What is going on elsewhere in the house. It looks a little dated. I would paint those cabinets, change the light fixture, and the countertops... Save the cabinet money for other inprovements.

Agreed, paint would be an economical option for updates.

I agree with your kitchen designer and I would go darker than the trim. Stay away from stains with a red hue. Go for more of a true brown.

I agree go with dark cabinets and paint the walls in a nice blue gray. If you keep the flooring and the backsplash tile the dark will add a nice contrast. Loose the over head light if you can task lights are much better.

I think Liza Jane hit on it - stay away from the red hues. You can find brown tones that aren't too dark. The key is Intentional Contrast.

Another thought might be to add tile backsplash all around the window to create a color buffer between the existing oak trim and the new cherry cabinets.

Thought #3 is to replace the trim in just the kitchen to match the new cabinets. You could change just the crucial parts - in the photo, that would be the sink window and the door trim to the left of the range. Both lines should have options available for that.

I too agree with your designer. Going darker will look better with your light oak trim. I believe that going brown and not red is also the way to go. If on a budget, you could strip your current cabinets and stain a darker stain yourself.

But if you have the money and time off work would be an issue, than hire a professional to help with the purchase and install. I say to help with both, two reasons. 1.) this makes the contractor responsible for the materials. Should the arrive broken you won't have to deal with having to figure out when and how you will send it back etc. Leave that stress for someone else. 2.) the install should be done by a professional only if you want to make sure that they are attached correctly and should something happen during the install (scratches etc) again you are not responsible and the stress of correcting the situation falls to someone else.

I would keep the tile and flooring light as to not darken up the space. But with so much light coming from the bay window I believe that you will be fine :) Best of luck - can't wait for the after pictures.

I think that changing out the trim if needed once you decide what color you like with the cabinets would be the best idea. Once you get the cabinets in, or if you choose to paint them and do not like the way they look with the trim, change out the trim. The brown hue cabinets would look nice, a true brown. You could also update the backsplash then to develop a contrast between the darker cabinets and the backsplash. This way it may brighten up the room a bit. Our Sage 3''x6'' glass tiles would be a beautiful contrast, or possibly some of our other designs.

Thanks for the input. Going blue gray isn't going to work. I have lots of gold and rust in the adjoining family room. Also dark brown couches. Here is the cherry door she suggested. What you are seeing is the same door - the lighter door is new. The darker door is several years old. The cabinets will be 36 inches tall with a double stack of crown molding (6 inch total) to hide the 18 foot plumbing run on one side. I feel that if we go that dark on 3 sides of a 14 x 13 kitchen that it will be too dark.

Also, painting just the trim in the kitchen will not work because it is open to the family room. It would have to be an all or none sort of deal for the house.

Right now I am waiting on another Medallian door - cherry with pecan stain

If you stay with light floors and a light counter (like the Medallion photos), I don't think there is any risk of it looking too dark. I think you are on the right track.

There are very good paints on market. That are made for cabinets. They won't chip. A white would work. Then use money for counter tops. That will change your whole look for the better. Take color from counters for wall and backsplash. If going a more modern look use brush nickel pulls in cabs.

Extend granite on island out 18" so you can add bar stools. Lighting very important. Go can lights. If not in budget, track lighting in stainless from Ikea is great and not expensive. Ck them for all your needs. They measure and Install now.

Loss the red blinds and valance. Very dated. Lowes sells pleated shades go white. Get new chairs for table those oak ones are dated. No oak anywhere.

For chairs try Pier One for high back leather in a color. Flooring is not good. Are you thinking tile or wood?

Did the cabinets darken as much as the door on the right that I have pictured above? (April 17)

They have only been in for a year. I have not noticed a significant change.

Dura Supreme can also create a custom stain, if you know what you want and you can't find it... we can still make it. We send out a sample and make sure we matched what you want before placing the order. We can do this with all of our finish types.

yikes. oak and cherry... not great looking together. when faced with mixing woods, my rule is if you can avoid it, do, and just change the stain, so you don't have a lot of the same look. In your space I would've recommended getting oak cabinets in a dark finish.

Actually, we have decided to go with white shaker cabinets and a dark brown cherry island.

Here's a great example of how to mix woods, if you are going to go with it you will want a designer who can mix them with style...

If you can't find a stain, paint, hubby will just have to bite the bullet. You can save a lot of money painting instead of replacing. I painted my cabinets and am very happy with the results. Do it right, sand, prime, sand, paint. Painted cabinets are very popular right now. I'd never put in a dark stained cabinet, makes the room look smaller.

Sounds like a good choice. The white cabs with the dark island will give you the drama you were looking for without darkening your kitchen. It sounds like the "mixing" woods was too much! Which it would have been. Glad you have found a solution. Post photos when done!