If you read Buehl's "Read Me if You're New" thread you'll see how to post photos.

Your kitchen ideas sound lovely. Many folks here have painted their old cabs (even partial overlay), and they turn out beautifully. Is the raised panel arched at the top? That to some folks, including me, looks dated, but could work with the mood you're creating. Given the fact that you're looking to move, that's a good budget-friendly idea.

Cooktops on as island definetly works depending on how much counterspace you have to either side and behind it. 24" of clearance around the three sides is generally the minimum recommended. You also have to consider ventilation. Do you have an island hood now? A Wolf cooktop is powerful so a good hood would be necessary. Downdrafts have their limitations.

Don't forget to save some $ for some pretty new hardware to go with your updated kitchen! That can make a huge difference in updating a kitchen. Good luck!

I can't speak for other buyers, only myself.

I would have serious reservations about an island cooktop without a proper overhead vent. In fact, I would probably pass on a house that had that, because of the possible difficulty in routing a vent to the outside.

The kitchen layout is of the utmost importance to me. I would not spend extra money to buy a house that had marble countertops if I knew I'd have to rip them out to get a good layout.

This is a photo (hopefully it posted) of our current kitchen that we're thinking of updating. Thank you breezygirl and enmnm for your feedback. It's very valuable to know that each of you have concerns about ventilation of the cooktop on the island. We would purchase a downdraft with the Viking or Wolf cooktop, but I understand you would want a hood. Honestly, I thought people would have an issue with the aesthetics of the cooktop on the island, not as much the lack of a hood.
Thanks again for your input!
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i've seen plenty of "face lifts" and remodels that included painting existing cabinets that look like brand new kitchens. but to me, ten years is a long time living with a layout that isn't to my liking. i would put in a new kitchen and rework the layout to suit you.

what kind of condition are your cabinets in? i love the idea of repurposing them; either painting them or using in their original finish, maybe mixed in with new, painted cabinets. i have a new kitchen, but i used a stained cherry island and baking cabinet along with white painted cabinets. the white cabinets are beaded inset and the stained cabinet and drawers on the island are full overlay. i love the two finishes together in the space, it adds character.

many will disagree, but i think it's a great time to take on large projects -as long as your finances are secure. the economy is still in the toilet. i don't know about the cost of materials since they always tend to fluctuate -and appliance manufacturers continue to raise their prices but we've had good luck finding contractors and laborers. not too long ago, i couldn't get anyone to return a phone call. you'd also be fueling your local economy!

just something else to consider. good luck whatever you decide. i'd love to see it when it's done!

Actually, I think your kitchen is quite nice. I believe that most people who are not as obssessed as GW'ers are won't be swayed by the cooktop in the island. In concept... it's very cool and there are people on here who have them and like it. At that price point buyers might be looking for higher end appliances so I don't think that's a mistake.

I also think your kitchen is very nice. I don't think $25K on cosmetics would make it nicer. However, I have never met a downdraft vent that could handle the weakest of stoves, let alone a Wolf.

We have your exact set-up now, even the same color cabinets. I dream of the day our stove and vent go to the great appliance heaven in the sky.

Looks much more like an "after" than a before! Most people wouldn't change a thing.

If you really must change things out, then I'd start by painting the cabinets. I wouldn't replace the countertops at all. White and black is a classic combo. If you decide that the white cabinets don't brighten things up enough for you, then I'd think about just doing the island in marble.

I wouldn't even change out appliances unless I were adding in a real externally exhausted overhead vent. I'd save the money to an actual remodel. Putting in 25K on a simple cosmetic redo is complete overkill. Either do an inexpensive redo like I outlined, and save your money for the bigger remodel, or do the bigger remodel now and tweak your layout to be more functional--including proper ventilation.

I agree that the current kitchen has many beautiful aspects and that depending on your update goals you may not need to do very much at all.

What are you looking to get from the update?

