Any ideas?

Jennifer
by Jennifer
Hi everyone! I am looking for some creative vibes. I have a china hutch that I can not think of what to do with to save my life. I am including pictures of my kitchen and the hutch and I am so willing look at all the options! I appreciate you all!!!!
Kitchen
Wall color it is like a beige with a purple hugh undertone.
The hutch. AKA the dilemma.
  47 answers
  • JulzB JulzB on Dec 10, 2015
    That's a great piece. Since your kitchen looks a bit dark, I would paint the main part white and and use a great accent color for the doors. A pretty wall paper backing would look nice too.
    • Jennifer Jennifer on Dec 10, 2015
      I definitely want to lighten it because yes it makes the kitchen look darker than it is. I love the wallpaper idea also. Thank you!
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Dec 10, 2015
    It's a beautiful hutch but the style doesn't match your kitchen. I would start by removing that mesh piece from the center door. You should be able to loosen the tabs and remove it from the inside of the door. Maybe remove and spray paint the handles black? Also you could consider replacing the shelves with glass or paint the shelves and the back panel inside a lighter neutral color to lighten it up. Of course there's always paint but it's a huge piece to undertake. Best wishes!
    • Jennifer Jennifer on Dec 10, 2015
      I like those ideas. I definitely want to lighten it up and make it "fit" so those are great recommendations!
  • Valerie Valerie on Dec 10, 2015
    You have little pops of black throughout your kitchen, so my thought is to paint the inside striped part of the hutch black (it will be minimized by whatever you fill the hutch with), will make light/white items "pop", also for consistency paint the striped part of the doors black to keep it coordinated. Remove the wire mesh part if you like, I like it as is. Change the hardware to match the cabinets (or just make them more similar). And for the scratches on the wood, simply rub a piece of walnut across, they will disappear. Honestly! Can hardly wait to see what you decide, don't forget the pictures!!
    • Jennifer Jennifer on Dec 10, 2015
      Thank you! That is a great idea! You know I am totally going to post after pictures :)
  • Lynn Wood Herold Lynn Wood Herold on Dec 10, 2015
    Don't paint it. You will ruin the value. Maybe put some color on the floor its too white. Don't paint the cabinets either you will hate it after it starts to peel of or needs repainting every 4 years or so. I would just add some color.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 16, 2015
      @Lynn Wood Herold if you have to paint your cabinets every 4 years, then the paint is not very good. I have had cabinets last over 15 years with no primer used latex paint, no top coat...they were used heavily by kids and only chipped in a few spots where I re-touched. The colour was still intact long after I didn't like them and shipped them off to the dump because they were beyond recycling. I have since learned to do them properly (well prepped and primed) and they look better, but the paint has to be good quality.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 10, 2015
    Take a look at what these home talkers created. www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/a-1970-s-hutch-redo-2491461 www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/updated-diy-dining-room-hutch-china-cabinet-reveal-10371459 and www.hometalk.com/hutch-to-wine-bar-makeover. Some of these ideas may interest you.
    • Jennifer Jennifer on Dec 10, 2015
      I love the second link! I am just noodeling over the color...
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 10, 2015
    Well it really wasn't for the color it was meant for an idea only.Color is a personal taste.
    • Jennifer Jennifer on Dec 10, 2015
      I know but I feel like I have mental block with this piece. Everyone has great ideas and I would like to incorporate a couple. I never intended to actually get this peice it came as part of a set, I only connected with the dining room table and chairs. I just need to spend some more time with it I guess 😊
  • Nina Nina on Dec 10, 2015
    I would agree with Lynn Wood Herold, Do not paint the out side of the cabinet. What i would do... Top: remove the doors completely to open it, use wallpaper on the back of theshelves to add color and paint out the shelves in a neutral color. Bottom: Change out the hardware and use the same wallpaper to cover the inserts on each side door.
