Mini kitchen remodel

[Farminmommy]

I slowly changing my home over to the cottage feel. Most of what I will be doing is in the decorating. A big problem for me is that my cabinets are a very dark wood (maybe alder?) and I cant get the cottage feel this way. But I am in a new home (only 1.5 years old) and dont want to get too crazy with the cabinets. We have a very neutral granite on the countertops, chrome faucets, stainless steel appliances and a light milk chocolate on the walls. Does anyone have any decorating ideas to brighten up my kitchen? Or any ideas to lighten the cabinets up without a complete sand down and paint?

TIA

[Lisa S]

Glad you could join us! I've noticed that CL is showing a more modern cottage look lately. I think you could browse through some back issues and get some ideas for kitchens with dark cabinets... Post a picture and you'll get tons of advice!

[Farminmommy]

Thanks for the welcome!

I will have to take a pic and share!

[Farminmommy]

Here are some old pics I already had:
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk156/farminmommy/IMG_0019.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk156/farminmommy/IMG_0049.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk156/farminmommy/IMG_0048.jpg

Sorry for the mess! Dont know why I took them when its was messy! lol

[Lisa S]

I think you can add elements like wicker baskets and fabric in the form of draperies, rugs and basket liners to really soften the room and bring in a homey cottage feel. Embrace what you have ~ it's beautiful.

[cheapdiva]

What does it look like when it's clean - hahaha. :p
What type of cottage look do you want? More formal, beachy, country, traditional, modern? Lisa is right, start looking through magazines and online (go check out HGTV "rate my space" for ideas) and then you'll have some ideas of where to start.

Welcome and give us more photos . . . except this time have the kitchen cleaned up. Okay?:lol:

[gigiG]

It already is such a beautiful kitchen...ummm cottage look trying to achieve...color the walls cottagey colors, change the seating to coordinating fabrics...

And OMG-are you sure you loaded the right picture??? It doesn't look messy at all! It not cluttered and really shines!

And of course welcome and looking forward to more pics.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Gosh, it's a lovely, spacious kitchen... All it might need are some cottagey accessories-- given the wood coloring, sort of an old world European cottage feel might work nicely.

[CohenCottage]

We have those same cabinets, but ours were stained a yucky orangey color. Last fall, we took the plunge and did the sand/oil paint thing. It wasn't that bad, and I would do it again, but I think we would be much faster now that we know what we are doing. Here's a photo of what your cabinets (minus moulding) would look like painted Benjamin Moore's Clay Beige... That's my mom in the picture...We were having Thanksgiving at our house!

[Evelyn]

I have noticed that dark wood is coming back. Pottery Barn, Dania and other big stores are featuring dark wood.

I think your cabinets look great. Light accents might do the trick for you!!

Evelyn

[RoseMary]

Hi TIA, What a great kitchen! I'm with the rest of the girls on adding some color and accessories, like rugs and baskets. There are so many pictures online now, that can give you a lot of ideas. Surfing for kitchen ideas is one of my favorite online pastimes!

R~Mary

[Farminmommy]

Thanks for the compliments everyone!! I will start searching around for some accessories. Hopefully that does the trick and we wont have to paint. Although your cabinets do look lovely, Cohencottage.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

The white cabinets are nice, CohenCottage. I guess it just depends if you're looking for a Snug-Woodsy cottage or White-Airy cottage, which direction you choose.

Both can work beautifully, it just sort of depends on what the rest of your home looks like, and how your personal taste runs.