Thanks so much for the feedback...you are all making me rethink things. Not to beat this to death, but perhaps we should just paint the maple cabinets white and install an inexpensive subway tile backsplash to lighten things up?? Of course the fridge and cooktop will need to be replaced at some point since they're 10yrs old, so I'd probably update with a subzero and not sure about the cooktop since it's on the island.
The kitchen is very open to the family room which has painted white built ins, window seat, fireplace and many windows, so I feel like the kitchen is a dark brown box in an otherwise lighter home. I guess the rooms don't flow well and it bothers me...plus I'm a white kitchen person. I want to completely gut the kitchen, but feel like if I spend a lot now, it will be dated by the time we sell in ten years.

Maybe a white backsplash with just a few black dots here and there would do it for you? White everything else that could be white? I like white appliances myself but the majority here don't. Would you leave the refrigerator if you move?

Yanno... if you paint the cabs white(ish) and change out the backsplash; maybe even to a Calcutta Gold subway or mosaic; your existing granite might just work. Hold on to your appliance till you HAVE to replace them. 10 years is a long time. In 10 years... 10 year old appliances will still be 10 years old. You might as well enjoy a white kitchen in the meantime if that's what makes you happy. Paint first, and then see how you feel about the contrast in the counter top. with the wood floors, you may like it.

I like the backsplash. I think a generic white subway backspash would be a downgrade.

As I said, I like your kitchen. The fact that it doesn't complement the adjoining rooms is a different situation. At this point, I would think of hiring a professional to give advice. I like Maria and her blog, here are some posts you might find helpful:
http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/virtual-colour-consultation-before.html
http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/white-kitchen-cabinets.html
http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/5-questions-to-consider-when-selecting.html
http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-update-80s-kitchen.html

I second the idea of leaving the granite countertop. Paint the cabs white tho if you want, and add a white subway tile backsplash and you have the "cougar town" kitchen which I love!

Here is a link that might be useful: cougar town

I agree that your kitchen looks like an "after" picture. I wouldn't even change the backsplash. I would, however, change that window valance, look for some more interesting pendants, and replace the appliances as needed.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I am struggling with the backsplash...I love the crackled finish it has, but I wasn't sure if would scream green (wish it was cream or white!) once the cabinets are painted. Yes, I should have mentioned in my initial post that the pendants need to go! Part of my 25k update would also include having some of the dated cabinets changed like the angle by the drawers on the left and perhaps the corner cabinet. It sounds like people think putting the money in for more updates still won't update it enough though.
Thanks again...I appreciate the critique very much
ps. I love the look of the Cougar town kitchen too mountaineergirl

You may be able to put an island hood in relatively easily depending upon how your joists run. If they run across the kitchen at 90-degrees to the window, you could run a duct through the joist space and right out the wall.

I'd also keep things pretty much as is.
Paint the cabs first. See what that does for you.
New hardware and lighting may perk it up too.
An induction cooktop on the island when the time comes would be easier to sell than the gas with seating so close by.
I think your bs will look so much nicer next to white cabs, that you will see it with new eyes.
I like the valance because it is a little funky, but you will have to see how it goes once your cabs are white.
Would you keep the same wall color?

The wall color will change (it's too yellow)and the hardware too. If I were to do a more extensive remodel with marble counters etc, I was thinking of glass knobs, but with a limited remodel I'm not sure what would work with the black impala granite. Also, does anyone have further input about the current gray/green crackled backsplash...do you find it too fussy and out of date? I would love a beautiful subway, but my dated kitchen doesn't warrant it. I have pretty classic taste and like clean (not modern, but simple and serene) lines (even if my kitchen doesn't reflect it)

I think your kitchen is beautiful. I like white cabinets, too, but white cabinets, marble countertops, and white/creme subway tile backsplash will read a lot colder. Your kitchen has a warm inviting look.The mable cabinets are certainly not out of style. If it's too dark maybe the lighting needs updating.

Thanks so much enmnm for the links to the colour me happy blog. Just looked a bit it and it seems very informative and inspirational. Can't wait to delve in further. Many thanks!

