When I was a teenager, I wanted to live in a log cabin so bad! I would not wrap the island in stone because it will look too heavy and not attractive. Also the countertop will not be the correct size any longer. I do think the island needs painting, too light now. The problem I see is there are already a lot of colors and finishes (hardwood, tile, cabinet color, SS, black microwave, counters, island/paint and tile... plus curtains). That's 9 if you count the white curtains. I think the island needs to be painted darker, the Briwax or a glaze would just add more.

allison0704, but would you paint the cabinets? i agree the island needs to change!

Could you post some photos of the room or rooms adjacent to the kitchen?

Start with the island. Replace the top with a butcher block that ties in the wood of the cabinets. The green of the counters is an obvious choice, but I think a softer more yellow color works better, or maybe its color opposite, a red. Gray would be safe, but black is too dark. Blue doesn’t work with the counters. In fact, the counters are a big culprit with a lot not working. So decide how committed to them you are. A new white counter could do a lot here to freshen up things.

Here's a discussion about painting kitchen cabinets in log homes. Perhaps some of the pictures will put your fears to rest. Log Home Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing the counter gives you a bit more freedom.

I agree with Allison that there is a lot going on in the kitchen as it is now. Do you need the cafe curtain over the sink? I would take that down it's not needed for privacy.

If you are keeping the dark green granite, you are limited in your color choices for the walls.

I looked up colors that are complimentary to dark green and found the first image below.

Do you think if you changed the cabinet hardware or updated the backsplash to a soft, natural

complimentary color to the green granite that you might be happier with the kitchen?

I have used Briwax on furniture that I have made. It comes in several colors, and provides a protective finish. You couldn't lighten your cabinets unless you sanded them down first, and I'd want a clear finish on them before I put the Briwax on. Here is a link to some cabinets that have been coated with it - Briwax kitchen cabinets

The second image below has a kitchen with higher ceilings, much lighter counter, and unpainted island. It has great tile on the backsplash and doesn't have the short piece of granite that you do on the walls. I think if you removed that, and possibly updated your backsplash with new tiles, you'd get a look of a more updated kitchen without painting the cabinets.

The last pic is a bigger kitchen with higher ceilings, but similar color cabinets and granite counter. See the lighter green backsplash, and how nice it looks with both? Good luck with whatever you decide!

More pictures of adjacent rooms. Thank you cook’s kitchen! I do love red, as you can see from the rest of the house. The cabinets match the logs as you can see in other pictures. That is why I am hesitant abount painting them. But I do not like them at the same time 😆. The window bench and dining room us open to the kitchen right after the island. The tablecloth was just for Christmas dinner, it is a wood table

One more photo!

Start with that island, and better lighting, including adding under cabinet lighting, and reevaluate the whole after you do that project. You may not be as attached to the Absolute Green Silestone counter then, and may be willing to do something with it. If the island project makes you fall in love with it all again, then that’s a win without so much work and expense!

You could wallpaper the panels and paint the rest of the island India Yellow. I would also change the window treatment.

Or, maybe you have different ideas for the wallpaper pick.

Fifteen years ago it was trendy 😜to paint cabinets red or black, then everyone decided it wasn’t trendy with the white and gray wave. I stiLL think red would be pretty in a cabin. My next choice would have been green except you have green counters. Think along the lines of old school Ralph Lauren/Woolrich/Tartan look. They are classic for a cabin look.

I would leave the cabinets, and change the island paint and countertop. I really like the first picture above with the darker green that matches your countertops, and I could definitely see a butcher block top on that island.

Thank you cat-ky! The countertops are the same green even in the island, it is the same granite. The lighting was probably all on top of the island and made it lighter. I see it now. In real life the countertop in the island is dark. I feel bad about removing the countertops. They are very good quality granite. I wish I had the opposite look lol butcher counters and dark green cabinets. Thnak you for your input. What color would you do the island? Do you think dark green would look good? Or with natural stones?

Your kitchen is open to the rest of the house. Your large rug is predominantly red, window seat throw pillows are red, and you like red. So...I'd go with the red version of the island to carry the color to that side of the room. I am not a decorator but just offering my take. P.S. I love red too.,

I was expecting logs on the interior, too, but it's not as dark as that. So, what about painting the island red, since you have red accents, and a butcher block top? Seems like it would tie the kitchen to the rest well.