  • Go to Pinterest and search "painted china hutch" A million gorgeous ideas pop up! Give it some color though. That space could use a little! I also like the idea of doing the inside wall. The second one is really nice, even if it is white! It would still brighten up the space. I believe she did fabric on the back wall.
  • Lora tillman Lora tillman on Dec 11, 2015
    I would not paint it, but you could line the back wall with some paper and use as is. Or you could separate it, I love the bottom of the cabinet and would use it as an entry table, or a base for your tv. I would try to locate some pretty legs and use the top as a collectables display. Or bookcase.
  • Arlene izod Arlene izod on Dec 11, 2015
    I am with lora Tillman. Too beautiful as is. Why not pretty up inside or add curtains to glass doors and perhaps false panel on bottom cupboard doors to match interior. These can be removed and will not spoil a lovely piece of furniture
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Dec 11, 2015
    A lot of life can be brought back to this piece by a good rubdown with Dark Old English Oil! I love that stuff! It cleans, covers scratches and adds vibrance! I would certainly try that first. An adorable pattern on the inside of the back would look great!
  • Tina Tina on Dec 11, 2015
    I would paint it black, but like an oil rubbed black not the shiny modern black like your chairs. Search black kitchen islands and you'll see what I mean. You will also need to change the hardware to silver. This will help the look of your kitchen. You should also check out Houzz.com great site for questions like this.
    • See 1 previous
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 16, 2015
      @Jennifer you can always do like others have suggested, and use wallpaper or fabric in the back and live with it for a bit, since your cabinets appear to be in the same wood tone. You can always paint it later. I do however like the suggestion to paint the island the same colour as the hutch. I think balance is the key. It is a lot of work to paint. I never regretted painting mine because it really brightened up the space, and went better with the paneling which I also had painted off white. Yours may be better quality wood than mine. The door panels on mine almost had a plastic-y feel. I also have mine quite far away from my cabinets.
  • AEBJ AEBJ on Dec 11, 2015
    I would paint it white or use a whitewash finish, then paint the inside a shade of purple to bring out your walls.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 16, 2015
      @AEBJ I have a French Provincial hutch as well. I was really iffy about painting it in the beginning. I figured I would tire of it. It is off white and the inside is purple to coordinate with some purple items that I couldn't change when I first moved in. I took a gold paint marker and highlighted all the scroll work on the outside. I am now thinking of going with more watery shades. I will probably use a darker teal in the inside and a lighter on the outside with the darker paint in the scrolls...I haven't decided yet. I do like the off white, so I may just get rid of the purple and gold, since I have had it for close to 20 years.
  • Laureen Dun Laureen Dun on Dec 11, 2015
    I put mine in my bedroom with some of my antique plates . I used the drawers for jewelry, scarves and such. I first had it in my office as a nice bookshelf. It looked great!
  • Suzanne Lee Suzanne Lee on Dec 11, 2015
    I too like the black idea with some slight distressing. Then add some antique hardware. Lose the grids in the glass doors. Unfortunately this look may not be what you are looking for in your more modern kitchen. Perhaps use it somewhere else in your house.
  • Dale Dale on Dec 11, 2015
    I agree on the black color & losing the grids on the sides, but also on the inside. It has 'good bones!'
  • Peggy Henderson Peggy Henderson on Dec 11, 2015
    Love the ideas above to paint, move to a bedroom or other area, and to loose the grids. I would add fabric covered foam board to the back of the shelves that complements the paint color. Lovely china cabinet. I'm sure it will turn out great!
  • BarbJohnson BarbJohnson on Dec 11, 2015
    I would paint it gloss white, lose the front door and the glass side pieces, then paint the back of the shelves a complimentary color for the room you choose to put it in. I would put pretties or books or both on the shelves and in the drawers store what ever you might need in that room. This would be so pretty if you had a humongous bathroom and no linen closet.
