another shot

one more shot

I think they are a nice addition. They don't look custom as much as they look like added art.

You might want to somehow diffuse the light a bit.

I like them!

Do they work with other decorative or architectural elements in your house?
That is something we can't see,
even with the lovely pictures you have provided.

I love t,he idea tho maybe if the pieces were a bit lighter in color they'd fit your scheme better, seeing as how you dont have much in the way of dark accents anywhere. I also think different lighting inside the cabinet would look nicer, maybe a strip of LEDs around the inside? The pucks kinda glare out from one spot and I think an overall "glow from within" would be a nice touch.

Yes I agree the in cabinet light needs to be diffused a bit which I think will happen when I raise the carvings and actually mount them ( if I decide to keep them that is).

I have a lot of texture in my home so I think the carvings fit in with that. I have a couple other larger distressed carvings throuoght the house too.

I like it! Where did you find that wood???

I also agree that maybe they could be lighter in color, or add some dark wood somewhere else in your kitchen?

Thanks for sharing! :)

I agree with thirdkitchenremodel.. I like them, but from the photos provided, the darkness stands out. It doesn't seem to relate to much from the waist up.

What about painting them the wall color? Or a darker version of the wall color? It would give a custom-looking panel with some texture, but not contrast as much.

I like them!

Do they work with other decorative or architectural elements in your house?
That is something we can't see,
even with the lovely pictures you have provided.

Sorry i should have posted a sHot of my island - it is dark espresso wood just like the carvings. I cant post now because we are heading out on vacation and i cant post photos from my iphone:(

I love your creative experimenting. It's beautiful. You've given me the idea of seasonal decorations - items to exchange in and out.

Fun!

Sandesurf- i found them at cost plus world market a few years ago. They were set on top of each end of my bookshelves that flank my family room fire place.

I really like them too! They are very pretty. A unique touch!

I like them! Change the lights as others have recommended and
leave them dark. I can see just a bit of your island and I like the tie-in. It's something I would do if it was my kitchen. I always appreciate the unexpected elements!

What a great idea!
They're really nice. I think they've just been waiting for you to find the perfect spot.

I like it. Unique and unexpected.

[muttering] now I gotta go 45 minutes away to that darned World Market. What have I been missing? [grumble]

If you like that (I do, too) check out this link. They make whatever you want in whatever size you want. Gorgeous stuff...

Here is a link that might be useful: laser wood panels

I like them a lot and I like them in the wood color..I think that's what really makes them special. Great job!

Hello!

I think they are beautiful! very nice and unique!

I'm going to stir the pot on this one and vote no.
In the first picture I liked them, but then I saw the rest of your kitchen (Which I adore by the way) and I don't think it fits. The light marble and stainless look along with your glass knobs and paint color are very cool tones and this wood is a stark contrast, almost an elephant in the room. Once you get a back splash up it will be an even bigger contrast.

I would suggest using metal fabric they sell at lowes or home depot to cover radiators. In lowes it is in the hardware department next to sheet sheet metal used for signs. This will diffuse the light nicely and act as a disguise if your cabinets aren't perfectly neat and organized which can be frustrating with glass doors. To install you could use magnets or tack the metal down.

I like the tile sample to the left of the faucet. I would go with that or a similar patterned 4x12 tile. That will tie in nicely with your island and make your kitchen look very long. Enjoy your kitchen, you are so close to the finish line!

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of metal griles

I vote for not playing it safe.
I love them and still love them this morning.

But I like funky and different. No OTK for me -- unless someone gave it to me and then I'd probably paint it and install very cool carved grills like this.

I also think they are unique. My guess is that you would store clear glass inside the cabinets so that the decorative element doesn't contrast with anything to busy, like colored bowls. In my kitchen reno, I too wanted something different and had a local shop create leaded glass panes for my cabinets. It wasn't as expensive as you think, especially if it's just two. Just a thought since someone mentioned they looked rather dark.

Ooow...dmsohio, I love that idea. :-)

Since I've gotton such great feedback (thank you!!) Im going to ask ya' all what you think about my back splash. I recently orderd a saMple of Arabesque tile in a slightly off white - do you think that will work in my kitchen? Dmsohio, I really like your tip of using 4x12 tile to enlongate the kitchen! I just ordered samples of Walker Zanger Gramercy park in white the off white sample was too creamy so im hoping the white will work.