I wouldn't paint your cabinets. They don't read dated to me. Also I like the tile you have. It goes well with the cabinets. So basically I guess i'm saying that your kitchen looks like an after.

Your kitchen is NOT dated! That was the point of my "after" comment. If you want to make any changes to it, make them because it would integrate the kitchen better into the rest of the house, or you really hate wood kitchens, or some other reason than "datedness". A 1970's laminate with oak pulls is dated. Yours isn't. It's a current transitional look that looks fabulous. Don't fall into the trap of "updating" something that is classic, unless the "update" is something classic as well. You'll waste money and time and end up with wanting to update it again every 5 years or so. That's not really possible in kitchen without spending tons of money, so whether you have the nice wood kitchen, or the nice white kitchen, both are classic looks, not dated ones.

Hi.

If you like inset, shaker style & the partial overlay is bothering you, painting them white and adding more glass to the other upper cabs (like the ones on the left) with crystal knobs might help. Stack those glass cabs with lots of white stoneware. Some great pulls on the lower drawers (RH Gilmore, Aubrey, Ephram?) will draw the eye away from the door style

Calacatta marble on the perimeter and maybe a chunky butcher block on the island to maintain warmth?

Some great utilitarian pendants or maybe vintage looking lantern type pendants?

I am projecting my own tastes here, but it sounds to me you are hoping for lighter and brighter.

Good luck with it & enjoy.
Katie

Hi, I wanted to show you what we have done so far to update our 1990's kitchen. Our house is about 11 years old and when we bought it (new construction), we upgraded it to 42 maple cabinets (our 1st floor has 9 ft ceilings). We originally had formica countertops and an orange/terracota tile backsplash with fruits. About 2 years ago, we replace the countertops to marble (Ivory Fantasy) and honed marble subway tiles with some accent glass, stone and metal blend. This year, I would like to change the hood to SS, chimney style or canopy (not sure yet). Some days I feel like painting the cabinets a rich creamy off-white (mascarpone by BM or a taupe color)and stain the island a darker wood stain and some days I feel like staining the cabinets richer color (get rid of the orangie tint)and paint the island a creamy off white color (to break the all wood look).. I would also like to add some glass to the upper cabinets just like you have on the upper left cabinets. Another update will be to paint the walls, a lighter more neutral color. Here is a picture to give you an idea of what we have done so far. I love the inset or frameless look and the arch in my upper cabinets bother me a little but the cabinets are in very good conditions and I feel bad expending tons of money replacing them. I will create my post to look for suggestions as well. We can probably help each other update our kitchens :)

Here is a link that might be useful:

Katie, Wow...you do get what I'd like to achieve!! Yes, lighter and brighter. If we decide to remodel, we'd change the cabinets to the right of the window to glass for the exact reason you posted....to draw the eye away from the raised panels. Love your idea of filling the cabinets with white stoneware. I've been looking at glass knobs (I'll take a look at your other suggestions also) and the current pendants have to go. If you have any other thoughts, please let me know. Thank you!!

hogar,
Your kitchen is giving me hope!! My house is also 11 years old with 9 foot ceilings and it seems we have similar cabinets. Your marble and backsplash are beautiful! It feels so much lighter than mine which I love. As you know I've been thinking of painting the perimeter cabinets white/cream and I've been wondering if a darker island would be a nice contrast. I think your kitchen would be amazing with a combination of light and dark cabinets which, I think, would highlight the marble even more. The great thing for you, is you already have done so much. How has your marble worked out in terms of stains/etching? Thanks so much for posting your kitchen...it helps so much to begin seeing mine lighter!

fourquinn -
there are two things I noticed - and not about the layout.

First, you say you will most likely be there for 10 years. Then don't remodel today for what you think will attract a buyer in 10 years! If you are good enough to predict what will be "in" 10 years from now, then I want you to predict the stock market for me! Remodel to create the kitchen that makes you happy.

