I vote for #2. It's what I originally wanted for my kitchen, but DH really wanted wood so I caved. It would be gorgeous with the green walls and orb fixtures. A friend has those exact elements in her kitchen and I love it. I always ooh and aah when I'm at her house.

If you have green pulled in throughout the rest of your house in textiles and/or accesories I would leave the kitchen green. It's a very pretty kitchen!

If #3 is green then I would do #2. Also - if you did #1 how do you think that would play into the current base of the island? Would you paint that?

Thanks for the votes.

Ttodd, I am open on the base of the island. I can paint it myself in the distressed black or leave it in the wood tones since I'll be taking all of the wood tones out.

Lyfia, thanks for your opinion. My prob with working on the current wood color is adding in the new pieces - I can't afford the ones from the cabinet company!! I am actually surprised my builder put these cabs in this house. When I read over on kitchen forum that a custom cab maker is often better/less money than going with a cab company - I am a believer!!

Smiles:)

To my eye, those three samples are too close in tone to the counters and back splash. What you'll end up with is a kind of porridge-y monotone look. Too much of the same mottled beige. (Please forgive me if I sound harsh...)

I think the wood you have now offers a nice contrast to the other two elements. If you were to do anything to "fix" the finish, I would keep the tone as it is or go a bit deeper/darker/richer.

Okay, I sat too long before hitting the submit button. So, I seem to have missed some info. I do like the idea of green. A lot. Didn't realize one of the options was green. But I still think you need more contrast in tone. Is the green sample door as dark as the wall color?

I love the wood tones, but see your dilemma...adding more cabs means matching the existing cabs and finish. I would do #2 (the creamy white) on all the top cabs and leave the bottoms the way they are...If you lightly sand
with fine sand paper and 0000 steel wool you can bring down the plastic shine, then refinish the top with several thin coats of thinned down minwax polyurethane applied with a rag. Try a sample, like a draw.
I see that you have no natural light in the kitchen, think about using some mirrors on the back splash for reflecting light.

I'd keep most (*) of the wood cabinets as they are (*plus...) and add the new cabinets in #2. The *plus is to distress and glaze the wood on your current cabs to dull the finish. As in buff out the shine first. This can be done with a green scotch pad and some elbow grease.
(*)Refinish the cabs above the sink and cooktop to match the new cabinets.

My vote would be for # 2, which I absolutely LOVE, and leave the paint as is. You would still have the green you love, and a beautiful glazed finish on the cabinets, which I think would be striking.

My vote is for #2 with no glaze. I think with the counters, backsplash, wire inserts, etc., the glaze would just be too much. You could always add a glaze after the fact.

I like the checkerboard backsplash and would keep it, at least until after you've painted the cabinets and done the chicken wire inserts. The shape of the wire inserts will complement the shape of the tiles in the backsplash.

I would leave the small island in the wood tones to echo the tile color in your backsplash.

BTW...you're a gal after my own heart...I love chickens, roosters, fowl of all sorts. Nicely done with just the right amount of feathered friends ;o)

Here's a link to a couple of inspiration photos of kitchens with painted/glazed cabinets. I vote for the green OR the creamy cabinets.

OF course -- I DO adore black cabinets with black/steel appliances -- especially where your wall ovens are now located -- basically they would blend into the wall even more. BUT I do appreciate your concern over dust! :)

Jan at the ever-dusty Rosemary Cottage (cough cough)

Here is a link that might be useful: Inspiration photos from The Skirted Roundtable -- Cote de Texas

My comment is on the chicken wire. If you are wanting *real* chicken wire, as opposed to decorative chicken wire, you might consider this: My cabinetmaker told me he made cabinets for someone who wanted *real* chicken wire, not the decorative chicken wire. He said the real stuff is awful to work with. He could not get it pulled taut enough and keep the grid the original shape. He said every time he pulled it taut, the grid would get wonky and warped.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rockler's decorative chicken wire

I think #1 and #2 are both gorgeous and would work but I lean toward #2 for your kitchen. It adds lightness and contrast and looks great with your green walls.

I vote for #2 as well because of the contrast. To my eyes, the other two blend in too much.

I vote for #1 it has that weathered aged almost european look to it that I love love love. Although, I know that you will probably go with #2 and it is good looking too.

....Jane

While I love #2 and light kitchens, I'm wondering if it will stand out too much from the other very warm, darker cozy areas surrounding it. Though maybe the lighting would tone it down and blend it sufficiently. I'd be considering #1 for that reason and, as NewDawn says, it just has that European look.

(Can't really see what #3 is like, although it looks like it might be a bit busy.)

