UPDATE: I am excited to show you more pictures of the new house, so don’t forget to check out PART 2!!!
The most common question that I get asked about our new home is “What are you going to do first!?!” If you read our Miracles Posts about getting our house, you know that it’s our dream house. A member of my new ward said to me, “my friend told me you were moving into my ward, but she said you were moving into a fixer upper, “that house is NOT a FIXER UPPER!”
No, my friends, this house is definitely not categorized as a fixer upper.
The foyer is grand, and the staircase is dreamy. I remember standing at the front door when I saw the house for the first time, and I couldn’t help but fall in love at first sight. 
It has a bit of a Southern charm, and I love that about it. The deep wood tones continue throughout the entire main level.
Almost every room has white trim, crown molding and is spacious. I absolutely love that about it. The foyer has a small formal living room area to the left of the front door. I plan to put our piano in this area, but I am painting it first! 🙂 Remember when I painted my piano the first time!?!
The kitchen is the crown jewel of the house, and quite frankly, I’m a bit terrified of it. A member of my family has already expressed their disgust in me that I want to change it, and I’m living in my head about it right now. I don’t want to disrespect the previous owners and the opinions of my family members. But, I also know that it’s definitely not “ME.” I have decided to let the kitchen speak to me for a bit before I make any rash decisions. As soon as I feel good about it, I will make changes, but right now, I can appreciate the fancy choices of the previous owners.
My main concern is that the tone of the entire house is warm. The walls are a neutral light tan color which I’m grateful for. I’m glad I’m not dealing with a house full of the color wheel that’s for sure.
The floors are similar to the ones in my last house, and the kitchen cabinets are a stained cherry wood that match the floors almost identically.
The backsplash is cream. In fact, I would even go as far to say that it’s a light tan. It’s a bit hard to tell in these pictures, but it’s definitely not white. The carved trim is definitely not my taste, but I can appreciate it.
The island is round, and the granite brown and the pattern very busy. The suspended chairs are very convenient and the island functions well. At first we thought we might square it off into an L shape with cleaner lines, but we realized after a few weeks of living here that 1. The island really does function well right now, and 2. The flooring doesn’t continue under the island. Soooooo, changing the island would create an expensive flooring problem. So, the island is staying the same shape.
But the entire kitchen seems very formal and fancy to me. And, that isn’t the vibe that I strive for in my home. I am grateful that the previous owners had such great taste though. The entire house is beaming with it. The appliances are an upgrade that I probably would have passed on, but I am obsessed with them. The huge sub zero fridge and freezer and Wolf stove is an absolute dream.
The dining table area is roomy and I’m thrilled that we can actually walk around to the back of the table without asking someone to suck it in first. 🙂
The lighting choices are classic, and I haven’t decided if I’m keeping any of those yet.
I think the conclusions that I’m coming to about it all is that my taste is a bit more mismatched than the house feels right now.
We are definitely looking for a new couch, and we might paint the TV cabinet. This couch will soon be downstairs in the teenager hangout area. 🙂
The glazed island is definitely changing in the near future and we also plan to take off the fancy corbels on the sides. Remember back in the day when I painted everything cream and glazed it!?! This island is All Things Thrifty circa 2011.
I love the floors, and I think they are timeless. They aren’t too dark and like I said before they remind me so much of my hickory floors in our old house.
We have a central vacuum system in this house, and that’s amazingly convenient.
I am excited to show you more pictures of the new house, so don’t forget to check out PART 2!!!
And, don’t hold your tongue…tell me your opinions! Should I paint over the kitchen cabinets!?!
xoxo,
Brooke
I believe that you should do what makes you happy
Thanks Kellie! xoxo
Keep the floors. Change the granite to a veiny white. Paint the island a fun color like a hunter green. It’s going to be unbelievable. I can’t wait to see!
Thanks for your input! xoxo
What if instead of painting the cabinets, you change up the backsplash with something funky and colorful, and pull that color into the island. I don’t know what colors, just a thought.
Yes you should paint them!! They are gorgeous so I get why some people wouldn’t want to paint them, but I’ve been following your blog for years and know this isn’t you. Also I don’t like how the cabinets and floor match and blend together. Can’t wait to see what you do!!
I’d defintely paint the cabinets in both rooms. I do not like the suspended chairs at all. Could you take off the chairs and flooring where the marble or granite or whatever that is that doesn’t match the countertop and maybe make storage since I understand you can’t change shape. Can’t wait to see what you do!
