I really do love my house now, expecially after adding some fresh paint inside. I need to take updated pictures of the living room, a lot has changed! Now my kitchen needs a little TLC. We have been saving our pennies for a complete gut and redo on the kitchen with new floor, custom cabinets, and counters etc. But now I'm thinking that I should save some of those pennies and just paint the old cabinets with new hardware. I found some good advice on painting cabinets here: ttp://www.doityourself.com/stry/paintkitchencabinets
I know a good decluttering and organizing would help! But I'm not afraid to show you that I'm human too. Here are some before pictures of my kitchen: 
I've used a black and white and brown theme with splashes of red in my living room. I really like it and I'm thinking about bringing the ideas from the living room into the kitchen. I love how white cabinets pop with a darker wall color and dark countertops. (Will my kitchen chairs look all wrong? I could dress them, but the kids are such messy eaters I'd always be washing the covers.) The floors could stay wood, or we could tile them. Insurance is paying for the new floor due to an accident that happened last year with our dishwasher. I'd also like to put white French doors on the laundry room with curtains behind them. I'm thinking a dark tan on the walls that is a couple of shades lighter than what is in my living room and white trim around the windows and doors too.
Are there any readers with good design sense out there? If so leave a comment and prevent me from making a terrible mistake!
P.S. Here are some photos from Rate My Space that I like:
I’m horrible when it comes to design,so I can’t help you there. I can’t wait to see the after pics though!
I encourage you to go for it! It’s only paint! I’ve thought about using a black/chocolate glaze on my oak cabinets but haven’t gotten around to it! If you’re really brave, you might think about removing the soffit above the cabinets. It might open up the room a little more and give you a space to display things (platters, big serving pieces, etc.) You could also do the elevated cornice over your window like the $17 kitchen! What were you planning to use on the counters and backsplash? I’ve always loved white cabinets with dark counters. The oak floors are a beautiful contrast too! The tan paint would be a good neutral background and let you bring in some of those red accents! Can’t wait to see your creativity, Angela~best wishes!
Angela,
I have been thinking a lot of this kitchen makeover. I have painted kitchen cupboards white and to have the table and chairs match we painted them white as well. (This was for a friend) I have thought of painting our kitchen cupboards white but with a 3 yr. old who loves dirt and the out doors, as well as a 18 mo. and another baby on the way I know that dirt and grime will show up so much more on white than the natural wood that I have now. So I am just saying consider the stage of life your family is in right now and is this the best choice for you and your family at this time? Would you consider painting the chairs as well to match? ( If it is not a antique or a table that belongs to your in-laws ) I think it would also look good if you painted the kitchen walls tan and brought in some red accents to start and see if you like it with the cupboards as they are. I have also seen cupboards that were white turn yellow. Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
White cabinets should brighten up the place. One thing to note. If you paint then white, it will cover the grain and if you want a stained look later, you will have to sand all the white off. The white is a “paint grade” which means it will cover everything. Very often “paint grade” paints are use to cover bad looking wood.
Good Luck!
You should try this site: http://www.kitchencabinetdepot.com/ they are a great site with great selection to choose from.
Your kitchen lay out is alot like mine. your wall with frig is alittle
different. My wall is frig on wall down by your laundry door, then
my stove with little counter and pantry. My window wall is same only
my stove is on the wall with frig. So I have more of a eating bar. I love
Love your pictures you picked out. I love white antique look cabinets
too with bead board and dark floors. I have open soffits I would love
to put lighted cabinets with some pretty dishes.
Good luck
Elisal
If you decide to dress your kitchen chairs, use the indoor/outdoor fabric. It is on sale now at Joann’s Fabrics, or you can wait to find a 50% off coupon. This type of fabric resists stains and is SO easy to wipe clean! I recovered the seats in my dining room with it, and love the result!
I had white cabinets for years. After we remodeled we distressed the white cabinets. The distressing simplified my life in a huge way. The handprint of jelly on the door wasn’t nearly as glaring!!