What a cool kitchen. I mean, sure, an update is in order, but it's got some nice features. The brick oven thing...the soffit beam whatchamacallit over the sink run...

Any chance you can use doors off the island to replace the damaged ones by the sink?

I think painting your cabinets and replacing the island and counters would look great. Do keep in mind that painted oak shows the grain. Not a bad look, if you know going in. A possible option (are you considering DIY for the paint?) would be to use a gel stain to darken your cabinets and use the white/gray/green on the new island. But if your cabinets are beat up, paint covers more...

fori,

Thanks for the reply. The doors off island are not the same size and in fact they are equally banged up; but I know what you mean. I actually feel bad tossing the island away, some parts of it are still like new . I have already ordered the cabinets (dark cherry) for the new island. So that part cannot be changed.

No, not DIY. I got a quote from a painter who painted my house both interior and exterior many times over the years. His price, $1800 for refacing all the oak cabinets, is surprising good. He will sand and put two coats of oil paints. One worry I have is: can a regular painter do a good job of cabinet refacing?

I have twice applied tang oil to my oak cabinets over the last ten years and that really helps. They don't really look too bad in the pictures.

You may want to wait until your island is installed (or at least you have it) before you decide on paint colors for the cabinets. That way you can test different colors (or shades of the same basic color) to see what coordinates the best. If you can borrow a door in the same finish that would work, too.

Have you thought about replacing the ceiling fluorescent light? We have something similar in our 20 year old kitchen and plan to update it when we do our remodel. You would probably need some recessed lighting in addition to maybe pendant lights over the island area.

I love the floors and the brick oven details! With the warm tones of the wood cabinetry, it makes for a very cozy feeling kitchen. I would try to build from that by keeping most of the cabinetry the wood tones. Refinishing cabinets is a HUGE chore, but I think the end results would be worth it. If the sink base is too damaged to consider refinishing, then paint it the same color as the island and put some feet on it. Use that 2nd painted color (black or a yellow based green would be great) to create a more substantial crown molding and light rail molding(with UC lighting) for the cabinets. I'd go for a more warm toned color for the walls instead of the cool blue and get rid of the light fixture in favor of a chandelier.

So far, I have island, granite, and possibly cabinet refacing contractors lined up. And looks like I need an electrician for doing the lightings. Thanks for the replies.

corgimum: setting up the island first is a good idea.

live wire oak: The main theme of this remodeling is I'm running away from warm/country feeling to more contemparory style for a change. With mexico tile floor, brick column, and wood soffit beam which I cannot change, is this a wrong theme to pick?

I wish I have a photoshop computer software to play with the color combination....

OK....two questions....

Have you gotten a few estimates for refacing (or refinishing) the cabinets?

Have you gotten a few estimates for replacing the cabinets (not counting the island since you're going to do that either way)?

I'm asking b/c sometimes refacing is almost as expensive as buying new cabinets. If that's the case in your situation, then consider replacing. Why? Because

(1) It will give you a chance to get better-functioning cabinets (like drawers instead of doors) and maybe tweak the design/layout if you think it could use it.

(2) You're replacing your countertop w/granite....which will probably outlive you & definitely those cabinets!

If you're considering getting new cabinets in the next 2 to 5 years, then I would either do nothing until you're ready or don't get granite now since you'll most likely have to replace the granite then as well...and it isn't cheap!

This is not to discourage you....I just want you to be aware of all your options!

Good luck!

I agree that the floor and the brick are aspects to play up on. A breezy Mediterranean theme comes to mind - tiles, white washed wall, etc. The first thing I would do is to paint the walls a warm white or neutral color. Doing this would neutralize things and you might begin to see the room differently. You could even leave the ceiling blue, which would be like the sky. New knobs would freshen it up, too.

I did a quick web search - this is sort of what I'm thinking: http://www.melbalevickphotos.com/casa_california/pages/casa_cal025.htm

Peace

If you want modern, you'll have to get rid of the brick or the floor. Both together reinforce the traditional feeling of the space. The easiest to get rid of would be the brick. Those cabinets will have to go too. Refacing them will be expensive, probably more so than replacing them, and won't really give you a modern feel when you open the cabinet doors.

Modern would be new cabinets with slab doors in a gloss lacquer finish. Maybe a green-grey to contrast with the reddish tones of the floor. A new stainless fridge and a real stainless island hood to add to the modern look.

I would be easier and cheaper to go with the look that the home has, but there's certainly nothing wrong with wanting to change styles to reflect your evolving tastes!

buehl,

question 1, I only got a quote from my regular painter who quoted me $1800 for the refacing. I don't think that quote is realistic as he is not a cabinet guy and simply gave me a low quote to get the business.

question 2, I ordered 5 cabinets from Craftmaid to be assembled for my new island. That alone costs me $2500 and $500 labor to assemble. The total cost will be approaching $20k if I were to buy new cabinets, instead of refacing.

But I see what you're saying. I certainly don't have a $20k budget but also realize that refacing won't be as low as $1800 either.

Another consideration I didn't mention is our living room located next to kitchen has fire place, book shelfs, storage cabinets with exactly the same oak finishing too. I guess those should also be refaced if I chose the refacing option.

peace,

Thanks for the great link; very thought provoking.

I think you're right that painting the wall is a lot easier than cabinets refacing and yet may exert a bigger impact.

I would paint the existing cabinets, but in terms of countertop, I would consider one of the solid surfaces or a very calm granite--because otherwise it will compete with the floor and the brick.

I don't think that the cabinetry in the living room need be changed to match the kitchen cabinets, they could stay stained.

have you seen the gel stained oak cabs on another thread today? check that out. they look great!

i love the brick and flooring. maybe go with some mexican tile/color

once the cabinet color is toned down - and the wall color changed it'll make a world of difference!

have you looked for sample kitchens that have brick and tile like yours for ideas for other areas of the kitchen?

maybe a new window treatment?

check this link - scan down about 1/4 or so of the way to post by 'projectsneverend' - won't be hard to see - big pics of dark cabs!

Here is a link that might be useful: stained cabs

live wire oak,

My reply to your post got rejected for some reasons, sorry. Here I try again.

I think you guys have successfully talked me out of trying to be "modern". This is what I have decided so far: 1) gel stain only the lower part of the cabinets because that is where they are yucky the most and the color will match my new island, 2) install granite; I pick Giallo Veneziano, hopefully it matches the kitchen well; 3) paint the wall a new color; what color can I pick to replace the blue?

for remodeling your kitchen- check out www.bearcreekbronze.com for hand-finished, solid-cast metal accent tiles, cabinet hardware, swithc/outlet covers and more! You can order on-line and they have a beautiful photo album for ideas!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bear Creek Bronze

Hi - I came across your posting here, I'm redoing my kitchen and have a lot of the same attributes, I'd love to see how yours turned out if there is a way for you to post pictures, or even email. I'm trying to get inspired! Thank you!!