Do I need to re-formulate/re-think my door stain plan?

14 years ago

Hi, it's me...the one who panics about her kitchen again! And desparately needs input.

We met with a designer last week and picked our floor (hickory). It's hickory. Cabinets are birch.

I LOVE our floor. And I LOVE our cabinet doors. And I am good with our granite (which was a good compromise because DH was in love with the granite and we weren't agreeing and I do think it's pretty).

But I cannot even sleep at night for fear that we have too many "stars", busy stars, going on. The cabinets have detail, so does the floor, and so does the granite. Everything is a done deal except that the cabinets aren't stained yet.

I am planning on working up another sample with my stain lady with the floor sample in hand. Does my current sample work or does it need to be a more even stain? The natural birch has variation so I don't think clear would be perfect. What would you do?

Do you think my combo works? I am SOOO nervous because I really have no skill for decor at all. I am trying to develop it!

Here is a kitchen I found that I would love for mine to turn out like:

Here is a sample board of my doors and flooring. In person, the colors feel warmer than the photo. The granite is my actual slab taken in 2 different lightings:

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Comments (6)

pence
14 years ago
Just wait till you have to pick out a backsplash! that's another star you'll have to contend with. You are so used to your old boring kitchen that everything seems fantastical to you and it is, but it all works too! I think it looks beautiful and is very similar to your dream kitchen picture!
busybme
14 years ago
I think that you can really get the look of your inspiration pic with your choices. Is the white for your island? I might consider going dark with the contrast cabinetry instead of white, but I'm not sure what your total plan is. (I've been too busy tyring to make my own decisions and don't get much time to hang out here on GW!).

Sandy
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needsometips08
Original Author
14 years ago
Busybme, you were the first one who chimed in when I first joined here and you photoshopped some proposed changes for a kitchen facelift - and in between then and now it went from simple little changes to a full reno!

The perimeter and the island are both going to be in the birch, and the painted pieces will be a hutch and a display bookshelf cabinet.

Anybody else have input? Since there wasn't much input, should I be taking that as a bad sign? I know my kitchen doesn't fit what most people on the forum are creating, but hopefully it will at least be well-appointed enough in the end that even those with different tastes can say, "I like it - but in your kitchen" :-).

Here is the proposed render working with software limitations. The pendants are missing and the window is bumped out 6"

facing right:

facing left:
corgimum
14 years ago
I don't think it looks like there are too many "stars". The thing I notice is that there is not a lot of contrast between your floor, cabinets and granite. I would try for a darker stain on the cabinets so the surfaces aren't so "matchy-matchy".
remodelfla
14 years ago
I actually love the more washed tones of your cabs more then your inspiration pic! I respectfully disagree about going darker. I think your choices have a comfortable soft look to them. I don't find them too matchy at all since the subtle variations in them bring texture to the space without contrasting. I love the fact that it's different, your personal vision, and so creative. This is one kitchen I can't wait to watch come together.
needsometips08
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you everyone who responded.

Remodelfa, your post in particular was very reassuring to me. My husband says stick with the cabinet doors as is. So maybe I will just sit and let it simmer for awhile - we have a week or two till install.

I would love any other input anyone has.

Do I need to re-formulate/re-think my door stain plan?

Comments (6)

pence

busybme

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Do I need to re-formulate/re-think my door stain plan?

Comments (6)

pence

busybme

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corgimum

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