Kitchen Facelift -- Stainless or Black Stainless Appliances

3 years ago

I currently have cherry cabinets with black appliances and I get a lot of natural sunlight. I plan to replace appliances immediately, but then over the next several months I will be updating countertop to Viatera Minuet Quartz, adding a neutral black splash, removing the wallpaper to paint SW Alpaca to match the Great Room and replacing kitchen dining chairs. I'm seeking the following advise and would LOVE to see pictures of updated kitchens with Cherry Cabinets.

1) I plan to rip out the desk area and replace with a beverage center. I would either need to raise my lower cabinets 4-5" to fit the height of the wine fridge or replace the cabinets (which I am leaning to do). Would it look awkward if I replace the cabinets in this space with a soft white or keep the cherry cabinets to match the rest of the cabinet and just raise the lowers to fit the beverage fridge?

2) I currently have a raised bar around the peninsula. Should I keep the raised bar when I replace my counters or carry them straight across? I do like the fact my sink is hidden from the great room by the raised bar, but I feel like I loose valuable counter space as I really do not have much for a prep area. Thoughts?

3) I'm updating my appliances with Kitchen aide and converting my cooktop to gas; however, I'm extremely torn between Stainless and Black Stainless appliances. Any suggestions?

4) Any ideas how to update the range hood?

I welcome all advise and would LOVE to see pictures of updated kitchens with cherry cabinets. Thanks!

Featured Answer

Boxerpal

3 years ago

@thill8 Did you end up getting the stainless appliances?

1) No, it would not look awkward to replace the cabinets in this space with a soft white

2) one height will be great with a deep sink to hide the dirty dishes.

3) Stainless will look great in your kitchen

4) since you don't want to change the hood because of the molding maybe keep it. Maybe just take part of it down and replace that part with stainless like the photos.

before and after cherry kitchen

Updating cherry

how to update a kitchen with wood cabinets [without painting them]

Art of Transition -Kitchen · More Info

Kitchen Karma · More Info

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

mxk3 z5b_MI
3 years ago
I would definitely go with the stainless. Black stainless is going to be dark, but the bigger problem is if the color is discontinued and you have to go with another brand's version of it, it may (probably) won't match; worse if this color fad fades away over time (IMO it will) and will no longer be available when one of the appliances cr*ps out on you -- then you're stuck with a complete finish mis-match.
PRO
Randy Trainor
3 years ago
Here are two recent designs we have done. Notice how both have stainless steel appliances?
Contemporary Kitchen & Bath · More Info

Alpine Ski Home · More Info
thill8 thanked Randy Trainor
Related Discussions
Black stainless kitchen cabinet handles to match appliances
Q
Comments (4)
I understand that the black stainless is NOT a good thing. It's over, short but over. You will date your kitchen immediately from what I've read. Regular stainless is timeless.
...See More
Mix Black Stainless with Black Appliances in Kitchen?
Q
Comments (7)
Here is the photo of the kitchen before we moved in. The fridge in the photos is not the one that is there now. We put a 36" counter depth with wood paneling and the exposed compressor grill on top there now. In front on the right of the swing doors is the bar with full counter and pass through window. In a couple of years, we'll replace the counters, cabinets and floors. I forgot to say the floors are not the reddish/pink tint. It's a slight multi dirt brown and yeah. What can I say. Another chapter for another day with the floors. LOL. We have a lot of other priorities to fix and update that are rather costly and can't be ignored. I know a lot of people don't like the Black Stainless Steel but I love it. So the question remains, can we get away with a black dishwasher (to replace current one) and ice maker that will match the lower cabinets when they are painted black if we can't find the matching wood panels for them? Thanks all!
...See More
KitchenAid vs Samsung black stainless appliances
Q
Comments (5)
Recently researched appliances. My budget is somewhat slim since I'm redoing the whole house but GE's slide in range got good reviews, dishwasher I hear Bosch is the brand to go with, I bought a GE one with good reviews for $349. For counter depth I know the french door ones tend to get terrible reviews unless you go high end or you're willing to give up the ice maker and water dispenser. Yale Appliances website has some articles where they talk about which appliances need the most service calls which I found pretty helpful. I believe their GE cafe series got good marks across the board if you're looking to match all appliances.
...See More
Fingerprint Resistant Stainless or Black Stainless Appliances?
Q
Comments (3)
The problem with black appliances is that they absorb light like nobody’s business. Especially a fridge door. Also black stainless has been reported on this forum to scratch easily. Also, I’d be concerned that it’s a new color, and new appliance colors go out pretty fast, unlike classic stainless or white. And finally, black stainless is not very “farmhouse” if that is truly the look you are going for. Though the word “farmhouse” has been used so loosely and ubiquitously over the past few years, so who knows.
...See More
kculbers
3 years ago
I have read on many blogs that the black stainless appliances scratch easily. I would go with the plain stainless steel.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
Plain old stainless is IMO always the best choice for appliances and BTW look awesome with cherry I would in your space get to work on some much better lighting too
Maureen
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I would avoid black appliances and backsplash and consider what a lighter kitchen will feel like.

