Thank you so much! I'm painting my kitchen and will be purchasing this color. Do you have any recommendations for a darker accent color that would go well with it?

Hi Kelly,
That would depend... are you wanting to stick with warm neutrals like in this photo? Or are you thinking a punch of colour? It may also depend on what other colours you have going on.. for example the flooring, cabinetry and counter tops- what colour are these?

I'm trying to stick with neutrals, since I have a punch of color with the decor. I'm painting the ceilings white, the walls that gray color and the cabinets white (with new hardware). The floors are birch. I'd like to do a dark gray behind the cabinets in the kitchen on two small walls. Your thoughts?

Hi Kelly,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I just want to clairify- you wanted the darker grey colour in my image correct? and then you'd be doing an even darker paint on the kitchen walls? I just want to be sure I'm giving you good advice based on the correct information.

I am in middle of project that sounds much like Kelly's and I have similar questions about how to accent and even best place for my primary color selections.

My colors are white, gray, and ivory/pale yellow. I am trying to avoid greens and browns. My cabinets will be Shaker for the contemporary, but elegant, look I want. I will use marble countertops but have not finalized selection, because I like both whites and grays.

I must decide on floor color quickly because contractor tore out old look boards yesterday. I am replacing with white oak but unsure whether to stain gray (or shade) or to keep natural light color. Have seen many striking deep, warm browns in photos f gray and white kitchens. Other oak floors in adjacent rooms are natural shade. Gray floors Look very elegant and fashionable, so I am drawn to them, but uncertain. I could make decisions about colors of counters and cabinets based on what looks best with gray floors to prevent overall look becoming too gray or dark.

Please share your insight as it could prevent me from making these decisions on the fly.

Thanks, L


I like idea of gray cabinets as well but afraid they are too trendy. My applances are white, except sink and fridge which are SS but in different rooms. Will have three tall pantry cabinets and thought they could be gray while keeping other cabinets white. My kitchen is an L shaped galley with no island. Leaning toward back painted glass backsplashes in either gray or white.

Hi Linda,

In my opinion because your space isn't symmetrical nor does it really have strong elements of symmetry (upper cabinets in particular) I have a hard time finding an area to 'colour block' so to speak. I actually see your entire kitchen in white with Carrera marble counter tops with dark stained floors. I would keep the back splash and wall colours medium to light... this may be where your ivory . To me a shaker door speaks more in terms of a transitional door rather than a contemporary door... but that's just my opinion.

Another option that would work well is to keep your walls creamy, white cabinets, Carrera tops but if you leave your floors more natural try to implement a bit of natural wood cabinetry in the space for example in the upper cabinets... I tend to agree with you that grey is slightly trendy.

SO many possibilities! Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

I really like your kitchens, any tricks when doing a white kitchen to avoid the "sterile" look?

Hi klbourne44 thanks! When working with white it's always nice to have a room with plenty of natural lighting. I also always try to have a nice balance of solids vs visual textures. Meaning if your cabinetry are of a solid white then add some movement (texture) with a marble counter top. Adding darker oak flooring to this mixtures brings texture and contrast. bright chrome fixtures add sparkle and then a nice hint of a pale aquamarine to backsplash tile or accessories add to the cool contemporary look. Glass and polished chrome light fixtures are also a nice addition to this mix.

I will post up some pictures once we get started. We have Brazilian cherry floors which should go with nice high gloss cabinets , I see most high gloss "modern" kitchens have horizontal uppers but I am not a fan. But My other concern is that if i do all white vertical uppers I might end up with a big wall of white. Once I get some pictures up, I might ask you again for some input. :)
thanks