Project: The lower kitchen cabinets 01/20/11
I love my kitchen. It’s as close to perfect as I could have hoped for. I’ve always wondered why on earth anyone would have ripped out those charming old windowpane cabinets they put in the older houses. When we stepped into our 1927 bungalow for the first time, I was absolutely giddy to find a set still intact and in such a wonderful color.
But here’s the situation…back in the day, they didn’t account for newfangled contraptions like dishwashers and garbage compactors, so the old set of lower cabinets got hacked up and eventually replaced with new. One of my winter projects is to find a color that compliments the upper deck. Maybe that’s a cream…maybe it’s a darker green of the same value…I don’t know, but I sure would love some suggestions. Any ideas?
We’ll tackle the Zbrick back splash another day.
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15 Responses to this article
I think a wonderful color to use would be; eggplant color and it would showcase the beautiful celery looking vintage cabinets.
I love, love, love that color green! I was going to paint my cabinets that color until we put in a floor made up of lovely green wood from an old roller skating rink. So, I am going to go with a cream color cabinet with a light yellow paint on the walls. I say go with cream!
Misted lilac, burnt orange, or barn red over black
I agree with Suzzie I think an eggplant color would be beautiful!
How about a pretty blue? Something vintage-y like a cornflower blue?
Oh man, Zbrick! My mom used that stuff all over our kitchen, along with teapot wallpaper. Kooky! But at least it has more kitsch factor thna my bathroom tile counters and back splash. Ugh!
For the lower cabinets, have you considered a darker stain? There are the polystains that go right over the old finish and work well. I like the idea of a creamy white, too, but then you have to consider the cleaning factor.
Behr has a wonderful color called “Antique Lace” that would be a good compliment to the green.
In my grandfather’s house, which was built in 1928, the top glass fronted cabinets were a pale green, the back splash was the same as the countertop, a slightly darker green, and the lower cabinerts were an antiqued cream. The walls were stiple plastered and painted a light cream. The aluminum knobs and handle pulls really set off the cream.
It’s not my favorite but I have seen a light orange used with that green for vintage decor and it worked really good. I personnally would like a blue tone. I have also seen a red with it but it has to be the right shade for sure. The red may even work better because of the modern appliances and brick work.
Wow!!! Thank you for all the thoughtful and detailed feedback!
I’m thinking cream. Martha has some really lovely, warm creams. My last kitchen was white beadboard, so I don’t think that keeping it clean is such a worry. I have a toddler, so everything is constantly being wiped down anyway. :)
I’ll be sure to post updates as I get through these projects.
Thanks again!
-Alana
kitchen designer here that is in love with any vintage stuff and love your cabinets…How about painting the lower cabinets black and paint that backsplash white or cream… really cool. good luck!!
Gayle,
The black is certainly intriguing. I hadn’t considered that option. Maybe I should do some Photoshop work and compare the different colors.
Thanks! Lucky me, getting expert kitchen design advice! :)
What kind of paint did you use? oil-based? matte?
First I used Glidden “Gripper” primer, meant to go over pre-finished and pre-painted surfaces. Then I used Martha Stewart paint in “Talc” with a satin finish. I’m not into high-gloss finishes and the satin still gives the ability to clean that you need in the kitchen. Everything is latex.
I think a cream with an antiquing glaze would look great! That’s what my upper cabinets are, the lower are red with glaze on them.