Secondly, you mention your house would sell in the $1.4 million range today. Unless your value is all location, location, location, the houses around you probably have nice stuff. I'm in Houston, and we are building a new house (land $200,000, build cost a little over a million),and my kitchen appliances alone cost $25,000! My builder told me I pretty much HAD to use SubZero and Wolf in the neighborhood I was in (I cheated, I switched to Miele for the dishwashers and the induction cooktop, but Wolf for the ovens and SubZero for the refrigerators). So the $25,000 budget seems small to me IF you are trying to create a kitchen where the cost of the kitchen is similar to the neighborhood (assuming the houses are high-end build, not high-end location.)

I know I am in the minority, but I do think your existing kitchen looks dated, or at least not "high end". If I walked in as a potential buyer, I might buy the house, but I would want a good deal because I would remodel.

I wish I could add design advice - I am one of the "design-challenged" people that got a good KD and a good decorator - but I hope these thoughts add something to your ponderings.

Good luck! I still advise you to do what will make you happy today.

Fourquinn, my countertops are not marble. They were sold to me as granite but others said is a quartzite. I'm very happy with them and get lots of compliments. Here is a picture. The colors look much richer and yummie in person. Kind of vanilla ice cream with caramel swirls (it also has taupe/greenish gray movement on a creamy background). And nice sparkley mica. I'm in NJ and recently saw beautiful slabs of this same granite and others very similar like colonial cream and millenium cream. I'm excited, we just purchased 1 slab of "Nacarado" granite for a pair of basement base cabinets flanking a stone fireplace in my basement. I'll post a picture once it gets installed.

Here is a link that might be useful:

hogar...wow that's beautiful granite.
pussuskattus, thanks for your honesty and your are correct it is not high end. We're about 20 min outside of Boston and in newer neighborhood...mine was built almost 11 years ago and others were completed 4 years ago. The newer homes have higher end kitchens, so yes I probably should gut and start over although when I go to sell (probably in 10 years) it will be dated again, so that's why I'm considering a smaller renovation (it would be improved with a subzero (like the Viking version better, not sure of the quality), marble counters, modified cabinets (get rid of an angled cabinet etc, new sink, new 6 burner Viking or wolf cooktop (which unfortunately would remain on the island), lights, additional glass doors, subway backsplash hardware, and paint.) I'm thinking it may make me happier (not happy though!)....but it may be a waste of money if it still looks dated since the I won't have the beautiful range and wood/mantle hood, inset cabinet doors and flat panels) I have a newer bosch dishwasher and new wall ovens that wouldn't be replaced with the remodel.
We're in a desirable town and neighborhood, so if I were to do a kitchen addition (extend the floor plan), I would get the money back if I were to sell in the near future, but in 10 years I'm worried it will be dated even though I want a classic kitchen. h

fourquinn -
Then you are very lucky - your situation is a realtor's dream - location, location, location. So the comments I made are not applicable since the value of the home is tied up in the location and not the cost of construction.

But still - do what makes YOU happy, not what you think is expected of the house until it is time to get serious about selling the house.

I agree with pussuskattus's initial assessment--that kitchen does not say "1.4 million dollar home to me". It's a *nice* kitchen, and one I would expect to see in many homes, but for a kitchen in that price point (even if location is a key factor), I'd expect to see a more extensive kitchen (read more cabinets, pantry (which might not be shown), high-end appliances--or at least high 'regular', etc.

The colors don't bother me, but the kitchen isn't 'wow' enough for that price range, imnsho.

Location location location for real! We spent 40k on a kitchen remodel in the middle of nowhere and the house is worth no more than we paid for it--well under $150k.

My s-i-l has a NY apartment the size of my dining room and it is worth half a mill. My m-i-l has a house in DC w/ a kitchen remodeled in the early 80's and that house is valued at close to a million. Location location location!

Here is a link that might be useful: almost million dollar house with formica tops and older oak cabs