Reader Rebecca’s 1963 kitchen is in need of some TLC. She already has come up with a great solution to swap a wall oven with a full size stove — which she documented on her blog, The Vintage Life. But now she’s stuck. Rebecca will use Formica aqua boomerang laminate on the counter tops… she has picked out a mosaic tile back splash… and she’s decided on a wall color. Her final dilemma: What color to paint or refinish the faded chippy wood kitchen cabinets?
Rebecca writes:
We are redoing our 1963 kitchen and have decided on an aqua, orange and white palate. We are keeping the current cabinets and my dilemma is what color should the cabinets be. We are considering using the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformation product but I am stuck as to what color. Our thinking was that the cabinets needed a “refresh”. They are leaning a little yellow and yes there is some damage in a few places. I have attached a couple pics I put together from the Sherman Williams Color Visualizer. [Editor’s note – we did not show these photos – but we made our own, below.] They are crude but give a little bit of a vision of what it could be. One picture is with the cabinets in a darker color and one picture is with the cabinets staying as they are. We thought the painting of the cabinets at least in a darker color really made the other colors pop a little more. So that is what we were thinking. It would be easier to leave them alone but I really think we need to do something with them. We are open to your suggestions.
The counter tops are going to be the Formica aqua boomerang that we bought before they discontinued it.
The back splash is going to be glass mosaic tile from Mosaic Tile Supplies. I used their tile maximizer to create my own blend of white at 70% then aqua and orange at 15% each. Here is a link to their site. Colors we chose are Snow white – KA077, Pumpkin – KD101 and Rochester – KB009. If you haven’t played with it before it is really fun.
We have an aqua oven and I was thinking of putting some of the Formica in the front of the dishwasher like the gal did with her Betty Crocker cookbook cover. We are looking at doing a cork floor in perhaps a lighter cork color. Any painted wall space will be in the Holiday Turquoise from Sherman Williams.
With all this in mind, what is your suggestion on the color of the cabinets?
Thank you for helping me get unstuck!!
5 ideas to repaint or refinish these old wood kitchen cabinets
This first mock up (above) shows what Rebecca’s kitchen would look like with her new counter top, backsplash, flooring and paint choices while keeping the wood cabinets the same color they are now. While I personally like the current look of the natural wood cabinets — I understand her need to paint them — since my kitchen cabinets — which were a similar color and construction — were also heavily chipped and damaged. Using about a gallon of wood putty, several coats of primer and a fresh coating of paint really helped my kitchen feel cleaner and removed the “rough around the edges” feeling. If you want to replicate the look of the natural wood, yes, Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations might be great — you can add just enough glaze (maybe further diluted) at the end to bring out the natural grain after the painting.
Rebecca also is considering painting her cabinets a darker wood toned color like the mock up above. While I like the idea of keeping a wood like finish on the cabinets — this darker color in combination with the other choices — makes me think of the 1970s more than the 1960s. This is fine if that is the look that Rebecca is going for, or if she likes this look — but I was under the impression that she is wanting a more late 50s early 60s look.
My initial thought — if the original wood tone cannot be preserved — was to paint all of the cabinets white. This will help the dishwasher be less obvious — though I would not use the laminate panel in this case. The all-over white will also substantially lighten and brighten the space and really let the fabulous aqua boomerang countertops, aqua appliances and mosaic tile backsplash take center stage. Because of the warm cork flooring it and other color on the walls — the space will not feel too sterile.
Pam suggested trying the mock up above — instead of painting all the cabinets white — paint the bottom cabinets aqua.
Or even going as far as to paint all the cabinets aqua (like the above mock up) and making the wall orange to match the tile?
Readers — what do you think that Rebecca should do with her cabinets?
Amy in Sacramento, CA says
I like how the natural wood looks with the tile colors, and I agree that painting everything aqua will take away from the formica and the stove. I vote for refinishing in a light wood shade OR painting the cabinets white. Also, go for having the dishwasher’s front painted to match the stove, or use more formica. As for the “empty” space to the left of the window, I suggest a mirror the same size as the window next to it. A friend of mine did this in her kitchen, and the effect was that she had two windows at her corner sink. It looked great! Have fun with your aqua kitchen! 🙂
Carol Panetta says
The mirror’s a great idea! It will definitely expand that space.
Janet L Adair says
I think the cabinets would look great in a grey shade possibly a light charcoal; depending on how it blends with the other finishes. (edited) Existing hardware is great too.
Good Luck
Pat says
WHITE WHITE WHITE WHITE …..you following my drift?
David says
This retro loving kitchen designer would go with a gloss white rescue of the cabinets (spend time on the prep), shine up the hardware, let the mosaic backsplash and boomerang counters star.
Adding a viny or Marmoleum squares on the floor in white, aqua, and a bit of orange would be a great base
Donna says
As far as the cabinets, in my opinion for a true retro restoration look and feel, original cabinet color is the way to go. If the cabinets are rough and need some wood putty and sanding, I’d go with a similar color stain and urethane top coat or Rustoleum in a similar color. So mock-up 1 is my choice. Nothing says 1960’s like preserving the original design and color intended by the builder. Maybe some of those cute corner shelves on either side of the window will help break up the block of turquoise paint on the wall. There’s always room there for some cute retro kitchen wall art too. If you can find some starburst back plates for the cabinet door handles, you’ll be right on the money! That will give those cabinets some real 1960’s panache!
