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Kitchen Design Ideas

last month

We are building a home and the photo is the kitchen from the model. I would like to go with an iron ore painted center island, white oak lower perimeter cabinets and white painted upper cabinets. Thoughts. White around fridge and oven or white oak? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Just do not want all white cabinets.

Comments (28)

  • last month

    Three finishes sounds like a lot.
    Would you consider doing all white oak?

  • last month


    Iron Ore is a whole range of muted colours.

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    Too much is too much. Restraint is the hardest thing to master in design. Resist gilding the lily ”to add interest”. The worst possible busy eyebleed designs result from that unchecked impulse.

  • last month
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    Will feel too busy/broken up, plus you have the backsplash and flooring finishes in the mix.


    I think 2 is a better choice and if you don’t want stark white, consider putty cabinets for more warmth.




  • last month

    "would like to go with".......what palette does the builder provide as options whether standard or upgrade.Usually there are a few so if you can show what he offers I think Houzzers can pull out a combo and not end up w boring white if that is the goal. Show counters/ backsplashes / and cab choices. I did a kitchen once from builder offerings and it turned out fine...not boring. Have you entered into his elevated pricepoints w your picks also?

  • last month

    Concur with the others that three finishes is too many. Two tone perimeter cabinets will look busy and fragmented. One color for the perimeter and one for the island and the same counter for all surfaces.

    Since you're building, see if the lower cabinets can be changed to drawers, the hood can be a less ornate box shape instead of pyramid and the corner pantry can be changed to anything other than a corner layout.

  • last month

    "see if the lower cabinets can be changed to drawers" 100% agree with this. The increased functionality will be worth the upgrade fee.

  • last month

    Thanks for all the input. I do agree I need to narrow down colors & I was planning on only drawers for lower cabinets. I plan to proceed with engineered wood floors which will provide warmth, iron ore center island (black/brass pendents) soft white outter cabinets and Calacatta Miraggio Duo quartz countertops. Going with champagn bronze hardware. Range hood will most likely be stainless steel (more industrial style). As I want to bring in white oak or lighter wood I can do this with counter stools and round kitchen table. Any stool styles to pass on would be great. Even with the white cabinets can find ways to bring in warmth.

  • last month

    What does the group think about white oak shelves instead of the small cupboards next to the vent hood. I plan on a stainless steel vent hood without a cover.

  • last month
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    What color engineered wood floors? Can you use white oak as your floors?

    Open shelves instead of the uppers on the range wall may leave you with too little cabinet space.

  • last month

    These are our floors next to the option for white oak cabinets, whick I will be going with in our bathrooms. We are downsizing, only my husband and I and don’t know that I would use those very small cupboards.

  • last month

    To get away from the bright white perimeter kitchen cabinets thinking or a different direction with repose gray. Any thoughts on this switch up?

  • PRO
    last month


    White oak is one of the most difficult to achieve......that cobble together on a five piece door or drawer WON'T make you crazy?

    How many "whites" does the builder offer? What exactly is the builders "iron ore" ?

    Down here.......?


    First before colors/finishes?

    I'd want that fridge OUT of my garage mud entry and traffic!

    I'd lose the corner pantry....which has long since sailed for better options .

    do you have the actual floor plan for your model, WITH the kitchen?

    This? below.....



    Is NOT the chill white of this.....is it?








  • last month

    I agree with your comments on the layout, but not an option to change. Here are the paint/stain options. I am liking repose gray for outter cabinets for softer look (mist of grey paint. My counters will be CALACATTA MIRAGGIO DUO™.

  • last month

    Better image of stain options

  • PRO
    last month

    Never select colors from a computer screen.

  • last month

    I agree, will see actual samples before making a decision.

  • last month

    Kitchen will have lots of light with many south facing windows.

  • last month

    Jan, that pic is a good represention of a style I like. My kitchen plan layout.

  • last month

    Your model kitchen photo shows cabinetry on both sides of the fridge. Your layout pic does not. Will you still be able to open your fridge when it’s up against the wall on the hinged side?

  • last month

    Random thoughts and some concerns:

    - The inspiration picture you shared is kinda flat. So much white, and it's all the same -- keeping the white but bringing in some texture /accent would make a world of difference: A backsplash with a small pattern, color in the light fixtures, color on the stools, and -- of course -- linens and floor mats.

    - No to multi-colors in the cabinetry. It so often comes out looking like you bought second-hand cabinets are threw them together.

