apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

ditto remove the doors only.

I would paint them white. I think the counters would be fine with white, if you make sure you pick the right shade and undertone -- you could paint a big posterboard the color you have in mind and lay it on the counter to make sure you pick the right paint. But you'll probably have to paint the rest of your kitchen, too.

I like glass doors on cabinets, but not completely open.

Have you ever watched Design to Sell on HGTV? Watch it a few times, they have fabulous, inexpensive kitchen remodels that bring in the serious bucks when it's time to sell.

I personally think white would be horrible with the granite counters as well as your white appliances. You really need some contrast. You could paint the cabinets a neutral taupe tone or another neutral tone that works with the granite and then get some nice hardware to make it look more custom. That is what I would do. Your other option would be to stain the cabinets a darker, richer color and then add the hardware.

That's my two cents! Good luck!

I also think white would be a really nice combo with the countertops. Possibly something with a touch of cream to it. I really like the simple shape of your cabinet doors--kind of a shaker look.

If you're nervous about the resale effect of painting, you can also look into refacing your cabinets with white/offwhite paneling...it supposedly is an inexpensive option.

No do not paint them white. As you can see the cabinets granite and flooring were all picked to coordinate. However I'm not sure why they picked white appliances those stick out like a sore thumb. I see that you don't like the kitchen but to me it seems like you would decrease the value of the condo by changing that . I would just update the appliances to the stainless variety. I personally love a white modern look but I just can't see ripping all of that out if you are only going to be there a short time.

look into replacing the stove with a stainless one, that will only increase the value of your home. then think about painting the refrigerator with chalkboard paint, or just add the stainless panels to it. then, please! paint your walls something other than white/cream. thats the real problem.

the cabinets are the best thing in that kitchen! good luck!!

oops that should have been, Designed to Sell

One thing, do not change the appliances to stainless. In six years that will definitely be played out by then.

I like either staining or painting the cabinets. If you paint, match them to a lighter shade in the counter top material. The tan matte in the picture frame could be a good match, in fact.

take some doors off. line them with some fancy cloth or paint them. and put your cookbooks in them. i was reading another post and someone put a sheet of aluminum on each door instead of painting it. i think it was an earlier post in "the kitchen"

I agree, try taking off the doors, on top only. You're going to have to in order to paint, anyway. See what you think. If you have cute stuff it's fun.

Your cabinets are not that bad, and you some really cute art. I love the look of all white, I think what bothers me is that granite, but there's nothing you can do about that. Six years is not that long, I wouldn't change the appliances.

There are a lot of great suggestions here. I love the idea of taking the doors off. If you want the all modern look, you can paint the shelves white and use all simple, white dishes, and perhaps a white ceramic canister set on the counter. However, you state that you are not a great DIYer. What you should know is that if you decide to paint it, it is a huge job involving primer, filling holes if you take the doors off, etc. I don't know what your budget is, but if you decide to paint the cabinets maybe you should hire someone.

I hope that Curtis will respond to this post, because he really knows the ins and outs of painting.

If you decide not to paint the cabinets, maybe you can just paint the wall.

If you paint, why do white. It's boring.

Try adding some modern hardware first. That might be all you need.

Instead of removing doors, try replacing them with glass insert doors. Use a nice decorative or frosted glass. Put lighting inside once you add the frosted or art glass. Inexpensive rope-light can be hidden along the face frame and won't show when the doors are closed but will make a nice glow. Or you can use those $20 (@ Home Depot) puck lights.

I painted my cabinets and added modern hardware - they were a lot worse looking than yours (which I'd be happy to have!) a glossy warm brown/taupe color and the face-frame a glossy black. To each their own though...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7878321@N03/500154873/

Before :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7878321@N03/500154783/

Leave them alone.....you are taking value out when you go to re-sell.

I don't know if I'd go with white, but painting or staining sounds better than taking the doors off, unless your kitchen is super-minimal and the shelves are less cluttered than mine. If you do paint or stain - get a professional. I did my own once, but cabinetry is a lot harder than walls - sanding, filling holes, etc. The next time I did it, I hired someone and he did a great job (this was not in LA, so I have no recommendations). I'd say stain it a lighter color if you want the resale value. If you were planning to stay, I'd say paint it a bright color that pops against the white.

I like the idea of glass doors or re-staining to wenge-color (though that's pretty trendy too, it might be a nice contrast to the sharp white appliances).

your white appliances are fine, stainless is played out : )

Is that a popcorn ceiling ?

i think a nice combo of the comments above:

- take off the top cabinet doors, leave them open... it will cost you nothing, where as glass doors will run you up a bit

- stain the wood a darker richer color, it will still work with the granite and flooring (and make sure to go DARK, it has to look intentional.)

- paint the kitchen walls

- leave the appliances alone, changing them can get costly and in 6 years it might not be what their looking for... it also sounds like you don't have an issue with them, just the cabinets

send in an after of what you do change!

p.s. i would also hold off on hardware... it can also be pricey esp with the amount of cabinets you have, and styles of hardware WILL be different in 6 years... it also means putting holes in your clean doors.

you can do smaller jobs like that when youre about to sell, and you can purchase something current.

that laminate counter top is not too pretty, I'd replace that 1st. Get rid of the pop corn ceiling too... it would be nice for the back splash to reach the upper cabinets.

painting factory finished cabinets is not easy task.

they will need to have the finish broken with sanding, then you have to figure out how to get the paint on in a way that looks great or you will notice. the usual way to do this is spraying but that is still not going to keep the paint from chipping or coming off easily.

i'd stick with fixing the ceiling. get some nice hardware. repaint the walls in a color other than white. get a couple of chilewich mats and call it finished ... unless your condo is country, the painted cabinet thing is not gonna work well.

