One more picture of the kitchen, and the living room. They're separated by a wall with 2 open archways. Part of my really likes the idea of doing the warmer/more inviting farmhouse style to contrast the cooler kitchen, the other half is worried that having 2 rooms right next to each other with 2 completely different styles may clash. Thoughts?

Here are the ideas we have for the living room:

First pic of the round bookshelf for under the big tree painting between the windows.

Second pic, having fiance make for the entertainment center. Note sure what color to paint/stain it.

Third for the coffee table, painted/stained exactly as shown.

Forth, toying with doing a shiplap wall behind the TV. Also going to get a bigger TV obviously, we do 80% of our TV watching on the big screen in the basement so it's just lower priority right now.

Thoughts for paint color and curtains? Color scheme I'm going for is: main beige and grey with yellow accents. Other ideas? I know teal accents are common in farmhouse style but I'm not sure I'm a fan of teal.

Random question: what to do with the inside of the archways? Keep them a neutral white, or choose one of the room colors to do the insides with?

additional details regarding the kitchen, since the paint color in there gives me the most grief: the outside countertops are Azul platino granite, it's grey with blue and purple tones. Center island is concrete (a bit trendy, I know, but we really like it). Color scheme I'm going for is grey with plum, ashy-purple accents.

What is the question?

Haha I don't know if that was intended to be snarky? I included tons of questions:

Biggest question: Ideas for what color to paint the kitchen?

Opinions on what to do about the blinds covering the extension, new color to match the room or get rid of them entirely?

What to do about the inside of the archways between the living room and kitchen since they'll be painted 2 different colors, keep them neutral white or choose which color of either room to paint them?

Opinions on having 2 rooms right next to each other in such contrasting styles/themes?

Opinion on ideas for the living room, shiplap wall, what color curtains, paint color, etc.?

Following

Thanks for info.

The contrast between warm and cool is jarring. Which do you prefer at this point? Try making a mood board with your paint samples, both existing and proposed. I would paint the kitchen to coordinate with the warm living room colors.

Many people enjoy following trends. It's easier to change to new trends when you have trendy accessories and paint colors rather than long lasting installations such as shiplap.

Here is an excellent article on choosing whole house color schemes: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/pick-a-paint-help-how-to-create-a-whole-house-color-palette-stsetivw-vs~13038406

Thanks for the input. I agree the contrast is jarring which was my concern. I really love the idea of a warmer and cozy living room but the kitchen is pretty set in stone at this point which is why we're considering just totally embrassing the contrasting themes and just making it a thing. Definitely something to think about before going forward with the living room.

I actually didn't know the shiplap wall was trendy right now, though I did see it on Pinterest so I guess I should have known haha. I did consider we may not want it forever though, so if we did do it we'd first do like 4 vertical pieces and have the wood sheets all nailed into those rather than directly into the wall. That way if we ever did decide to take it out we'd only have 4 areas to patch up rather than destroying the whole wall

I will never understand why some folks want the inside of their home to look like a barn. Just because JoJo Gaines does it doesn't mean it's a good thing.

I would avoid anything "farmhouse," not because your kitchen is industrial (it really isn't) but because while actual farmhouses will never go out of style, "farmhouse" in the sense of barn doors on furniture or extremely distressed furniture, was alway kitchy and clunky and is now also "out." I would also agree that you are late on the shiplap tide and will find yourself regretting in sooner rather than later. Instead of focusing on THINGS that you think will give your home a warm cozy feel, focus instead on an overall look to guide you. Look through Houzz (avoid stores and catalogs for your inspiration as their job is to sell you stuff and their photos are not as curated as a professionally designed spaces) for inspiration photos and show us what you like. I get that you want to customize the builders grade situation but your money is better spent on high quality items whose quality will stand out and last the test of time.

as an aside your kitchen needs some color to bring it to life, not so much on the walls but colorful stools, small appliances, fruit bowl, centerpiece....too much grey.

I agree that the kitchen needs some "life". If you can get rid of the silver stuff on the walls (too much gray) and use that to tie with the living room, you might be able to pull it off without too much pain. Another step would be getting a different dining table and pendant - doesn't need to scream farmhouse, just need to warm it up.

we have a very open house plan, also with arch ways to all areas including the kitchen, dining and hallway. As much as I wanted to do a different color for the dining, due to the archways we went with a whole house color. I chose a moody color that would look differently in lighting, to give it some interest. (BM Balboa mist). If we had picked a separate color for the dining room I would have chosen one or two shades darker to minimize the contrast on the arch, and painted under the arch the main living area color. I have seen some people leave the "under arch"
white and it doesn't look right to me.

Another thought, you could paint separate colors, and then trim out the archways. I just saw your archs are squared.

That's what we would have done but ours are rounded so not an option!

I am not a pro but I like the all gray kitchen. I don’t really have any advice.

Not a pro but i would opine that purple (especially lavender) and grey seem to be a cool color combination. Maybe take a look at a color wheel and some of the articles explaining how to use a color wheel to select color combinations. I tried to find something for you and see if this works: https://www.houzz.com/photos/kips-bay-showhouse-contemporary-living-room-new-york-phvw-vp~96496

It is a cheerful room, not sure it will work for you but this is the link to the color wheel article on houzz: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/choosing-hues-roll-with-the-color-wheel-stsetivw-vs~282705

Best Wishes!

or this one: https://www.houzz.com/photos/ekb-interiors-traditional-new-york-phvw-vp~7937662 because it uses blue with grey and seems cozy

I like the lavender accent you are using. These farmhouse stools would tie in very nicely and at a great price: https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Tabouret-24-inch-Purple-Ash-Metal-Counter-Stools-Set-of-2/20245858/product.html

Thanks for the idea, Annie! I hadn't thought about trimming the archways but that is a perfect solution and we'll definitely be doing that!