Glad someone suggested taking down the curtain. I had that but deleted. And no, I would not paint the cabinets.

While wood would look good on the island, it would not be up to code with the cooktop. When I first saw your red rug, I thought pull a color from the rug (other than red) but then it's got to work with the green counter. Red would work with the green counter, but it does not need to match the rug exactly. It can be a darker shade of the same color because matching exactly won't be easy (and it will look like it was suppose to match, but then it won't, so a darker shade is best). Hope that makes sense.

Love the walls and ceiling beams.

Thank you all for your ideas! With this quarantine period I will sure do some DIY project in the kitchen soon. The island will be first thing!

Butcher block is not against any building code as a counter surrounding a cooktop, even a gas cooktop. The fire code incorporates manufacturer stated required side and rear clearance to combustibles, because heat rises. It’s an exceedingly rare high but gas cooktop that requires clearance to combustibles at counter height or below. This is a radiant electric, which is the most permissive for any clearances. They frequently have 0” side clearances.

Butcher block is frequently done around a cooking surface, as it makes an excellent prep and landing surface.

I would not paint the cabinets. I would not remove the granite. The outlier is the color on the island, but I'm afraid red in that green kitchen it going to be too Christmasy. I'd just embrace the green and try to find a green that complements the countertop without being too dark. Or, in the alternative try a paint that is close to the color of the cabinets. The one pictured above by justerrilyn might be close. I probably wouldn't use wallpaper in the panels, but that's a gorgeous paper.

I agree with removing the curtains. Are you happy with the backsplash? That might be another place to make a change and help bring it all together.

Thank you Olychic. I agree, red might make all too Christmas like. The backsplash doesn’t bother me. I am thinking now maybe painting the island dark green. In that way I won’t be causing too many different colors. thank you again for your input

Ok. I didnt realise the countertops were granite. I can understand why you want to keep them. I do like the color. Its a bit different than most of what we see. You do need some color in there, and it does look like you like red. Maybe pick a shade of red for the island (darker red). Also, I would remove the white curtains. Even if you decide to keep the cream color on the island thats there now, you can dress this kitchen up with some red accessories, and get more colorful curtains. The white curtains, do not go in the kitchen with the wood, nor the cream of the backsplash and island. You could get by with no painting, just by decluttering a bit, adding colorful accessories and curtains.

Im pretty sure that’s quartz. Absolute Green Silestone. And it’s a good color with the wood for the most part. Which is why Id only paint the island. It does limit the choices that can coordinate with it for more dramatic changes. But that’s a decision to deal with down the road after the idd sad land and lighting issue gets resolved.

Maybe just start with the window area ? Paint the trim around window and change the treatment. Add a red light. Change existing bulbs to slightly cooler to tone down the vibrancy.

This is from my suggestions above. However, I realize the wallpaper idea isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Jean Stoffer Design did a gorgeous log cabin remodel recently. It might give you some inspiration. http://www.jeanstofferdesign.com/log-cabin I think there may be some before and after photos on her instagram, too.

I am exactly in the same boat with thinking about a kitchen facelight for a log home. My cabinet colors are close to yours, but I think I'll keep them. I'm adding an island. I'm going with white quartz countertops to lighten the house, a quartz farmhouse sink for interest, and a dark gray tile for the floor. The front of my new island will be tongue and groove wood to tie into the tongue and groove in the adjacent space. I know you like the green countertops, but I would change it to a light color and maybe redo the floor......add some cute bar stools and lighting!

HU-804373981 I love your ideas for your new kitchen! Best of luck, I would love to see pictures!

log homes are beautiful. I do believe wood cabinets suit best in that environment. I do not think I want to paint mine either. I did apply Briwax and made them look better, darker, and maybe less orange. The grain of course is more evident, but not so much. I really do not like oak cabinets with the grain like that, and the color is killing me 😂 but I have read so much about painting them, how time consuming it is and how people still have issues after that I am not sure any more. Plus I believe a log house looks more homey with a wood kitchen. I wish I had a different type of wood in the cabinets!

