Cool furniture, design objects and desiderata

[Bromley]

Just bought a place. Any advice on what I can do with the kitchen without replacing the cabinets? Wanted to brighten it up a bit, and I like the green kitchen cabinets trend I've been seeing lately, but not sure it would work with the existing cabinets?

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Stained wood is never great, but the kitchen doesn't look so bad. Given that the frame/panel design is simple and modern, you could easily change the feel of the room by painting the cabinets and face frames. If you wanted to swap out doors and drawers like GDL suggested, you'd want to make sure all the colors match. If you go that route, you'll also have the opportunity to choose new pulls and handles to suit the new style. Otherwise, not so bad as is.

 

[sugarbutch]

I'd use it as-is until it's time for a remodel.

 

[venessian]

Just bought a place. Any advice on what I can do with the kitchen without replacing the cabinets? Wanted to brighten it up a bit, and I like the green kitchen cabinets trend I've been seeing lately, but not sure it would work with the existing cabinets?

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Nothing more to contribute really other than to agree with the predominant sentiments expressed:
> Leave the kitchen cabinets as they are for now.
> Save the money for a true remodel in future.

If you like green as a future color, that's fine, but green is not a very reflective color unless more white/grey green (or mint/pistachio/etc ) so the kitchen will not be brightened much if at all going from the current dark brown to dark/forest green. The paneled cabinet design and the huge crown molding are contributing more to any perceived darkness/heaviness than the brown cabinet color per se imo.

 

[Jr Mouse]

I’d leave it as is. I agree the cabinets are too dark, but you would be better off just living with it for a while. Save for a full remodel down the line.

 

[GeneralEmployer]

Just bought a place. Any advice on what I can do with the kitchen without replacing the cabinets? Wanted to brighten it up a bit, and I like the green kitchen cabinets trend I've been seeing lately, but not sure it would work with the existing cabinets?

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This presents the ole existential crisis: what to do with something that’s new and in good shape, but but-ugly? I’d normally prescribe a do-over pre-move, but the price of plywood has jumped 100%. Not sure if cabinet prices have jumped accordingly. In any event, having the cabinets painted properly would be $. Truly a pickle this one.

 

[hayaoyamaneko]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Remodel is not in the budget right now, so will probably leave it as is and revisit it in a year or two.

 

[Wrenkin]

Cabinets seem fine. Just think of them as museum calf.

 

[Van Veen]

Stained wood is never great

This should have started a big fight. The threak is slipping!

 

[Bromley]

Well I'll try it again. Stained wood is never great.

 

[SixOhNine]

Stained wood is never great.

 

[GeneralEmployer]

Well I'll try it again. Stained wood is never great.

100%.

Bromley -- let me ask you a question. It seems that you're open to painting wood furniture as no big deal. I always assumed that the way people paint wooden furniture on design shows was crazy, because it wouldn't last and ultimately would destroy the piece. I always assumed you could get wooden furniture painted "professionally," but most "professional" things are a scam. Can the average person paint wooden furniture and not destroy it in the process? Ples set me straight on this.

 

[Bromley]

For sure. Milk paint is great, and was traditionally used by the Shakers. Linseed oil paint can also look really nice. Both are easy for DIY. Just follow the instructions on the product packages/websites, and things will turn out nicely.

 

[double00]

This should have started a big fight. The threak is slipping!

is ammonia fuming not amount to staining? is freaking beautiful

 

[Bromley]

Ammonia fuming can produce beautiful results, but it's fundamentally and aesthetically different from staining.

 

[Loathing]

I would repaint those cabinets in a colour you like and change the pulls to something more elegant and substantial. I don’t think it will be especially costly and can be totally transformative.