I like #2 the best, also. It is close to the same tone as the counters, so I think you need to add some contrast with the new backsplash - either a darker neutral or a color. do they make dark green subway tile? I would also use a shiny tile for the backsplash to contrast with the satin finish of the new cabinet finish.

My vote is for #2 with about half as much glaze as what's in the sample, and then black for the island base. Heavier glazing works better in a larger space, but I like the idea of some, to keep your sophisticated French country style. The green is pretty, but in my experience it is much more likely that you will tire of a color after a while, even though you think you won't!
You already have a lot of wood tones in view, and I think the cream will seem fresher and more spacious. We used black on our island base in a cream kitchen, and it almost makes it disappear, which adds to the openness of the space.

I understand changing the hood and that pendant over the sink, but those cabinets are gorgeous. I know, not what you asked, lol. Before refinishing the cabs I'd paint the walls a different color. Maybe the WT like you mentioned.

I'm curious about chicken wire. How do you get dust off of it?

Why are you getting rid of the pendants over the peninsula?

I also love the wood cabinets and would suggest trying what some of suggestions as to how to tweak the finish. I'd also do black on the island - it will tie in with your other rooms (maybe use black on the new pieces also)
. I love pendant lights vs. the recessed! LOL

Maybe I am too practical, but your kitchen is beautiful and I just cannot see changing the backsplash, finish on all the cabinets, etc. unless, you really, really just do not like it?

tina

Welll, #2 seems to be the most popular one as well as leaving them alone or working with the finish. ( DH would agree with leaving them alone!!)

For the size of this house, the kitchen is rather small & storage is lacking. By adding the extra cab to the counter it will add a good bit for more storage & display of some of my platters & such.

Re: the pendants - I can't put doors on the new cabs that open b/c of the pendants. I also find them visually distracting with the chandelier in the DR & eating area -I think it's just me. And those pendants are found in EVERY new house around this area.

Tina - I , too, am such a practical person.....Most of my furniture & artwork has been given to me or inherited - what I bought as a younger married person has now been recovered. I never turn anything down that is being offered so when I want to change I just trek up to the attic:) But this kitchen just doesn't feel like * me *.

I have not been on RMS in forever but this kitchen popped up.....

I love hearing all your thoughts about the kitchen & why you would pick what choice. I even have a tally list going!

Thanks.

SMiles:)

"I love hearing all your thoughts about the kitchen & why you would pick what choice. I even have a tally list going!"

Well, as long as you have a tally going...

Um, your kitchen is much nicer than the one on RMS and you already know my vote. :)

That makes perfect sense - about teh kitchen not being *you*. I also understand about the pendants. The picture your're showing is very nice - I like the black island with those cabs.

You have wonderful taste, so whatever you do is going to look great!

tina

SR:

GREAT inspiration photo!!! -- green glazed cabinets and black island -- yep! thats my vote! maybe the new hood could be distressed black? and maybe the front of the breakfast bar?

Jan

I wish my cabinets was the finish as your originals so my vote is no! If you need more color add it somewhere else!

Alicia

I love green cabinets and drooled over a display at one local store for the longest time. However, the style and color of the cabinets, gorgeous as they were, just did not work with the style of our house, and that is the feeling I am getting in your case also.

Based on what I can see from your photos, I am in the camp that thinks your cabinets look great as they are.

You know you could still add pieces and have them match it to your existing especially if you glaze the existing and tone down the glossiness (is that a word?). The glazing would allow for it to have some variation so it doesn't have to be a perfect match.

I like the green overall - had that in my first apartment and I would definetly do it again. However, I really like the wood tone you have now. I wish my cabinets were that color.

BTW I understand you on the pendant, however I have a peninsula with can lights above and looking to add pendants for those times when I want less light there.

I love cabinet paint choice number 2! I must add this disclaimer- " person or persons posting this preference admits to loving painted/glazed cabinets over wood"
It is going to be even prettier than it is right now- and it is pretty.

I like #1. It's very classy. Everyone's painting wood white these days.....beat the trend and keep them looking like expensive wood.....that's #1. LOVE #1!

My vote is for #2.

I'm going to be really honest...I think your cabinet finish now is beautiful and MUCH nicer then any of the new choices. I think most people paint their kitchen cabinets because the stain, color or style is outdated but from what I can see yours looks very nice.

Why do you want to paint it? Is there something wrong with the finish that is not showing up in the picture?

Of the new choices I choose # 2 but I like what you have now the best. Does anyone else feel this way?

