I'm replacing partial/standard overlay with full overlay on some of my cabinet banks.

If you're doing a budget redo, have you addressed all the other, really needed items? Appliances? Windows? Doors? Fancy-pantsy drawer inserts and things? Have you added/removed any of the cabinets that could better suit?

I think where I'm going with this is before you spend the money replacing nice, maple doors, spend your $$ on those things that will require some savings. Particularly if you're going partial overlay. What, really, is the point?

Then I'd replace your doors another time. I like the fact they're maple. That means they'll paint really smoothly (with proper preparation) and could give you quite a cleaner look.

I am seeing a lot more arched doors than I have before, and I've been cabinet stalking for 6 years now. I know the world has gone Shaker, but you actually do have a nice look. Of course, I only have your doors in my had, so IRL they could look a heck of a lot different. You know, with those drop handles in the middle or something.

Just my opin-onion.

Thanks for the responses. I will find a picture. I think it's on our other laptop. I thought I posted one here before, but I can't find it on my laptop for some reason.

Like barfoot, I have just arched cabs on top. The bottoms are all just regular square edged. They are in pretty good shape as they were new in the nineties. They are pickled, of course. If they weren't pink, I don't think I'd mess with them.

As far as the layout. I'm pretty much locked in. Our kitchen is done like oh so many in the late seventies with a range at the end of a row of cabs next to a doorway. We have a u shaped kitchen, btw. We can't move the range since there is less than six feet of wall space on the only wall that we can put the range on. The only cabinet next to the range is (I believe) a blind corner cabinet with shelves. I don't like it, but I'd rather have that than a regular cabinet. We could only put the range on the other side of the u, but we'd have to have down range hood put into the back of it. I see that people don't like downdraft hoods on here. And, I won't have someone put a "hanging" range hood. We have asbestos (found out last year, yay) in our ceilings and I don't want anyone messing with those.

We have the usual stainless appliances like everyone else. Our window could replaced now that I think of it. But, it's actually not really all that bad. They are wood something andersons and they do a pretty good job. I was already planning on the insides to have drawer inserts from lee valley. I've been stalking this forum for at least three years, but more of a lurker than anything. So, I kinda already know what I want.

As far as style, we are a semiyounger family in our thirties. We won't be moving for a long time as we like our neighborhood. The home itself is a colonial traditional (based on what marcolo said). It's just a boring two story.

As far as style... I was planning on painting the lowers (which are half done) in dark gray and the uppers cream. I didn't realize that the grey was so trendy until I painted our entire downstairs in revere pewter. I wish I would have gone with a cream. I really took a look at all my favorite pictures and low and behold they are all cream walls. Oh well, the dark gray bottoms look nice with the walls. I can paint the lowers cream, though. Anyway, was thinking brass handles (thanks to francoise). Originally, I was going with nickel. I've got a fabric that ties it all together (not my original choice, but I like blue a lot). It's got the grey, cream, and blue color scheme. And, the tan of my linen drapes. It's a traditional fabric, so I think it goes with the house just fine. It was for some pillows (our spaces are open to each other) and some cafe drapes.

Sorry to ramble on. I'll post a picture when I actually find one.

Thank you for making me think more about my decision. There really isn't a good reason to change them out. But, I don't like arches. There are no other arches in our home. Just the kitchen. But, I'm almost relieved to see that arched isn't horrible. You just get used to these fabulous kitchens around here. Suddenly, you have these expectations about what you want that your pocketbook can't handle. :P

Thanks!!!
Kim

Here is a link that might be useful: fabric

I just replaced our maple, arched cabinet doors with upper cabinets doors from Barker Doors. I bought the paint-grade maple. Most of the doors were prepared for glass, but a few were solid with MDF panels. I painted them with Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations in black. I am super happy with them. I just posted a pic of the final kitchen in the gallery forum. I highly recommend Barker Door. The doors were very good quality. I hated those arched doors. I don't care if they come back in style . . . I hated them!

Replaced my arched cabinets with Barker doors. Arched doors and dark stain were just too much for me.

I'm not sure what style Olandy's cabinets were, but I always thought arched doors were like this:

I've seen some great kitchen make-overs with arched doors, and though they wouldn't be my first pick if starting from scratch, I've never understood all the hemming and hawing over whether to replace them. If they're in good shape, why not minimize waste and expense and use them? As a bonus, you don't have to completely redrill to hang new doors!

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen remodel on Finding Home blog

jessicaml - like that kitchen you just posted!

My question for Kim is do you have Cathedral doors or simple arched doors? The difference is the Cathedral have an arch in the middle and a straight area that connects (like the ones above) while a true arch is just a semi-circle.
The Cathedral doors can be very traditional and dated looking, but as you can see from jessicaml's pic, with some paint and other new touches - most people wouldn't even notice them.
If they are a true arch (semi-circle) then I think those are actually cute and would never replace those.
Either way, I would probably spend my money elsewhere!

I have the same dilemma. Just do not like the arched upper cupboards. Can you update us to see what the final decision was? Know this post is 3 yrs old.

I got rid of all of mine. They were arched and cabinets were solid oak. They now hang proudly in the garage and I have brand new cabinets. The arches may come back some day, but those cabinets are happy in the garage.

If you are on a budget & they are in good shape I would keep them. You can always switch them out later.