Here's an interesting makeover for you: a kitchen that traded in white cabinets for pine cupboards — an opposite direction than we would generally go. Do you think it works? Read on for more photos, and some inspiration, perhaps, for those of you living in kitchens with pine or oak cupboards.
We do love that the designer pulled down the wood paneling in the kitchen, and we especially like the octagonal tiles and the pale blue paint that replaced them. The designer also saved money by using IKEA cabinets, and by finding the industrial-style table and stools from some unusual sources.
What do you think of this makeover? We think the color choices, the Caesarstone countertops, and that gorgeous rack of canned vegetables on the wall are all worth imitating. But we're not so sure about those pine cupboards. What about you?
• See more photos and read more about the project: Can This Kitchen Be Saved? at Country Living.
Related: Rental Kitchen Makeover: Leea's Lovely Little Budget
(Images: Wendell Weber/Country Living)
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I like it. I think it has a bit of a country flavor, with the apron front sink, and slightly chicken wire looking wallpaper.
I like it-the white cupboards in the before picture look rather cheap. Wood has a lovely tactile element to it that doesn't aways come across in photos.
It totally works!
Definitely an improvement over the old kitchen. It's also nice to see someone chose something other than white cabinets in a kitchen. White cabinets are nice and all, but they seem to be featured far more than any other cabinet choice, so it's refreshing to see something different.
I think it works. Especially if they want it to feel similar to the original kitchen in a way.
I love the vintagey look of the result, so why get rid of the vintage metal cabinets? They would have looked great with a fresh coat of paint - and it wouldn't have to be white.
I like it. Pine and oak get a terrible rap these days, but used in the right way they can look good. Not everything has to be white, or high lacquer, or whatever the trend of the moment is...
Agree with emaozora that the last photo's the best--the wood against all that white really works beautifully. As for the wood cabinets, IMHO, the effect seems lost to me, and they look like they're waiting for a redo. Less is more?
Personally, I prefer the old kitchen and. like Kinakaswim, I'd have given the white cupboards a fresh colour (or two) that would tie in better with the, erm, wood panelling, and invested in a floor covering that complimented it. However, that's just my taste. Dear god, if you saw the knitted towel thing I made for mine, you'd probably die laughing. Colour-wise, it's about as subtle as a pinata. Even I am surprised by it and I knitted the damn thing!!!
I'm with Kinakaswim. I would have gotten rid of the old paneling, but kept the vintage metal cabinets. They could have been resurfaced (a different color would be nice) and would have been charming.
I don't dislike the pine cabinets, but I don't think they are an improvement on what was already there.
i like it because they got rid of the wood paneling (i really hate that stuff). while the results are awesome, i bet i would have liked it if they had painted the paneling, or gotten rid of the paneling and not touched the cabinets. on a seperate note, i love the open shelves
Normally I'm not too crazy about pine cabinets, but i think these work quite nicely- this is a great kitchen result- I just hope you didnt dismantle the vintage white cabinets, I'm sure someone else redoing their kitchen in that theme would be thrilled to refinish them!
I don't have a probem with the new kitchen being pine...
...I do have a problem with it being so obviously IKEA - They could have at least used some non-IKEA handles so that it wouldn't appear to be a catalog photo.
Very pretty! I love the look of farmhouse sinks. Is there any benefit to those besides looks?
Really? I mean, the after looks nice, but I loved the before. I maybe would have resurfaced the countertops, but it was just about perfect as it was.
Well, it's a *different* look to the before, but I can't say I'd call it an improvement. "IKEA catalogue" is what comes to mind, just as others have commented. A lot of charm has been lost.
just as an FYI- the white cabinets are actually metal cabinets that were so poor, the were completely rusted through so salvaging wasnt an option.
This is really wonderful. I didn't hate the first one by any means, but the new kitchen is so graceful and simple and warm. Well done!