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A CATHEDRAL-STYLE KITCHEN CABINET UPDATE

Posted on February 24, 2023 by KylieMawdsley

BEFORE & AFTERS: PAINTED WOOD CABINETS WITH A LITTLE EXTRA CHARM

Many kitchens need more than just paint to be brought up to date, especially those with cathedral-style cabinet doors. And although I love to sweep in and save the day with the PERFECT paint color (I’m putting my superhero cape on as I type), sometimes, my best advice is to do NOTHING until a larger-scale project can be tackled.

Why do cathedral-style doors make an update more challenging?

Often, it’s not the cabinets themselves; it’s the combined effort of the cabinets and their surrounding finishes, including…

outdated tile or vinyl flooring
older-style cabinet hardware
outdated laminate or granite countertops
exposed hinges – screws and all
a backsplash that’s often outdated and mismatched to the countertop

Don’t get me wrong; the above finishes aren’t in EVERY kitchen with cathedral-style cabinets. Many of these kitchens have had a ‘few’ updates over the years, giving them flexibility for further improvements, including paint. But even without any updates at all, some kitchens can STILL BE SAVED; they’re just more challenging (insert wine ‘HERE’).

However, when a kitchen like this one hits my to-do list, I get DARN EXCITED and don’t have a glimmer of doubt! Why? Because there are some FANTASTIC bones for me to work with. Add in a little color magic and KLC, and this kitchen will have a whole new lease on life.

Let’s take a closer look at what made this kitchen such a pleasure to work with…

the flooring isn’t a strong stain color
the countertop and backsplash are updated
while the doors are cathedral style, with the flat edge on the top, they have a slightly more modern look (compared to traditional cathedral-style cabinets)
even if the doors WERE a more traditional style, even with a DOUBLE-cathedral (a curve on the top and bottom of the door), this space would have potential
the hinges are exposed but only partially
the paint color on the walls and trim work for the space (but would be a relatively easy fix anyway)

The homeowner was also open to the idea of doing something a little bit different, implementing a two-color palette, with the upper cabinets different from the lowers.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at this beauty…

I’m as proud as a new Momma, and my face LIT UP when these photos showed up in my inbox – I’m always SO grateful when clients send them in. This is even MORE the case when there’s good natural light, and the decor is well-appointed!

By the way, not every kitchen can pull off a two-color palette this well. Luckily, the layout of this space and the style of the cabinets lend themselves very well to this bit of extra personality.

Again, look at the unbridled POTENTIAL…

It’s so much easier to appreciate the beauty of a kitchen when you see where it came from, which is why the BEFORE photos are just as important as the AFTERS!

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There’s also a built-in china cabinet in the dining area that was begging for some color! Sure, we could’ve painted it white to match the upper cabinets, but the lower cabinet color is SO much more interesting!

UPPER CABINET PAINT COLOR (& TRIM)

Because Benjamin Moore White Dove was already on the trims, it made sense to use it on the cabinets. Mixing and matching whites is RARELY a good idea, and most times, it’s best to repeat what already exists (as long as it works).

Should Your WHITE Walls, Cabinets, Trims & Doors All MATCH?

LOWER CABINET PAINT COLOR

As for the lower cabinets, you’re looking at the GORGEOUS Benjamin Moore Antique Pewter, a warm green with a nice dose of greige to calm it down.

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WALL PAINT COLOR

The walls are Benjamin Moore Maritime White, one of my FAVOURITE off-white beige paint colors (and it’s great on cabinets, too!).

If you’re curious about the flooring, countertop, and backsplash, my client was kind enough to provide me with the details for you!

FLOORING: CORETEC CALYPSO OAK
COUNTERTOPS: CAESARSTONE FROSTY CARRINA
BACKSPLASH: ARTIC WHITE MARBLE (SIMILAR ONE HERE)

The 11 Best Warm Neutral Paint Colors That AREN’T BEIGE!

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NEED INSPIRATION FOR YOUR KITCHEN?

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOR CONSULTING

Chat soon,

Comments

Lisa
February 24, 2023 at 1:12 pm

Hi Kylie, what color did you use for the ceiling paint?
Thanks!

Reply
1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  February 26, 2023 at 3:09 pm
  
  Benjamin Moore White Dove!
  
  Reply
Monica McMahon
February 25, 2023 at 5:46 am

Looks Great!
I am torn in Kitchen Cabinet colors I have a North East Facing kitchen and want to paint the cabinets. I chose a fantasy brown countertop (creamy with veins of taupe, gray, charcoal and hints of green gray and a wink of pink). I would like a warm med to dark gray that does not look gray in the reduced lighting and has no blue. Kitchen walls are a bright white, many recessed lights an East facing sky light. I like SW Dovetail however in an East facing room on a door I painted, it appears gray. Since the countertop is light with dark and light veins I would like to go Med darkness so it does not wash out with the countertop. The kitchen floor is an older tile that may need to be replaced, for now it is light in color light grayish and a pinch of white.
A face wall in living room which the kitchen opens to is BM Davenport Tan ( a warm Brown), in the eating area facing the kitchen I have a custom green lower wall and bright white upper wall.

I do like a gray with green not sure if a grey with taupe/brown would be too brown. Have been considering BM Chelsea Gray Amherst Gray, Cinder,Rockport Gray or SW Dovetail,Gauntlet Gray. Also would like uppers the same color.
Any ideas that will work for today and in the future.

Reply
1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  February 26, 2023 at 4:55 pm
  
  Hiya! The above is a LOT to consider without seeing the full room, but I’m a bit confused as you said you want a medium to dark gray that doesn’t look gray…
  
  As for Fantasy Brown, it usually DOES love a gray, as long as it has a good dose of green in it – I don’t think Dovetail or GAuntlet would cut it and Cinder will be violet. Take a look at SW Grizzle Gray, BM Ashwood Moss, maybe BM Amherst Gray or Kendall Charcoal. Comparing all of these could help you get where you want to go!
  
  Reply
Kara
February 25, 2023 at 10:10 am

Great job Kylie! Also thanks to you and the homeowner for putting the other colors/floor/counter details with the article.

Reply
1. Post
  Author
  
  KylieMawdsley
  February 26, 2023 at 3:06 pm
  
  Thanks Kara, and yes, those details are SO HELPFUL!!!
  
  Reply
Jennifer
February 25, 2023 at 10:12 am

First off I love your blog, I have referenced it several times! We are just about to start a kitchen remodel, and are currently deciding between refacing or all new cabinets. We know for sure our walls will be BM white dove, but are struggling with the cabinet color, if we should stick with white dove or try for a very light gray. Our window will also be painted white dove, so we are concerned that walls, window and cabinets will be too white! We def want to keep it light, and not looking for darker shades. The countertop will be infinity quartzite, which has veins of light gray, white, and some black. The floor will likely be Cortec Highland Oak, but have not completely ruled out Pergo Crowned. Do you have any thoughts about which way to take cabinet color?

Reply
Virginia
June 6, 2023 at 12:31 pm

I’m in the beginning stages of designing my kitchen remodel, and have been considering a soft white/ivory + light grayish green accent color palette. Thank you Kylie, for illustrating what a gorgeous combination this is.

Reply