The fabric I adore on the kitchen chairs

The neighboring room is BM summer shower.

http://m.benjaminmoore.com/paint-colors/color/summer-shower

The current color looks to mauve/pink. Stay away from yellows. The BM Brandon Beige is good, so is BM Wish, which is a little lighter. I would choose something more like "Wish" and paint the ceiling as well to make the room larger. Add a pattern onto your backsplash area, only if you are keeping your counter tops and if not, after you replace them. It can be a solid color, just a pattern. I would also paint the fireplace mantle and the cabinets & shelves beside it your trim color, hopefully it is white.

I was thinking similar colors..I think it would tie everything together well

I'm sorry these pictures are so bad...it's hard to get good light right now without a glare. There are no mauvey tones in the current paint color. It is actually similar to the color willow creek in the sample Jayme posted above.

I wanted to repaint because the room feels heavy and dark. So much brown sadness. I got talked into using a glossy paint since the walls extend into my kitchen and I dislike the shine.

To answer some questions, the woodwork is all honey oak. The tile is cream/beige. The fireplae is stacked travertine. The sofa and chair are dark brown leather. The wood furniture pieces don't match (tv stand, side table and kitchen table).

Barbara, the fireplace mantel does match the trim - all honey oak. I've thought about painting just the mantel and hearth white (since the doors are white) but I will not paint the neighboring built ins. My reasons for this are 1. they have the honey oak trim and I cannot afford to paint all the trim now and 2. I think it looks odd to have the cupbord doors mis matched (like by the fireplace white and in the kitchen honey oak - that will look weird). Thoughts on this? Should I paint just the mantel and hearth white like the doors?

The counter (not in the budget to be replaced) is white laminent. I love the idea of a backsplash but again not in the budget. How would one put a pattern above the counters? Do you have any examples of this?

I'm trying to come up with tiny inexpensive improvements that will give me a better space. Unfortunately we're on one income so the painting job is like a huge expense to me! New counter tops, a back splash, a new microwave, and replacing the boob lighs are just a dream for now. I may be able to buy a curtain rod and panels if I can sell the existing verticle blinds on Craigs List.

I'm still open to ideas on how to get light in while still maintaining privacy if I replace the verticle blinds.

Thank you so much for the feedback as I cannot afford to pay for design consultation.

I think the oak is really bothering me, I like your furniture, your paint, everything. I think paint the trim white, including the mantle, and he two units in the family room, even look into painting the kitchen cabinets, either white or taupe...or drumroll... navy. Use color, like a blue or plum as your accent color. And most definitely replace the boob lights.

These are panel blinds from IKEA that you can use instead of the vertical blinds.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/10702/

I would try to draw attention from the honey oak color, using colors that do not abisorb and reflect it. A few of the designers are offering free advise on this, and I would go for it. Maybe I am wrong, but any shade of yellow seems to reflect and bring out yellow. I have been looking all over at pics, and that Is what I am seeing...if you like the honey oak, go for it, but if you are trying to make things less yellow, I would go for a neutral that won't clash with your cabinets/but also won't bring out the yellowish tones. And also one that will flow nicely into the ajoining areas that are visible. I have had yellow in my kitchen, but my cabinets were white. I ike your home and hope you get a great result.

Thanks guys. I will not be painting the cabinets or trim at this time. If yellow walls will bring out too much orange in the woodwork, is there another light color besides various hues of beige that will work?

I want some color. Something light, freash and crisp! I'm so sick of looking at brown. All the suggesions above were shades of brown.

No...grey is not brown...tones of grey can come from many color families.

How about a blue?

The neighboring room is a beautiful blue, BM summer shower. I considered extending the color into this room as well but was concerned that

1. It would be too much blue (because 1/2 bath on the same level is a darker blue and son's room upstairs is yet another shade of blue).

2. Many people don't like blue next to honey oak.

You're right Jayme, grey isn't a brown. My painter friend had suggested a grey earlier. I guess I was looking to put some color into the room via the walls. But I could do grey and get color from curtains, throw pillows, etc.

I was thinking of a grey-bluish color...one that would tie into your blue..but I really think a grey would be better, and add in like you said...I also have these oak cabinets...I am painting mine eventually...

I'm torn because its sounds like bluw is not ideal for kitchens and yellow will draw out the yellow.

What about Revere Pewter..Benjamin Moore

So, I like the grey tones others are suggesting but understand your desire for color. I'm not a designer but two reasons I'm commenting: I have similar honey oak cabinets (which I dream of demolishing) and I wanted & had a yellow paint. I went through several yellows & finally picked one, which I always hated. I now have Galapagos green on the walls and it's a hundred times better than the yellow.
Lastly, I also liked the idea of a greyish wall color with a darker blue on the cabinets.

If you paint the fireplace and the side cabinets..they will look like furniture. Paint only the wood surfaces, you would not need to paint any other trim. If you choose a nice greenish gray wall color everywhere, including the wall space around the fireplace, the entire area will look great. Try Photoshopping these ideas and you will see it.

I've had a similar issue trying to incorporate some light and cheery yellow into my hideous, old knotty pine kitchen. First, I think you'll find green easier to work with, but if you want yellow, here's my experience so far. It thought I could tone down my orange-y glow with a cool tone, too, but to my surprise, a cool, pale yellow looked sickly against the pine but a saturated, more orange-y or daffodil yellow really popped. It made me not hate the orange-y glow of the cabinets (and walls and ceiling!) so much. (Please note that I was trying out drapery fabric, not paint.)