Hate is a very strong word. Nobody should live with something they hate. It's not healthy. You want white cabinets? Go get yourself some white cabinets. That's what I did. Before and after.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/498191980/in/set-72157600128826994/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/art_chel/499584443/in/set-72157600128826994/

It's time, labor and materials. 6 years is a long time. Go for it! I sold my old cabinets above in less than 24 hours on Craig's list and was on my way to getting what I wanted.
Please do not try to paint them! You will be very sorry. You really could make a huge change by adding some cool hardware and new appliances. I seriously cannot give that microwave away.

If you don't want to go as far as I did, this is what I would do.
Replace the appliances. Get a cabinet depth refrigerator-24" deep. Get a good stove and oven (viking or wolf) and an exhaust hood-- this will cost you but what it will do is raise the value of your condo immediately, no questions asked. Get rid of the microwave and all those upper cabinets. You could get a regular microwave and put it somewhere else if you use a microwave a lot. Replace the upper cabinets with glass cabinets and light them from inside or underneath.

If you want a white kitchen, you have to clean house and start from scratch.

Why not stain them darker and add some nice hardware. It would be much better than paint. Or white.

other posts were saying your countertops were granite but they look laminate to me...i would change that to a light colored countertop see if that helps. I would also stain them a bit darker. I'm not a fan of white appliances with dark wood cabinetry - if you can I'd go for oiled bronze .

if you're not married to the wood i'd paint them a slate gray and change the countertop...

art, your kitchen is drool-tastic.

boomer, I also really like how you repainted your cabinets. more modern looking but also funky and interesting.

I think that white cabinets would be fine. I'd keep the countertops if they are granite but replace if laminate.

I am not a fan of open shelving in kitchens. Unless you have cleaning staff, you will find yourself having to clean greasy, dusty dishes and shelves on a regular basis. Also, unless you are Martha, exposed dishes and kitchen clobber creates a lot of visual clutter. Cabinet doors actually do serve a purpose.

I would change the appliances to stainless and then pick a paint color that works with the granite countertops and the cabinets. I think that is the best way of making your space look more pulled together while adding resale value rather than subtracting. As far as I'm concerned, stainless steel has always and will always have a place in the kitchen, as evidenced by the heavy use of stainless in nearly every professional kitchen in existence.

paint the wall green above the counter top, add under cabinet LED lighting (you need to see what your hands are preparing).
remove the one large upper cabinet door in the left of the photo and replace with a museum quality picture frame (framing the open shelves).
this is where your passion will grow.

I actually like your cabinets, and you could spice them up a bit with new door pulls. Personally, I would be disappointed to find out that wood cabinets had been painted over if I was a perspective buyer.

I agree with Lisa, if those are already new appliances, don't buy stainless steel appliances now. That will not be a major selling point by the time you want to sell...

Are the countertops granite, or laminate. If they are laminate, maybe swapping them for something you like better would be the most affordable. Then paint the walls and add accessories.

If it just hadn't been redone, I would say do what makes you happy, regardless of resale potential. However, since it has been newly renovated, it seems like a waste of money and resources to do too much at this point.

Take the doors off? Have all of you design fetishists forgotten that a kitchen is for food?

Tamar- before you do anything like that as a fashion statement, first think about how you like to cook, store and serve FOOD. Are you willing to be a slave of creating still life compositions out of cereal boxes on open shelves? Do you want to rewash already washed glasses before use?

Azov Stuyot

But, I also agree, that 6 years is a long chunk of your life, and you should feel comfordable in the happiest room in your house.

I agree with updating the appliances. I think your problem with the cabinets is that they clash with the appliances??

The white appliances look new so you should be able to sell them for a good price as a package (while they are still know). Use that cash to help toward good quality Stainless Steel apps with maybe a range hood.

This way for 6 years you enjoy the new appliances and think of the difference when your buyers walk in and see stainless instead of white!

In my kitchen, I've painted the cabinets white, the appliances are white, and the walls are yellow (I have a minimal amount of wall showing showing, so a bright color on the walls is just a nice accent). ...BUT, it works because I have a light tile countertop.

In your case, the countertop is too dark to paint the cabinets white. It will probablly look like the countertop has no visual support. I think you should paint or stain the cabinets a dark color (like chocolate brown or slate grey), and put a nice bright color on the walls.

I have to agree with the majority of comments that the white cabinets wouldn't look great with your countertops. I also feel that people should love where they live, it's a reflection of you - even if you're only going to be there for 6 years. If it was me, I would paint the cabinets a khaki (make sure the color works with the floor and the counterops) and then paint the back wall a color you like that will tie your rooms together (living room? dining room? whatever is off the kitchen). I love hardware, but wouldn't mess with adding holes to your cabinets.