My New Kitchen Island: Staining Oak Cabinets!

One of the things I disliked the most about this kitchen was that it is a sea of orange-brown oak.  The cabinets, the island, the shelf, the floor.  ALL OAK:

The white appliances and bad lighting wasn't helping much, but even replacing those and adding cabinet hardware wasn't enough to save the kitchen from its "over-oakiness"

 

At first I considering painting the island (like I did in the laundry room, bathroom and fireplace built-ins.)  Then I thought about how much i ADORED how the oak stair rails came out after staining them and decided that was the route I was going to take.  I'm glad I did:

All the real wood lovers balk at the idea of painting hardwood, and because the island was made (mostly) of real oak, I thought this was a good place to use stain.   I love how it came out:

I used the exact same technique I used on the stair rail. (Basically sand, sand, sand.. a couple coats of Minwax Ebony Wood Stain.. and a couple coats of Poly. The full tutorial is here.)  

 It was actually easier than painting since you don't have the headache of worrying about brushstrokes.   I went really really dark, but you can still see the grain in the wood:

I am really really pleased with the transformation.  Now I have to figure out what to do with the rest of the cabinets! 

Now help me decide how to deal with the rest of the cabinets!  I have a few of my ideas in THIS post.  Please drop by and tell me which ones you like the most!

Sharing at some of these parties (HERE are their buttons):*MONDAY*Tutorial & Tips – Home Stories from A to ZCraft-O-Maniac Monday- CraftomaniacNewbie Party - Debbiedoo'sDIY Project Parade- The DIY ShowoffMasterpiece Monday- Boogieboard CottageCreative Me Monday- The Southern InstituteBedazzle Me Monday- Everything Under the Moon Keeping It Simple-Motivate Me Monday  Serendipity and Spice - Manic MondayThe Girl Creative-Just Something I Whipped UpMetamophasis Monday- Between Naps on the Front PorchShow me what you've got- Our Delightful HomeMop it Up Monday - I Should Be Mopping the Floor*TUESDAY*Today's Creative Blog-Get your Craft On Tuesday  Uncommonly Yours- Link PartySugar Bee Crafts-Take A Look TuesdayShow Me What Ya Got- Not Just a HousewifeTip Me Tuesday- Tip Junkiet' Time- Raising 4 Princesses

Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday- Sassy Sites

Tuesday Tutorial Link Party- Kurtz Corner
Tuesday To Do Party- Blackberry VinePower of Paint Party- Domestically SpeakingDaunting to Doable- Project Queen  *WEDNESDAY* Wicked Awesome Wednesdays - Handy Man, Crafty WomanWhat We Wore and Made Wednesdays- Rae Gun RamblingsSuccess U Wednesday Link Up Part- The Stuff of SuccessCSI Project Link Up- The CSI Project (Weekly Challenges)Link It Up Wednesday- Junk In Their Trunk

Someday Crafts- Whatever Goes Wednesday

Create and Share-The Trendy TreehouseShow & Share- Southern LovelyThe Pinterest Exchange - The Girl CreativePin it and Win It - Cheap Crafty Mama  *THURSDAY*Beyond the Picket Fence-100 Ideas Under $100Fireflies and Jellybeans- Show off your stuffDelightful Order- Delightfully InspiringCatch as Catch Can- My Repurposed LifeEverything but the Kitchen Sink- A little Knick KnackShabby Creek Cottage- Transformation ThursdayHouse of Hepworths- Hookin UpShow Me Extraordinary - The 36th AvenueInspired Creations - Embracing ChangeTime Travel Thursday - Brambleberry Cottage*FRIDAY* Tickled Pink Friday - 504 MainPinterest Challenge -Trendy Tree HouseRepurpose, Remodel, Reveal - The Rooser & The Hen  Pity Party- Thirty Handmade DaysFingerprints on the Fridge- Feature Yourself FridayWeekend Wrap-Up Party- Tatertots & JelloFrugal Friday- The Shabby NestFree For All Friday-Sassy SitesShow and Tell Friday - My Romantic Home*SATURDAY* Saturday Seven Party-Positively SplendidLolly Jane Boutique- Watcha got weekend*SUNDAY*The Sweet Talk Shop- Sweet Talking SundayUnder the Table and Dreaming-Sunday Showcase PartySunday Round Up- A Rosie Sweet Home