On the road to an OTK

12 years ago

I had a white kitchen in the last house. I had originally wanted something quite different back then - I'm drawn to more colorful schemes, but our budget dictated that we go with a standard paint color (vs. a custom color) and DH and I both really liked the Antique White we chose. DH actually prefers white vs. my more colorful scheme so he was thrilled with the outcome and the cost savings.

It was a very easy and peaceful space to be in and I think part of that was the neutral palette.

This time around, I had first wanted this Cerused Oak that I loved when I saw the sample. When we saw a different sample it had a pink cast to it and we opted against it.

So, I got to thinking of a custom paint color (gray of some sort). The cabinetry line I will be using charges a 20% premium for custom paint so it is likely to add a significant amount to the bottom line, BUT I have been watching my pennies elsewhere so that we can get the cabinetry we want.

Well, lo and behold, the cabinetry company is having a sale on one particular doorstyle in one particular color. The color (you guessed it) is white. The doorstyle is very nice - I do like it (although I would opt for slab drawers for the top drawers).

I'm confused!! This will save THOUSANDS of dollars.

What would you do???

Here is the door:

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Comments (23)

beekeeperswife
12 years ago
I like it. Can you mix up the drawers, meaning do a slab for the smaller ones but do the larger ones with this look?

If not, I like the drawers as shown.

Very classic.
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mamadadapaige
Original Author
12 years ago
bee, thanks. Yes, I could have the lower/deeper drawers with that detail while keeping the upper drawers as slabs. It seems classic to me too.
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The more I look at this kitchen, the more I see. I'm wondering if this whimsical kitchen is the creation of people with a terrifically whimsical sense of humor. The chair at the right side also looks to have original but beat-up paint and there's also a leather chair at same table. I see the silvery ice bucket and the pillar in the corner with a silvery (mercury glass?) bulbous base and I think, "Quirky! Funny!" It's NOT "shabby chic" in styling, more like artists vs. traditionalists compromising on modern style with lots of give-and-take for their fave non-modern items. Notice the traditional windows and woodwork, the parquet floor beyond the kitchen and the wood floor in the kitchen, the modern-style rugs, the flower print on wall, the two modern task lights and the chandelier. The skirt on the sink is what--modern? old? The cab front boards are carefully chosen--red-brown is distributed carefully. And they are carefully fitted into the inset frames. Although the shabby paint may be a turn-off for the fastidious, the work surfaces are clean, modern, and sanitary. The tightness between sink and range might be a clue to the tight fit of all the items in the kitchen space. If so, the countertops are a splurge. But...look at the upright wood piece. Look at the splice in floors. There is a chance that this layout is the same one which has been decried elsewhere as needing the door to dining area to be moved a few inches to right to increase plunk space at range. It's a very common suburban houseplan. The living room is at front of house and the dining room and kitchen and a family room lie in that order across the back. Instead of moving the door between kitchen and dining room they removed the wall and put in a serving bar raised area, which is tall enough to cut the entropy out of view from table. I know someone with that kitchen, in a two story house from early 1980s, who lacks plunk space just there. If this is indeed a medium-grade tract house, it's definitely different from all the neighboring houses. The chandelier may be original to the house--it fits with the woodwork and windows. Hard to find the right buyer, but not that tough to undo the quirks. This is a happy kitchen and I suspect that there is lots of conversation, life, good food, and memories generated here.
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francoise47
12 years ago
Dear Mamadadpaige -- the door style is classic and beautiful.
But I have to admit, I'm a white kitchen lover!
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mamadadapaige
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you Francoise - I love white kitchens too!

I think it might make the countertop decision a little easier too. I like contrast - and while I drool over the white marble countertops on GW, I know I would be very bummed about etching. I am not seeing much in the "light" department for other materials that I am in love with. On the other hand, I have gone ga-ga over some of the darker choices out there.

I've got to finish my cabinet plan so I can what the actual savings would be.
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nini804
12 years ago
Gorgeous! And a bargain to boot?? No brainer!
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susanlynn2012
12 years ago
I love the style and color! I would say yes!
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breezygirl
12 years ago
See, that's not a fair question. I've loved white cabs for more than 20 years. :-) Pretty door.
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angel411
12 years ago
Another yes vote here. I heart white kitchens!
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gardenamy
12 years ago
Go white! You can alwyays add color in other places.
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CEFreeman
12 years ago
OMG.
Inset cabinets? You are SO lucky!
The door part, if you don't like it, can be changed very easily.

My dream cabinets, towards I'm slowly working, are beaded inset, so a little different face frame, but with slab doors. I am wondering if even with the sale, they'd charge you even less for plain slab doors? Given the fact that the expense of this is the framework...?

I love them. White also gives you the option to use interesting accents and paints, even floors in your kitchen you might not want to commit to in something as permanent as cabinets.

