Just a suggestion...maybe your husband could be geeently persuaded into just keeping some of the units in the cherry, so then you could pick a different shade and paint say the top ones in that, keeping the bottom ones cherry? Also I think the wall colour maybe needs changing too?

Some ideas...

Hope this helps!

Hi Emily, it's a difficult one as the cabinet colour and tiling are the most dominating features of the kitchen currently. Additionally, since the cupboards are dark I would stay away from dark paint shades as this would drastically change the atmosphere of the room. Personally (if your husband really won't budge on the colour change) I would stick to lighter shades and neutral appliances. Additionally, would you be able to change the flooring? Hope this helps so far- look here for more inspiration http://www.harrisinteriorsltd.co.uk/blog/kitchen-design-how-to-make-your-kitchen-a-sociable-space/

I agree with above. Unfortunately the items you are saying needs to stay are the most dominating features of the space so really will determine the over all look and feel of the space. I think you really need to change the flooring for something more modern - a light tile and the walls to a lighter neutral (a hint of grey perhaps). This will brighten the dark feeling of the wood and keep it feeling spacious whilst also modernising the overall look.

You will also find this then easily transitions between rooms and you can bring your style in more in the other spaces - linking to this room with the colour and contemporary twists. Updating stools, accessories and possibly the handles on the units are another cheap and easy change that will update things for you :)

Best of luck in your new home!

Hi, I think the kitchen is nice and solid and has good bones. I also had a similar problem when my husband didn't want our solid oak kitchen painted. Could a compromise be reached? How about painting the island a light colour then maybe getting a great industrial style lightfitting to hang over the island, that way you would lighten the space and both get something you like. Also how about changing the island stools for some retro industrial style ones. Compromise is great because everyone wins.

Love the Quartz, personally I'd just go for upstands rather than metro tiles. I would change the floor to limestone for something classical and the neutral tones will work with the cherry. Revere pewter could be a great choice depending on the light. Just avoid any paint with green unless you want the cherry to pop even more. I'd paint the upper cabinets on the fridge freezer run in the wall colour and also the door to the pantry (?) so they blend in. If you're changing the worktop then I'd also change the legs on the island as they're quite dated. I would also paint the island, something like BM Chelsea gray could work. Agree with changing the stools and adding a pendant light/s over the island. Add herbs and stems such as eucalyptus to add some life. It's hard to give shopping ideas for accessories as you're in the US but try and add different textures for accessories. Have a look at images of deVOL and Plain English kitchens as they're normally accessoried really well

I agree with much of the above. For me, it's the staggered effect of the upper cupboards that jars quite a bit. I think it sometimes helps to remove the bad bits and re-evaluate bit by bit. I would remove all of the upper cupboards on the fridge wall to start with. The chunky legs on the island would have to go too. If you like industrial, this kitchen is never going to make you happy and lets be honest, cherry wood does look dated. It's a case of replace the doors and end panels or paint them. Open shelving looks industrial and doesn't break the bank. I have used it twice now and would never go back to upper cupboards.