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bethany_schell

Kitchen help! Please give opinions ;)

10 years ago
Would love some help! Below are some pictures of our kitchen. I would like to expand the cream on the island to the outer cabinets. We are buildings custom cabinet for the wall on the left.

I want it to be welcoming, and light. So here are my questions:

What about extending the cream or should I do a different color? I do not like the current color.

Backsplash - I am pretty sure I want a subway, but struggling on color.

Custom cabinet - if I do all cream would it look good a gray?

I love the feeling of grays...but my husband was not on board for a full gray kitchen on the cabinets.

I am thinking linen drapes, trestle farm table in a gray/cream color. My rooms around it have accents of taupes, grays, blues and reds. Below are some pictures, the granite is going to be installed next week, and will have an overhang on the island around two sides, so will not look like it does in the picture, as well as will be doing two pendants over the island, new faucet and recessed light over sink.

And go, tell me what you think!

Comments (44)

  • 10 years ago
    in my opinion, the brown glaze over the cream color does not work well with the granite that you have selected. the granite is too grey and cool for your glazed kitchen cabinets.

    I would rethink the granite since I assume that you do not want to paint or change a your cabinets.

    I will say that it is very difficult to distinguish colors via electronice media.
  • 10 years ago
    That granite is non negotiable, it is purchased and being installed.
  • 10 years ago
    Welll, you need to tell your husband to get on board for grey cabinets. :)
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Well, the cabinet knobs appear to pull from the color of the granite. Regarding the grey cabinet color, I am thinking that the cool greys might respond with the granite, and yes it is hard to get good color rendition on this media.

  • 10 years ago

    Look at Dove Grey (SW, I think) that is a soft, light and gentle grey that would look great with your granite.

  • 10 years ago
    Thank you! dove gray for cabinets or wall?
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    Hi Bethany,

    I think you're having the same problem with the cabinets, wall and island colors clashing. If your husband doesn't want all the same grey cabinets, I would choose two cabinet colors you can agree on and keep all lowers consistent if you're doing something different on the custom built in (wall and island). I prefer darker lower cabinetry, like a grey (Ben Moore Silver Fox?) and maybe your husband would like light grey uppers (Ben Moore Halo?) or warm white uppers (Olympic Crumb Cookie).
  • 10 years ago

    Would you consider white cabinets instead of cream?

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    If you can't talk your husband into a very light gray then another option would be to go with white using either a gray backsplash or a full backsplash of the counter material. The last option with a white herringbone subway looks nice too.

    Granite Kitchen Countertops | Best Granite for Less · More Info

    Granite Kitchen Countertops | Best Granite for Less · More Info

    North Vancouver · More Info

    White Kitchen Cabinets With Gray Granite Countertops | Homevillage.co · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    Thank you all! So do you think my biggest problem is the cream on the island not working with the granite, or that I am trying to pull in gray? Should I just give up on the gray? Or do you think the counter top would look best with gray?

    Plus I got home and the custom cabinet is on its way...just in case you wanted to see...to help visualize. Please don't pay attention to the mess!
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Sherwin Williams colors...I play in their color app (Color Snap) and they have a kitchen with similar cabinet, floor, countertop colors to yours (the first kitchen sample)

    Rushing River, a deep taupe for trim and floor molding

    Leisure Blue, a brightish gray blue for backsplash or island

    Aesthetic White, a creamy white for walls...this one is hard to judge with your cabinet color online...

    pull in some bright white in your things like canisters

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I would get rid of the cream on the island. Even if there is somewhat of that color in the granite, it's not dominant enough to pull it out.

  • 10 years ago
    Your cabinets and floor are warm and the granite is cool. Not the same undertones. Too bad they sold that granite to you with your cabinet choices.
    It is very hard to advise on color over a computer screen. A good kitchen designer will help you with your choices.Don't buy anything else until you have a cohesive design.
  • 10 years ago
    Thanks! I always planned to do something different with the cabinets so that is on me, not them. I decided to pick a granite I loved and work around that. I had a plan to do the island white and last minute changed it and have regretted it since so was just trying to see how I can make my bad choice work. :)
  • 10 years ago
    So, I have been looking because the cost to have my cabinets professionally painted is not cheap, and I paid someone to do the island to decide if I liked it. Trying to find something I can do on my own. Anyone have experience with the rustoleum kits, and if so just go pure white or have you seen the taupe?
  • 10 years ago

    I don't like the cream with the granite. If you paint the island white and the new cabinet white it might be enough to lighten the kitchen for you.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    You have to realize that being the granite and the floor is not going to be changed then you have to alter the cream to more of a pale taupe so that it has grey undertones( which it might already have) as the others said the monitor does not produce true colors..if the island and perimeter cabinets are a pale taupe / (cream with grey glaze might work), you can paint the new cabinet a deeper grey. I think it will tie everything together .

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Here is a photo of what your new cabinet can look like in grey

  • 10 years ago
    Have you compared the cost of getting a different piece of granite compared to repainting the cabinets? It doesn't look like a very large counter, it may be less money than the cabinets.
    Choose a color that goes with your floors, and have them professionally painted.
  • 10 years ago

    If you don't like the cream, then your granite is giving you the excuse to change! White is the way to go, with no glaze. I think gray is great, and the backsplash is the place to do it -- this photo from above is the way to go:

    North Vancouver · More Info
    Your wood floors will warm it up, and you and your husband should both end up happy. :)

  • 10 years ago

    Here are a couple of photos of a similar kitchen I did (although my granite wasn't as nice as yours):

    Brag pics · More Info

    Brag pics · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    @acm, thank you! What you shared was my original vision and actually picked my granite based off that, and then made a last minute change due to others feedback and have been pulling my hair out in trying to figure it out. You have confirmed I should just suck up the money I wasted to do the island and go with the white. However, I think I might do the custom cabinet a gray. Awesome and thank you!!!

