Kitchen cabinet restaining/color question

[Cindy B]

Ok, I have a late 70's early 80's kitchen...

Brown cabinets, fake brass handles, and brown/white lineoleum...


I also have a stainless steel wall oven, burners in the counter, (also stainless), white counters/backsplash.

I am very much contemplating a stainless refrigerator. We have a black dishwasher...


I would love to take the cabinets color (a deeper brown) a few notches. (maybe to a lighter color to offset the stainless/black).

These are custom cabinets, and I have many of them as well. They are decently constructed, and were definetely good workmanship.

I've seen others dare I say this.. paint them, strip/restain, or just flat out rip them out.

I want to get some stainless hardware, and get a stainless retro table for the kitchen as well... (I love this 50's retro look!)


Does anyone have pros/cons?

Thanks!

 

[piratesmate]

What about only lightening the color of the doors? Would the two-tone work for you? (I kind of like it myself & often paint the woodwork a darker color than the walls.) It would be a LOT less work to only remove the doors for restaining & the cabinets themselves are usually less "worn" than the doors. I don't know how that would work with stainless hardware, though. I guess it would depend on how "light" you take the wood.

Deb

 

[laceemouse]

We have bought 5 older homes in 15 years of marriage. When we moved here 3 years ago we had the kitchen and baths gutted and re-done with new everything! Very expensive, time consuming and messy. Removing the old stain and staining lighter would be very difficult IMO!!! We have, however, painted dark cabinets white. Once we paid someone to do it and once we did it ourselves. I love the painted look. You would be shocked at how much brighter and cleaner your kitchen will look! It is a big job though, especially in a large kitchen. You have to strip, sand, prime several coats and paint several coats to cover the dark. How much time do you have to work on this? It looks nice in the end but it is a JOB. Good luck in you decision, I love remodeling!!! Lacee