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andrea_bowlin33

Kitchen isn’t flowing

8 years ago
Hello! I’m in need of some help getting my kitchen to flow a little better. We just remodeled. Everything turned out as I planned except the backsplash. I wanted to do subway tile but my husband really didn’t like it. He’s a plumber by trade and reminds him of bathrooms. So, since it’s the only thing he had a strong opinion about I compromised on the marble arabesque which turned out more gray than I anticipated. I feel like the room is separated. Brown on one half )there’s a dark brown pantry barn door behind the island) and black/gray on the other half. The only cost effective thing I can think to do is change the cabinet hardware and put up a Roman shade. Oil rubbed bronz? Something else? I’m awful at this lol.

Comments (27)

  • 8 years ago

    your light fixture looks visually very heavy. granted this angle would make it seem that way, but..... can we have a photo facing the other direction of your door?

  • 8 years ago
    I’m confused...don’t you have oil rubbed bronze hardware now? Without seeing the other wall you’re speaking of, I think it looks great. For the record I love the backsplash!
  • 8 years ago

    i'm guessing the hardware is straight up black.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I think the issue is that the marble arabesque isn't meshing with the modern farmhouse style you have going on. It feels too formal compared to the rest. A subway tile, or even a plain white arabesque, would have fit better. But it doesn't look bad so if you don't want to change the backsplash I would just live with it.

  • 8 years ago
    Thank you for responding! I’ll post a picture of the other wall when I return home later this evening.
  • 8 years ago
    Oh, yes the hardware is black.
  • 8 years ago

    Can you post some more photos at different angles?

    I think the backsplash looks nice. From the picture it looks diamond shaped which echoes the end of your island.

    I would add a natural woven Roman shade in a brown color above your kitchen window to help tie in the other wood elements.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    A Roman blind with some color in it- maybe a botanical with some brown in it- and a big wooden bowl of fruit on the sink counter will go a long way toward blending the colors you have together.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I love the roman shade idea. My mind goes to fabrics in this realm > Or even a random floral with some brown in it.

    The shade will break up the sterility & bridge the brown. A few
    accessories too. Wood bowl...etc. I don't mind the backsplash. GL!

  • 8 years ago
    Here are a couple more pics. Pardon the items on the counter. I’m not home so DH sent me the pictures.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    If possible and in budget, I would raise the cutout for the fridge. Add some of the white cabinets above and trim around the fridge for extra storage. This will help counterbalance the height of the barn door. The fridge cutout looks unfinished to me.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    A roman shade over your window might tie it together if you can find the right fabric similar to ones below.


    Not this fabric but hung like this.


  • 8 years ago

    Add a large wooden bowl on the counter with fruit or veggies.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Replace that light fixture - it sticks out like a sore thumb!! I think the backsplash looks great. But that barn door.....why?

  • 8 years ago

    Pretty kitchen! Is there a over the sink light that might be even more like the one over your island? Otherwise the shade and wooden accessories would be great.

  • 8 years ago

    That fixture over the island is the problem. Otherwise kitchen looks great.

  • 8 years ago
    Nice kitchen, I think you just need to bring some dark wood elements over to the other side to balance it out more.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I don't hate the light fixtures and they do compliment the barn door. If you had another similar but smaller light over the sink it might further tie it all together.

  • 8 years ago

    What about a wood hood over stove? Can’t see the area so don’t know what’s already there

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Include a faux Roman (not operable) and place it higher on the wall to make the window appear larger. Similar to what we did in this home.

    Eclectic Remodel and Decor · More Info

  • 8 years ago

    You don't need to replace the pulls and knobs. They match the counter.

  • 8 years ago

    Some dark brown bamboo type blinds on the window plus some other wood elements on that side of the kitchen (layered wooden cutting boards leaning against the backsplash, a crock with wooden rolling pins, large bowl on the island or large glass vase with branches, etc.) will help balance the room out. It looks lovely. A pop of colour with a nice runner on the floor between the island and sink will help too. Good luck!!!

  • 8 years ago
    Your kitchen is lovely! Minor additions ie roman shades, island accessories, etc. will make a big difference.
  • 8 years ago
    Agree with what’s said about introducing browns or could paint barn door white or light grey
  • 8 years ago

    It would look more finished to frame around the fridge. No need to go crazy there just add a 4 inch frame like around the door.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I would just do two things. Change the pendant light as others have said, for something softer.

    I would replace the brown barn door with a white one. Your floors provide enough brown; you don't need more. Your counters and backsplash aren't at all rustic - and they look great in your kitchen! That brown barn door just looks so different from the entire rest of the kitchen, and doesn't seem to belong.

    Your hardware in black is fine - I agree with Leelee's comment that it matches the counter and looks good with the cabinets. I would not add a wood hood as someone suggested (assuming it's not there already; we can't see it) because you mentioned being cost-effective, and adding a wood hood after-the-fact will be expensive.