I'm starting to agree about not over-doing the farmhouse theme and nixing the shiplap wall. I do think I'd likely regret it and think it's way too big/main a wall to do it in. I'm just going to stick with an overall bright feel to the room. Really appreciate everyone's input so far.

I know some aren't a fan of the all grey kitchen but we really do love it. And not to come off defensive in any way, but it is honestly not nearly as monotoned in person as it comes off in the pictures. Can anyone suggest a paint color that is a purple/blue undertoned grey that they don't think would be TOO purple/blue looking overall? I was thinking something like BM Grey Tint or
SW Swanky Grey. I also like SW Mystical Mauve or Mystical Shade but am thinking they may be too dark. I know I'll have to get samples and paint swatches on the wall, just curious if anyone has experience with these shades?

Good thinking. Pick an accent color too. Your grey kitchen is a nice neutral background but you will be really happy with some serious color punches, IMO. Look at grey kitchens on houzz-I'm sure you will find that they serve as a backdrop for a myriad of fabulous colors :)

I don't have a paint color right now, though I will paint your kitchen in a bit.

First, that big tree canvas has to come down from between the windows. It's way too big for that spot. It might be relocated on the wall with the TV, but it can't stay where you have it.

Second, please unleash all your curtains. Nothing says "failed attempt at elegance" more than tied back drapes.

If you are going to do purple, do eggplant, and not on the walls. I would paint the walls a creamy warm white, and add accessories in sparkly silver, eggplant and black. Your art piece with the lavender is hung too high. Add texture - fur, burlap, rugs!

ShadyWillowFarm, I'm definitely going for eggplant purple. If you look at the flowers on the table, island, the picture to the right of the sliding door, towel hanging on the stove, and even my oil dispenser next to the stove, they are mostly ashy/eggplant purple. Also the pictures above the island are very deep eggplant, all that is just hard to make out from the pictures. I've never been in love with the curtains, being that they are a bit too light lavendar for what I'm going for. But I do like that it adds some contrast to the room and like the idea of the barstools olive suggested to tie them in the room.

Sorry, it was Cebezak who suggested the stools. Not those exact ones since we prefer stools with a back, but the idea of those

This might be something close to BM Dusty Road.

I say no on any shade of purple....if you want more of a industrial style..

remove vertical blinds

replace the painted stools with....

Paint walls this BM Vapor

Art for large wall in kitchen....bring in dark warm wood art

Change out light over table...

Remove light from over sink..replace with small bronze pendant light.

I think the blinds over the slider ought to come down... the color doesn't blend well with what you're going for. Is it in the budget to remove the slider and install French doors? they would look great in your dining room!! take the curtains in the living room and hang them higher....at least halfway between the window and the ceiling. make sure they are long enough to touch or almost touch the floor when you do that! I agree that the artwork is too large for that space. maybe choose a different curtain for the kitchen? A romantic shade style might fit better.

ooh and definitely new light fixtures in the kitchen! those can be pretty inexpensive to replace and will make a big impact. something less traditional and more interesting!

Is all the art in Family room new? none of them are working in your room...tree is way to wide and the 3 over small table are way to big for that small table..proportions are very important in design...I would remove everything from Family Room that can go..and start over..with all the main pieces that need to stay..than we can start rearranging....the round plate wall accents in kitchen really will work better in the family Room the sizes are better and it will bring that dark gray into the FR and start making it all feel more cohesive.

Please do not reuse those vertical blinds..they have got to go!:)

Wow Grover thank you for putting that together for me!! I have to be honest though, I don't know if it's my phone but that color is coming through a bit too peachy pink for my liking. If you're maybe trying to tie in the floors, those are also eventually to be replaced and can be ignored. Really useful tool though!

Or maybe BM White Sand...

Yah, I thought it was a bit too pink, too.

I do like the second 1 much more, it definitely helps brighten the room up!

I also really like the curtains you shopped in front of the sliding doors. Did you get those from somewhere specific or is that just stock image?

Don't be so intent on filling up space that you spend your paycheck in Hobby Lobby. Things you bring into your house should be more interesting than candles and tiny pots of green things and framed words. Better empty space than things there are a thousand of everywhere and that have no meaning.

Pay attention to scale and balance. You have a lot of little stuff. And keep your decor at standing or sitting eye level, depending on how you will view it.

A Frat, I originally got those curtains from Ballard Designs. They're burlap. Not sure they're available anymore.

@ A Frat: will you be painting the cabinets at this point?

I think part of the disharmony is your kitchen floor and your countertops. I have a gray kitchen and I love it, but my cabinets are a lighter gray (SW Repose Gray), and my countertops are bright white Corian and the woodwork is all a bright white. My walls are 1/2 strength Repose Gray - wanted some contrast in color depth. Backsplash is white marble large subway tiles/white grout. My appliances are all stainless.

But no room off my kitchen is gray. The back hall has a beige/taupe wallpaper above a chair rail, and below is a pewter metallic paper. But the DR on the other side is papered in a dark green tone-on-tone stripe and has floral chintz curtains in greens/whites with a tiny touch of gray. LR off that is in all the colors in a very colorful linen print for the curtains and one chair. All my floors are the same mid-tone brown hardwood.

Here are some of our favorite Farmhouse inspiration pictures.

Sometimes it's all about the details!

http://www.cabinets4uonline.com/2019/05/modern-farmhouse-kitchen/