I have alot of warmth in my home so thats why I think the wood carvings might work. Since recently redoing the kirchen to white/off white ive been facing the realization that there is a slight contrast between the rest of my home and the new slight coolness of my kitchen. Im viewing it as a classic/ timeless canvas that i have an opportunity to add warm accents too.

enright5 - I feel ya on the cool/warm issue. We just bought a bank owned train wreck, nearly a complete gut. All the flooring will go and we will need a new kitchen as this one is miserable. We will be saving up for that so it is a couple of years off, but I love bookmarking ideas from people like you and beekeeperswife. I'm currently painting every room in the house in cool tones - blues, greens, greys because I know my future kitchen will be cool with super white counters. Hubby nixed the idea of white cabinets though.

I think having a contrast between cool and warm is ok as long as your house doesn't look like a fun house (one room royal purple, the next lime green, etc). And there is a difference between cool and cold. Cold is institutional and uninviting, cool is what you have. And the cabinet lighting is a nice bit of warmth.

What other rooms attach to your kitchen besides the dining room? What is the view from the kitchen sink looking out past the island? Just curious as to what the rest of the area looks like. It seems like you have a window on the other side of the room letting in lots of light. You could bring a pop of color into the room with some window treatments. I definitely agree that you need to go white not ivory if you are going to go with a solid color and I DO like the idea of the arabesque. I looked up your WZ tile and had trouble finding it. Is it still being made? I linked up thread that has a picture of it to confirm that is actually your tile. I do like it, but I take it yours is plain white?

Two issues I will just point out. Do you forsee selling the house anytime soon? Always need to keep resale in the back of your mind. While this shouldn't make you choose something you hate, you should always put on a perspective home buyers hat, especially if moving in the next 5 years. Also, speaking from experience, tile is forever. Appliances can be swapped out, cabinet hardware changed, even counter tops changed. But removing tile pretty much damages the drywall. Which leads to new dry wall, rehanging of cabinets/new cabinets. Its like peeling an onion.

Go with a marble tile like you had in your first picture, arabesque in white, or white tiles in a different pattern like herringbone to mix it up a bit. All choices would be classic and timeless (i.e. no need to update the kitchen for future resale, cross the kitchen off the list)! Get your color from accessories, flowers (this is where your husband comes into play) and window treatments!

Here is a link that might be useful: Walker Zanger Gramercy Park

I like them and from the glimpse of island in the second pic it looks like the color is similar. I like that it's something different, but not so different as to be jarring.
Do you have the original doors? I would keep hold of them just in case the feedback isn't great if you decide to sell the house. Then it's a no brainer. Choices are always good, but I think they look great as you have them!

I really like them - you may find something like this at cost plus/world market, or at a street market in Bangkok, that's where I got mine! :)

Hobohenkitchen- yes, my island is a dark espresso wood just like the wood carvings... I'll post a better pic of the entire kitchen when i have access to my home computer in a couple days. I think with the island the wood ties in nicely.

Right now I have the wood carvings simply propped up against the inside of the glass cabinet doors. If I decide to keep them there I would most likely mount with some type of bracket that could be removed easily if I change my mind down the road.

Dmsohio- youre right about warm/cool, if anything I am probably toooo conservative with my paint and furnishings in my home. I have mainly taupes, creams and browns in my home with the only pops of color coming from accents ie pillows etc. it is really foreign for me to introduce another tone such as cool- I like your insight on cool vs cold that makes sense. I also like your statement of tile being " forever" I need to keep that in mind as we are in our mid 40's and plan to live here at least another 15-20 years and replacing the back splash will be out of the question. As much as I love Arabesqe I have this suspicion in the way back of my mind that it may not be as timeless as say a subway but I may be off base?? I am slightly worried I would tire of the design over time but maybe not.

I will post pics of the room adjoining my kitchen at the end of the weekend when we return from vacation. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback! Love other garden webbers views and insight!!!

I like them but would paint in a white with a glaze silvery/gray combination to look aged and to blend better with the stove/cabinets and marble in color. I like all the textures in the kitchen. Love that you've found an affordable alternative to your expensive desire:)

I love the carvings and I do agree to diffuse the light some.
What about having ORB cabinet pulls? The white kitchens I have seen with ORB accents really warm the kitchen up and it appears they would tie in nice to the carvings.

Sorry Dmsohio, but every time I see those metal grills, I think radiator cover....not something I'd want on my kitchen cabinets.

I really like it. So unique! It adds an unexpected element. Its so perfect, you shouldn't second guess it. Gorgeous kitchen!

Houseofsticks- love your idea of painting them, I never even thought of that!