A KITCHEN UPDATE - BYE BYE OAK

Kathleen's kitchen was kind of perfect,

except for the wallpaper border

the outdated window coverings

and the oak cabinets

and the fact that she wanted to change

everything 

except the layout

[which was the perfect part]

and the floor - a wood look tile that she loved

But, other than that, she was okay with her kitchen....

Now, however, 

she loves it.

Who can blame her?

Gone are the dated yellow oak cabinets -

in their place... creamy white.

A new apron sink,

new window coverings...

and new appliances.

The new colors are beautiful, soft and calm -

a palette of grays, navy and mustard

We added additional recessed lighting

and pendant lighting [Pottery Barn]

We kept the table and chairs but recovered the seats.

We added new bronze knobs and pulls

Pental Quartz counters

and tumbled travertine (subway style) back splash

(we tucked the electrical plugs up under the cabinets so that beautiful backsplash

wouldn't be interrupted by ugly outlets)

We topped the island with warm walnut butcher block.

Added a custom vent hood

A few accessories

and an awesome magnetic blackboard

for the desk area

We also reupholstered this funky little desk chair - 

for a pop of mustard.  

The result is a warm and inviting kitchen

Updated

Beautiful

custom kitchen cabinets by

Aplus Home Improvements

WHITE KITCHEN WITH GRAY WALLS - looks so much better than it sounds

WHITE KITCHEN WITH GRAY WALLS...

looks so much better than it sounds...

in fact, it looks soothing...

inviting

elegant

warm and cozy

it all depends on the shade of gray

and the undertones in the white

*********************************************************

HI Claudine... I need your help!

I am remodeling our kitchen/family room , and I  picked out creamy buttery cabinets for the kitchen with  ivory  granite( its has some light-ish gray and small specs of espresso) .   The island is an espresso color cabinet. ( the same ivory granite would  be on the island) . I want to modernize  the feel and am using brush nickel knobs for the doors.

My question is , I want to use a gray color on the walls (nothing that can turn green or blue)  in the kitchen/ family room , but would like a beigey wall accent color.  I have a large wall behind the TV. Or if you have another suggestion ?

I want to keep the feel light and modern and also have a taupe sofa that I bought to go in family room.
I would like BEHR, Glidden paint for your suggestion. I'm on a budget, and can't afford Benjamin Moore

My original decor is very Mediterranean , and I just want to get rid of that feel.
Thank You so much!! I live in Tampa Florida.  Juanita, 
(love your blog and pictures by the way....)

Hi Juanita,
Without seeing a photo of the room, I will have to to rely on what my idea of 'creamy buttery' may be and try to recommend a gray that will go with it.

Actually, if it is more creamy and not so buttery- nearly any gray would look lovely with it - including the espresso color cabinets.

However, if it is more buttery (yellow) there are less that will look great.  You will need to steer away from too light of a gray because the buttery color might be too similar in value and not provide enough of a contrast. 

So, here are a few that should look good no matter what buttery/creamy really means...

Benjamin Moore ANTIQUE PEWTER

Benjamin Moore PIKES PEAK GRAY

Benjamin Moore GRAY STONE

Benjamin Moore WICKHAM GRAY

Benjamin Moore STORM

Benjamin Moore KENDALL CHARCOAL

Benjamin Moore COVENTRY GRAY

Benjamin Moore METROPOLIS

Good luck!  You should be able to find a great color from this group of grays!

LOOKING FOR A WARM GRAY


STILL LOVING GRAY....

via

WARM Gray?  It sounds like an oximoron.  There is the stereotype gray - that color we made by adding white to black in grade school.  Some people feel its a little boring... or depressing.... or dull...  I think it depends on how you use it, but for those of you who think gray is all the negative adjectives - meet WARM gray.  What?, you say.  Yes, add a little brown, or a little violet, or warm green as an undertone and you have an amazing gray that makes all those nasty old adjectives hide their heads in shame.... WARM.  GRAY.  Its a good thing.