With your quartz, go with a light backsplash and since you are redoing, now is the time to change the hood.

Alpaca may be in adjoining room, but you need to consider what is best for kitchen and go lighter, but still complimenting family room.

When backsplash and paint color are similar, it creates a seamless flow in a small kitchen. I really like the combination below.

In regards to the lip, in reality it doesn’t hide that much and it’s a much nicer look without one.

Regarding beverage centre, I would make it a feature and tied more to dining area. Suggest cabinetry on bottom painted a similar color to your chairs and use cherry counter and shelving which will tie into your cabinetry.

Then add Roman blinds in a similar color and a new pendant to create a modern and inviting dining area.
thill8
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing. so many wonderful ideas and some that I was already planning. we never considered a black backsplash. It will definitely be a light tile to match counter tops. (Currently the granite carries a 4” backsplash). We were trying to decide between the black or stainless appliances. I also agree and really do like the look of the Roman shades and we are updating all the fixtures throughout our house. My initial plan is to replace desk cabinets and create a separate beverage center, but depends on budget. I’m totally open to painting what I have and raising them to support a wine fridge. I’m not sure I can really change out my hood because of the crown molding. We don’t plan on staying in our home more than another 5 years... so we are looking to do a modest facelift, not a complete kitchen makeover. :)

i was also planning to update my kitchen seating with neutral colored parsons chairs with flaps ad I like the French country look, but I really like the chairs and BM paint color you shared. Please share Links for the chairs and Roman shades of available!
Maureen
3 years ago
Unfortunately the blinds were not referenced. Suggest deciding on everything else and then decide on fabric, as you’ll probably need custom anyway. Maybe removing the wooden appliqué on the hood would make it feel less traditional. Oops about black backsplash; misread.
C Marlin
3 years ago
Another vote for stainless, it is just safer, get daring on other stuff.
chloebud
3 years ago
Definitely stainless.
Karolina Vizcaino
3 years ago
You could also paint the hood white or a lighter color and add a strip of stainless steel or black where the appliqué currently is. Something similar to the picture
thill8
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thanks, Boxerpal!

Interesting you shared the link to LilyAnnCabinets. They are actually located about 30 minutes from me here in Michigan. I saw the same cherry cabinets image on their Facebook page and contacted them last week as i really love their design and the backsplash tile that was used.

I did replace my appliances with SS - only have have arrived (cooktop) and double wall-oven combo. I'm still trying to get used to the SS appearance - and I'm not loving the fingerprints on the fingershield / resistant finish...lol. Dishwasher is scheduled for delivery today and the refrigerator mid-summer.

I will upload some more pictures of the desk space I plan to remove to create a new coffee & cocktails beverage center. and my personal vision board. I'm trying to decide between a soft white cabinet & the new Bonsai. I love the Bonsai - but not sure if I can commit to the color or rather pick it up in the space through accents (chairs, curtains, etc.). The entire process is overwhelming!

My other dilemma -- my built in desk is 21" deep and new cabinets are standard 24" - which will definitely encroach on my kitchen space. Also, beverage fridges are also standard 24" - but thinking of recessing it in the wall. Also, because it's only 72-74" max in width to work with, I'm thinking i want a small compact beverage cooler. 18X21 would be ideal -- but haven't been able to find it. I also need to think about cabinet layout and where to put the plumbing / sink for the beverage station. I was thinking of offsetting it to the left side to give me more continuous counter space.

Welcome any additional thoughts!