I was going to paint my cabinets too, but then I came across this thread: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1021240521611.html Scroll down to the post from Celticmoon. I used General Finshes gel stain in java, but they also have a cherry gel stain: http://www.generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-wood-stains-sealers/oilbase-gel-stains I followed celticmoon's directions - they are very good. This will only work if you are going from a lighter stain to a darker stain (I am assuming your cabinets are currently stained) Liz

I would not paint those cabinets, especially if they are solid cherry. I would refinish them. Either stripped them and leave them naked (w/ only a waxed finish), or I would stained them darker chocolate brown. If you want a cottage farmhouse look, then maybe light stain with darker stain glazing to highlight distress and mimic age. I just think white is too stark & would make your floor looks dingy. Just an opinion. :-D

My suggestion to paint was based on the fact that the finish looks damaged in several spots. I think painting would be an easier task than stripping, restoring, and refinishing them. Also, since the wood is maple and not cherry, I don't think you'd want to refinish them anyway. Maple is nice on it's own but most people don't consider a natural maple as desirable as natural cherry. This is, of course, just a matter of taste/popularity, and there are some gorgeous natural maple kitchens on GW. However, getting your stained cabinets to a good, clean, natural maple finish would be quite difficult. I still think white cabinets in that kitchen would look beautiful, and they would look stunning with your counters. I also think the style of your cabinets would look better in white (or even in another painted color) than in any wood tone. If you are drawn to white cabinets, I think you should do it.

I wholeheartedly agree that if you want to paint your cherry cabinets, go for it! The "however's" are being put forth so you know what you might be getting into. Earlier this year, we contemplated having our maple cabinets painted as opposed to purchasing all new cabinets. Three different companies (from painters to remodelers to cabinet refinishers) provided on-site estimates. In every instance, we were told that for the time and effort it would take to do a proper job, expense-wise we were very close to the cost of purchasing new cabinets. I sensed hesitancy from all of them (reminds me of the resistance your GC gave you), so I wonder if this wasn't their collective way of saying either: 1) Given the time they'd have to devote to this job, they wouldn't make much money off the project, or 2) They didn't feel confident they could provide the near-factory finish (read: durable) results I was seeking. Telling me how expensive it would be might've been their way of steering me clear of having cabinets painted with less than satisfactory results (which would have made them look bad). My concern is that your GC is balking and basically saying, "We'll do it how you want us to do it." Therefore, if results are less than optimal, it's all on you. He's absolving himself of the responsibility if anything goes south -- and there's so much room for interpretation regarding what 'south' is. Is it possible for him to do a test piece, esp if you're up for a two-tone kitchen (per Amber's pic)? Good luck!