Yes! Paint the kitchen cabinets to match the cabinet over the fireplace. I think it would look better with your couch too. But I’m not sure about the backsplash.
I say YES to painting the cabinets. I personally love and adore that kitchen – the colors, the style (the counter pattern, I agree, is very busy) – but you’re the one living there. That said, if your family that lives in the house is objecting, I’d think a bit harder on it. After all, they live there, too 🙂 But if it’s external family, hey, they can decorate their own house; this one is yours to do with as you please!
Hi. We bought our house off of good friends of ours. The house was in amazing condition and a lot of really good upgrades had been done. BUT a lot weren’t to our taste. (Black glass in the kitchen etc). It took me ages to change as I was so worried we would offend the previous owners. But we changed it to suit us better and I don’t regret it for a minute. Go with your gut. It’s your home now- if you want to change it do it!
Painting the cabinets will really bring out the detail in the carvings in a good way.
Paint them!
I have a sinilar problem at my home. We moved to a house with a brand new remodeled kitchen that has great quality cabnetry. But it was custom for someone else and the cabinets dont work for me as well. Especially the pantry cabinet. Everything has full extension drawers works great. But the wood is hickory. I am not into that at all. And because of the knots, even painting it won’t work. I guess after 4 years here, ive grown used to them. They actually hide splashes quite well, lol. I’d much rather replace the aging high-end appliances and get rid of the hard-to-scrub fake granite laminate counter with solid surface and undermount sink. But
I refinish Kitchens. I would remove ornate molding And replace with simple apron and beaded cove molding. Replace the ornate corbels with a simple mission style. Remove the arch above the refrigerator and add glass doors. I would remove the chairs from the island and build out existing space. And of course paint!
Paint. Paint. Paint. I’d go for a fun island color and a white everywhere else!
It’s a beautiful home, but it definitely doesn’t look like “you”. I’m a big believer in making your house your own, even if no one else agrees. You are the one who lives in it after all! We just bought a house from our neighbors and dealt with some of the same issues. Everything was in perfect condition, just not my style. We have been changing everything, and I am loving it!
They actually stopped by for a visit, and I was a little nervous that they would be offended. Instead, they raved about all the changes and told me they wished I could come and help them design the house they are building. Whew. 🙂
I can’t wait to see all your updates!
My opinion is that you should paint the upper cabinets (at least) white/off white. The bottoms can be a beautiful darker color that pairs well with the floors, and l would also give the island that same color. Or just color on the island and all else white. You will be able to ignore the carving detail if it is white. My sister who is an artist and lives and breathes colors, says that if you pick the right white, it will elevate/lighten the backsplash, so you may not end up wanting to change it after all. Which could save a bunch of money. Of course, whatever makes mama happy will in the end be what makes everyone else happiest, too.
I think simplifying the trim on the cabinets and the granite would help it feel more you for sure.
Its a gorgeous kitchen, but I agree that you should do whatever works for your family – not the previous one. I’m for lighter cabinets, tho. Fussy is not my stye either…and a fun color on the island would be good. Those built in chairs…never have seen those in a home but I’m sure that makes it all kinds of convenient to clean under! It’s a really beautiful home!
It’s your house….who cares what others think. And this looks nothing like your style!!
BE YOU!!!
Definitely get rid of the fancy carving on the cabinets. But they do match the floor so perfectly. I think you need to decide what color you are doing the island first and then decide on the cabinets.
Definitely paint the tv cabinet. I hate the look of a black tv with brown wood. Gah…..
So exciting to have found your dream home though! It looks so opening and BRIGHT.
I just love your new home! I definitely think you should paint the cabinets if you want to – I know I would! I love so many details – it’s just gorgeous, Brooke!
It’s so beautiful!!!!! And fancy!! Wow! As far as changes go, I feel at the end of the day you paid some dang good money for that house to become yours. Enjoy customizing every corner!!! 🙂 Excited to see what you do! (PS: I’ve been following since the glazing days! In fact, you inspired me to paint my piano a pretty aqua. It’s my favorite piece of furniture! )
I like what a Cindy said, replace the corbets and trim with a more simple clean line mission style… I do love the floors and agree, not too dark or light. Having said that, you are either going to need to paint cabinets/restain or replace countertops to a more clean less busy look. It’ll be fun! Do YOU! Can’t wait to see it all finished!
That kitchen is gorgeous but that island…
it’s bizarre and the attached stools are nutty!! I would have to fix that.
