Kathy wrote in to ask about the paint color in her kitchen.
Hello there,
... my dilemma is I have a cathedral ceiling kitchen with still nice looking honey oak cabinets. I am not ready to paint them . My kitchen faces north ,so in the winter it is not very bright . We are thinking to add windows on the west side. I believe you my have suggested red for the walls but I do not think that look is right with the oak . I have too much of the same oak all over the kitchen, cabinets, floor , fireplace kitchen, table and chairs . I have white appliances. Presently my walls are a light yellow which is not rich enough for the size of the room. At one time it was painted a grey green shade that was too dreary. Now I like golds , greens , taupe . The room is separate from any other room but it is 24x32.I am thinking of a rich color on the windows or even just going with white of light beige to make the room airy . Any suggestions. The rug under the table needs changed as well. Thanks for any thoughts.
~kathy
I wrote back:
Kathy,
I can see what you mean about the red. It may be a problem but may not be, but let's go in a different direction.
You have a light gold now. You're right, that won't provide enough contrast with your oak cabinets and floor. Here are two popular tones right now that are between gold and orange. They're warm and rich. They'll give you contrast but won't fight the oak.
One is Benjamin Moore August Morning. See here: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/bm/cms/ContentRenderer/ContentRendererController.jpf?np=imagerepository/public_site/article_images/Interior/Living_Room/IA_lvrm004&lang=en_US
and here: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_color_hiddenPage&np=public_site%2Fapplications%2Fcolor_collections%2FEnvisionColor2010#/view_interiors/fresh_room_3/2156-40/
Even darker is Onondaga Clay. See here: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/bm/cms/ContentRenderer/ContentRendererController.jpf?np=imagerepository/public_site/article_images/Interior/Fireplace/IA_fireplace003&lang=en_US
If you went with the second, you'll need to be sure to have curtains, drapes and accents that bring the white from your appliances into it. So the fabric for the curtains would need to have the clay color, the oak, and white. That may be a little harder to pull off.
In either case, your curtains, drapes, and rug now need to reflect and complement this new color.
Let me know what you think. Good luck.
Julie
[Note: Pictures are from www.BenjaminMoore.com]
But this is even a beautiful fireplace, comes across as genuine feeling:)
Posted by: Sunshine | June 03, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Oak cabinets are something I used to have. The house came with them but they really turned to be an eye-sore. I really like knotty alder right now, but I think that, like oak, will die as a fad.
Posted by: Scentsy Bricks | July 02, 2010 at 11:37 PM
Yes Orange is warm color that I believe would best fit-in. I love how the fireplace has been set-up. Everything fused into one aim... relaxing..
Posted by: RTA Cabinets | October 27, 2010 at 02:13 AM
Thanks for the great tips. The kitchen is probably the most used room in the house, and needs to be remodeled or renovated often. There are many options to how you can get this done. Many people choose to let a contractor do it, but at a high price. I prefer the do it yourself kitchen refacing route. Why not make it a project and put your effort into something rewarding. Check out some useful tips here, http://www.diykitchenrefacing.com/,
Posted by: Owen Munger | December 07, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Beautiful fire place! I became a fond of it. Color combinations are excellent. I love to live in a beautiful house and "House painting Melbourne" helped me to achieve it. All thanks to them for excellent job.
Posted by: House painting Melbourne | December 17, 2010 at 03:20 AM
This is really fabelous fireplace,I love that orange color...Color combinations are pleasure to c ... http://www.winterizemyavsystem.com/ Stunning job!!!Keep it up ....
Posted by: Media room layout | January 05, 2011 at 04:48 AM
Really informative and interesting article... Being a women kitchen is a place which should be given high priority... edgwhitepapers.com
Very creative and as u said de rich colour rockz...
Posted by: home automation | January 19, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Yeah, that was absolutely right. Kitchen must be the priority in designing and maintaining it clean and well organize because this is a place where we cook, eat and store our food. Our wellness also defend within our kitchen.
Posted by: Britannica | February 08, 2011 at 04:59 AM
The house came with them, but they really proved to be an eye-sore. I really like the knotty alder right now, I live in a nice house and House Painting Melbourne helped me get there.
Posted by: Kitchens | February 10, 2011 at 09:13 AM
Thank you so much for sharing such an informative post like you got in here. Also thanks for the tips. It's definitely worth the read
Posted by: Oak Furniture Bromley, Kent | February 16, 2011 at 02:05 AM
The kitchen is probably the most used room in the house and must be modeled often renovated. There are many variations on how to accomplish this. Many people choose to let the contractor do it, but the high price.
Posted by: Fitted kitchens | February 22, 2011 at 08:56 AM
The successful kitchen colors are those that lift the spirits and engage the senses. The best kitchen colors are those that can enliven the mood and engage the senses. If your goal is to create a super kitchen, the colors that you select for all the various surfaces in your kitchen take on considerable importance in creating a kitchen.
Posted by: landscape architect sydney | February 25, 2011 at 11:52 PM
It is the good and excellent fireplace. The color combination is very good. The orange color looks very excellent.
Posted by: Kitchen unit | March 02, 2011 at 06:08 PM
I had the same problem! And I think that Onondaga Clay is very nice and pretty, maybe a lil bit pricey but is a quality brand. I will keep your suggestion!
Posted by: Turks and Caicos real estate | March 02, 2011 at 07:01 PM
If you need windows treatment or replacement I recommend you "colorado windows" they have superior workmanship and customer service, well above standard window installs.
Posted by: denver windows | March 28, 2011 at 09:49 PM
The kitchen is probably the most used room in the house, & needs to be remodeled or renovated often. There's lots of options to the way you can get this completed. Lots of people select to let a contractor do it, but at a high cost.
Posted by: Electric fireplaces | April 12, 2011 at 01:49 PM
i really like the idea of using oak colour cabinets but am a bit unsure of the tones of paint and tiles to use with it. i dont want to create a dingey atmosphere in the kitchen it is not that big, any suggestions?
Posted by: pete kitchener | April 14, 2011 at 06:07 AM
The fireplace was superb. I like it so much. The color combination was excellent.
Posted by: Uttermost mirrors | April 24, 2011 at 10:30 AM
When ever I am going to renovate my kitchen 1st preference would definitely be the Oak Kitchen Cabinets..!!
Posted by: Quality kitchen cabinets | April 29, 2011 at 06:02 AM
i really like the idea of using oak colour cabinets but am a bit unsure of the tones of paint and tiles to use with it.
Posted by: RTA Cabinets | October 17, 2011 at 01:22 AM
Oak is my fav. i like oak cabinets very much....
Posted by: kitchen cabinets | October 31, 2011 at 01:34 AM