Ugly new kitchen, what do you say??!!!

12 years ago

Saw my Father-in-law and his wife's "new" kitchen the other day and . . . oh my, it was . . . awful! I didn't know what to say!!

Apparently his GC told him his cabinets were so well made and expensive (they've been in this house for 25+ years and the cabinets were there BEFORE that) that he told them not to replace them. So they didn't. They were ugly 30 years ago, and that style still hasn't come back. They are a muddy walnut color. They didn't even change the hardware!! So they put in a black and gold granite, picked an orange (ORANGE!) tumbled marble backsplash that does not go AT ALL with the granite and a tan tiled floor. The walls are a goldish-orange feathered paint effect (didn't THAT go out about 10 years ago?)

I was speechless . . . I think I muttered something about the granite making the space look bigger.

It's such a shame, it could have been SOOO much better, even if they had just painted the cabinets (and gone to this site!!)

What would you have said???

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Comments (18)

chicagoans
12 years ago
Oh my. Sounds kind of Halloween-y with the black and orange. Once when I was stumped to find something nice to say, I popped out with "Wow! Look at that! What's your favorite part?" Asking them their favorite part took the heat off me to come up with more comments of my own. And it let them rave about something that made them happy - so I could be happy for them.
Mercymygft
12 years ago
Well, I think you need to remain pretty neutral with your comments... things like chicagoans said. As I said that, I'm pretty honest with my comments and have a hard time masking my true feelings, so I hate to be put in that position. So I have to work really hard at not hurting anyone's feelings.

Did you FIL and his wife like the new kitchen? If they like it, then I guess it's all good!
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Send a picture of the repair-while some cracks can be repaired to the point they become invisible the crack in your top was just too large imo to make disappear. It isnt your fault the granite cracked. While Green designs is right that your fabricator should have explained the nature of the stone that responsibility shouldnt be on you if the piece cracks. That doesnt look like a fissure to me as from the pic it doesnt follow any natural line making the repair very difficult. If you arent satisfied you dont have to accept that repair. Before you do anything speak to the fabricator and explain you cant live with this in your kitchen and you need this resolved. Consult with your lawyer and be firm with the fabricator-these things happen and the faabricator needs to make it right. See if you can find a slab that will match the rest of the kitchen. They should help you find something that you are happy with. I think if you keep the cracked piece you will never be satisfied with it. Stu Rosen www.mbstonecare.com www.stoneshine.com
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marquest
12 years ago
LOL I have been there....My response was WOW that is a kitchen. You are not fibbing it is a kitchen. But really beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think everyone may think something someone else does is ugly.

When I see a kitchen with a very busy granite I think it is awful. My eye always go to the busy counter and all I can think is that it would drive me crazy.
sas95
12 years ago
I just say, "You did a lovely job. Enjoy." This is one time when lying doesn't hurt, and can actually make someone feel good.
schoolhouse_gw
12 years ago
I know my Mom doesn't agree with how I remodeled my kitchen. Her response when she saw the creamy white beadboard walls: "You know your aren't going to be able to keep that clean don't you?" another friend said, "Well, if that's what you like." hmmmmm.
Mellie0803
Original Author
12 years ago
I would never say anything outright mean, (like schoolhouse's friend -- passive agressive!). But I know they were looking for my opinion and I think I did keep turning it around and asking them questions. It's all a blur what I said I was so shell-shocked, I don't THINK I said anything mean!
And yes, mercy, I think they did like how it came out! FIL was so proud that he had such "quality cabinets" and that he saved $10-20,000 on not having to replace them.
Sigh . . .
colorfast
12 years ago
It's partly generational, I think. My parents like a really dark walnut look, and liked the look of my kitchen when we bought the house. They understood the cabinets were falling apart and needed changed, but aesthetically they thought it was very nice. Fortunately when they redid their own kitchen, they went with a natural cherry.
Mercymygft
12 years ago
Well Mellie... there ya go! If they're happy, you just need to be happy for them... and bite your tongue every time you go over!!! LOL!
rosie
12 years ago
Same here. Like you, I'd have congratulated them on how nice it all turned out. :) Forget the colors and surfaces for a moment--they kept old cabinets without drawers (!). But presumably they did it with your kitchen and others as examples of how comparatively dysfunctional even high-quality old cabinets are? One has to assume they chose what they wanted.
Fori
12 years ago
...but next time take a picture! =p
Mellie0803
Original Author
12 years ago
I so badly wanted to take a picture . . . maybe at Christmas . . . LOL
Tropigal3
12 years ago
LOL! My FIL still has all the original walnut cabinets and giant orange & green floral wall paper from the early 70's. Shag carpet throughout the house. In his case, he doesn't care just as long as everything is in good working order.
harrimann
12 years ago
haha! It reminds me of when my in-laws recarpeted their upstairs with sculpted 1970s carpet. I can't believe they found someone who still makes it!
cj47
12 years ago
You say, "You must be so pleased!" and then, you inspect the dove tailed joints in the cabinet drawers and you say, "Wow, check out this workmanship--you'd pay a fortune to have someone custom make drawers like THIS!" :-) The work is done, they're happy--be happy for them.

Let them have their good feelings, and enjoy the space with them when next you see them. Kitchens are where families gather, after all.

Take care,
Cj
dianalo
12 years ago
"Wow! What a transformation!" or "I can't believe this is the same kitchen!". Both would be the truth and they could take them happily as compliments.

Now, don't you realize that this is what cell phone cameras were invented for? We need pix!
marcolo
12 years ago
You could inquire when they were last checked for cataracts.
gin_gin
12 years ago
Reminds me of the Seinfeld Ugly Baby episode. "Breathtaking!" :D
Mercymygft
12 years ago
"Reminds me of the Seinfeld Ugly Baby episode. "Breathtaking!" :D"

gin_gin...LOL!!

Yes Mellie, you may need to make an emergency camera visit! We wanna see!

Ugly new kitchen, what do you say??!!!

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Ugly new kitchen, what do you say??!!!

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