  • Hélène H Hélène H on Dec 11, 2015
    black for me too, ''frosted glass'' paint not to see through the glasses would be cool and wallpaper all over the Inside... :)
  • Jill Kowalewski Jill Kowalewski on Dec 11, 2015
    I'd remove all the doors to create open shelving, paint as you like, remove or replace legs, they are outdated. Drawers could be left or removed but if you opt to keep them by all means change the drawer pulls. If you don't want to paint it use a different stain to change the color and look of the wood. It has great bones and so much can be done with it. Why purpose do YOU want it to fulfill?
  • Jill Kowalewski Jill Kowalewski on Dec 11, 2015
    Should have said at the end "What purpose do YOU want the cabinet to fulfill? Sorry! Good Luck, be sure to show us the "after" pictures, we will all be curious.
  • Chris Chris on Dec 11, 2015
    I too would split the piece in two - add ball shaped legs to the top and paint it out a nice color, add wallpaper to the back and you have a book case. The bottom part in a painted distressed finish would be a great tv stand in a formal setting.
  • Mary-Ann Mary-Ann on Dec 11, 2015
    Sell it. Someone with a French Country décor would love it. Or a merchant who sells luxury linens etc would find it a wonderful display case.
  • Susan Susan on Dec 11, 2015
    Honestly, hutches from this period have little value. They usually are not solid wood. They are only experiencing a revival because of the new, creative things people are doing with them. And don't worry about the fact that it is part of a set because hutches are not popular with the general public. Make it a show stopper! You might look at the Rustoleum paint and refinishing products that are available. They are virtually damage proof and the kitchen system doesn't require much prep before painting. I love their colors and coordinated glazes.
  • Barbara Barbara on Dec 11, 2015
    I agree with Mary-Ann. I'd put it in a consignment shop for the charity who runs it to display vintage quilts or china. I'd leave it in the existing condition. Antique stores gobble up pieces like this if left in original condition for displaying their finer crystal and china wares as well. Consignment type second hand stores will give it purpose and expose it to a broader range of the public and may still provide cash to you if sold. I've been looking for a smaller piece similar to this to display my Waterford crystal and vintage china that I've collected over the years.
  • Teri Broberg Teri Broberg on Dec 11, 2015
    Before you decide to split it or sell it, do a search of chalk-painted china closets to see if you fall in love with any. These looks terrific painted, and once they are painted, they don't look quite so heavy and imposing. Plus, there is terrific storage potential there.
    • See 2 previous
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Dec 16, 2015
      nice examples @Jennifer ! #2 is almost identical to mine in shape. I actually like the darker colour I put inside as a contrast because it makes the contents pop without darkening the room. I'm think of repainting it more like #1 but with a bit darker aqua...it is so fresh!
  • Charles Myers Charles Myers on Dec 11, 2015
    Re-purposing it would make a nice book case with storage space below or a linen closet. Minwax has a finishing wax that comes in dark shade you can put on it to mute the scratches ect. that is easy to use and keeps the integrity of the peice. My wife would use it to display her tea sets and other items that get dusty. An active sports family could use it to display trophies and awards. Good luck, it looks like a well-built piece.
