I just saw a kitchen redo today on HGTV's Splurge and Save that was very colorful, with green cabinets, yellow walls and burnt orange kitchen chairs. Though the yellow on the walls was a little bright for my taste, I thought it looked nice overall. She called the look french country, but it was definitely more modern looking. All the accessories on the countertop were either stainless retro or yellow. She used metallic cannisters, as well as a stainless toaster and coffee maker with retro shapes. The other accessories were all yellow like the wall, including coffee cups and a standing Kitchenaid mixer. To see a photo go the HGTV website, and look up Splurge and Save.

As far as your kitchen goes, my first thought when I saw your photos was to use red as an accent color, though the celery green would be pretty too : )

Just me personally...I would have a hard time living with that blue and would have to paint the cabinets & baseboards either black or white...but I'm not a primary color person. If the blue stays then I would use black accessories...JMHO.

I am attaching a recent thread about red rooms and red accessories. Scroll way down the page to meghane's vintage kitchen with red cabinets. It reminds me of yours.

I am not saying to paint the cabinets red; however I do like the combination. Looks sharp with black and white. An easy and inexpensive fix would be to paint the cabinets and wainscotting white - red accessories would be sharp.

I personally could not live with the blue.

Tuesday

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Rooms and Accessories

I like it! The one thing that stands out that I don't like is the cabinet hardware. Could you replace that with simple chrome pulls and knobs?

I think a primary red with that color would look fabulous, but a pale green might work as well. I think bright yellow would also work. As much as I love that pink Depression glass, I agree that it might be the wrong combo.

If you ever do decide to paint the cabinets, I'd paint them a pale, Jadeite green. The Depression glass would look great with that.

Since you're going to leave the blue cabinets for now I'd also probably stick with the black, white, and dark brown colors already there for the accessories rather than adding another color.

I say that though because I'm not that much of a color person and adding more color would be over the top for me. If the blue isn't too much then you could maybe add a few touches of the green here and there. I agree not to add the pink.

What are you replacing the blue curtains with?

The blue cabinets do have to stay--we're already stripping wall paper in 3 rooms (including the ceiling of one!), and the blue is growing on me; it's very cheerful.

Southernfrenchie--I LOVE that kitchen, thanks for the tip! Wish I could replace our cabinet doors like that. It definitely cements my plan to go retro. I'll have to haunt ebay for some accessories.

Tuesday-thanks for the link to that red kitchen, it is very similar to mine :-) I hadn't even thought about painting only the cabinet doors, that might be easy enough to do in a few months.

Franksmom- I'm right there with you on the cabinet hardware. The black is more country than retro. We hope to repaint the cabinets next year, and Jadeite green was on my list of possibles! We're introducing shades of green in other rooms on that floor, so I think it would work.

Sheesharee-I'm replacing the blue curtains with white or green(if I decide on that as my accent), temporarily. But ultimately, I want to use fabric paint to make my own fabric. I'm thinking cheerful yellow/green ears of corn on white...kinda like Marge Simpson's kitchen curtains. I figure I have blue cabinets, I might as well have fun with this kitchen. Of course, this may have to change if I go with red.

I like the idea of red accents--do you think it would look too "4th of July"? I could find cherry fabric, that would be nicely retro.

I think the blue is kind of fun, and you could have a blast with vintage kitchen accessories. Love the ears of corn curtain idea.

Here is a link that might be useful: retro kitchenware

I don't think adding red will make it too 4th of July at all. And depending on what direction you ultimately want to go, red looks great with that Jadeite green, too, so you wouldn't have to buy all new accessories if you paint later.

I think cherry curtains would be very cool. You might also look at vintage linens (or even reproductions) for fabric. You could use an old printed tablecloth or dish towels as curtains, and I think that would look great.

In our beach cottage, we are currently re-doing a kitchen in black (counter) & white (cabinets) with jadeite pulls on the cabinets, a pale jadeite-like color on the walls, and a funky light fixture over the sink in a turquoise blue, not too different from the color of your cabinets. So I think adding in the green would work well! Or instead of a jadeite/light celery green, a bolder granny-smith-apple-type might work even better with that blue. Take a look at melamine dishware from French Bull, which has a lot of those colors, too!

I think you could take it to a "beachy retro" vibe with shades of aqua, pale grey blue, and some seaweed green. Or you could do "modern" with shades of lime and black and funky chrome accessories. French Country would be adding yellow and red.

I know you said no to painting the cabinets, but what about just the uppers. That would change the whole vibe from the blue being so in your face to just a nice strong cheerful accent. I personally like it. Just not so much of it!

I second franksmom on her post : ) Cherries would look great!

I love the idea of greens mixed with your blue. Here's your picture with some mixers added just to give you two examples. The color of the mixer on the left is pear and on the right is apple.

