I never posted on either of the forums, but read them all a lot. I have followed your other thread. I have few questions: *Do you think you'll eventually replace cabinets & renovate the kitchen? *If yes, when - few years from now? much longer than that? *Is the existing layout satisfactory to you or is there anything that has to be changed soon? Almost everyone suggested that you keep existing cabinets as they are. I personally like dark color too. BUT you are and will live in that house. Looking at them every single day. On top of it you mentioned that they are pretty worn out. So you should do it the way you like them. If you are not planning major reno soon, I would think it would be best to invest some $$$ & have them painted professionally. It will cost you little more, but results would likely be much better. (My daughter paints & I wouldn't have her doing my kit cabinets - walls, trim yes, maybe laundry cabinets!). Just don't forget that the frames/boxes (hope that is correct term) need to be painted same color. That has to be done on site, but it is much smaller/narrower area so maybe your husband can do it. Same paint color as door. The panel by the fridge should be as wide as the appliance - you mentioned that. Would you carry it to the top of cabinets? (I would). Then you need to make upper cab deeper - I am sure you know that & it can be done. Definitely replace tiles. Bar could be just drywalled & painted same as walls (I had something similar & it looked great). Is the counter appropriate depth?(looks just bit shallow, but that may be just because fridge seems to be sticking up too much-lack of proper width on that panel). I had caesarstone organic white counter & loved it. My cabs were darker brown with greenish undertones. And my backsplash was white tile (white on white subtle design). Together it looked great. Sorry, don't have photos to post. If you like gray cabinets (or any other color), I would suggest to go to paint store & p/u color chips that you like. I would take them to IKEA (or other kit showroom...) & look at all gray (whatever color) kitchens they have, comparing the color chips to cabs you like most . That way you'll see how the cabinets will look. You may be able to get ideas on backsplash & paint color too - usually, the showroom kitchens are set up to impress! I am not good in suggesting colors, but having paint chips will help again. Check them against existing walls. If you think it looks good, buy a small sample of paint, get larger piece of hardboard or drywall, paint it & put next to adjoining walls. You will see if they 'go together' much better from the large sample (make it at least 2x2', even bigger). Most important, I think, is not to rush. You will spend more $ than you think (it always works that way...), and you will have to live with result for a while if you don't like it. So rather take more time planning. Your kit is in very good shape for a while longer (even if you are sick & tired of the red cabinets). Don't get pressured into something you don't like, and don't do it so-so/good enough...just my opinion... Rina

With the open concept, I don't think it matters that one corner of one room has dark cabinetry. You can have light walls and backsplash. Which floor plan are you doing? I prefer the first tile. It looks like it's got gray and beige, which will be easier to work with than the peachy tones of the travertine. That's kind of a Tuscan tile, which was popular in the 90s and still, unfortunately, is hanging around in tile shops. My goal would be to tone down the reds of the Bordeaux by letting the granite be the warmest element in the room. Ideally you want to go look at slabs and bring a sample of both floor tiles and the cabinet doors. You'd want to pick a slab that has a lot of cream like this one.

Budget is the number one for me. Next was functionality. For example, I went and looked at all the cabinet lines with their construction so that I could list out what they provide for the bucks. I also took my dishes with me to figure out if they will work with my planned use. For example, Decora was ok but not optimal because the top drawer was useless at 3" height. I might be wrong on the line as it's been a year. I looked at the depths of the upper cabinets to make sure they would fit what I need them to. I was used to 13" deep inside and many lines were o my 10-11". This means they don't fit plates. I didn't ask for quotes until I decided on a particular line. If the looks is all you need then a list of pros and cons for the money is your best bet.

tried to grab some in different lighting and with fiff wall paint. i swear its even less orange in real life- or even in my camera reel before it posts here