Help with Kitchen Update
We just recently replaces our countertops with quartz and added new appliances. The backsplash tile is on back order due to transportation issues.
I am having second thoughts about the cabinet color. As you can see, it’s a reddish maple. The cabinets are in great shape, and we are not planning to replace them, but I don’t think that they go with the countertops. My husband does not want to paint them. Do you think a darker stain would be the solution? How difficult is it to stain cabinets?
Comments (14)
4 years ago- 4 years ago
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Need help updating this tired living room
Comments (13)Hi. I agree with angieav, but I think you need to tell us how you use the space so we can help with the best layout. Do you use the dining table every day or do you eat in the kitchen? Does the electronic piano get used a lot? Is the woodburner for heat, looks, you've always wanted one, or just because you think you need a focal point for the room? Is there a restriction on where it would be (do you have a second storey above some of that room)? That said, I would make the sloping wall the focal point with built in shelves, including a slot for the TV, and have it in a contrasting colour with books and nice decorative items. Because it is angled, you can then see the TV from much of the room without it being a big feature. You could have a couch square on to the entrance to the room, maybe an L with the short end against the wall where the TV currently is, a chair or two between the two windows and where the other couch is at the moment, but without sticking out so much (it looks like that couch blocks the traffic to the kitchen, but it might just be the angle of the photos). A dining table can go where you currently have yours, but I would flip it around so that it is long in that space and that is a dedicated dining area. Or have a round one that extends so for everyday it isn't encroaching on the space and traffic to the kitchen. The piano can go over near the door to the outside. A woodburner could be installed where you currently have your TV (as long as the flue has somewhere to go!). With this layout, the seating will be facing the woodburner and the TV. If you don't use the dining table much, you could put it over on the carpeted area, as someone else suggested, and dedicate the part that currently has tiles to the lounge (and then we can rethink the layout of that area). As for the flooring, I would go with what you have in the kitchen so that it flows. I hope that helps to get you started....See MoreKitchen needs updating but how?
Comments (26)My dining room is separated from the kitchen one side of both rooms have no windows and the other side has 2 Windows in the dining room then a back door attached to an above worktop height window and the end of the kitchen has French doors out to the garden. Do I knock the dividing wall down and open up the dining room to the kitchen changing the kitchen as the first room and the dining room opening to the garden or leave it as it is...See MoreBespoke Kitchen Update
Comments (30)Wow, what a lot of comments. I think you have a wonderful kitchen, which has been created with much love & attention to detail. You are asking about painting things in a dark / inky colour - & your Oak unit - but you already have a mid grey wall surrounding the Oak unit - which is why it stands out - take the walls back to an off white & it will blend back in. The lighting in the entire area doesn't seem to be enough for "dark inky colours" - If you really want something like that why not create a picture of what you want on canvas & put it behind glass in the Aga alcove? Your Aga is dark already so it might just make that area a feature. Don't start taking out bits of the kitchen - once you start you will carry on & suddenly your Dad's work will be destroyed, which would be incredibly sad. Your kitchen works well for you - I do agree that the floor could be underfloor heating with tiles on the top - but weigh up the costs before you start. Lighting is everything, so more lights - ceiling not spots -LEDs as many as you can! From the photographs you provide it looks as if the room leading off from the dining area is already a darkish room, & were you to paint the oak any colour at all I think you would regret it - a slight chip there or a knock here & the paint starts to come away - wood is beautiful, it holds history and it gives such beauty - use that as your palate.. Be gentile on your kitchen - try painting paper and then bluetack it to the wall / unit /island etc. so you get an idea of what it might look like if you painted it - a great source of long paper is to be found in the wallpaper isle - you can buy a roll of lining paper for under £5, get the paint test pots & try out your ideas without damaging the beauty you already have....See MoreHelp to update my 1990s beech shaker style kitchen
Comments (8)Thanks for all the advice, unfortunately wall unit doors are too small. Worse of all is that 6 months ago we cleared out the garage and got rid of various side panels which may have worked. Oh well!!! doors are beech, back in late 1990s this was a very popular colour and my kitchen fitter is trying to see if he can find them. He did not think staining would work and I would hate the doors being a slightly different colour worse than the applicances showing. may consider the idea of different colour doors along the bottom...See More- 4 years ago
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4 years ago- PRO4 years ago
I would start by changing the lighting to all LED 4000K bulbs then choose a wall color I do agree that having cabinets painter professionally is the only way to go and it will cost as much as new cabinets or close to it. I think your cabinets are fine now just clean thme really well, and choose a wall color I think maybe anice gray/ green will help and aslo remove all the word art and get some nice art for the wall I see on the right A nice roman shade with some color including the wall color .This is a color I really like with wood tones anf if you like it a bit lighter I cut it 25% quiteoften
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PRO4 years ago- 4 years ago
We're not really seeing adjacent space to give holistic advice that takes it all in. Please provide more photos of the bigger space. The lighting and painting advice is definitely a way to go. Once you have that, remove all those little decor items. I have a feeling a larger art work in the rest of the space would really make a big change.
Not suggeting this bold subject (necessarily) but a big piece in a subject you like in a palette of grays and golds could look beautiful with your existing cabinets, new gray walls, better lighting.
HORSEHEAD Contemporary Fine Art Gallery Wrapped on Giclee Canvas, 40"x40" · More Info 
PRO4 years agoPerhaps, as other suggested, painting the walls and updating the hardware is all that's needed. Both of those things will improve your kitchen immensely.
Modern Napa · More Info- 4 years ago
I wanted to show you the installed backsplash. Took your advice and changed lighting and cabinet hardware, and it made a big difference already. Now, we’re working on the wall color. Some of you already suggested colors.
I have two more questions: Should we get rid of the bookshelf? I have it half-emptied already, and should I paint the island? Husband loves it, and it provides some storage and preparation space, but I miss my open kitchen.
Hope Stewart