Help with Kitchen Update
We just recently replaces our countertops with quartz and added new appliances. The backsplash tile is on back order due to transportation issues.
I am having second thoughts about the cabinet color. As you can see, it’s a reddish maple. The cabinets are in great shape, and we are not planning to replace them, but I don’t think that they go with the countertops. My husband does not want to paint them. Do you think a darker stain would be the solution? How difficult is it to stain cabinets?
Comments (14)
4 years ago- 4 years ago
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Need help to update Floors, walls, vanity, mirror & window treatments
Comments (9)I agree with Diane's ideas! Grey is a nice color. The only thought I had on having a corner sink cabinet, you may not be happy with it in the end. You have a little corner, and the sink may be too small for you in the end along with not having any storage space. If you can't find any curtains that you love, try a cheap roller blind for now. It will give you a visual look and an idea if you want to stay with a curtain or going a bit modern with a patterned blind or even a roman type shade. It could turn the cozy look into a clean modern look. Framed mirrors are expensive. Call a glass company in your area and have them give you a price on mirrors. It might be quite nice to take the mirror down, and replace the wall there with a complete wall mirror to fit, stopping the mirror at the vanity, and continuing the mirror across the vanity between the sink and window. It will make your bathroom feel much bigger, even though you wont be able to see in the mirror over the sink. Close up the vanity doors with new door. Use props first (white poster to cover up the doors) etc. before you buy anything! Stick on tiles are a great idea! They clean nicely and look great. Although I wouldn't go with the wood look. Your bathtub tiles are old fashioned, go with a stick on floor tile that is easy to look at, try to get samples first. Remember Gray is a sleek clean modern color. It is not a cozy country color. If you don't like the grey in the end, maybe a real pale blue or butter yellow (that would be more of the cozy cottage look)....See MoreUpdating tired and odd exterior, please help!
Comments (7)I agree that you should take down the trellis but be aware that you'll probably need to extend your decking rail along that side in order to enclose the deck for building code purposes. If that's more of an expense than you're willing to incur right now, consider at least taking it down to the same height as the rest of your deck and putting a top railing across it. You could then put in some foundation plantings that would climb up and cover the fact that it runs in a different direction than the front of your deck. If I'm looking at it correctly, your gate gives you access to your front door from your drive way. Am I right? In that case, I think your gate should stay where it is. I agree with flair lighting that a new light is in order over your entry. If you like the idea of a motion light, they make decorative outdoor fixtures with motion lights built in. Your fence would definitely look nice painted a lighter color. Right now, as flair said, it's a bit unwelcoming. If you're painting your metal roof, take your house and trim colors from there to coordinate. You could definitely paint your scalloped trim a different color than the house. Matching it to whatever trim color you choose would look great. Do you use the steps from your deck to access your yard? If not, I would consider removing them and closing in that portion of the deck as well. If you do use them, I would add a hand rail for safety purposes. Congratulations on your new house and good luck with your project!...See MoreNeed help with updating living area
Comments (2)Why don't you live in the house for a while and get a feel for things. The curtains are bright but if they are still good quality / newish it would be a very expensive exercise to replace them (I have just spent a few thousand just on three rooms), you can always add a few red cushions or a red toned throw over your existing couch or a rug with a red tones in to it, to tone the red down, if required. Repainting the walls is cheaper than replacing curtains and a piece of art with red tones may also help. As far as furniture is concerned it would depend on what you like style wise. Why not send us a photo after you have moved in. You may find some of your concerns disappear once you are in and settled....See MoreNeed help with kitchen design
Comments (8)I think the L shape works for the shape of the room. I am not going to consider the appliances etc, personally I do not like a sink in the middle of the Island Bench so I think you have made the right choice there. The only thing that sticks out to me immediately is that your Island looks too small I think you should extend that out to make the end flush with the length of your cabinets on the garage wall side. It looks like you could probably add another meter onto that end, which will add more seating, more storage and to me would appear more balanced....See More- 4 years ago
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4 years ago- PRO4 years ago
I would start by changing the lighting to all LED 4000K bulbs then choose a wall color I do agree that having cabinets painter professionally is the only way to go and it will cost as much as new cabinets or close to it. I think your cabinets are fine now just clean thme really well, and choose a wall color I think maybe anice gray/ green will help and aslo remove all the word art and get some nice art for the wall I see on the right A nice roman shade with some color including the wall color .This is a color I really like with wood tones anf if you like it a bit lighter I cut it 25% quiteoften
- 4 years ago
PRO4 years ago- 4 years ago
We're not really seeing adjacent space to give holistic advice that takes it all in. Please provide more photos of the bigger space. The lighting and painting advice is definitely a way to go. Once you have that, remove all those little decor items. I have a feeling a larger art work in the rest of the space would really make a big change.
Not suggeting this bold subject (necessarily) but a big piece in a subject you like in a palette of grays and golds could look beautiful with your existing cabinets, new gray walls, better lighting.
HORSEHEAD Contemporary Fine Art Gallery Wrapped on Giclee Canvas, 40"x40" · More Info 
PRO4 years agoPerhaps, as other suggested, painting the walls and updating the hardware is all that's needed. Both of those things will improve your kitchen immensely.
Modern Napa · More Info- 4 years ago
I wanted to show you the installed backsplash. Took your advice and changed lighting and cabinet hardware, and it made a big difference already. Now, we’re working on the wall color. Some of you already suggested colors.
I have two more questions: Should we get rid of the bookshelf? I have it half-emptied already, and should I paint the island? Husband loves it, and it provides some storage and preparation space, but I miss my open kitchen.
Hope Stewart