    - You're trying to bring in way too much, and I don't think it's going to come out well -- and cabinets are tremendously expensive to replace. I'd consider painting the pantry door (and other doors) a color (not a neutral) and adding a wreath to it to bring in some color. Also consider color in the range hood. If you feel you MUST go with multi-colored cabinets, make the island a different color /keep all the rest white.

    - Do you know the 60-30-10 rule? Google it for examples, but it says that a well-balanced room should have 60% one color (which can vary in tone and can have pattern), 30% a second color and 10% an accent color. You currently are considering ALL neutral, and the floor is rather close to white -- that's why it looks flat.

    - Cabinets to the ceiling are much nicer.

    - How big is that sink? Maybe it's the angle, but it looks smallish.

    - Note that your barstools don't fit under the edge of the island. You need a little deeper overhang.

    - Is it the kitchen or the dining room that has lots of South-facing windows? Because those are very different answers.

    Too much is too much. Restraint is the hardest thing to master in design. Resist gilding the lily ”to add interest”. The worst possible busy eyebleed designs result from that unchecked impulse.

    Yes! It's a trend these days: Fear of being too simple, too basic, so people add more, more more for the sake of "interest" -- enter the eyebleed.

    I'd lose the corner pantry

    This corner pantry is FINE because it is not in your work area.

    I am liking repose gray for outter cabinets for softer look (mist of grey paint

    No to gray. It was never a great choice /brings in a cold look, and it's definitely "out" now.

  • last month

    Thanks for the feedback, greatly appreciated it. Regarding No to gray, I assume you are not referencing Repose gray as I see that color as more of a taupe/greige. I would like to go with a deeper/darker center island color of iron ore/dark charcoal.

  • PRO
    last month
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    You must gather together actual samples of allllll : ) the elements.

    No monitor is as good as your eye with the sample in front of you, for anything.

  • last month

    Jan, for the kitchen design example you provided, do you have a recommendation on the soft white paint color as something to consider vs the repose gray.

  • last month
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    I think SW Pure White on the perimeter cabinets with Iron Ore island would look great together with your countertop.

    ETA: I found a couple kitchens with that combo and with Repose Gray on the walls. It didn’t say the name of the white quartz. I added your chosen quartz to the backsplash just for fun. ☺️


    Here is another example of that combo.


    Sorry if I missed it. Did you say what was going on the floors? Wood? What type/stain color?

    Of course as you know, you’ll need to see all these colors with your countertop and flooring inside the house since your lighting can affect the undertone.

    You could try Repose Gray on the walls with the Pure White for the cabinets, trim, and ceiling.


    This home has that exact combo, although the photo looks washed out.


    Or maybe try Agreeable Grey?


    Here is a home with that combo.


    Or here is the opposite. Repose Gray perimeter cabinets, Iron Ore island, with white quartz.


    Then either Pure White or another white you like that works best for the walls?

  • last month

    These are great ideas/visuals! I am leaning towards pivoting from Pure White perimeter cabinets to Repose Gray, simply to try something a bit different. I like Drift of Mist for wall color, but would love alternitives if you feel there is a better choice. Image of my floors & vision board. Thank you so much for the feedback, much appreciated!

  • PRO
    last month
    last modified: last month

    "I am leaning towards pivoting from Pure White perimeter cabinets to Repose Gray, simply to try something a bit different. I like Drift of Mist for wall color, but would love altern.....

    This below........



    The kitchen is open to all else on your living floor. Have you considered the "all else" ? Nothing lives in isolation...nor will your kitchen.

    What will be the flavor of the nearby dining area, your great room.....the fireplace if there is one? Does it have a stone or other material you haven't yet selected?

    Am I saying you should do something other than your plan? No! I am just saying your kitchen will be one part of a three part.........ROOM: )

    So..whether "Drift of Mist", Repose Gray......or other? Consider it midst the whole of all else you will see simultaneously......: )

    Couches,.... sectional..... rugs..all of it- because changing cabinetry color is not like switching up pillows, or trading a rug.

    You asked about the picture, What white ....

    I don't use Sherwin Williams, so not the best person to ask : )

    Were I you? Your builder and his cabinet source should have a sample door representation in any color you select, or you ask can you get a sample "strike chip" from that source ......and if not? I'd be at a Sherwin Williams with some plywood, and I'd be testing any color........in a similar finish as cabinetry. Satin etc