Every day the kitchen plans come up over here. We’d love to start the big renovation (new cabinets, appliances, countertops, lots of windows!) next year and it’s one of our favorite things to talk about these days. Endless drawings and plans and discussions. In those discussions, I almost always end up frustrated at myself.
You see, when I painted the kitchen cabinets just over a month ago, I chose the colors I did partly to get it out of my system. I missed our two-toned cabinets from our last house that we only got to live with for a minute, but I didn’t want to do the exact same thing so I did something lighter.
Also, I wanted to get the white cabinets out of my system because in the renovation, we’re leaning toward colored cabinets. All one shade. These images are currently serving as our inspiration:
^^This is actually the photo that pushed us over the edge on our flooring choice. We love the muted floor tone with the slate-colored cabinets! Love.Â
So why do I feel frustrated? If you are planning on ripping out your cabinets and replacing them, but want to paint them in the meantime–definitely do! Except don’t do what I did and paint them in a color that “gets it out of your system.” Don’t paint them white, if you want to replace them with colored ones. Don’t paint them in a tuxedo fashion, if you plan on replacing them with one solid color. Use that opportunity to test out where you’re headed to make sure you will like it when it’s the real thing.
It seems so obvious when I say it out loud, err type it. I wish I would have painted our cabinets in a similar way to what we’re planning on installing next year just so I could make sure it will look good before we spend thousands of dollars. I admit, I am a little nervous that our choice won’t be classic enough as white cabinets are–which is when my scared mind always resorts to, Oh, let’s just do white cabinets–it’s safe. But, we’re crossing our fingers the bolder choice pays off and we love it for the long haul.
I think eventually whatever you put in you will tire of. I mean, even “classic” white cabinets will need to be changed because of styling tastes and changes down the road. I remember loving white wash kitchen cabinets around 20 years ago and now yuck. I can’t see any color of cabinet in 20/30/40 years still being in style. Or maybe I read an “ugly house” blog a little too often that makes fun of dated kitchens. So just go with what you want and love it and change it when you don’t anymore! :)
We are just finishing up a tuxedo cabinet re-do based on your last kitchen. The cabinets were all dirty white and now they are white on top and Midnight Dream on the bottom. I love the look! I did something different because iI know when we gut the kitchen when our kids are out of college, I want wood cabinets not painted. I hate how paint gets chipped. We may go light maple to go with our Brazilian cherry floors. Thanks for your inspiration.
Love your inspiration photos. Why not paint the island first for a trial run? Love your stools. Where were they purchased?
My parents redid our kitchen ten-ish years ago in bright yellow and it still looks fresh and vibrant today! They did change out the wallpaper twice, to make it more up to date. But the cabinet colour: still looks fab! So go for it!
I love the inspiration photos. And to me they almost have a tuxedo inspired look to them – especially 1,3, and 4. The glass doors and the light walls lighten the upper part of the kitchens and give a silmilar look – to my eyes at least!