There are just some things that I’m drawn to. Certain colors and patterns that make my heart race. Red is my favorite color (could you tell 
). I like to pair it with white and every room needs a bit of black. Here are some white, red, black cottage style kitchens that I love.
I’ve always loved checks in all sizes (especially since they go so beautifully with toile). Love checkerboard floors!
Then there’s the relaxed style of country or cottage. They’re both interchangeable to me. Although I can admire a home decorated in modern or traditional style, I don’t think I’d be happy living in one.
Why am I showing you photos of cottagey kitchens?
Or maybe all white cabinets with some touches of red. Like this red bookcase.
I don’t know. Red and white cabinets and a black and white checkerboard floor may be too much for some people when we sell this house. Maybe just the white cabinets with red accents would be a better choice long term.
Honestly, I didn’t enjoy painting my cabinets – it’s a tedious, time-consuming project – I’ve painted them twice already. But I’ve been disliking my cabinet color for some time now (also my wall color).
I don’t know….what do you think?
I think I would love it and be very happy with it when it’s done.
Let’s paint Manuela’s kitchen cabinets party anyone?
*****click on the photos to go to the source
I love the idea of painting the bottom cabinets red (and leaving the top ones as is), but if you’re planning on selling this house, then I wouldn’t do it. Neutrals are the way to go when trying to sell.
Oh I laughed and said out loud “Again”??? Paint the walls, Manuela. That’s easy enough. The cabinets will be fine and you can save your energy for the new house.
I agree with Melanie. If you’re planning on selling any time soon, someone else might not like red like we do! Maybe just accent with lots of red. That you could take with you!
Brenda
I don’t know if we’re selling soon or not. Maybe next summer or maybe two years from now when our daughter is finished with college. I’ve been wanting to sell this house for the past 6 years and something always happens or it’s not a good time!
I think I’ll start with the walls and add some more red accents and see how it goes. It’s not like I don’t have a million other things to do. Painting cabinets is not on my “fun projects” list!
I adore red! I have wanted white cabinets but seeing the red, makes me wonder whether I can be bold enough to actually do it!
It would look fantastic which ever way you decide to go…
Can’t wait to see!
I personally would stick with the neutrals and accent with the red – especially if you plan to sell eventually.
Have a great week.
It must be the time of year…I started a November inspiration list…and it means turning my house topsy turvy and upside down. We’re getting new tile and carpet in over half the house and I’ve got to empty out the four main living areas which overwhelms me and thrills me because it’s such an opportunity to do still more projects. Happy sigh! lol
I too like the idea of bottom red, top white cabinets and don’t think it would be too much for anyone. How long before you list the house again? If it’s going to be more than two years, why not go ahead an paint and make yourself happy? You’re not living in a someday house you’re living in your home!
We just painted our cabinets off white after years of being dark green. I like them, but what a lot of work! I don’t think I will be doing it again.:)
I say go for it! Everything you do looks so beautiful so I know it will turn out great! I love red! And I love the checkerboard floor. Have a wonderful week. Tammy
I love the idea of the red bottom cabinets. That’s the kind of thing I would want to do but not have the guts to do. (Trying to work on that negative quality.) I also love the red bookcase. I love it so much that I started staring at some bookcases in my den and going hmmmmmm
I love them with the floor as they are, Manuela. You know I love that floor! I can understand not painting the bottom red if you will be selling your home in the near future, but if you are going to be there for at least a couple of years, I think you should do what makes you happy. Otherwise, I’d do the red accents to give you the red you crave yet not having it be a permanent color.
I don’t know if we’ll be here a couple of years or not! We’ve been wanting to sell this house for the past 6 years and something has always happened to prevent us. The market in my area is picking up again. People are flipping house and building again so we’re hopeful that by next summer we might be able to sell and break even but then again, our daughter will be finished with college in two more years and we kind of thought we’d move to California with her. But then again, it’s not a given that she’ll get a job with a big animation studio right out of college.
Ugh…I really don’t know what to do
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the red cabinets! They would look amazing with you black/white flooring!. I think either all red or half/half would both look wonderful! It would bring such a warm personality to the kitchen. I can’t wait to see what you decide on.
Love the floor:) Perhaps all white if you are going to sell the house! Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!
I love the idea of the red bottom and white top cabinets. But you are right to be concerned if you plan on selling anytime soon. With selling in mind, all white cabinets with red touches would be perfect.
I think the cabinets would look fantastic in red! It can be important to think of what someone else may like if you are planning on selling your house. You have to be happy where you live in the mean time though
Thanks Lara! I know it’s tough to balance what I would like with what I think most people would like since I like a bit more color than most
The colors you choose are always very tastefully done. Besides, who can say no to red?! Especially in a kitchen!