    Now, let's hope my husband forgives me. :)
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I have used Rustoleum and had problems with it not drying. This was not a chemical reaction conflict either because I was starting with bare wood and using the proper Rustoleum primer. I always sprayed my cabinets with lacquer after that but Benjamin Moore makes a brushable cabinet paint called "Advance".http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/the-best-paint-for-cabinetry-jobs

  • 10 years ago

    I am afraid gray kitchens will become the avocado and harvest gold of this decade.

  • 10 years ago
    I think acm has the right idea. There is a new product out now insl-x cabinet coat, that is what the BM store recommended I use on my cabinets. They said you don't have to prime or use a topcoat, just use 2 coats of paint. I don't know how it works I've not done mine yet but you may want to check it out.
  • 10 years ago
    The glaze on your island is dated . And doesn't go. Just go to plain white or very pale grey . Do not match the granite colour or you will have a grey out . Otherwise your granite is beautiful ! Very current.
  • 10 years ago

    Honestly, just go with what you like. Maybe a designer can pick out that the colors don't mesh 100%, but can you? If you love them both, and are happy with how it looks, go for it. Just don't invite any designers over ;)

  • 10 years ago
    I would disagree with just choosing something you like. I like lots of things, but not for my home.
    This is a major decision and financial investment. Better to do it with a plan in mind. A designer will charge you a minimal fee for a Big Bang for your buck!
  • 10 years ago

    Linda - I am loving the suggestion of the taupe, and might actually be an easier fix. What do you think of the custom cabinet being built being in a different color - such as a gray or greige? How do you feel about mixing metals? Do the lights, faucet, and knobs all need to be the same, or can they be different. I have a pendant light that is a few years old that is nickel and over the kitchen table, and I absolutely adore it...


    Lastly - if I went this route, farm table - what color finish?

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    No, the metals absolutely don't have to match. One idea would be to match the color and / or the hardware on the island and custom cabinet. Another would be to match the table finish to the custom cabinet and use nickel hardware on the custom cabinet to bring those two elements together. Or table and island with nickel hardware on the island. Could you post a picture of the farm table and the rest of the kitchen so the community can give you more comments on your questions?

  • 10 years ago
    Just be careful, taupe is a warm color. Your granite is cool. I think white is the best option, if you are going to have your cabinets painted.
  • 10 years ago
    Sure! I will post some. I don't have the table yet, that is going to be custom built and stained. :)
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Taupe and greige are both neutrals. However, a warm taupe has red undertones. (Your floor appears to have red undertones but that may be the difference in monitors.) Warm greige has yellow undertones. Cool greige has blue undertones and cool taupe has green undertones.

    A good interior decorator is indispensable. He or she can come to your house and see the exact shades and tints of color in your room and how it plays in with the rest of the home. It's also important to consider the natural and artificial lighting that will play against the color. Working with color is exciting and can make such a difference in the impact of the final product. I'd like to recommend that you hire a decorator in your area for an hour or two to give you some on-location advice.

  • 10 years ago
    Here are some more pictures. Please don't pay attention to the color of wall, drapes or any of the decor, most is going! What isn't changing is the lay out, we spent a great deal of time figuring it out and already moved island and built new cabinet. The granite is picked and being installed next week. And I love the light over the the table and really don't want to lose it.


    As far as future table, we like the trestle table with a bench and chairs. I have three young kiddos, so I need functional for sure, but I like pretty!!
  • 10 years ago
    There is a good blog by Maria Killam, a colorist that has some great information. Before you sign up for her blog, she gives you a quiz. "What's wrong with this kitchen?" You see right off the bat, the countertops and floors have different undertones and it is so apparent once the whole kitchen is finished. Your floors and counters are very large areas and need to be the same tones or else your kitchen will just seem " off".It's all about floors, counters, cabinets and walls having the same undertone. I struggled for years choosing the right colors and my designer can walk into a space and know immediately what colors will work. I guess why she's the professional, lol. Saved me lots of money over the years, by avoiding costly mistakes.
  • 10 years ago
    I made the same mistake in choosing 2 warm tones with a cool tone countertop.
    I'm still tying to figure out what will be easier to fix. Painting the cabinets or replacing the granite which cost us 3k originally. Choose your tones wisely so your not bummed out every time you walk into your new kitchen ( like I am)
  • 10 years ago

    Since you are acting as your own designer I think white cabinets are the best choice. Trying to find a good taupe or gray for the granite will not be as easy as it sounds.

  • 10 years ago
    Our counter tops were installed today! Love them! So now I 100 percent agree the island does not work. What colors would you recommend to paint the island, and the other cabinets? All the same color or have a contrast? I have narrowed down the backsplash to a Bianco white or dove gray back splash, pending what I decide on the cabinets.
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    Congrats! Installation day is so exciting. I'd install the white backsplash (up to the bottom of upper cabinets) and paint the island and custom build white. I assume you're keeping the other cabinets unpainted?
  • 10 years ago
    I am open to painting the other cabinets, so if you have thoughts, I am open! And thank you!!!
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    If you're open to painting all, I'd choose the Ben Moore taupe someone posted above for all lowers including island and white for all uppers, with white backsplash- classic!
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    Looks like the color was "Indian River"
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Great suggestions - I'm happy with the idea of taupe on bottom and island and new cabinet , white on uppers.. Your granite looks great , it will look come out beautiful!!!