Help! Should I paint my built-ins and mantle or keep the stain?
I have repainted my house to lighten things up but am getting conflicting ideas about what to do in my living room with my built in cabinetry and mantle. Keep it the wood stain or paint it white? Also I have a wood burning fireplace insert that has a rather large black surround that I don't like. Should I paint that also?
My house is open so I am attaching pictures that shows the flow from my living room and kitchen. The kitchen cabinets are the same cherry and the living room.
I have done what I know to do to lighten the living room up - glass shelves with lighting, but it still is not working. Should I commit to painting these cherry cabinets? What to do about the fireplace surround?
I am not good at visualizing how things will look and know that if I paint them, there is no going back without a lot of expense.
Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks so much!!
Comments (34)
groveraxle
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Should I paint my kitchen cabinets?
Comments (159)Hi there. Completely agree with everyone, you should paint the cupboards. I really like the colours in this picture as I think that the slightly 'greyer' off white cupboards would tie in well with your beautiful grey tiles. You wouldn't necessarily have to go so light on your worktop as in this picture. The laminate you showed in your third picture is really nice, where is it from? Currently doing my kitchen and trying to find a laminate that I like!...See MoreDo I keep the top sanded and wax it or paint it white?
Comments (12)Sorry, mad week. If you haven't already sussed this then a couple of options to try are: apply a coat of chalk paint and wipe with a damp cloth before it's totally dry, lightly sand and seal. Can obviously play around until get strength (or not) of colour you want. Or you can dilute chalk paint and apply in thin layers leaving to dry (20 mins or so) between coats until right level of white achieved. A tester pot should be enough for either of these. Another option is to use a lime wax which does the same thing but the finish (wax!) is 'built in' so need to let completely dry before using Matt varnish. Have fun...See MoreShould I paint my fireplace
Comments (36)Paint it white. Start with watered down chalk paint, and build it up until you're happy with the depth of white. If you're really uncertain, leave it a day or two between coats so you can keep an eye on it when it's dry. It's only a small area, so it won't take long to paint, or scrub it off if you went too far! I'd also put a wooden shelf/mantleshelf along the top, in an aged oak or pine, which would look lovely with the blue walls (judging by the tester marks in your photo!), or black/grey to coordinate with any furniture pieces. Oh, and don't touch the metal bit, unless you're blacking it! :)...See MoreWhat colour should I paint my kitchen?!
Comments (19)It sounds like you have plenty of natural light coming in so should be fine with most things. I think the blue all over would be a little too much with north light - making it feel a little cool. I would go with the suggested half and half which will also lift the height a making it feel more open. With the blue itself I would try to go for something with as warm an undertone as possible.. same with any whites you choose. If they have blue or grey undertones they will feel a look more drab with the specific light that's hitting them. It sounds like you're going to have a fab space! :)...See More
PROLouise Booyens Interiors
4 years agoHi, I would seriously consider painting the bookcases as well as the kitchen cabinets. It will create a more open and spacious feel.
Look at the difference between these two images:
It looks as if your island in the kitchen is painted blue, so you could use a paint colour similar to the colour on your walls in the sitting room. It will brighten the whole space.
Here is an example of a pair of painted bookcases in a living room:
Let me know what you think.brooksdeb2 thanked Louise Booyens Interiors
PRORL Relocation LLC
4 years agoHello here is my list of things that would be better than $$ on painting the cabinets
1. could you remove the doors on the right side of the built in? than would open things up
2. replace both ceiling fans, and ask yourself do you really need a fan in the kitchen?
3. remove the crystals from the dining fixture, they look like you might have added them. I think your money would be better spent on lighting then on painting.
brooksdeb2 thanked RL Relocation LLCgroveraxle
4 years agoI did a few things which may or may not get you closer to a lighter feeling, but you can see what you think. I totally removed the fan, replaced the chandelier with a simpler, more open one, and changed out the living room rug for one that seems more complementary to the one in the dining room (which is gorgeous, BTW).
I didn't remove any plants, though if any of those are fake, I would.
groveraxle
4 years agoIf you do need the ceiling fan in the living room, look for something simple with no light kit that will blend into the wood.
- brooksdeb2 thanked groveraxle
brooksdeb2
4 years ago- PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago sunfeather
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Mary Beth
4 years agoyvonnecmartin
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Laura Mac
4 years ago
cawaps
4 years ago
Yayagal
4 years ago
PRO
itsourcasa
4 years agogroveraxle
4 years agoSince everyone wants you to cover the shelf backs, I did. I wouldn't paint them blue, though, but something light and warm:
groveraxle
4 years agoHere are the shelves in blue, just so everyone can see. (I also returned your current rug to the room, though I think you could stand to go darker.)
njmomma
4 years ago
PROOpen House Home Staging & Redesign, LLC
4 years agoC Marlin
4 years ago- PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago petula67
4 years agopetula67
4 years ago
jill302
4 years ago
Eve
4 years agobrooksdeb2
3 months agoI just realized I did not come back and update what I decided to do. I so appreciate everyone's commnets and suggestions. I did have them painted white and love the result! it feels like such a tranquil room now.
I don't know if it is just an itch to have something different, but now I am trying to decide if I want to have the kitchen cabinets painted white since to rooms are open to each other. I am not concerned about following trends. The cabinets are either maple or birch. As I have polled my friends and family I get differing answers. I am not good at visualizing and have tried the paint visualizers from SW and BJ but it looked like a kindergartener scribbled on the picture with a crayon!
I did try homedesign.ai and no matter how many times I ask for white cabinets, it always produced this picture:
I actually really like this look, but it also has new countertops and backsplash. I just wasn't ready to do a whole kitchen remodel.
yvonnecmartin