I know you mentioned that it would be better to change the green countertop. I agree, I do not like the color either. it is better in person that in picture. I am including a picture of it so you can see it better. It is a nice quality too, and I feel bad getting rid of it and spend a lot of money on something as good as that.

Maybe in the future, as soon as budget looks better, I will change everything! 😝

changing the floors is a good idea though! I also thought about that too!

good luck!

A super deep dark green paint on the island (like the first image Cook's mocked up) and new roman shade (like justerillyn mocked up) and that would be a huge improvement. I wouldn't do much else if you do want to change the floor - that will be messy and might ruin or change the improvements you make now. I like your cabin home - its very cute!

I know this post is from 9 months ago...But I feel like you took a picture of MY Log Cabin Kitchen! I've been faced with the Same dilemma. We are in the middle of a smallish remodel and I was toying with the idea of painting my cabinets just to give it a new look (and break up some of the wood) we changed Our Green countertops to all Butcherblock -which I Love But, it just seems like Soooo much wood everywhere! Someone had suggested white/off white but I don't think that Realy works? It's beautiful in a Cottage or Craftsman type home but the rest of our house is Very Rustic! It's an A-Frame log home (looks very similar to the one featured) I'm really Stuck!

Judy, look at the green cabinets in some of the pics above. I think they are beautiful with wood countertops in a log home. Here's my favorite:

since you are keeping the green counter tops if they are real wood, sand then stain them with weather wash

with this or something similar as backsplash

Jody,

after I posted this I decided not to paint the cabinets because of my green countertops. The best fit for them I think it is oak (sadly), but I also a couple of days ago I had your idea of butcher block countertops! Hiw funny we do have the same kitchen! And I think a creamy buttery color will look very cute. I however painted the island a nice green, like the countertops and now the kitchen looks much better. I love the picture that the previous poster sent. I think flipping the kitchen colors is the key! Butcher blocks plus green cabinets. The forest green looks ideal in a cabin, it is just not ideal on countertops 😞 let me send you a pictue of my kitchen in a bit, too messy now 😆 so you can see how the green looks nice on the cabinets (island in my case), I also applied briwax tudor Brown on the cabinets and it made a difference. I do not love them but I like them a bit more. The reason why I also decided not yo paint them is because I read a lot and also a friend of mine told me, that painted caninets show dirt more, and you do have to wipe them way more often. It is not that I do not clean them, but definately having them in wood, makes you clean them less often. I have three young children and I do not need the extra work 😝

Please post a picture of your green island. I am sure it is a big improvement. The whitish color was what was throwing your kitchen off.

Here are some pictures, depending on the lighting the color of the island changes from darker to lighter. The countertops are granite, the so 80s forest green 😝 but I like the forest green in a log cabin.....just not on the countertops!!!

I find this far more attractive than what you have now. I, for one, would paint all the cabs the same color, a nice warm white , leave your backsplash and black counter tops. It's stunning.

HU-222 -- that green is perfect on your island. The cabinets look richer, and the kitchen looks cohesive now and goes very well in a log home.

Thank you mariagrazia!

I love it and it looks great! You picked a beautiful green. I am not crazy about the window treatments and my suggestion would be a beautiful print fabric Roman shade (or a faux roman shade if its just for decor). I would consider tying in or matching the same fabric to the windows in the other room too. But that’s my two cents :)

Living in a log home myself, I wouldn't paint the wood cabinets. And in fact, in just about any home, I would not do it.

I do understand about perhaps too much wood... but my interior walls are sheetrock with lots of wood trim. So... I paint the sheetrock, not the wood.

I like the green quartz choice - parts of my kitchen counters are somewhat similar, form Viatera. But green inclusions with brown flecks. I find that it works in a good log environment. My other counter is Luna Eco from Silestone, which from a distance looks white. Personally, in a log home I can't want to paint any trim or cabinets. I'd find the best stain tone, instead. (My interior stain is all "natural" toned - just a hint darker than when the logs were cut.)

That shade of green for the island is spot-on - it looks terrific!

So much better. It is a lot more cohesive now than it was before.

Artemis why wouldn’t you paint the kitchen cabinets? I can see your point in a log cabin, but why wouldn’t you in a regular house? I ask you because part of me wants to paint them, part of me doesn’t want to do the work 😆 and the other part of me is afraid they won’t hold up with time.