I just googled the paint colors the decorator chose and I think they're great. As for updating the cabs, the best you can do it get lovely new hinges and pulls to compliment what metal you're choosing or even a different style that you particularly like. If the budget allows you could easily have new doors made in a less rustic style but, it not, the paint is a good choice. I love the plum brown, I'm going to use it on a chest I'm painting after seeing it. I had planned on doing it just brown but the walls are light sage and the slight hint of plum will sing.

Well that's a good point. If I paint the cabinets in the Plumb Brown, then if I get tired of the Swanky Gray walls, I can paint them sage. Green and purple are good together! Thanks for your input.

In the center panels of the cabinet, I'd fill in those seams and sand them smooth so the centers just looked like solid panels and then paint the whole thing. Then I'd change the hardware. I didn't look at all your paint colors, but that plum brown looks pretty. Maybe you'd like it better if you went a little darker. I think I'd like that better than black on your cabinet.

I like the cabinet and would paint for my use. As Chick mentioned, the insets do need filling, sanding, then painting. They look a bit rough and would show up just painting over.

But with your mahogany bedroom, sanding down and staining would be my first go. I like the wood rounds connecting the doors. The seams in the center could have small metal strips put in them, the color of your fixtures. Somewhere I saw this done and it caught my attention as a great idea. Train stores sell them in different sizes of stock. Or cut out the insets and put in frosted glass. There is also a lot of different hardware now to upgrade the same type of hinges you have.

Found this picture of a buffet painted SWPlum Brown. it looks great on this piece and it probably wood look great on your cabinet as well, if you smooth out the doors. Or if your budget allows it, replacing the rustic panels with frosted glass would be a good option.

Great ideas - thanks so much everyone. I love the Plum Brown on that piece.
I don't think we can remove the panel because it's just a solid piece of plywood on the back of the doors. But, I do like the idea of replacing the doors with frosted glass ones, if the cost isn't too high.
If I choose to smooth out the groove in the panels -is there a particular product I should look for?

This post was edited by southernstitcher on Mon, Sep 2, 13 at 9:44

My favorite fix-it: General Finishes or Old Master gel stain? If you go dark, it'll pretty much cover up the grain.

I like the plum brown -- the purple only comes through where the sun is hitting it and it's almost an undertone elsewhere.

I agree with filling the grooves and changing hardware -- try wood filler, but go gently. That stuff can be hard to sand down, especially if you have clumps of ridges. Work to have it go ion smooth. Fill and scrape off any excess before it dries so that you only have lighter sanding. Like spray paint, you would rather go with a few lighter coats than going to heavy.

The panel might come off is nailed or screwed in place, but if it has glue, alone or with nails, it could tear up the wood. Just depends o what it is and how much is there holding how tightly. I'd try filling first.

Another possibility is to try the paint first The dark color will make the grooves less obvious.

And then there is the take the challenge and make it a feature approach. Look at painted furniture for ideas and make that panel a becomes a feature -- with a stencil, wallpaper, fabric (might be risky in a bathroom, but you could seal it.-- if it gets messed up, paint over it).

Sounds like you are considering hte plum now -- tell DH it isn't purple -- more brown with an attitude or some character. Sounds better than raisin, doesn't it?

Yes I do like the plum brown, but I prefer BM colors and paint, so now I'm thinking Violet Pearl and Mountain Ridge together. I'll post pics later as I have an appt right now. I also like the gel stain idea!

I like the plum brown -- the purple only comes through where the sun is hitting it and it's almost an undertone elsewhere.

I agree with filling the grooves and changing hardware -- try wood filler, but go gently. That stuff can be hard to sand down, especially if you have clumps of ridges. Work to have it go ion smooth. Fill and scrape off any excess before it dries so that you only have lighter sanding. Like spray paint, you would rather go with a few lighter coats than going to heavy.

The panel might come off is nailed or screwed in place, but if it has glue, alone or with nails, it could tear up the wood. Just depends o what it is and how much is there holding how tightly. I'd try filling first.

Another possibility is to try the paint first The dark color will make the grooves less obvious.

And then there is the take the challenge and make it a feature approach. Look at painted furniture for ideas and make that panel a becomes a feature -- with a stencil, wallpaper, fabric (might be risky in a bathroom, but you could seal it.-- if it gets messed up, paint over it).

Sounds like you are considering hte plum now -- tell DH it isn't purple -- more brown with an attitude or some character. Sounds better than raisin, doesn't it?

I used drywall joint compound to fill in grooves of wall paneling. Should work very well for your cabinet.

ML

After looking at the Mountain Ridge in different light, it's a no. I think I'll also get a sample of the BM Capanato as a deep cabinet color, as it's recommended to go with the Violet Pearl. I may also sample BM Angelica for the walls. Then, that's IT. I can't keep sampling and sampling, it's making me crazy.
I can't wait till I can post a reveal of this master area! Thanks for all of the ideas.

This post was edited by southernstitcher on Mon, Sep 2, 13 at 21:40