Too much oak in my kitchen, should I stain and/or paint?
Hayley L
10 years ago
We just bought this house and hoping to be here a long time. I'm just sticking to the main level for now and specifically the kitchen. There are oak cabinets and oak trim, nice SS appliances, and updated dark granite counter tops. I'm thinking about staining or painting the cabinets dark, and painting the trim white, but do dark cabinets go with an almost black granite counter tops? (I don't want to sink too much money in it since we just spent most our money buying the house, so I'm planning on doing it myself.)
Below is a pic of my kitchen (excuse the mess) and then there is a pic I found which is sort of what I'm envisioning...
Thanks for your input!
Below is a pic of my kitchen (excuse the mess) and then there is a pic I found which is sort of what I'm envisioning...
Thanks for your input!
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Comments (6)First thing you need to understand is the scope of the project and what your abilities and experience will cover. Do you have any experience managing a construction project? Have you ever scheduled a construction project? Have you drawn up a trades (i.e. framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc., etc..) contract? Have you ever dealt with the permitting office in pulling permits? Have you ever inspected any construction for quality and compliance to the design documents? Have you ever dealt with inspections or construction deficiencies and had to resolve them with the sub-contractors? If you can't answer yes to all these questions, then you're venturing into a field you know little or nothing about. Any mistakes or stumbles you make in your learning curve are most likely going to be costly in both time and your budget. There are some projects that are DIY level.......there are some that would best be left to those of us already having the background and experience. Let me give you an example. I have an oak tree beside the house I'm renovating. It sits about 12' from the end of the house and has at least a 30' radius drip line which means it extends out over the roof of the house. Having spent a number of years of my young life on a ranch and farm, I know how to drop trees. I know how to operate a chain saw safely without loosing a limb or making a quick trip to the ER. From years in the construction / design field, I know how to operate a high lift ......... but even I know that the task of removing this tree is beyond my level in spite of my willingness and wish to save the $3500 I've been quoted. There are some things best left to the pros. Besides, If I drop a 14" diameter limb on the roof, I would never hear the end of it from my wife. Based solely on the questions you asked, I would highly recommend that you hire an Architect to help you with the design and your budget. Then I would find a well recommended GC to do the job......I'm betting you'll make the most of your limited budget going this route....See MoreHELP: Small L-shaped kitchen with refuse chute on wall!
Comments (10)Are you saying that cooking next to the chute would gross you out even if its covered? Andd to use it for its intended purpose? In the first picture, it looks like the stove is directly underneath the chute, but I can see in other pics that it is not. I think it is far enough away. If everything is bagged properly, it shouldn't be that bad. You will have to check on local code regarding having the stove next to the window. Code may make your decision for you. People usually just put shorter cabinets above that type of range hood. I would recommend doing so because you need all the storage you can get. The hood--being different from the bank of cabinets--will provide relief to the eye. With cabinets above, it'll still feel balanced. And, as for covering the chute, do you want to cover it and restrict access or do you still need to use it for its intended purpose and just want to camouflage it? To help the room feel pleasant, cheery, and light, I recommend using a glass tile. Even though it's applied to a wall, the translucency still shows and evokes a sense of the adjectives above. I think it would help keep things light. Consider a slightly higher toe-kick underneath the lower cabinets. It helps to create a lighter-footed feeling. You could also consider cabinets that have furniture style feet. for a more open feeling. Your kitchen seems like an ideal room to use modern, lacquered cabinets. I don't know if you like the super-modern look, but I think it could be nice. Maybe just for the uppers. Use a medium-to-light toned wood on the bottom. A limestone floor might be nice. Or you can do wood or laminate. You could go with dark or light. I think it's mostly about preference....See MoreDoes Cement Tile Stain?
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PROBarbara Griffith Designs
10 years agowinterriver
10 years agoshedrivesatruck
10 years ago
PROThos. Baker
10 years agolast modified: 10 years agoYou have a great kitchen to work with, so if you decide to paint the cabinets, I would consider going with a lighter color, such as cream or gray. But, if you prefer dark shades, perhaps a dark gray. I'd still go lighter or at least have some color for contrast.
Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
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PROSharon Charboneau, RESA Pro, Interior Stylist
10 years agoJeanne Reuter
10 years ago
PROJulie Smart Koob, REALTOR
10 years agoEsmerelda Smith
8 years agoshedrivesatruck
8 years agoEsmerelda Smith
8 years agolaurie0714
5 years ago- PRO
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5 years agoI agree with the other posters, your oak cabinets look great! I wouldn't go darker with the cabinets since you already have a black countertop. I think it will make the room look like a black hole. If you want to break up the wood, what about only painting (or staining) the island a darker color only??
Love your idea of painting the trim (and walls) white.
shedrivesatruck
5 years ago
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