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Confused about kitchen counter/cabinet color

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We are buying a house with this kitchen. I liked the layout and how bright it is but really hate the generic brown countertops and cabinets. Unfortunately, its just not in the budget to reno a perfectly functional kitchen and I won't want to wasteful. But since I have to live with it I'm thinking of DIYing some updates. (Paint, change hardware, add some moulding/trim to the island, add backsplash etc)

I would ideally like very very pale gray cabinets but I don't know if that will go with the granite slab? I don't like all white cabinets but I have seen some pictures where white cabinets with brown granite didn't look too bad. I worry that the white will make the counters "pop out" even more. It is in the budget to maybe change out the counter top for just the island and also add a backsplash but not sure what to pick that doesn't clash with the granite and looks cohesive. I am really struggling with finding inspiration, I am open to suggestions and any advice. Thanks!

(The floor in the first picture is the hardwood that is currently throughout the dining area and kitchen, the vinyl on the other ones is an older picture. )

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Comments (8)

lucky998877
5 years ago
Am I reading this correctly, you have the brown wood flooring in the kitchen now too? It looks like it would be pretty much the same tone?
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I don't think gray would be a great choice for your cabinets with that granite. A creamy white may be better and perhaps a nice kitchen rug to help diminish the strength of the pinkish tiles.

ETA Got it, no pink tiles any more - great- easier job.
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terrilynn, I am confused about what to do for the island and also the desk/coffee bar/bar area. I'm going back and forth on wood or soapstone for the island. I'm pretty sure I want wood on the desk and soapstone on the bar/coffee area. (just for maintenance purposes). I'm not sure if I do the base colors on the other areas the same as the island or different. We aren't doing any stainless except for the range, but that desk is pretty cool! Lavender, thanks, and I love the idea of red accents. I hadn't really thought that far, but that will be perfect and will blend with the rest of our house. I guess I need to figure out if I can really do the painted island and how much maintenance that will be. Here are my options, in case anyone else is as confused as I am: 1. Wood colored island with soapstone top 2. Sage/light green island with soapstone top 3. Sage/light green island with wood top Desk: something with a wood top....I'm thinking base should match the island, unless of course the island base is wood tone, and then it would either match the yellow cabinets or the coffee bar area. Coffee bar/bar: definitely soapstone top- either yellow cabinets like the rest of the kitchen, green, or wood colored. I'm even confusing myself, so if anyone is following this, I'm impressed, and thank you for any thoughts!
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the soapstone will be fine. you don't have to oil it if you prefer to keep it a 'duller' dark gray color. do a light backsplash and make sure you have the best lighting, and it will be fine. it won't make the area look like a cave. lack of light does that. there is a quartzite out there that would look beautiful w/blue/gray cabs. this is leathered Cielo Blue. leathered or honed would give it this matte looking finish. Fantasy Brown would be another choice you could go with. and there is always the Virginia Mist granite, honed,,,,similar to soapstone but w/the durability of granite.
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All the comments are concerned about how much a counter top overlaps the actual base cabinet which is 24" deep in most cases. The counter will hang over the cabinet another inch (0'-1") so the depth would be 25". What nobody has mentioned is the actual depth of the range itself. For example, an LG range's depth dimension is 29-9/32", so this range is going to protrude 4 to 5 inches past the cabinets and counter installed as-is already. Most of the slide-in ranges are built for ZERO clearance at the back, and are designed to sit flush against the wall. If you are installing a true "drop-in" range, then you would most likely need a strip of counter at the back because this design necessitates it. These are "slide-in" ranges, that are designed to fit into the space a conventional range would normally fit. If you add a 1-2" strip of counter top behind a slide-in, your range will protrude 6-7" past the counter top. It will look kind of ridiculous how far out it will protrude if this is done. If you want a more integrated look, do a drop-in range, which are harder to find, and not as nice looking as the newer slide-in type. Or just do a flat top and a separate over unit.
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Sorry TCB - just realized you are the OP :) - and just re read that you plan to change the hardware....are you doing this everywhere in the home? Will the ORB be on all door hardware throughout the home? I'd strongly suggest focusing on the tile (white with matching grout or subtlety darker grout like a bone white). Then do the hardware and select paint LAST. Thank you for the paint tone pictures with your floor - could you retake the shots with the paint samples propped vertically against the wall by the tile floor. Look at all samples as you will see them in real life because the light hits them different so anything vertical (like paint) should be evaluated vertically.
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Ann
Original Author
5 years ago
LuckyBlueEye, the pictures show a kitchen with pinkish vinyl tiles. That is an older picture. Kitchen currently has the hardwood seen in first picture. Sorry I don't have updated pictures and its making my question confusing.

Rita, hmm creamy whites. I'll keep it in mind, thanks for the suggestion.
herbflavor
5 years ago
all I would do for now would be add top moulding and a backsplash, change to more updated hardware. generic brown in that condition for the age would be a gift. they look like maple and so often the slight darker stains on maple are really blotchy, look poor. You have a good transitional door style, and cabinets that are holding up....do some other things.
Ann
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Herbflavor, thanks. I am planning on adding a backsplash & trim for sure. I just don't know how to work with around this granite color. I gravitate towards cooler hues and have a more modern aesthetic so all this warmth/brown has me at a loss. What kind/color of backsplash would you suggest with this?
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
Leave it as it is and start saving! By living with it for a few years, you will then know what works and what does not work, so a remodel will truly get you what you want someday. Yes, I know - hard to wait - I waited 32 years for my remodel.
herbflavor
5 years ago
first see about removing the 4in backsplash. I believe they come off..
herbflavor
5 years ago
can you find the name of the granite..google under images and you'll see it with completed kitchens for ideas for backsplash.

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