I need help!
Ha...that title really sums up how I am feeling all around BUT today we are going to focus on the kitchen. Many of you know that Mike moved into our new house last Monday. Here we are at our new home.
Right now, our kitchen has terrible floors, white cabinets (only 4 of them) and white counter tops. We have decided to redo the kitchen but we are stuck with what to do. Our appliances are new and white and we can't afford to buy all new stainless steel. Here is the current kitchen
We want to add extra cabinets, tile the floor, and add a granite counter top. Should we buy new white cabinets (matching the appliances) and put on a black counter top? .jpg)
Here are some "real" kitchens with this look.... (without stainless steel)
Or, do light maple cabinets (they are a lot cheaper in price) with the white appliances and a black counter top?.jpg)
Now, for "real" kitchens...
OR...we could do the maple cabinets with a lighter granite...
Why must I over-analyze EVERYTHING!?! I know that I am driving Mike crazy but when we are spending thousands of dollars on something, I want to LOVE it!
Please help me...what are you opinions?!?!
First of all, I like white appliances. I know stainless steel is big right now, but quite frankly, I'm sick of seeing it in every.single.house. I'm kinda ready for people to branch out. I think white is classic, and will look great with whatever you choose for the rest of the kitchen.
Second, are you sold on granite? Don't get me wrong - I love granite. But there are a TON of countertop options out there. Again, I feel like granite is permeating every single home, thanks to HGTV, and while it's great, it's not the one and only. You may find that another type of surface will fit your needs better than granite. Just make sure you do a bit a research. ;)
Anyway, now that I've blabbed about stuff you don't care about, on to your dilemma.
My choice is light maple cabinets and dark countertops. And actually, I'm surprised that's my choice, cause I love white cabinets. But the light maple actually looks amazing with the dark countertops and the white appliances. Plus, it's cheaper. Which means you can use that money somewhere else...always a plus!
i agree with kristal--you dont HAVE to go with granite--but i like the dark contrast. I like the light maple or the white cabinets but then again im partial to white--actually, i am in the process right now of redoing our kitchen and we took our oaky cabinets and painted them white. But like she said, if you got with the cheaper cabinets, you;ll have more money to go elsewere!
i think it also all depends on what kind of floor you have and if you plan on changing that too.
i will tell you, i have been cussing A LOT, it's a lot of work, but now, i look at our cabinets and its all worth it! good luck!!!!
My personal favorite is the white cabinets and black counter tops, however I also really like the light maple cabinets and the light counter tops. I'm not a fan of the maple/balck combo.
I completely agree with Jenn. Makes it much easier than writing it all out again :) FWIW, though, I'm just not digging the very last picture...it's TOO light, not enough color.
I agree with Jenn & Jen. I love the white cabinets. They brighten up a kitchen very nicely. Good luck!!
I like the white cabinets, not at all a fan of the white maple. Although I can understand why you want the floor to ceiling for storage, etc, I would be sad to see that adorable architectureal arch over the sink go away (I even like the brick & your cute retro floor--I wish our floor was black & white instead of this blah dirt-beige tile)! It gives your kitchen character! Honestly, the most I'd do at the moment is replace the doors on the cabinets under the sink, paint over the yellow (I can see red or a light aqua to punch up the retro feel), and possibly change the countertop (as other said, you don't have to invest in granite. People ask us if ours is granite all the time but it's just laminate)
(ehh...FLOOR to ceiling? that's not exactly what I meant...lol)
I love Lynn suggestions. I agree the brick is awesome, I would never get rid of that! And once you replace the countertops (I love the black), I think it'll look gorgeous. Then paint over the yellow... don't have a color suggestion, though.
You're kitchen is really cute, already.
Thanks girls for your suggestions. However, sorry to tell you...the brick isn't real. It is faux-brick...who makes that?!?! Also...the floor may look cute and "retro" but it is yellow and blue (not black and white). It is also discolored and pulling up in the corners of the room :( Also, we don't HAVE to get granite but we have a friend that can get it at a very low price so we figured that we could afford that! Thanks again ladies...I really appreciate your opinions and help :)
Girl you just need to pick something that you and Mike like. It doesn't matter what other peoples kitchens look like or what anyone else thinks? Pick what YOU like and go with it.
I'm actually digging the first picture of the 'real kitchen' after Mike made his Photoshop version with light maple. And did I ever mention that I'm super jealous of his PS skills??
I like the light maple, it's what we chose because it was inexpensive and 'warmer' than bright white. We also chose a laminate counter top that looks like granite in pictures [I agree with Lynn, everyone always asks where we got it....Lowes, for seriously like $40!]. I also like the idea of warm browns in your countertop, but again....I'm partial because that is what we chose.
Whatever you choose, know that if you do this project on your own it WILL suck. Like Amy said [and I'm sure Kristal will agree] doing a kitchen is freaking stressful. So be ready for some curse words.
I agree! I think Mike's photoshop mock-up is the best option!
i personally really like the white cabinets and black countertops. the cabinets in your "mock-up" are very modern and totally match the black, white and red color scheme.
good luck deciding! either way it will be exciting to have a completely different-looking room :)