  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Dec 11, 2015
    Tall cabinets are lovely for storage. And I believe your cabinet has some good quality in the doors, drawers, legs and front frame. How about a baking pantry? Tall storage units similar in size with the chic re-finished or repainted look can be found at home furnishing stores...crate and barrel comes to mind. Your kitchen is pretty much natural tones and black. I think if you want to keep the unit in your kitchen, painting it out in a real 'colour' would be fab. Also, I love all of the design elements and think it would look great left as is. Once it's painted "get back in here" and look up cool canister and pantry storage idea's for display behind the glass. The bottom could hold pans etc. The drawers your good tea towels and maybe table linens. Other possible uses...A craft and homework supply centre for kids or as I did with a tall cabinet a liquor and wine cabinet with room for all related glassware. You can take a peak in my profile http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/upcycled-pantry-to-eclectic-liquor-wine-cabinet-6547170
  • Rgardner Rgardner on Dec 11, 2015
    I repaint a lot of furniture, and here is the rule of thumb I use. Look for a makers mark, anything to identify it. Do a little research online to find out if it is a valuable piece. If it has value; don't paint it, otherwise find a chalk paint (I love annie sloan) in a color you love, be brave and start painting. Think about what you are going to put in it. If the things you have are all a similar color then a printed wall paper or fabric in the back would probably be ok. However if you have an assortment of things then keeping the background solid is a better choice. The cabinets with a pattern on the back do look so beautiful empty, but add a bunch of stuff and it looks messy. If the stuff going into your cabinet is light, then choose a dark background. If the stuff is dark then choose a light background. I might also remove the center door, to open it up a little bit. It is a beautiful piece. Wish it was sitting in my garage! Good Luck! ps. If you need help choosing a color, let me know and I will help you figure it out.
    • See 1 previous
    • Rgardner Rgardner on Dec 11, 2015
      @Jennifer What is the style in the rest of your house? Rustic, shabby chic, industrial, french country, modern, or a mix that I like to call eclectic? Do you have any color in the adjacent room? Are you thinking neutral? black, white, grey or would you like to add a color into this space?
  • Cindy Cindy on Dec 11, 2015
    I would use chalk paint to paint the entire cabinet a complimentary color then line the back with a coordinating wallpaper. Beautiful piece with so much potential. I would not get rid of it.
  • LindaK LindaK on Dec 11, 2015
    You have lots of cabinet storage in your kitchen, which has very contemporary stools, so why not move it into a bedroom? It is a beautiful piece, but if not a real antique I'd paint it to compliment the room of your choice. You could store a lot of folded clothing on those shelves.
  • Terry Terry on Dec 11, 2015
    I have a similar piece. I used for a base coat, a paint for laminated furniture. Then painted over with Glidden paint. You could take the cabinet doors off and use baskets for an updated look. Good luck
  • Pauliegirl1 Pauliegirl1 on Dec 11, 2015
    What about making the top an apothecary cabinet?Find some legs, take out the "grid" in the center, frost the glass, paint/distress color of choice If possible, "square up" at the top of each glass panel...bottom cut out panels in the doors, replace with wire or a pretty tin panel,change all of the hardware, paint/distress color of choice, use each piece where you need storage. Incorporate other ideas as you see fit.Lots of things can be done if you have patience....finding the legs, the hardest as they get pretty pricey new! Good Luck, lots of ideas for you to choose, mix, and be sure to post when you are finished!!
    • Jennifer Jennifer on Dec 11, 2015
      Thanks I would have to look up frosting glass but these are some pretty great solutions!
  • Henri001 Henri001 on Dec 11, 2015
    I had a little old cupboard that I bought..it was in very sad shape to say the least...I painted it in 2 tones..one off white eggshell color and the other in a deep green, made little curtains for the windowed portions of the top..and I moved it to one of the bathrooms for some cute and much needed towel storage...it looked great!!
  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Dec 11, 2015
    From what I can see of your kitchen it is very neutral and so maybe you could pick up a accent colour from an adjoining room to paint the armoire .Adding some colour on the back in a coordinating pattern [ I covered some foam board with fabric that I liked and covered the space between shelves] . If you could square off the tops of the door and side panels also if you could get rid of the grid pattern on the glass door. Changing out the hardware would also give a more modern feel . Hope this gave you some more ideas. Pls share the end result with us . Good luck!
  • Pauliegirl1 Pauliegirl1 on Dec 11, 2015
    Jennifer....I am pretty sure you can SPRAY it on!! Look in the paint dept of any big box store!! GOOD LUCK!!!
  • Jill Kowalewski Jill Kowalewski on Dec 12, 2015
    you received some really great ideas, now the hardest part is trying to decide what YOU want to do. The possibilities are endless, let your imagination run. Happy to talk with you. Jill K.