If you're looking to add color, I'd go green or blue to better contrast with the honey cabs and trim. I would also sample colors that are darker than you think you are looking for. Especially with the white countertops, I think you might be surprised that a darker color doesn't darken the room - the right color may actually brighten it quite a bit. Good luck!

Thank you all for the feedback. Maybe I just need to get my hands on some paint samples.

Someone just suggested BM Alpaca to me and in this example pic it does look nice next to the honey oak. Does it feel too brown though, looking at my current picture. Brown walls,.brown cubs, brown stuff. Should I paint the furniture?

What if you brought in color with your accessories. Wall art, canisters, place mats & rugs. It would be cute if you painted your chairs. My daughter has walls about the same color as yours and she used it as a neutral backdrop for black, white & red. Don't know why you couldn't do that with other colors. Just a thought.

Yellow is not the colour to go with honey oak. Look at CC520 - Florentine Plaster, neutral with a gray/green tinge (on the Brandon Beige chip but lighter). It usually works well with these cupboards or do a taupe colour CC490 Stone Hearth.

Good luck

I too think a grey-blue or grey- green would be most flexible for future changes as you can afford them. I wonder if you could stencil a pattern on the backsplash with a slightly darker color from the same paint strip of whatever you choose? A simple repeating pattern could be nice. And tie colors together with accessories and fabric that are easy and inexpensive to change later.

If you want yellow my dear, I think you should have yellow!!!
It's just a matter of picking the best tint, tone, or shade of yellow for your particular space!!!
Yellow is the best hue for drawing and reflecting light around a space; so if you want more light, you are on the right track!
I pulled out my colour fans and I agree 100% with WinterRiver!!!
Philadelphia Cream (HC30) would look lovely in your space!!! Not only that, but it has a LRV (light reflectancy value) of 74.9%...that will make your room feel much brighter & warmer! (Which sounds like what you're hoping for!!)
Have fun with this and good luck!
Please post "after" pictures when you're done!!!
Caroline

Houzz has some examples of kitchens painted in this colour. Beautiful!!

P.S. If you're trying to minimize the orange of the oak, red, orange and yellow are the best way to do that! Grey, blue & green would make it stand out even more!!! :(

Take a look at BM Bennington Gray. Both my sister and I have it in our homes. It looks different all the time depending on lighting. Although it says it is gray it is really warm. I am not a big fan of cool tone grays. It would look great with your fireplace tile and your chair fabric.

I had Philadelphia Cream in my old house and it does have a yellow under tone which I don't think would look good with your tile or cabinets. I also had the vertical blinds and I finally switched to curtains and it looked so much better! Maybe not so good though with younger children.

I too love your chair fabric. What is it?

Barbara Griffith Designs had a good idea that took me a bit to digest - paint the fireplace and built in.! I cannot paint all the trim or the kitchen right now but of course, painting the fireplace and built ins would make a big improvement! Thanks for suggesting that!!

So now I want to paint the walls AND fireplace/built ins. So I don't just need to decide one color but two!

It seems my options are to 1. paint everything the same color, 2. do the walls just a few shades lighter, or 3. paint the fireplace/built ins white. I think I want to eliminate option 3.

So maybe the built ins are where I can get a pop of color?

Show us what you do please!

I would recommend Shutters for the windows .

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/shutters-toronto/pvc-polysatin-shutters.html

I'd paint the cupboards instead in white. Sounds like the orange of the wood is what really is bugging you, not anything else.

I may have to postpone the repainting project. Our upstairs bathroom has a piping issue and apparently the only way to fix it is to go into the ceiling pictured in my first post. And the bid came in today at $900. :( I feel like we woukd need to fix the ceiling before we repaint the walls.

Hate to hear that, but the kitchen looks very nice. Not so nice to have plumbing problems! Good luck.

If I can't afford the ceiling repair right now and thus will not repaint the walls at this time, I at least want to replace the verticleb blinds with some drapes. What color would you suggest?

A shade or two lighter or darker than the walls always works.

Country Curtains has more contempory styles now in wide widths.

Why, will I need a wide width to cover the slider?

You will probably want one panel that you can pull to one side. In the catalog it says a 96" will cover sliding glass or French doors. It is called a slider panel #72739-DP. 96w x 84l is $169.50. Comes in natural, white, gold or khaki. You will need a rod & rings. Call them at 800-456-0321. They are very helpful. It's a family owned company in Stockbridge MA they also own the famous Red Lion Inn.

You can make a rod to save some money if you have a Lowes or Home Depot near you.

I don't want to be a butt in ski...but u have a lot going on and it could be an option to wait until the other
issues are ironed out before spending on window treatments. Just hate to see u have to spend again when u change your wall colors...

BM. Cork

And I chose... BM papaya. The room feels so fresh and crisp now!

Darn, Papaya isn't on my color fan. I can see where it would make you feel refreshed though. We'll need a picture at some point.

Okay...

pic

Another view

it would be nice to see an "after" photo

BM papaya. It is in the "off white" family.

You'll see I also replaced the verticle blinds with curtains and got a new chandelier over the table.

I know you feel better. It's much brighter. And the kids are darling.