I don't have a suggestion about the color - just pick something you like and that goes with the granite. I'm a big believer in painting the island a different color but I don't have a good aesthetic sense - I just go with what I like and with something that isn't like what everyone else does.

What are the inside of your cabinet doors like? Mine appear to be reversible. The inside is similar to yours and the outside is a shaker style. It may be that you would prefer to reverse the cabinet doors, as well as the other work you have planned.

Good luck whatever you decide. As long as you like it, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!

Thanks..love your name- quirky kitchen..have so many options and yet so little. Since I can't regut. It's almost tufter. Yet so many here have a knack I know I don't have so I need the advise on what works. I could do my own thing...and it end up horrible, hence coming here for help.

Hugs

My neighbor did her cabinets in BM Collectors Item which is an Affinity color AF45It looks more brown than it is on the BM site. She did the island in Ben Moore AF 495 Azores. Looks beautiful.

I am responding to this mostly to bump it up. I haven't painted cabs in decades, but I agree that an off white paint on your perimeter cabs would be a GREAT improvement.

And, yes, I would leave the island for last and perhaps go with a different paint, or as you suggested, a glaze or stain on it.

I hope someone who can talk primers and paint brands as well as colors will join in.

Good luck. I hope your project is gratifying and rewarding. That always makes work worthwhile.

Sandra

I know where you are coming from. When we moved into our house 7 years ago, the kitchen was SOOO dark and there was so much about it that I hated. But once I painted all the cabinets and trim, the whole thing lightened up and I could then tolerate the blue laminate counter top and white linoleum floors that I hated.

Your kitchen looks dark and once you paint the cabinets an maybe the reddish wall too, it will feel new and fresh again and you can tolerate what you don't love until you can afford to do a whole remodel. I would paint the cabinets a light grey. Maybe BM Nimbus or BM London Fog. Both are very light grey but if you went with a paint that was grey rather than white, it might not look so stark compared to your granite.

Here are my before and afters painting the cabinets. (This kitchen is now long gone though b/c we just finished a huge remodel and addition.)

Thanks everyone..wow..that did change a ton and lightened up big time..with the change of paint..good job...be proud..

In one way Iam dreading this..I hate painting..trying to find some some guys to help me out.

Dh won't...he may agree to the fact I can change them but heck no to helping on this project.LOL
Figure I could do something crazy and take two doors off at a time or maybe 3 and do a slow change over in 6 months..lol
Hahahaa

Thanks all..
I am hoping for a creamy white that would work with the granite.. Iam not really into grey or more browns..so cross my fingers and toes for me to find the right white.
Hugs

It's been a long day, so I'm not going to venture into color advice territory, but I will offer my complete sympathy! I painted my cabinets last summer; DH was against it, so I was on my own. It's a lot of work, but worth it!

I'm attaching a link I followed in doing mine. It was written by a guy who used to frequent the Paint Forum under the name brushworks.

I used Ace Cabinet and Trim paint, an oil/latex hybrid in semigloss, and I've been so happy with the results. However, it did require 24 hours between coats. Quicker recoat time would have made my life easier and sped things up considerably, so if I was going to do it again, I'd probably use Clark + Kensington paint & primer or Benjamin Moore Regal Select paint & primer (as a good top coat after priming that is...don't skip priming in this case, and use a decent paint). Many, many folks have also advocated BM Satin Impervo or Cabinet Coat (by Insul-x until BM bought them out).

Okay, tip-toeing into color territory: I was thinking a putty, gray, green type color, too, until I read that you definitely want a white. Once you narrow down what kind of paint you want to use (price, quality, convenient location, helpful staff), pick a bunch of paint chips or see if you can borrow a fandeck. That will let you compare colors in your own lighting and right next to the granite.

Here is a link that might be useful: Paint Your Cabinets in Six Steps

owa, if you don't like it how it is, change it, for sure! Go on Houzz.com or pinterest, or look at finished kitchens to find kitchen that speak to you. Look for elements you like, like creamy white cabs, brownish granites, etc. Look also for light fixtures, window treatments, and general overall style that speaks to you. Use it for inspiration. I find it's must easier to see things I like than to try to figure out what I like all on my own.

Something that many low-budget renovators have done is removed a few doors on cabinets, for open-shelving, or even removed a few upper cabinets, and added open shelves. This could work with a french-country style for sure.

No doors:

[traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by san francisco architect Gast Architects

open shelving:

[traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by new york interior designer Marlene Wangenheim AKBD, CAPS, Allied Member ASID

[spaces design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/home-design-ideas-phbr0-bp~)

I painted my own kitchen cabinets, after living with them for 4 years. I wish I had done it the first year we lived here. It brightened up the room SO MUCH! I also removed ancient gross grimy hardware from half the cabs, and added new matching hardware to the whole kitchen (half of mine had no hardware at all either.)

It was a cheap and easy change with huge dividends in my happiness :) I didn't change anything else yet, not the ripped sheet-vinyl flooring or the laminate counters. And I'm still happier when I walk into my bright and cheery white kitchen!

Here are photos:

Here is a link that might be useful: [french country kitchens[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/french-country-kitchen-design-ideas-phbr0lbl-bl~l_42481)

Wow..u all are so incredibly awesome, helping me...
What a kitchen dramatic change..gorgeous..white paint goes a long way for changing the look for a whole room.

I thought when I got the go to paint the cabinets it was going to be easy. Just pick some paint girl and go for it. I then hop on here and become so overwhelmed with. Be careful what off white you choose, paint type, sanding, which white color, different island color, not?, change out, add back splash, now what the heck to do with the neon red walls, oh my paint that too...errrrr..ugh...so much work... Not that Iam not a diy lover Iam. But now calling painters and saying..spray, no don't spray cabinets..what? What price was that u said..oh hex no..and yet, to be done right..it should coat. Where are those guys that need a job I can pay per day to make them help me, yeah that's what I need.

Ohhh the madness in the process. Iam truly overwhelmed. I dreamed last night of my repainted kitchen and walls and saw myself then having to purchase new furniture for the eat in area..I don't have the money for all that..lOL..but it was a fun dream.

Hugs to all