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Need help with trim color with off white cabinets

15 years ago

Hi everyone

I've just searched through the finished kitchens blog, but couldn't find anything that answered this -- I have 9 foot ceilings, and the cabinets will go all the way to the ceiling, finished with a 4-5 inch crown molding. I have a lot of crown molding in my house, so this kitchen trim will match some of it. All of the trim in the rest of the house is painted white.

The cabinets will be a very warm white, almost a beige color. I like the way the sample door looks when I put it next to the white painted baseboards/door frames in the house. It has a nice contrast. But I can't decide how I want to the treat the trim that touches the cabinets? I don't think it should be white, I think it should be the same beige color as the cabs while the rest of the trim in the kitchen (windows/door frames/baseboards) is ok to paint white.

Suggestions? Link to photos? Thanks in advance for any help!

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Comments (6)

bethlcsw
15 years ago
I had the same question. I think it is fine to paint the trim at the top of the cabinet to match the cabinets and the rest of the trim to match the rest of the house trim. Look at sharb's kitchen. I think it is done this way and it looks great.

Beth
fairytalebaby
15 years ago
I plan on having painted/glazed cabinets and had wondered about trim as well---until I saw this kitchen!
http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/search?q=frenchkitty

That is "frenchkitty"'s kitchen and it's one of my favorites. I love how her trim contrasts with the painted cabs--just an example.

Here is a link that might be useful: Frenchkitty's Kitchen
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Aw man, thanks for the comments guys! After being in this house with small kids for eight years, the cabinets are showing wear and there is quite a bit of water damage on many of them and some are broken (didn’t show you that photo!). So...that was where my head was at with going ahead and painting the cabinets. They are already priming today so this is a done deal! In my area, painting cabs is still a big thing (we might steer behind the times a little) and a big thing people look for in resale (we could be moving in a couple years). Honestly, it might not be trendy but I still love my granite! It hides stuff so well and never looks dirty. And I never even notice my backsplash and I just don’t care that much about it. It’s hard for me to warrant changing something just for cosmetic reasons (counter and backsplash) versus need (cabs). We got an amazing deal on the painting so I feel good about it. I’m going full steam with Antique White. After looking at it forever and being in complete decision making paralysis, that’s what I’m going with! I’m going with brass/gold knobs to add a little bit of funky and I have lots of Anthropologie-esque and plants to add character. I have a very open floor plan with my living room right there in all it’s colorful glory, so I’m thinking the lighter will look nice. I’ll be happy to post a pic when I’m done. Thanks for listening!!
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fkbb
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for your replies! Sharb's kitchen is similar to what I have planned -- but all of my cabinets will go all the way to the ceiling. It looks like hers have a space between the top of the cab and the ceiling? However it makes me realize that off-white cabs can look lovely with white trim!

My kitchen will be a very simple/classic style and there is not any height variation with the cabs -- it's almost "boxy" (by design of course!) since the kitchen is a rectangle with the island in the middle. The molding is also a design choice, it will add depth to the boxiness. Hope that is a good way to describe it! I'm having trouble picturing how it would look if that line was broken by painting the molding white.

I'm still open to suggestions! Thanks!
amck2
15 years ago
Since your cabinets will go all the way to the ceiling, my instinct would be to paint the trim on them the color of the cabinets rather than white.

Though I like frenchkitty's kitchen, in your case where it sounds like you're keeping things very simple, I think the molding on your cupboards painted to be the part of the cabinetry would enhance them and make them a focal point. Just MHO!
fnzzy
15 years ago
I like Sharb's kitchen too, and that's what we're planning. Trim on cabinets to match the white glazed cabinets, all other trim to be white.
jmfromil
15 years ago
This pic was taken when we weren't done yet, but we chose to paint the baseboards white like the family room, adjacent hallway and dining room. The crown molding is the same as the cabinets. We are happy with our decision - no regrets. :) good luck!

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