Go for the green/blue combination. It will look great! I just love the combination of colors in the cabinet picture linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Here is another option - blue & coral... Although, I don't think your cabinets are the right shade of blue to go with coral; it may give you some ideas since you are thinking "retro" :)

Here is a link that might be useful:

I also agree with using one of the greens ... I love color and think that either of those greens would just pop!

I like the green with it. i was gonna suggest lime - but that's a good green.

I'd wipe it down - antique it. use a dark brown (almost black) stain. take most of it off, leaving enough to make a difference. It'll mute the blue a bit and tie in the blk/brwn in the room.

It could look nice when the project is complete.
What about applying a washing paint technique finish?

I love the idea of blue cabinets, but would temper the color a bit by using a darker blue more like what's shown in the photos posted by marthaelena. Then you can bring in the apple greens and maybe a little bit of yellow to balance it out. It will look adorable with your floors.

I think that blue could work with a splash of celery or
even apple green.

Another idea is to paint the upper cabinets white.
I know you want to keep the changes simple but white
walls and white uppers can make an elegant transformation
without breaking the bank. And keeping the blue makes
it just come alive with fun.

Here are some fun green and blue or blue kitchens. Notice
the different combinations. And yes a few vintage ones
that made a pretty transformation.

Oh and congrats on your new place!
~boxerpups

Geneva Vintage Kitchen

Southern Living

Green and blue are nice together.

The Kitchen Designer .org

Okay this is not about white cabs.
This is about the splash of green with the blue. LOVE IT!!

Room Envy

Here is a vintage soft white and celery colors.

Vintage Flickr image

The backsplash uses the checker board pattern
rather than the floor. Neat

Joe Schmelzer vintage inspired kitchen b

Tony Shaloub House Kitchens

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue cabinets........cold feet, help!

Paint it black or white, it will look great with your floors. I couldn't live with that blue, but that's me.

I think the problem here is that everything is disjointed. I wish I knew what the rest of the space looked like, but what about painting the tiles next to the black ones with that splash of green, leaving the bottom row white. And then bringing the blue or green onto the walls. Maybe even a checkerboard or striped pattern. Or, how about a big piece of artwork that makes a statement. And update the hardware. Then I thought about removing the doors to have open shelving, or cutting the doors and installing glass, reducing the amount of blue. Or, add moulding to the face of the cabinets and paint it using one of your accent colors. Although I realize all of those projects may be more work than they're worth.
No matter what you choose to do, just make it look like the blue belongs.

Wow, thanks for all the pictures guys! I've saved them off for inspiration for when we can make more changes.

forhgtv--I love those kitchen aid mixers..If I didn't already have a white one, I'd get the pear colored one in a heartbeat :-P that does give me hope that the light green I'm toying with would work.

I kinda like the blue shade they are now (although I like that dark blue kitchen above even more), it's just too much right now, and too attention grabbing. It's everywhere in this room.

paintergirl94-thanks for the suggestions. I'll see if I can post more pictures after this weekend. I had a hard time getting good shots because there's too much light coming in through the front windows and I'm not good with my digital camera--every other picture turned out too dark.

I think the PO was trying to do as you suggest to make the blue belong--ALL of the trim (at floor and ceiling level), both doors, all 4 windows and all of the cabinetry is painted the same blue. Just below the ceiling trim, they installed a wall paper border with a paisley pattern, and the 4 windows have valances with the same pattern. The blue in the paisley pattern is a more subdued, grayer blue, and is probably what they meant to put on the cabinets...

I think my first step during my week off will be to take down those curtains and wall paper and get the walls painted, then see how it looks.

I think the kitchen could be a sleeper ;o) One thing I noticed that (for me) is throwing things off is the blue baseboard. My eyes are immediately drawn towards the baseboard and that shouldn't be a 'focal point" per se. I would paint it the same color as the wall, so if the wall is going to stay white, paint the baseboard white.

I agree about changing out the hardware. A simple brushed chrome/stainless would look nice. I think a polished chrome would stand out too much. That includes changing out the hinges, as well, and keep them simple and clean-lined.

I love the idea of apple green with the blue. I would also mix brushed stainless accessories and small appliances in the mix because no matter what you end up doing, they'll go nicely.

I would consider painting the small wine racks inside the small base cabinet white, as well. It would break up the blue and give it a bit of interest.

Have you considered cutting out the 'center' of two of the upper cabinets and installing glass fronts? It would be a nice way of breaking up the expanse of blue and you could show off some nice glassware or accessory pieces.

Be sure to show us before, during and after pics...I think it will look divine by the time you're through.

I can't wait to see what you do. It's going to be such a stand-out room!

Okay, after other people's posts, I am liking the green. Whether you pick green or red it's going to be beautiful. Can't wait to see it all done!

I love your kitchen, it's really fun! I'm with franksmom, I'd keep the color change out the hardware. I also love the idea of painting it jadeite when you do paint. Until then, doing celery or apple green will make the blue look planned, cheery and vintage, which it is. Great space! I'd actually love to see more of your kitchen because it looks fabulous, so if you have spare photos and time to post, please do!

