Design Advice Needed - Pairing new base cabinets w/existing upper

12 years ago

Hello! So we have finally decided what we are going to do to the layout of our kitchen, now onto the details! And I need help! We are reusing the upper cabinets we already have, we are just moving them and rearranging them with the expansion of our kitchen. But we need to get all new base cabinets. I have decided on Typhoon Green granite. I want black base cabinets and then we are going to have our upper cabinets painted either a cream or a shade of green.

So here are my questions, should I try to mimic the design on our current cabinet door in the new cabinet door or should we get a more simple rectangular design on our new cabinet doors? Pictures would be great!!

And does anyone have green paint colors that are suitable for cabinets?

TIA!

In case it helps to know, we are blowing out the wall that the stove is on. Behind that wall is a nook of wasted space in our garage. And there is already a set of windows with a view to the water. (It seems crazy that the house wasn't built that way to begin with) Then we are moving the wall that the dishwasher is on out two feet into the garage. The new wall will be 153inches long. We will still keep a peninsula with our sink in it but will have it on a 90 degree angle. All of our cabinets with our range will be on the long wall. What you can't see in the picture is the wall opposite that long wall which has a set of upper and lower cabinets, which we are keeping both (unless after it is all said and done we blow out the top half, but I can't commit to that until I see it) and our refrigerator.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Comments (5)

jnh004
Original Author
12 years ago
One more question. We are going to add new crown molding to the existing uppers. (Whats there now is more like shoe mold or something) So should I make it the same color that I paint those cabinets or have it black to tie in the base cabinets?

TIA!
dianalo
12 years ago
I can't answer every question, but I'd make the molding match the cabinet it is on.
I'd try to match the feel of your uppers in the lowers but you don't need to be exact. I'd lean toward simpler in the new cabs because uppers are usually more dressed up than base cabs.
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I was thinking about how to make the kitchen more uniform, I know you're asking about the cabinet fronts with the already planned layout and I agree with the above that they do not need to match especially if it is going to impact function. I want to share my thoughts with your for your consideration and please note that if you completely ignore them, you're kitchen will be lovely. I am imagining the left side of your kitchen as your cooking space, and the right as the prep and cleanup. Here's two ideas: 1. Looking at the scale of the room, the fridge seems to over tower the room and moving it to the left side would create a better balance of scale. Apart from they way it looks, this will mean that your open shelves won't be broken up, and if you have nice dishes they'll be closer to the dishwasher and easier to put away. Also, you'll have room right next of the dishwasher to put your plates, cups and bowls which store in pull out drawers quite well. I'd use 3 tiered drawers here, as you'll be going into your cutlery drawer frequently enough not to want to open up two drawers each time. 2. Looking at the left side compared to the right side as a whole, I'd make them both straight and cut out that L which would create a sense of symmetry. Apart from the way it looks, and although the L provides more storage and more counter surface, it changes the space from a 1 person station to a 2 person station & whoever whoever is working next to the sink gets to see out the window. Depending on your style, you can make the wall where the L goes a peg board, or a chalk board, or a lovely wall hanging. With both of these suggestions, it should be easier to create a uniform design of drawers on either side of the sink. And as I said already, you're kitchen will be great either way.
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kathec
12 years ago
Your door style is arched, so I'd go with a squarer design at the bottom. You can get the same basic door design in the squared version.

I had this combo in a previous home. The cabs were chosen by the the builder's design center. The pictures I have of the kitchen were too far away to see, but I noticed the landing/desk area had the same configuration:

Try greens that are a bit deeper than your granite color. I don't have suggestions as granite can vary. If you have a sample that closely resembles your slab, take that in to the paint chip aisle and grab a several you like.

I do have a suggestion for your bases though, go with frameless lower bases with drawers. You'll get a ton more usuable space versus framed cabinetry. And drawers are much more efficient and easy to use as opposed to cabinets. It's ok if it doesn't match. I have a Sunset Kitchen book where a kitchen designer talks about how they did framed uppers as they were more traditional (it was an older house, 1920's I think) and it's uppers that the eye sees. Apparently, we don't notice lowers as much. Unless, of course, your TKO'd - Totally Kitchen Obsessed, then you notice EVERYTHING.
jnh004
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you both for the help! I had thought about doing pot drawers on either side of the range and then cabinets beside that. But you would do all drawers instead of cabinets? I am not TKO'd. I just can not live with the function and layout of this current kitchen!! If the kitchen were setup the way I like it, I could easily live with these cabinets, just update that 80s hardware and "moon" light fixture. But, there is a definite need for remodeling when in a 2300 sq ft home you cant even open the dishwasher and oven at the same time or have more than one person prepping a meal. Wasted space somewhere!

I need to put a few more pictures on here and upload my sketch of the remodel and get it critiqued! You all think of things that never came to mind! Thanks for your help!
dianalo
12 years ago
If you go with all drawers, then you can do slab fronts to keep it very simple. The uppers will carry more of the style and the lowers will complement that.

Design Advice Needed - Pairing new base cabinets w/existing upper

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jnh004
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dianalo

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Design Advice Needed - Pairing new base cabinets w/existing upper

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jnh004Original Author

dianalo

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jnh004Original Author

dianalo

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jnh004
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