Hi Manuela
I’m STILL trying to pluck up the courage to paint my kitchen units five years on! If I were you I’d be tempted to paint the bottom units red and see how it looks with your top units – I think it would go well together, then at least you’d have time to mull over if you eventually wanted the top red too or paint them white.
Rose
H
There are a couple ways to look at this, red cabinets may not float everyone’s boat, but judging from the reactions you get when you decorate, AND the number of adorable kitchens like this that are pinned on pinterest, (the top photo just makes my heart palpitate with love!) it isn’t a total turn off to a lot of people! I have done some funky fun things to my home over the years. Things that are in no way even close to the safe beige that most people decorate with. I am always amazed at people’s reactions when they come over. They love my funky, fun little home as much as I do. What most people lack is the guts to just do it and see if they like it. I say let ‘er rip. Paint those bottom cabinets a gorgeous red because with those floors (again, love!) it’s going to make you over the moon happy, and it may make the person who is right for your house happy too:>) For the record, we are looking at moving in the next couple years too and the homes that make my heart feel at home are the ones that already have some of the fun details that I love in place!
I know it makes mine palpitate too! That sink and even the red windowsill = LOVE!
Beautiful pictures. I love the toile, I have it in a frame.
Cynthia
Thank you! Yes, that’s a favorite toile pattern of mine too!
I’ve always like the combination of white walls with cream cabinets and red accents. That would work for more buyers.
Hi, Manuela: I have all white cabinets in my kitchen with vintage-style red glass cabinet pulls. My countertop is a black solid surface. We have one wall painted red, the rest are white, and red accents in the counter-top appliances and decorative accessories. I love the combination, and it can easily be made more neutral by repainting the accent wall and changing out the cabinet pulls.
Your kitchen sounds lovely! White cabinets do make it easy to change up the color scheme.
OOOooo, I love the red on bottom and white on top! I have all white beadboard cabinets with black granite counter tops. I always wanted the black/white floor……….then I’d paint my bottom cabinets red too. I always say….don’t be afraid of color, God created it for us to enjoy! It will make you happy everyday!
Hi Manuela, oh…You’ve got me with your delightful RED features. I absolutely love this happy color. It energizes me and makes me feel that all is well with the world. My home has so many touches of red…like yours. I can’t imagine living in an all white or contemporary earth tone setting.
Thank you for sharing your delightful images, my sweet friend,
Blessings,
Carolynn xoxo
I say go for it, and paint the bottom red and leave the color you have for the top alone. Then you could add other reds, creams, greens ect for accents. I am going to be doing my kitchen here soon as well I am hoping, Right now they are just your typical laminent cabinets and my wall are a sage green. We will be doing new counter tops as well just not sure what those will be as of yet. I am trying to go as country as I can even to the big deap country sinks. I am hoping to find out out of someones old barn or house when I am ready for it.
I saw your blog on Carol’s blog list (Joy in the Journey). “The Pleasures of Homemaking” caught my eye.
I have always loved red! I would love red in my kitchen, but my husband has not warmed up to the idea. That top photo really does it for me!
I love your kitchen floor! I would live to have a floor like that. We currently have a wood floor look, which is beginning to get a little worn. I would love to paint it in the pattern of your floor. I am so sure that my husband would not like that idea that I have not ever suggested it. Sigh. He is a great husband, we just have different ideas of what looks good.
Well I painted kitchen cabinets once when I was younger. And I still remember it. UGH. So if I were you I would say to myself ” Debra, Beige is Close to White..talk yourself outta this ”
Having said that, I DO like the picture with the red on the bottom and white on the top…
I know, that’s why I said it’s not on my list of fun projects. I think I’m going to paint my walls and then I have a freestanding piece I’m going to paint red and see how it goes from there. If I knew I definitely would be here for several more years I would go for the white on top with the red cabinets on the bottom. But we may sell as early as next summer.
Hi Manuela,
Love the images you featured… I have the first two at least pinned to my Simply Red Board on my Pinterest…I have a red, black and cream kitchen…. with a black island and I love it! They really are cozy colors… I’m still waiting for my pine plank flooring to pull it all together, but it’s getting there.. Once that’s down, I’ll do a post about it… Now, about those fabulous bookcases… I’ve been wanting some for our living room and was just at Ikea online today looking at their Billy Bookcases…Yours look wonderful! Kitchen cabinets… I love the idea of red on the bottom and cream on the top! Go for it! It’s only paint!!!
Can you tell me what kind of floor tile this is in your kitchen? I love it.
Thanks