Change the granite to something simple! THat pattern is so busy on top of the already detailed cabinetry. I totally get your dilemma though….the cabinets are beautiful & obviously high end but something about them doesn’t speak to you (or me haha!), maybe take those fancy trims off if possible? Change hardware to something black & more rustic! But that foyer?! I can already picture it with a Christmas tree! Congrats, can’t wait to see the transformation!
As someone who works in a high end full service design firm, I can say that you are certainly not alone in this. We have clients purchase a home and though the finishes are excellent quality, they don’t match the family’s aesthetic. To make this space more your personal style, I would suggest removing some of the more ornate molding pieces on the kitchen cabinets and replacing them with pieces that have cleaner lines. Paint the cabinets on the main walls in a neutral and paint the island cabinets in a accent color. As for the built-in barstools, I think they are out of place in the kitchen. They remind me of something one would see in a fast food restaurant. I would enclose the space between the counter and the kick area to create some additional storage. It would be a great place to store seasonal chargers, etc. then extend the island top to include space for barstools. It looks like there would be enough space. I would keep the backsplash and consider new countertops in a more subdued stone like a quartz. Your new home is beautiful and I think making it your own will be even more lovely!
I agree remove corbels and that carved trim, paint the island but not the cabinets. Paint the tv cabinet too. This is a grown up house! It can’t be all crazy colors Willy-nilly! LOL
Paint it! The Wood seems a bit dated. As for the backsplash, it seems like it’s in good condition. If you’re trying to save $$, I used the Rustoleum tile paint kit (white) on my backsplash 5 years ago and it has held up great!
ok, I love the details on the cabinets, but, I think I would still paint them. eek. The island is not my fav. I can see how the round could work though. I can’t wait to see what you do with it!!! It will be Gorgeous!!!
Oh my gosh, I am drooling over your kitchen, I wouldn’t change a thing…maybe the hanging chairs, but only when you find the perfect ones….until then it’s a fun look no one else has. Please don’t paint the cabinets, they are so rich looking and I love the wood accent molding. I would love to have all this the way it is…enjoy it and use your time and talent elsewhere in your home.
Wow, in deed it’s a dream house!! Congrats on your new home, and huge. Here in Cali we are happily managing to live in 1036sq a family of 6!! 🙂
This is your home now, you should do whatever will suit your needs and don’t worry what anyone else thinks!! So, my vote is to paint it, I know I would!
As far as the island, I wonder if you can extend it to an L shape on the outside, so you can get rid of the suspended chairs, it’s such a big island but doesn’t hold many chairs because of the shape. If you installed a new counter top, and extended the cabinetry out you could keep the rounded portion on the inside, but have an L shape on the outer side. I hope that makes sense!
Yes that totally makes sense! We are still debating what to do. Stay tuned!
If you’re still reading, I have some ideas which are budget friendly-ish ; ) I might leave the stained wood but find ways to break it up. Maybe replace the range hood with a zinc or copper one. If possible take the layer of fancy carving off the top of the fridge and corner cabinet (over appliance garage) and lower the crown molding down. Convert a few more cabinets to glass fronts and paint the interiors a light color. And since the fridge looks like a free-standing cabinet I think you could paint it a pretty color, with the island to match, for some variety. Personally I love the backsplash.
And if your kids aren’t too in love with those suspended seats I would do what others said and fill in the granite step with storage, adding stools and replacing the island top (but maybe not the rest, saving some $$$). Good luck, lots of potential!!
Yes I’m still reading! Thank you for your input! I love new opinions! xoxo
In the meantime, maybe paint the metal chair supports so they don’t stand out so much. I think that’s the part that doesn’t make sense in this kitchen. I love your ideas and can’t wait to see all the changes. And, yes, I would definitely paint all the cabinets.
The house is stunning….and the kitchen is fab….i love the detailing but i would paint light on the top…a soft barely blue…mine is blush pink….and maybe Navy or Marine blue on the bottom…i love the fancy bits…you can shabby chic it to modernise it in other ways with fun bits…and i would echo it with painting the tv cabinet too….i love the island…a darker color will soften the counter…which i love….and i like the suspended chairs…but i would color the metal ….
My island is polished concrete which i inlaid with ammonites….and it is s shaped…..i dont have stools..no room….but i fronted it (where your chairs are) with shelves that contain moroccan pottery ..travel books…and cookery books…its very colorful but i still wish i had stools…and yours are a brilliant design. So paint….and it will influence your other choices…your taste is impeccable..you wont make mistakes….but stand back…your kitchen has wonderful classic bones….you might not need to do too much….the light fittings need to go tho…lol…funk it up….