TerriLynn says
I like the white, or the aqua and white, but switch, white bottom, aqua top, cause with aqua on the bottom, you lose the counter tops.
I also agree with the other readers that the space over the sink looks like it is missing something. Maybe put shelves there to be home to vintage mixers or toasters or whatever you collect, or tile the whole section.
Glamorlux Nancy says
PS I highly recommend Armstrong’s Corlon sheet flooring in Ocean Green. It looks period authentic, but is neutral enough to blend with adjoining rooms.
Callie says
The white is HAWT! It looks so crisp and clean!
Glamorlux Nancy says
Hi – I faced the same problem a couple of years ago. We were going to paint our 1959 wood cabinets. After painting the walls and putting 50’s wallpaper on the bulkheads, I decided to just clean the wood cabinets and live with them for a while. I dressed them up with chrome hardware and mid-century backplates (which came from Australia via eBay). Well, now I love the wood cabinets. Someday, I’ll refinish them, but will keep the warm light brown color. So, that’s my two cents worth 🙂
Amy says
I would love to see more kitchen ideas with original woodwork.
Glamorlux Nancy – Any photos?
pam kueber says
oh, i’m chasing nancy, you can bet!
Glamorlux Nancy says
Hi! Our kitchen is 99% done… I’ve just been lazy about getting a NOS silver pull-down light installed over the kitchen table. Then I plan to do a full photo shoot. Here is a close-up of the cabinets and wallpaper….
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2RvyiyMHbRpQ2xDUlAweXlhWEU/edit?usp=sharing
Mindy says
Hi nancy-love your wallpaper and cabinets! We just bought a 1955 home with painted over wood cabinets. I think they could look like yours with some elbow grease. I would love to hear how you did the cabinets and to definitely see more pics!
Nicole says
LOOOOVE your kitchen GlamNanc! I want to see more. I also have that tone wood cabinets and great ‘copper’ boomerang handles.
I love the color of the wood but I agree that it is difficult to find the right wall/floor/trim/backsplash colors.
What colors are your walls? I see aqua on the backsplash and pink behind the kitty.
Glamorlux Nancy says
Thanks, Nicole! The walls are aqua (backsplashes), peachy-pink and neutral off-white with pink undertones.
Jamie D says
I NEED that wallpaper in my life. OMG.
Glamorlux Nancy says
And here’s one of the Corlon flooring…
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2RvyiyMHbRpYXMxWkxZVjcwMVk/edit?usp=sharing
pam kueber says
STOP showing your pics, Nancy! I need to make them into a post! I love the tidbits, though — looks FABULOUS!
Stephanie MCM Lush says
YES Pam! Please do a post on Nancy’s kitchen!
Nancy…LOVE that wallpaper on your bulkheads.. I might have to look into that.
pam kueber says
wallpaper, peoples, what have i been saying all these years. gold star, nancy.
Amy says
Thanks Glamorlux Nancy! The cabinets look great!
pam kueber – can you do a original wood cabinet kitchen round-up? That would be awesome! 🙂
pam kueber says
great idea. we will put it on the list!
Mindy says
Hi Pam! I too would love to see more on original wood cabinets and tile counters and back splashes from 50s
Mary Ann says
Yes, yes, yes on a wooden cabinet round-up. We have original 1962 Sheinrich kitchen cabinets that I love, but the wood has signs of wear and tear on the bottom cabinets and on the edges of the top cabinets near the sink. We are searching for the most eco-friendly way to refinish them.
Elisa says
Would love to see a post about keeping original wood cabinets as well. I live in a 1956 Modest Trad with “not bad enough to rip out or paint because they are in good shape” 1980’s darker brown cabinets. How do we “love the house we’re in” and update it but not rip everything out to restore it to “vintage?”
Jay says
This is too funny! You telling her to stop sharing pictures. SO! when are you doing the story? It seems there are just as many “bare” wood fans as painted wood fans.
Glamorlux Nancy says
Thanks, Pam – and everyone! Retro Renovation really helped us hit the right note between authentic and kitschy. Before buying this house, we owned a 1951 home, and were really into the “pretty” aesthetic of the late 40’s – early 50’s. It took time to adjust to – and appreciate – our 1959 home, with it’s wood cabinets and paneling. Anyway, I’m calling the electrician tomorrow, so I can complete our kitchen project and share it with y’all 🙂
Robin, NV says
I’m with Nancy – live with the cabinets for a while, you may change your mind. I have natural wood cabinets and I love them. They look fantastic with aqua/turquoise. I’m going with a similar color scheme for my kitchen – yellow, turquiose, and orange. Like other readers, I’m not loving the floor. I’d go with something that “reads” burnt orange or a dark orange. But if you keep the original cabinet colors, aqua would look good too. I like Marmoleum’s Pool Party.
No one’s mentioned the lighting. Any plans to change that? They sort of loom over the kitchen.
Jay says
Yes! I thought maybe it was added at a later date. If so, it does blend rather well with the cabinets. A lot of 50s and 60s kitchens were small (mine) and lacked sufficient lighting (something I am still trying to fix).
Jay says
I like the cabinets in white with the aqua formica. Good for you in obtaining the aqua boomerang while it was still available. I think the floor in laminate of some type would look nicer then cork. I sort of have the same dilemma but I am resisting painting as I think the original wood can still be salvaged. Good Luck! The stove is a beauty!
Kristine says
Wow. I love the aqua – but I’d probably go with white.