances too.

But I am excited to see pics of whatever you do!

[Blooming]

well, it looks like project cabinets is on hold. As DH and I talked it through we realized that this was much more of a spring/summer project. We are going to put a small amount of paint thinner on one and see what color they could be naturally.

I wish we could hire a woodwoker to just fix them up and make them beautiful!

[melissa17s]

I'll add my 2 cents... We did a mini remodel of our kitchen with recycled cabinets a few years ago. I felt the original color was oppressive because the floor and ceiling were similar colors of wood, we left the actual cabinet bases the original color, but stained the doors and drawer fronts with a green stain. We can still see the wood grain, but they are one of my favorite shades of green. We also got butcher block counters and more modern hardware from Ikea.

We still are not done, but the cabinets are. My big hang up has been what color to paint the walls. Plus, I have decided I want to paint or stain the floor. So, I guess our kitchen is ever evolving.

These are pictures from the the demo to installing some of the cabinets...http://www.flickr.com/photos/6262634...7601602163692/ I hope the link works since it has been a long time since I have used the flickr photos.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by melissa17s

We still are not done, but the cabinets are.

Yes to this.. I think the OP can totally finish the cabinets without an entire kitchen overhaul.. I initially said to get a woodworker in to fix the doors that are broken/damaged but to just restain the wood a lighter shade..

Um, I changed my mind.. I was reading an article on MSN yesterday about cabinets where people removed the doors and have open shelving mixed in with the traditional cabinetry..

That is the solution. Remove a few doors, to make some well placed shelving, and then use the removed doors to replace those that are damaged here and there around the kitchen. Replace the hardware. I can sand and restain myself, but just doing that little bit I think would make a world of difference or very little money (maybe just elbow grease!)

I will see if I can find those pics.. Nope, sorry, not sure where the article went.

[bigeyes]

Originally Posted by melissa17s

These are pictures from the the demo to installing some of the cabinets...http://www.flickr.com/photos/6262634...7601602163692/ I hope the link works since it has been a long time since I have used the flickr photos.

your photos are private

I'm partial to the blue kitchen the OP liked and the yellow kitchen linked earlier.

[melissa17s]

Originally Posted by bigeyes

your photos are private

I'm partial to the blue kitchen the OP liked and the yellow kitchen linked earlier.

Sorry, I think they work now.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by Sarah W

There's NO WAY I'd paint over those...they are gorgeous! I agree, I would try to fix the ones that are broken.

I totally agree. I grew up with real wood floors and I think painting real wood is a travesty when there are so many fakes out there now.. I am NOT trying to be rude to anyone, but I would never do it.. stain yes, but not paint.

Also, I looked through a lot of the links posted. A lot of the painted cabinetry in kitchens is very cute. I admit it. But I do think it might end up being "trendy" and I personally would want to redo a kitchen that I would like for a long time.. without feeling compelled to redo often.

For those that stated that open cabinetry is a greasy mess.. I can see that.. My mother's kitchen in her new house has ONE cabinet with a glass front. At first I thought it was odd, but it is on a diagonal type cabinet between the fridge (which sticks out pretty far) and the oven fan.. so it is kind of a focal point and my mother put some nice dishes in there, and now I love it.

I am unhappy with my kitchen right now, there is far too much "open area" above the cabinets (no soffets), and I need the storage. I was thinking of hanging valances there or something..I would love to replace those top cabinets with the much taller ones that end at the ceiling.. but not sure how they would match the lower cabinets. My kitchen is new (less than one year), and I love the earthy colored countertop (terracotta mix), which warms up my white appliances, but we didn't have a whole lot of options to pick through..

Plus, we have an open wall that is begging for a hutch or additional cabinetry or SOMETHING.. and I can't decide for that wall if I want something permanent or not..

[honolula]

Originally Posted by Blooming

I'm now confused about the color of the stove (for $ reasons). One thing I know for sure is I don't want to keep the kitchen or the rest of the house in a country style. (even though it leans that way) If I never again see a heart peg shelf or tea pot wallpaper I will be one happy woman!