  • Joan Joan on Dec 12, 2015
    That kitchen needs some color! Pick a color you like and paint the hutch that color, with darker accents in the door grooves. If it were me, I'd go for some chalk paint, a sage green or an earthy purple. Annie Sloan has a gorgeous color called Old Violet. It would be great with black details or you could use a lighter lavender for the body and pick out the details in Old Violet. There are lots of tutorials on the internet. Check out ANnie Sloan on Pinteres for ideas.
  • Carol Harris Carol Harris on Dec 12, 2015
    I see you have black appliances, I believe it would be pretty to paint it black and change the hardware, or you could spray paint them, I can't tell what your pulls look like on the kitchen cabinets, but chrome would look good on the black, also you could distress it.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Dec 13, 2015
    Think I would just sell it and get something a little more contemporary to go better with your cabinetry.. .
  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Dec 15, 2015
    so lucky to be flooded with all of this input! I just wanted to add that painted furniture can still take on a contemporary feel if you're not into mixing or eclecticism. It doesn't have to be shabby or country. I can be very clean and mod!
  • Accentuations! Accentuations! on Dec 16, 2015
    Color! I don't see your kitchen as contemporary so I don't think the hutch is misplaced. If it were me, I would want to brighten things up. I would add a couple of pendant lights or one larger fixture over the island for more lighting. Then, choose a color you like and find a chalk paint in that shade. I say chalk paint because it is easy to use and very forgiving. Paint the hutch AND your island to match. You may want a second, lighter color for the inside of the hutch (to show off your content. Make sure to seal with wax or even a Varathane (matte or gloss) to protect it. Tie in a few piece or plants above your cabinets (again to add color) Even some soft lighting above the cabinets...I have some LED's above mine. Hope that helps and gives you something to think about.
  • LD LD on Dec 16, 2015
    A lot depends on what you want to use the piece for, since you have plenty of cabinetry, then I would turn the piece into a statement piece of furniture. I would take some filler to the groves on the back of the hutch top, and then find a pretty piece of wallpaper to cover the back, which will pull your eye to explore what is there. I would use this space to display unique decorative serving pieces for display with some cookbooks as well. As far the door on the upper hutch, definitely remove the grid and do glass etching on the glass around the outer edges. The outside top of the upper hutch would be a great place for some cascading silk plants with a couple of decorative pieces. The hutch base would be a great place for storing table linens and candles. Since your kitchen is void of color other than the wall paint, I would pull colors from the wallpaper that you choose. You can always change up the color of the hardware if you find that you don't like how it looks with the color that you paint the piece. Let this piece reflect that creative side within you. Once you have completed this piece then you can pull elements of this piece into the rest of the kitchen in order to tie them together.
  • Lynn Wood Herold Lynn Wood Herold on Dec 16, 2015
    we did prime and the paint was Benjamin Moore. Its just not good for some reason.
  • Sue Ryan Sue Ryan on Aug 29, 2016
    I would start by adding a nice pendant light over the island. Depending what style you like, the lighting would help in defining it. Then I would add subway tiles all the way to the ceiling. You could add a strip of fancier colored tiles . Once that has been chosen you could add a wallpaper to the back of the cabinet to match the colored tiles.
  • Lori Slagle Harris Lori Slagle Harris on Sep 06, 2016
    Remove the glass and paint with chalk paint. Make your own!! Add one cup of paint, 1/4 cup of plaster of paris and 1/8 cup of water. Mix and paint. No priming needed. You can spray paint the hardware if you want. Use a paint/primer in one. I love Behr Frozen Pond. I would use a oiled bronze for the hardware. When you are done, sand the edges for a rustic look, and then use wax to go over all surfaces. Minwax makes one for "antique". It added some character.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Sep 06, 2016
    We turned ours into a bar.