How to make a natural cherry kitchen more contemporary

[Anonymous]

Not OP but we have something similar and I think it could look really nice with some cabinet styles and colors like white. It looks very outdated with other cabinet styles though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the same issue as OP and I’ve been planning to replace counters to a marble-looking quartz, but I’m stuck on black splash. I don’t like white subway tile.

Both of the varigated greys look good in the above pictures.

I am the poster who was in same boat but honey oak cabinets. I found a lot of online photos posted by people in the same situation and how they updated via counters/backsplash/cabinet knobs. In fact I remember finding a a post by someone who showed comparison of all different metals (brushed nickel vs black matte vs brass etc) as hardware with honey oak cabinets.

Here is a good example of what I mean - the brass and hunter green look great with cherry cabinets: https://funcycled.com/diy/modernizing-a-kitchen-with-cherry-cabinets-without-painting-the-cabinets/

Blech, no. Red and green are opposites on the color wheel. Green will make cherry cabinets look more red. In the photo those cabinets are almost espresso though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t sound like this is a warm vs cool thing, it just sounds like you want a 2015 kitchen instead of a 2005 kitchen.

I think what you're thinking of doing already sounds dated. I would work with the cherry and change the hardware and countertops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the same issue as OP and I’ve been planning to replace counters to a marble-looking quartz, but I’m stuck on black splash. I don’t like white subway tile.

Both of the varigated greys look good in the above pictures.

I am the poster who was in same boat but honey oak cabinets. I found a lot of online photos posted by people in the same situation and how they updated via counters/backsplash/cabinet knobs. In fact I remember finding a a post by someone who showed comparison of all different metals (brushed nickel vs black matte vs brass etc) as hardware with honey oak cabinets.

Here is a good example of what I mean - the brass and hunter green look great with cherry cabinets: https://funcycled.com/diy/modernizing-a-kitchen-with-cherry-cabinets-without-painting-the-cabinets/

Blech, no. Red and green are opposites on the color wheel. Green will make cherry cabinets look more red. In the photo those cabinets are almost espresso though

I am not a fan of that kitchen Reno at all.

[Anonymous]

We painted our wood cabinets, but they were a knotty honey oak. Replacing cabinets was not in the budget and now we will focus on countertops and backsplash. No one is going to turn up their nose at a clean, white kitchen in our price range. That said, I agree you should not replace your cherry cabs. Have you seen the Chris Loves Julia primary bath?
https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/our-modern-cottage-bathroom-reveal/

I'm not crazy about the flooring and tile, but I love the cabinets/hardware/countertop combo.

[Anonymous]

OP, I wouldn't paint or stain the cabinets. I would look for a modern square-edged countertop. I would look for a counter that is mostly white, but with a small bit of warm/brown veining to tie it to the color of the cabinets. Next, you could consider adding just a small amount of warmth to the adjoining spaces. Could be as simple as a tobacco colored throw pillow or throw, or a caramel leather chair or sofa. This will help tie together the warm/cool colors and still keep things modern and clean.

[Anonymous]

And as for paint colors. If grey or greige is your thing, I would stick to a slightly warmer toned gray - one that has a touch of green or taupe in it. It will still read modern, but won't clash with the cabinets. SW repose gray is a good example. It looks really good against wood of all tones. I would steer clear of any grey that leans blue or purple. It will clash horribly with the cherry.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but thank you to PP for the last two posts. Super helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I wouldn't paint or stain the cabinets. I would look for a modern square-edged countertop. I would look for a counter that is mostly white, but with a small bit of warm/brown veining to tie it to the color of the cabinets. Next, you could consider adding just a small amount of warmth to the adjoining spaces. Could be as simple as a tobacco colored throw pillow or throw, or a caramel leather chair or sofa. This will help tie together the warm/cool colors and still keep things modern and clean.

Do you think Cambria Brittanica gold would be too much with cherry cabinets? I love it, but it has too much brown in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the same issue as OP and I’ve been planning to replace counters to a marble-looking quartz, but I’m stuck on black splash. I don’t like white subway tile.

Both of the varigated greys look good in the above pictures.

I am the poster who was in same boat but honey oak cabinets. I found a lot of online photos posted by people in the same situation and how they updated via counters/backsplash/cabinet knobs. In fact I remember finding a a post by someone who showed comparison of all different metals (brushed nickel vs black matte vs brass etc) as hardware with honey oak cabinets.

Here is a good example of what I mean - the brass and hunter green look great with cherry cabinets: https://funcycled.com/diy/modernizing-a-kitchen-with-cherry-cabinets-without-painting-the-cabinets/

Blech, no. Red and green are opposites on the color wheel. Green will make cherry cabinets look more red. In the photo those cabinets are almost espresso though

God no. looks worse with those awful brass knows.

That's a mean, mean, dark cherry too. I would 100% paint it or stain it. Leaning towards stain. There's people who can dip the doors to remove stain I think. Then only sanding to do is front and sides of cabinet. not too bad. I'd try myself.

[Anonymous]

knobs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you stain them a darker color? I don’t know if the red will still come through, but I think you could still get a modern look without painting.

I hadn’t thought of that…. Thanks!

Strongly advise against this. You'd have to have the entire finish stripped first. The labor costs will be staggering.

People might suggest gel stain (doesn't require stripping) but it'll be terrible for cabinets and it looks fake. Definitely test anything you try on a small sample first.

A gel stain, like any stain, still requires unfinished wood. You are talking about a glaze, which is like a translucent stain over sealed wood.