Moving Forward-At A Snail's Pace

Finally, finally...the impossible has happened. My kitchen redeaux is moving forward. After completely stalling out for the last three months, for various reasons...some of which are related to my traveling and my, um, indecisiveness...things are back on track and our prospective start date is Oct. 3. Hooray! So, what's happened since May?  Well, after much research and agonizing, I picked out some granite.  I say "I" because Wife Whisperer has left these things largely up to me. Believe me, I give him a chance to throw in his two cents but I think he really wishes I wouldn't.  Anyhow...granite: chosen.

It's called "Delirium" which WW gets an enormous kick out of, for reasons I pretend not to grasp.

It's pretty crazy but oh! so lovely. We've got our new fridge installed and, now that we've been using it for a while, I LOVE it. Love the design, the freezer drawer, the clean lines of it (we opted for no water dispenser in the door,) and the French doors.  The best part of it is that, while it looks like stainless steel, it's some sort of super duper finish that doesn't leave fingerprints. Love.

Our other appliances, including this gorgeous Kenmore Pro 30" duel fuel range, are parked in the garage. I can hardly wait to use this thing.  Maybe something edible will come from my kitchen yet. Actually, I fancy myself a pretty good cook but the range I've been using for the last 16 years has considerably lessened that impression.

This is our splurge...a built in Electrolux beverage center.  WW was resistant to this idea, at first.  But, when he realized he could sit at the table and, while playing poker, reach the beverage center...without ever having to leave his seat...he warmed right up.

The only decision left, before we can order cabinets, is the color.  I'm torn between a painted warm white with chocolate glaze...

And a lovely stained maple...not too dark...with the chocolate glaze.  My contractor, who is a really cute, sweet guy, really knows his stuff.  He's pushing for the white on the basis that every white kitchen he's done has turned out fabulous. He's also telling me, and this is true, that white is what the decorating magazines are featuring.  White was my first choice but the stain is really warm and rich. White....stain....white...stain... You see my dilemma. They're both beautiful and I really can't go wrong, either way. But, I need help or it may be another three months.  If you click on the photos above (for a bigger view) and give me your thoughts, I'd love it.  So would Wife Whisperer.  And my contractor.  And the cabinet guy.

xxoo

Comments

[Glory Mooberry]

I agree with the warm white. It will show off the granite better, and, unless your kitchen is really large, the white will keep it lighter - brown would make it darker and muddy, plus, half of the neat stuff in the granite would tend to disappear.

Know you will enjoy it whatever your choice. (WHITE)

[NancyK]

Love your granite choice and I like the white cabinets; white always makes a kitchen feel open and welcoming, but keeping them looking good is a problem. Personally, I love cherry wood with a clear finish. There is nothing as beautiful as natural cherry. My cabinet-maker hubby installed them in my kitchen with simple Shaker style doors and drawer fronts;I love them! Good Luck with your remodel.

[Sandra]

Love the granite. Yes, do go with warm white cabinets as it would add a more comfortable feeling to the kitchen rather than just white. Follow your inner designer, you are the one who will be living and working in the kitchen.

[Kate]

Got to go with the white and loving the whole kitchen layout.

[Suzanne Lee]

I like the white. It won't compete with whatever dining furniture you choose and the granite gives you enough darks and browns to blend.

[Beth Marx]

Hi Deryn, Your kitchen will be just gorgeous no matter which cabinets you choose. I too just had my kitchen redone and I love it, what a huge difference a new kitchen makes. I did gray, non shiny Silestone for my countertops with mahogany cabinets and stainless appliances. Given that, I do favor the richness of the wood cabinets and it sounds like you do too although your contractor is pushing for the white. From the renderings, the white looks great, light and bright and gives the kitchen a more casual look while the renderings with the wooden cabinets have a richer, more sophisticated feel. So the question is, what look are you going for and what look will be most satisfying to you in the long run. Your granite is beautiful and either cabinet will be beautiful with it. Have you picked out your sink yet? One of my favorite things is my new Blanco Silgranit sink which I'd highly recommend. Good luck and can't wait to see pics of the finished kitchen. - Beth

[Susie]

Beaautiful granite!

The Chocolate glaze ties everything together, the white adds a bit of a jolt. Makes for more of a visual muddle.

Bottom line is you have to live with it for a long time, it's your gut feelings that matter.

I had a friend who couldn't decide about carpet for her living/dining room area. She liked one thing, an interior decorator friend wanted another. But my friend didn't trust her gut feelings, the decorator won, because she must know what's best. My friend has hated it ever since, Years.

How about a muted brick red glaze? lol

[Emily]

Your granite selection is gorgeous! I'm so jealous! :)

As far as the cabinets go: I prefer the white, they're so bright and modern. I've never become tired of white cabinets over time. The best feature of them, in my opinion, they match everything. Want to change wall color, tile, rugs or curtains, you'll never have to worry about the colors you pick clashing with your cabinets.

[Doris L]

I think the white would set off that absolutely gorgeous granite better than the stain would.

[Laura Twiford]

I'm not sure I will be of much help, because I can see myself in this same dilemma. I love the warmth of wood and natural colors however, I lean towards the white for the brightener factor when everything else is darker, plus I find myself drawn to that shabby chic look in magazines and blogs lately. Either way it will look beautiful according to those pictures so go with your instincts. You're the one that has to wake up to it every day. Good Luck!

[Monica]

We recently remodeled our kitchen. I've always wanted white cabinets. But I like an 'antiqued' looked, so we went with a faux finish (basically a glaze) over the white and they are beautiful! They just look like they have been around a long time and aged perfectly... But, I do agree with Laurie.... It's your kitchen~ You will be living in it, you really do need to go with your gut. I think either finish would really be gorgeous with your granite. Look at it like this. You LOVE the granite (and we can all see why). That was the big decision. Cabinets can always be re-painted, or striped and stained. Don't stress over it too much... Good luck!

[Chris Kerr]

GORGEOUS granite! And I love BOTH colors of cabinets~~no help at all! lol

[cara letho]

white white white- it shows off all the other elements of the kitchen-the brown mutes them-looks gorgeous!

[gayle]

I can't believe I am about to say this....
I am SO not a white kinda gal (my own cupboards are painted black).....but based on those photos, with that granite ,I am thinking the white looks best. OW..that hurt!!

[Laurie Hunt]

Asking me for feedback on renovation and decorating, I will certainly give it. First and foremost, you must go with your gut. Don't try to please the contractor and his run of white kitchens, you have to love it. Second, I have seen many white kitchens at all different price points, and whites can yellow with time. (And not always evenly.) Third, with the granite you chose I am all about the stained. I think it will look amazing.

[Marie]

I agree with your contractor, white cupboards will be totally gorgeous.

[Carol Bradley]

What beautiful granite! I'd go with the warm white cabinets, but that's just me. :)

[Seth]

That slab of granite is a thing of beauty.