What can I add to my kitchen to detract from the heavy grain in the hickory cabinets?

Question

When my new hickory kitchen cabinets were installed, I was extremely disappointed to see that the grain was very pronounced; so much more than the showroom display I loved. What changes can I make in the kitchen, without replacing the cabinets, that will soften the look of the cabinets? Overall my home is traditional, but not formal. These cabinets are too country for me! The floor is cherry. The stain on the cabinets is a medium shade, called dusk. The counter top is green laminate - I'm considering granite with flecks of brown and black.

Answer 1

try taking sandpaper over cabinet to lighting the cabinets up from the medium dusk to light dusk.

Answer 2

PAINT!

Answer 3

Try some unique hardware for your cabinets...that will change the look immediately. Also, window treatments in the style of your choice will change the appearance of your kitchen. Colorful rugs will also help. Granite is great but solid surface countertops are also an option. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

Can you paint the walls in a tone that is similar to the wood?  This may have the effect of blending your cabinets into the kitchen.  I agree that granite in a strong tone that "pops" could become the focal point.

Answer 5

I found something that you might want to look at, please see it!

Answer 6

If you are unhappy with the hickory, address that issue first.  Then after you have changed the cabinets to your satisfaction, then address the countertops, since granite countertops can be costly.    

If possible, go back and visit the showroom display that you loved.  Remove a drawer and take it with you.  Determine if the problem is truly the grain, or is it a difference between the bright showroom lighting and the lighting in your home.  If it is the grain, it might be possible to order new doors and drawer fronts that are less grainy.  That way, you could have what you loved in the showroom.  If it is the lighting, that is something that could be changed easily.  

If that doesn't work, then consider the following:

1.  Establish your budget.

2.  Decide whether cherry floors and hickory cabinets is too much wood.  (It might be too much for me, but it depends upon the overall look of the room, windows, lighting, etc.)

3.  For the cabinets there are 3 choices:

a) paint existing cabinets

b) put varnish stain over the cabinets (highly colored varnish that will make the grain less obvious, but will make the cabinets darker)

c)  Reface the wood on the cabinets and buy new doors and drawer fronts in a different wood.

The budget might determine which of these you select.

4.  When selecting countertops and cabinet finishes keep the overall appearance and maintenance requirements in mind.  Painted cabinets show fingerprints more than stained cabinets.  Quartz in various brands is easier to maintain than granite.  You might want to go to the library and look at the August 2008 edition of Consumer Reports, which has ratings on various countertops.

An additional thought:  The wood from the side of a tree will have more even grain and color than wood from the center of a tree (heartwood).  Heartwood is generally lighter in color. A mixture of wood from the sides and heartwood will have wildly varying colors.  If you were delivered a different grade of lumber than the display, you might have a legitimate complaint against the cabinet seller.

Answer 7

I would recommend against granite countertops, as you already have a strong pattern in your cabinets, and possibly in your cherry floors, as well.  

My suggestion would be a quartz countertop with a muted, monotone look.  Zodiaq, Cambria and Caesarstone have some good options in this area.  Choose a warm creamy color that will complement the floors and cabinets without competing with either of them.  

I've got an article on the benefits of quartz tops on my kitchen design website, along with links to the firms mentioned above, and others.

http://jgkitchens.blogspot.com/2008/07/o...

Answer 8

I had the same problem with some dark oak furniture that really took over a room, and I pickled it.  Lightened it right up and made it look sort of antique as well.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/fauxpic...