How lucky!
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sayde
12 years ago
Well I will be the dissenter.

Not that I don't like white kitchens.

But I remember much earlier posts that you wrote where you were thinking about other kinds of palettes. I even remember pictures that you had clipped for inspiration -- and they had color.

You have an opportunity now. I understand the budget issues but it seems you may be sliding toward white. Stop, think about what you really want the kitchen to feel like.

Have you considered all options to get grey or some color? What about unpainted cabinets that you yourself could paint?
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hlove
12 years ago
Our new cabinets (Crystal) came unfinished and prepped for painting. We couldn't find a color we liked in our budget. By recommendation of a reputable local paint store, we're using Benjamin Moore's new Advance paint. While DH and I have painted many a wall before, we've never painted furniture or cabinets. The paint has gone on very easily and levels out very well. It also has a longer set time, so that you can be sure you even out the paint so there are no drips.

Just an option so you can get the color you truly want. Although we were nervous and it is a bit time consuming, we are so glad we went this route! I almost went with white, too, but I knew in my heart that a colorful cabinet would look great in the space and was really what we wanted.
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shelayne
12 years ago
Well, I love it! Beautiful doorstyle--inset PLUS savings?

SOOOOOOLD!

But that's just me. ;^)
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Circus Peanut
12 years ago
I'm not a white kitchen person, but (not that you don't already know this!) I'd recommend getting a sample to see what kind of white this is in your new space -- a blueish white? creamy white? peachy white? So many variations and they will each look different in every house.

I too adore inset and prefer it over other styles. The only caveat I'd have about this particular style is the layered trim on the inside door; will it be easy to wipe off or will it be a dust catcher?
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lavender_lass
12 years ago
Mamapaige- Here is (I think) your latest kitchen elevation and plan...except you probably are moving the prep sink over towards the fridge, right?
{{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans
{{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

Since the white is on sale (and you and DH both like it) the easy answer seems to be...use the white for the perimeter cabinets (and maybe the butler's pantry) and use a different color, on the island. That way, you can have your dark countertop (soapstone, granite?) on the perimeter cabinets and maybe wood on the island?

If you do want some marble, what about in the area, by the oven, where the countertop gets a little narrower. Or the desk area...or both. It would be great for baking, but much less likely to be abused in those areas. Just an idea :)
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mamadadapaige
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi Lavender, thanks for posting that. i did move the prep sink around the corner. I also reduced the size of my main sink. I wish I could have found a ticor in a smaller size but they were too small (fitting into a 24" sink base). I did find an Elkay that had an interior space of 25" by 18". This seems big enough for me for clean up and allows me to change the 33" sink base to a 27" and therefore squeeze a little more over in that area in terms of storage for kitchen towels, napkins, etc. -- I have been thinking of the peninsula in something different - maybe mahogany?

Circus, the original doorstyle I liked has less curves and details - it is more geometric and a little bit cleaner lined - this is not to say that I don't like the one above. i do like it very much.

Sayde, I got your email and emailed you back- thanks!

CEFreeman - fortunately I can modify and go to slab drawerfronts and it is still at a 0% premium.

Thanks y'all for chiming in!
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chris11895
12 years ago
Just reading this now and my first reaction is the same as Sayde. I recall the pinkish hued door (that didn't look pink here) and I liked where you were going. You've had the white kitchen before, are you sure you want it again? If so, then go for it - that is a fantastic deal! I would just hate to see you finish the kitchen and then have one of those "Wait, how did I end up here?" moments. Either way it will look gorgeous, just make sure you're going to get what makes you happy in the end :-)
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lavender_lass
12 years ago
Mamapaige- Can you use the gray cabinets, on the peninsula? Or maybe even black? It would look so nice to do something different with the island...and isn't that exposed brick, against the peninsula?

Black would be pretty...especially if you're thinking about a darker countertop, on the perimeter. And, wood looks great with black! {{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

More rustic black island, with wood top {{!gwi}}From French Country Kitchen

And, what do you think about using the marble, only by the ovens? Or maybe...just a little bit on the backsplash? :) {{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans
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library_girl
12 years ago
Can you tell me who makes those cabinets. They're beautiful. Can't wait to see your kitchen!
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bandjo97
12 years ago
Can someone tell me what OTK means please? :)
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writersblock (9b/10a)
12 years ago
OTK = the One True Kitchen

More here:

Here is a link that might be useful: OTK thread
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Lake_Girl
12 years ago
lavender lass - where did you get that first pic? love those unique subway tiles!

Oh, I love the inset, white cabs too!
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chris11895
12 years ago
Library_girl,
I believe the cabinets are from Pennville (link is below).

Here is a link that might be useful: Pennville Cabinetry
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On the road to an OTK

Comments (23)

beekeeperswife

mamadadapaige
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On the road to an OTK

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