Scooby - There you go again changing your pretty house! I like how they are. When I first looked at the samples I thought the first two looked very close to the counters. I was against the green because I like the green paint. However, I love the inspiration photo. Clear as mud right? :) Looking at all of them again I'd say #2. I lack at using vision (that's why I spend so much time here!!!) but I know whatever you end up with will be pretty.

I have chicken wire and it lets the dust in a lot. I would put glass behind the wire to keep the dust out.

I don't mean to scare you...but there is a yellowed haired man ghost in your second pic.

I think every couple of months, you post about wanting to change your kitchen - so while I agree your cabinets are very nice the way they are, they're not making you happy, so change them!

I like #2 the best. It's classic, timeless and goes with everything. I like green cabinets ok, but just think in 2-3 years you're going to be so past green cabinets and wanting to paint them again...Probably cream!

Kitchenkelly, don't get the ghost man comment!!??

I see him. Scary :)

LOL now that you say it, I see the "yellow ghost" :) I love it the way it is too, but if I were changing it I vote for #2.

(In the backsplash square behind the sink.) Second photo. scares me. Concerned for scoobyruby.

I can't for the life of me see the ghost!! I took a quick glance this am but had to get off the puter but I still don't see him. I wish someone could point him out to me.

I do go back & forth with this kitchen!! I can't help it - it is a huge decision for me - like I said....I am very practical, not spendy at all - extremely conservative.

CB - I think your right, some will always prefer wood cabinets & some painted cabs. My dream house will have pecky cypress cabs but that is not happening in this house soooooo I guess I'll go with painted. I love your kitchen, btw.

Thank you all, again for your honest opinions - I truly appreciate it & my wheels are just a spinin'.

Smiles:)

Ghost is in the second picture. Light shade (by the oven) is his head and his shoulders are below that.

Very scary, lol.

Make that over the sink, not the oven.

I vote for number 2.
I think it would look the best with your wood floor. The 1st one is too mustardy yellow, the 3rd one is too dirty looking.

Black would be fabulous. I love black kitchen. If you are doing green, maybe a greyish green like French Grey with not too much glaze. Your cabinet doors have so many details and with too much distress/glazing can appear a bit busy.

JMO> Can't wait to see the end result!

Here he is. What's even scarier are the two faces looking at the ghost in horror.

I vote for the scary ghost.

Very cute suero...

(Scooby, I regret my earlier porridge comment. I really could have put that better...like I shoulda kept my hands away from the keyboard. I really like your kitchen as it is!)

I vote for 2. I am so wanting to paint my oak kitchen cabinets (high quality, but orangish) and would love to do them in ivory with a glaze. It would look great with your green walls.

I think I'll go into my ugly kitchen in my ugly house and cry.

I'm sure whatever you choose will be beautiful. Everything you touch is beautiful. But I do REALLY like the color of your existing cabinets. I don't think they will look dated as quickly as the glazed cabinets. (ducking and running) But ... when the glazed start to look dated, you could always have them painted.

I'm a big fan of painted/glazed cabs. You kinda have wood-world going on in there as it stands now. But to be on the conservative side, you could do the first right thing: neutralize the backsplash. Then reassess. Your cabs look orangey in the photo, maybe in part because of the (opp. colorwheel) green walls. Deglossing and inking and glazing in some age and repainting the walls neutral would be a next safe option. Then, you could graduate to painting the cabinets if you were still unsatisfied.
But honestly, I really think you would love the #2 option. It'll brighten the windowless area and age it to perfection. Lightly glaze the crown molding and that white door too maybe.

Ahhhhhh, I still little ghost man & now I see his 2 friends!! Thanks, Suero!! I never was very good at those "where is it" puzzles.

Spitfire - don't run & cry!! Believe me, I have never ever had a kitchen that I even halfway liked - they have all been the 80's oakey dokey!! I painted & glazed my last kitchen myself. I was upset when I couldn't pick the cabs for this house!! But we are staying in this house for awhile (we moved every 2-3 years for the first 10 years of our marriage to take advantage of the RE markets - I considered that to be my job while raising my young son!! No telling how many times I drug that child to HD & lowes)

Amy, don't regret!! I appreciate your comments!! I have always had a good bit of color......I think I'm falling in to the bland trap - it does kinda look like oatmeal:)

So, the painters are ready to go - I am just waiting to hear back from the cabinet maker & hopefully, soon I'll have an update for you all.

Thanks again for your opinions - I'm gonna think about them as I am water skiing this week!!

Smiles:)

Nope. But 2 if you must.

another nope

Clever of you to turn a glass pendant shade into a ghost-head!
You're a regular Stephen Spielberg Junior!