SFGate

Aggie Purvinska Would you be open to painting the cabinets dark espresso? I think that would be the quickest fix.

Dytecture I agree a darker cabinet color would make a dramatic change.

Darzy Or, have the backsplash professionally painted for more contrast.

judyg Pretend you picked the cabinets on purpose. If you scroll through houzz pix of glazed/pickled cabinets it is surprising there are so many. Take a look at this picture. I know this is not the color of yours, but the trim is painted the cabinet color. Another complimentary color is on the walls and a great ceiling light.

Elise Do you want to go lighter or darker? Are you into modern or traditional? Shy or bold? Your floor is already dark and dark cabinets will absorb more light from the room, not reflect it. Lighter cabinet colors will highlight the beautiful contrast of the floors.

Since you haven't moved in yet, but you are already planning on stainless steel appliances, then consider glazing cabinets in light gray or blue tones. Lighter on top and darker on the bottom. Any color family will go well with stainless appliances.

Heights Kitchen Remodel

Washington Park Residence 06

http://www.houzz.com/stainless-appliances-%2B-brown-granite-%2B-traditional-%2B-kitchen-color-schemes

Eily Roe Interiors I love the idea of expresso previously suggested but I think may be too dark & a little depressing.
This photo from http://www.benjaminmoore.com may give you some inspiration. The Almond Bisque on the units may not seem hugely different - but with the crisp white tiles & brick coloured wall...... Possibly changing light fittings to white also.

BCB Decor Invest in new backsplash with a bit of color...maybe a tumbled stone with inserts. Change the cabinet hardware to larger pulls/knobs...paint kitchen in a richer color and paint the inside of the glass front cabinets....Add lights inside as well.Also rope lighting above and below cabinets will help update the kitchen

anitajoyce Glaze the cabinets or paint them white!

olldbobbi I heard that pickling is making a comeback so you may be ahead of your time! A black counter top will help: [houzz=Custom Defined]

Or a cherry or mahagony butcher block: [houzz=Honolulu White]

margaretmemoli Will the home have a beach theme?

meaz_89 I agree with the butcher block countertop, will make a huge difference. Also consider bigger pieces above the cabnets since you have the hight.

Jill J. Wallace http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/morrel#ce_s=Mor. Or. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/weimeraner#ce_s=Af-155. Try a darker color on the walls that work with the pink undertones of the pickling but don't let it be so bossy.

cr2m Darzy, I thought about changing out the white subway tiles but obviously painting would be less expensive! I was not aware you could do that with much success. I assume any of the major paint stores will be able to give me information about what is involved? Thank you!!!!

cr2m My style goes to more traditional/transitional style. My preference is a darker color...maybe a deep honey glaze. Stainless appliances with a new sink (have a white sink now and all I do is clean it) and new light fixtures. The previous owners are beach people (we have a pool in the back as well) so the house is already sort of beach themed. Bead board in guest bath. The house has a very open living area with LOTS of french doors, windows & light. I even thought about painting or glazing the island (darker than cabinets) to give more contrast. The kitchen also includes an large open area for a breakfast table...planning on doing a nook in the corner. Have another corner area I have NO idea what to do with...office/work station,etc. maybe some type of bookcases for my cookbooks and things. I will attach a photo of these areas as well if you don't mind helping with these. I as SO glad I found houzz!
Thank you for all your wonderful ideas...hope you will keep them coming. All you guys/gals rock!