1 last opinion- paint the baseboards black, leave the hardware alone. Or, if you insist on changing the hardware, double check on the width of the drawer holes for the attaching screws of the proposed pulls, and check on the availability of hinges the correct size to match the pulls you choose. I have "been there, done that" with too many old kitchens. Sometimes a hardware change is like pulling a thread on your sweater.

I was chuckling- I painted my old cabinets that color when we first moved in -in 1980!- same pulls and everything. Only yours looks good! We were so proud but a designer looked at it and shuddered- maybe because the walls were a shade lighter? i think vintage stuff will be fun and look amazing- have fun!

Well, I'm always happy to share pictures (I may have to print some for my wallet, lol), but please forgive the mess, we haven't moved in yet, we're still in the cleaning/preparing phase:

{{!gwi}}
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Overall, I love this kitchen, and I like the blue...but it's everywhere lol

I love your kitchen, too. If it were my kitchen (just MHO) I would paint the ceiling beadboard and the wall wainscoting white or a creamy off-white, as well as the baseboards.

Overall, it's a diamond in the rough. And I love the blue. Seeing the whole kirchen makes a difference in seeing how the blue works in the space.

Yep. Ditto what mrsmary said. I adore the blue (I'm too chicken to do anything like that myself, but if I bought it that way, I'd totally embrace it) but it is juat a *pinch* too much. I think you could even leave the door blue, but not the trim. I think changing out the curtain and removing that wallpaper border will do a lot to tone it down.

It's like seeing one of those bedroom sets, where the curtains, the bedspread, the toss pillows, the bedskirt and the lampshade all match...it may be a gorgeous color, but done floor to ceiling, it's just too much for the eyes. I'd let those cabinets speak for themselves, and try and tone down the rest. For accessories and a curtain, I'd keep it simple. Nothing too busy or splashy, small to medium prints only, or a simple ticking stripe.

I love vintage kitchens, and I think this is going to be just wonderful when it's all done. I love the red (I have a jadeite green and white kitchen with red accessories, so I'm biased) but I think that pear green will also look amazing. I would not do any kind of distressing or faux finish to that blue paint. My Great-grandmother would have had those blue cabinets, but she'd sooner die than have chipped paint, or that stained look. It was meant to be a bright, vibrant blue, so it should stay that way, or be painted another color.

I'd also swap out that wooden wall phone for a simple black retro style.

When was the house built? It looks like an older house, so the kitchen cabs and flooring look appropriate for the age of the house, rather than just someone's retro fantasy added on. *sigh* I love it!

Seeing the whole room makes a huge difference! It actually made me smile. It's sooo happy.
Here are a very changes I would make that would only require a few weekends and little money. And, some have suggested them already.
Paint the ceiling
Paint the walls
Get rid of window treatments and border
Add some shelves on the wall to the left of sink, painted in some fun color
Add some artwort or b/w photos
Paint window trim, baseboard and wainscotting same color (you can even do the ceiling the same color)
Change the light fixture
Then, the cabinets you first showed, maybe you can paint those a contrasting color. Make it feel like a separate hutch piece. Maybe add glass to the doors, add some panel moulding, some funky chrystal knobs, bun feet. And, maybe remove the tile there and put up beadboard and paint it all one color.
This is such a cute space, enjoy it!!

I agree...what a cool kitchen. I do like the blue in there I think the problem is..like you said..'it's everywhere". If it were me I would paint out the blue trim around the windows in a shade of white/cream and I would also paint the blue door and its trim to a white and the baseboards too should be white (boy the last owner loved blue!).

Basically I think if you chose a really beautiful neautral (a little on the warmer side to offset a bit of the cool blue) and just have the cabinet be the main flocal blue in the room it will be really nice.

Although I normally cringe scream and fight when I hear of ppl painting wood but I think in this case taking into consideration the size of the room I would paint out the ceiling and wainscotting.

Good luck and congrats on your new place!
Haley

How did people put images in their posts? I don't see that option anywhere. I'd like to submit a suggestion with a pic but can't see how.

I love the kitchen but would paint the wainscoting and molding white or off white. Maybe the ceiling also but would wait to see.

Well, it's been nearly a year, and I haven't gotten very far - there are SO many things to do in an old house, but I have finally replaced some of the old blue valances with my "corny curtains" so I thought I'd update this thread:
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here's the old window treatment:
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I STILL haven't painted, but we took down the wallpaper border, and that helps a lot. I wasn't able to talk my husband into replacing my kitchen aid mixer with one of those pretty green ones, so I plan to make a few old fashioned cozies to cover the mixer and the toaster so that they match the curtains.

It'll take me awhile--I'm having to paint/stamp my own fabric, and I don't have a surface big enough to lay out the pieces and do all the stamping at one time, but it's kinda fun :-)

In the meantime, I've decided to go with milk glass accessories; I'm picking them up one piece at a time from the local consignment store, but if I don't find some canisters soon I think I'll resort to ebay.