What you're describing is a really dated, tacky, precious "country" style that has nothing to do with the look or feel of an authentic country home. It was just a bad 70's fad that some people cling to for whatever reason. Distressed paint is a signature "country" look that's being adopted across different styles, so if you like that, you should page through an issue of Country Living (or something similar) next time you're at the grocery store. Modern country can be very light, soft, and sophisticated- think of a beautiful old restored New England farmhouse with delicate curtains blowing around open windows, antique fans, fresh flowers in vases, high ceilings, light colors, and beautiful, warm, wide-plank floors like yours (I almost fell over when somebody suggested you paint them). NOT jigsaw cut outs of 2 ducks kissing to hang your gingham hand towels on. :


A lot of people are suggesting you hire a woodworker or refinish the cabinets yourself. I understand the affection people have for wood, but not all wood is valuable or even beautiful. Your cabinets are paint-grade and extremely dated, and I say that to try to make the decision easier on your heart, not to be unkind. I think you are right on target- paint the cabinets, replace the hinges, and keep the pulls if they will match your new appliances and color scheme.

When I painted my old pine cabinets, a lot of the knots bled through (even though I primed and painted several layers) but I was going for an old, semi-worn look, and I didn't mind. If that will make you crazy, you should seal them first.

White appliances and cream colored paint won't look busy or out of synch. Most whites are more cream than pure white, anyway. Only ceiling paint is really white-white. Here's my suggestion if you're really worried about matching: if you end up with white appliances, pick out 2 paint colors. One that is a spot-on match to the stove and micro- use that for the cabinet casing, and another color, maybe cream, maybe the color you choose for your walls, maybe something different that will compliment your scheme- and use that for your cabinet doors.

Have fun, use a tarp, and post pictures when you're done!

[honolula]

ps~ will your new stove be gas or electric? If you get an electric stove, you shouldn't have too much of a grease problem and I think you could do the open cabinets.

[bigeyes]

I like that shade of green too. Does that make me a kitchen slut?

[Blooming]

honolula- Your post gave me a chuckle. My house is an old New England farm house.It just has yet to see renovations.

Oh, and Bigeyes, and if your kitchen slut, I'm not sure what that makes me. I'm so confused I don't know which kitchen I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Your point about what I think of as country is right on.

I'm actually off to do a test on one of the cabinets to see there true color.

Oh, I don't think I can make them open. They are about 2 feet deep, unless I put a light in them I think it will feel like a big cave.

The real you know what about all this-only two of the cabinets are friendly to me. (I can't physically get to the lower ones or climb to the tall ones!)

edited to add: The stove will be electric.

[honolula]

Originally Posted by vm9799

[URL="http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/3-simple-kitchen-dec0607-xlg.jpg"]


ETA: FOUND ONE! here's a gorgeous blue color on the cabinets with a creamy tan on the walls and some wood elements.

ETA: FOUND ANOTHER ONE! okay, the color of these cabinets is totally calling my name! lol!

This is what I think of when I think country. So pretty and sophisticated!

Blooming, see, when you've never been to New England you just imagine it's nothing but laid back good taste, and sea food :

[vm9799]

Originally Posted by alaskanteach

I totally agree. I grew up with real wood floors and I think painting real wood is a travesty when there are so many fakes out there now.. I am NOT trying to be rude to anyone, but I would never do it.. stain yes, but not paint.

Also, I looked through a lot of the links posted. A lot of the painted cabinetry in kitchens is very cute. I admit it. But I do think it might end up being "trendy" and I personally would want to redo a kitchen that I would like for a long time.. without feeling compelled to redo often.

this is entirely your opinion only. painting wood, even real wood, is not a travesty at all. and as to the "trendiness" of painted wood, well one would just have to look back to our historic colonial homes with the beautiful black painted wood furniture to know that this is not always the case. those pieces are just as classic and popular today as they were back then. and real wood wide plank floors were also painted. ever see the beautiful natural and black checkerboard floors of historic homes? they are GORGEOUS!

not all wood is beautiful and just because it IS wood doesn't mean that it stops being "real" wood just because it's painted. i would never suggest putting layers upon layers of paint on it though. you should always strip and sand before painting to get an even, un"lumpy" finish.

sorry, as an interior designer i'm amused by all this "hoopla" over some old, dated kitchen cabinets that would do well to get an updated facelift! LOL!