Carolina Photo To Go LLC I would leave the cabinets as is and paint the walls a chocolate brown or a medium blue. A darker color on the walls will make them a "WoW " !

meaz_89 Heres some ideas on a nook so you could still use your table and chairs ( I like) Dont forget the throw pillows. If your going to do a desk/ book shelf in the other area I would higher a contractor and do built ins. He could do your bench for your nook at the same time. If thats not in your budget consider positioning a desk like shown in the pictures with bookcases behind. Choose a simple desk and chair so visually they take up no space. You really have a nice space.

meredithray I would suggest moving in with your things first. If you look at that kitchen it looks confused---the cabinets and counter tops are very workable. Imagine this kitchen with a theme because right now it just seems confused ( i.e. classic french style class cabinets with lighting that I have on my deck?---blue chairs with silver candle sticks?) First get everything out of there. Replace the lighting---going with something that compliments the existing cabinet style. Add a lighter wall coloring and some larger accessories that are of the same color but deeper on the counter. This kitchen would look totally different. If it were my kitchen and I just hated the cabinets 100% and wanted to paint I would do white or a dull moss green/grey on cabinets---Good luck!

Natalie Hi---before you attempt to paint those cabs-which I suggest not going dark, but lighter---try painting the walls... Your cabs are not bad, nor are the counters, backsplash, floors, all you need to do is to unite them with a different wall color. Try SW 6004 MINK first, before going through the chore of painting the cabinets or changing the backsplash... Hope you find this info helpful...

Natalie OH and a word to the wise---do not use green in this space unless you want to accentuate the pink undertones of the cabinets. Good Luck!

Elise Besides the breakfast nook, the rest of the room may have been planned as a casual family area?
Do you have children? a spouse? a home business?

I like the idea of office space, but unless you need alot of storage, think about more of a library space for comfortable reading - a book nook?

http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/colors.php

amyz7890 I have the same cabinets, but the previous owner had tiled the backsplash PINK! We worked with a local tile store and found tiles to take the pink tones. It was the cheapest change made to the house other then painting the pink walls throughout the home.

cr2m amyz...you really did a lovely job with "neutralizing" the PINK in the cabinets. Lovely! Thanks for sharing.

Inside Out Staging and Design Great compromise Amy'z! Natalie was right on about undertones- be careful what you choose unless you WANT to accent the color. Darker colors will also be "seen" first so using darker complementary tones as above detracts away and neutralizes the cabinets a bit. Adding your new appliances and knobs will make a big difference unless you truly hate them then paint. Rusto-leum has a great product out for cabinets now that can be used with no painting, stripping or priming.
I'm not a big fan of a lot of stuff on tops of cabinets, think it looks too cluttered. If you have really tall ceilings, 10' or higher, you can pull this off but only a few items.

feeny Love amyz's solution (nice job!) and also the suggestions by Carolina Photo and Natalie to go for a dark wall color in brown or gray-brown or possibly dark blue tones to make the cabinets pop in contrast and neutralize some of their pink undertones. It's interesting that while whitewashed wood that looks like driftwood (i.e. in gray tones) is currently in fashion, it is the pink tones in the pickled wood that stand out as a problem. Thus neutralizing the pink in whatever way possible (either through a glaze or a new wall color or backsplash) should make the cabinets look more up to date. I suspect that all the white around the cabinets only emphasizes their pink tones.

P.S. Agree about decluttering above the cabinets.

Centaur Interiors 1. Do not paint the backsplash. Tile is not meant to be painted, and even when professionally done, can scratch very easily.
2. Going with a richer color on the cabinets can be very successful, allowing your lighter stone countertops to shine instead of blend in like they do right now. It also won't go out of style quickly like an eccentric color. However, if you do this yourself, read everything you can so that the project is successful - this kind of DIY is not fast or easy.
3. Yes, de-clutter above the cabinets
4. In order to take some of the focus off the cabinets themselves, and into the space, install an interesting and effective light fixture over the island (or peninsula, whichever it is).
5. Good luck! :)

cristihernandez I have to agree. With centaur again

cr2m Thank you Centaur! I was not going to paint backsplash...just didn't know you could! My idea all along was to glaze the cabinets a darker color....which would take away the PINK driftwood look and give it a more antique look without going too dark. I am definitely changing the light fixtures. Just purchased stainless appliances yesterday....won't be DIY'ing the cabinets either. Will pay to make sure it is done right. Really working on a paint color now.
Thanks for the help....any info is always helpful.Connie