Wednesday, March 10, 2010

More paint in the Kitchen

A while back, I painted the kitchen tan just because I absolutely hated the orange color it previously was. I always had plans to repaint but I've never been able to find a color that works with the kitchen but also flows with the rest of the first floor. The tan is so drab but what color really works with the wood cabinets, that dark granite and the backsplash that I also am not such a huge fan of? These elements do nothing to lighten up the kitchen.


Here's the view from the yellow living room into the blue dining room. I love my green glider and wondered if green might work.


So, here's a sample I picked up today. Martha Stewart now has a line of paint at Home Depot. This one's called Aurora Borealis.


I don't know. I feel like "blah tan" is the only color that will ever really work with the cabinets, backsplash and counters. I'm at a complete loss here.

15 comments:

  1. Your home is lovely. I love the pretty soft colors you use. Your cabinets are just stunning. How about a more grayed/blue/green. This one just seems to be a little too minty in my picture on the computer. A grayed/blue would also look lovely. Your cabinets are stunning and I adore the countertops, so I know you will find something. I usually just go to the store and pick up about 20 paint chips and paste them all on the wall. It's amazing how a color you don't think will work at all just sparkles in your own home with your light and surroundings. Since they are free, that makes it fun too. Good luck with the color. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Yes, your home is BEAUTIFUL!!! I actually really like the green color in the kitchen! I think it would flow nicely with your other rooms! Just my $.02.

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  3. Sorry no suggestions. I am in the same boat. Dark cabinets and countertops with blah tan walls. On top of the we have dark green ceramic tiles. I have really wanted white cabinets to lighten up the kitchen, but they are solid wood built by an Amish carpenter so I just can't bring myself to do it. Instead, I sit and wonder what color would work with the dark floor and cabinets to brighten the space up. I'll be waiting to see what suggestions you do get. I really like the blue and yellow you have in the other rooms.

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  4. Thank you both for your opinions!

    Marty, That color is actually the greyest of the chips I brought home. I don't want something too minty as you said but I also don't want something too grey or too close to blue. Maybe I'll pick up a few more chips.

    I'm usually pretty decisive when it comes to paint but this one has really got me. I'm so glad they have these samples under $3 now.

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  5. Carla,
    I have the same dilemma. Our cabinets are less than 2 years old so there's no way I can bring myself to put a paintbrush to them. We didn't get white because we were trying to stay on a budget and white was the most expensive finish. I wish now that I'd splurged! We had some issues with our contractor so some other things like the backsplash and counters weren't what I would have liked but I'm just trying to do my best with what we have now.

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  6. Melanie,
    i noticed some fiestaware in the cupboard, what about something in that color family, perhaps in a very light tint? I'm not sure if it's coral or more orange (if orange, that's out already). i know how color can be frustrating. we just painted our kitchen & i'm already not liking it as much...perhaps it's spending too much time looking at all the fabulous blog kitchens out there!
    hope you find that perfect color
    ~judi ;)

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  7. I love how you put colors together.

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  8. Hi Melanie, your home is truly beautiful! I've been known to have to repaint rooms several times because I've picked out the wrong color. But what about the color white? It might look good in your kitchen, and it would match other rooms in your house. Just a suggestion. I love your blog!

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  9. judi, The previous orange color of the kitchen was one my husband mixed up to match the fiestaware. I've had this fiestaware for about 12 years and I'm kinda getting tired of the color, but your idea of a light shade is great. I never thought of that! The thing is that I've been thinking of getting another set of fiesta in turquoise so I'm not sure I want to match the dishes.

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  10. Lottie,
    I've lost track of how many times I've painted the kitchen! I actually considered white a while ago but white paint is even HARDER to choose! I'd love something that is the shade of the white island I have but I had an impossible time finding something that shade. I have a whole gallon of antique white but it seemed very grey when I tried id. Hmmm ... maybe I'll try that again though.

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  11. My first thought is a darker, warm taupe or gray. It looks like you have little wall space and a darker neutral might make the cabinets and finish carpentry pop without being too overwhelming? If you're into chalkboard paint, that might be something cute to consider on the wall with the phone. Anxious to see what you do!

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  12. I considered grey but I questioned how it would look with all the brown of the cabinetry. That might be worth a paint sample though because I think it would look great with the blue of the dining room and the yellow of the living room.

    I thought about chalkboard paint by the phone too! Its not visible in the photos, but its a bit of an awkward space with the phone, a light switch and two doors so that's why I've never done it.

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  13. I'm sure that whatever you decide on will be perfect, just look at the rest of your house...gorgeous.

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  14. I think the green is lovely...I had two favorite shades of green in my old house: one was 'Sage' by Laura Ashley from Loews, and it bumped into the dining room which was 'Powder Blue 2' also from L. Ashley. They were lovely next to eachother. My most recent post shows that kitchen with the green.

    The other shade of green I love is Ben Moores Soft Fern. A pale grey/green that goes with absolutely everything.

    If you decide to do something other than green, I think a warm natural (Ralph Lauren had a shade called 'Canvas Natural', but M. Stewart's line took over his *grin*). Again, L.Ashley has a Taupe that is a perfect neutral. I have used both the Taupe 3 and 4...goes with everything.

    Sorry so rambly!

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  15. Melanie, I really like the idea of green but this color is looking minty on my computer too. I think you might like something more in the "sage" family. Check out Behr "Mountain Haze" or if you want to go a little darker, "Restful." My daughter had cabinets similar in color to yours and Mountain Haze was gorgeous with her cabinets. I think either of those colors would look great with your countertops too. Lighting plays such a HUGE factor in how colors come across though. What works in one person's house doesn't always work in another's. I found that out with the "house in Hooterville" when I wanted to use all the same colors I have now (including Mountain Haze and Restful). I had to pick all new colors because the lighting was so different. :(

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