It's Input, It's Input Time
June 04, 2009
Okay, so a lot of you demanded to see photos of the headband. A lot of you do not have much goin' on for you, these days, I'm guessin'. Anyway, I wasn't intentionally holding out on you, I just...um...haven't been washing my hair much this week, in order to test out some new dry shampoo and various oily-scalp things for the Advice Smackdown. Results have been...mixed. Helmet-head-ish, with a side of Ye Olde Timey Powdered Wig. You know, REALLY PRETTY. Really ready for a close-up self-portrait to be published across the land.
I bought it at H&M after watching entirely too much Top Chef, because that one girl always wore double headbands like this one, only not really like this one at all, as you can see close up:
Even the girl on Top Chef had re-thought the headbands by the reunion show. I should have learned a similar lesson, including the fact that this fucker HURTS MY HEAD.
Anyway. The glittery headband is just all around Bad Idea Jeans, I realize that now. Moving on! It is now time to talk about how ugly my kitchen is.
See, when we moved into this house, we were completely thrilled with the kitchen layout. The previous owners had knocked down walls! Installed a breakfast bar! Extra cabinets, lazy susans, built-in wine racks, A SPONGE CUBBY! Huzzah!
As for the actual look of the kitchen...well. The previous owners had also used the cheapest, crappiest cabinets and countertops possible. We planned on eventually replacing the counters and at least refacing the cabinets, but...well, again. That's not going to happen for awhile, what with our current state of brokeassness. We've also (obviously) scrapped any talk of moving back to the city, since Noah (obviously) needs to stay here in this school district. Thus, we're trying to do that whole "make the best of things" (uh) THING. So while I can't afford to really change the kitchen, I believe we can afford a couple gallons of paint.
But I am TERRIBLE at this stuff, Internet. Seriously. I read those design/decorating blogs and it's like there is a hole in my genetic code where that sort of talent should be. I mean, I can look at a photo and be like, THAT, RIGHT THERE! I LOVE! But then I have no idea how to make my actual house look like that. I go for "eclectic" and the result is "cluttered mish-mosh." I go for "modern" and the result is "Ikea." I go for anything else and the result is "Amy got this because it was on sale, and it was on sale because HOLY GOD, LOOK AT IT."
So. Here. Help me. I know this is spectacularly boring, but I am clueless.
We have your typical plain white laminate cabinets and a black-and-white-and-grey laminate countertop. There's kind of a tiny bit of a brownish-putty color in the counters as well, but it's really nothing I'd want on the walls. The current paint is a really terribly blah shade of yellow that doesn't look good with the white AT ALL in real life (it looks oddly more neutral in photos, not so much in person). Besides, I've pretty much utterly destroyed the paint job anyway.
I can't really judge the chooser of this color though, because I know EXACTLY how it came to me: the stark cabinets and black counters and modern handles ended up looking a little cold and boring, so yellow was chosen to "warm the room up," or some other great idea that only works if you have any real eye for color. Which they didn't. (400 different shades of beige! Every wall a slightly different shade of beige! That's not a color scheme, that's an obessive compulsive disorder!).
So my ideas begin and end with: Let's paint it white. At least white won't actively clash and bug me so much. But then there are the floors, which are a darkish reddish hardwood, and ALSO kind of clash with the modern black and white. We installed the floors back when we were so sure that a kitchen makeover was next on our to-do list. Back before everything went, you know, BOOM.
(We also wanted floors that matched our dog, just so she could camouflage herself for maximum Getting Stepped On. Success!)
So there you have it. We need a new paint color. The appliances are all white, and will likely be staying that way (see: BOOM, etc.). Would you paint the walls white? White with an accent wall? Totally not white but some other awesome color that I'm too stupid to think off? (And one that we also wouldn't have to paint over in the unlikely even that we DO move in a couple years, like the crazy bright blue we had in our old kitchen that we thought was SO AWESOME until we painted it white before listing our condo and then were all, "Oh. This looks much better. Huh.")
Also, please know that I am not handy enough to attempt anything like a tile backsplash or really, anything other than paint. Although I AM incredibly tempted by shit like this, which seems cheap and easy and thus guaranteed to end in disaster.
Thank you, dear one Internet, for any help you can provide in this clearly very important matter.
Sincerely,
PRINCESS AUDITOR GENERAL AMALAH SPARKLE HEADBAND OF THE NIGERIAN AMALAHALAHS, ESQ.
I'd love to help you, but I got nothin.
But I love that your floor matches your dog!! Nice!
I would go with a pale blue - that will match the cabinets, the floor, and even the counters. We have BM Beacon Grey in our office/soon-to-be-nursery and it looks great. You can see it, maybe, here: http://tinyurl.com/ohltf2.
I am an interior designer (corporate, not residential and btw my house looks like crap - rental, bad economy, etc). So I do say this with some professional knowledge. Steer clear of the white. There are approxiamately 150 different colors of white. It will make your head explode to try and find one that matches your cabinets. Also I think you will be disappointed in it. It will show all sorts of dirt, especially with small boys and a dog and end up very sterile. I don't know you, obviously, so I don't know what your comfort zone is for boldness, but I would suggest a bold color. Do you like red? I love red in a kitchen. It hides a multitude of sins and it is kept from being too overwhelming by being broken up by cabinets and such. Not knowing the size of your kitchen, I don't know if an accent wall would make sense or not. It may make the space too choppy. If red is not your thing, then I say pick your favorite color (blue, green, purple, one you've liked for a long time) and go for it. With plain counters and cabinets, your kitchen could stand some boldness. Good luck.
Sorry, I too am missing that portion of the genetic code that helps me make rooms look decent. Luckily I married a man with the ability to take random swatches, throw them together, and come out with pretty. I'll ask him!!
By the way, i meant to say, that I really like the headband too.
Yay something I can actually make a statement about and actually KNOW what I'm talking about cause I'm and Artist and all that. I'd suggest looking at shades of soft grey about one or two hues down from the lightest shade (aka the 2nd or 3rd color down the paint chip strip from the top) or possibly a soft misty green with a similar hue. If you have NO CLUE what I'm talking about email me and I'll send you the names and pictures of the sample colors I'm talking about. But I strongly suggest getting samples of colors (more than one) that you like and on a WHITE wall paint 2x2 squares agaist the countertops to see which one you like best.
I don't know how you feel about going all BOLD and DIFFERENT, but in all seriousness, you should consider red. Not like, RED red, but my friend has a room that is this gorgeously yummy darkish red, and I COVET. It would be great with your white appliances and your salt-and-pepper countertops.
Bold! I say bold! BLUE, maybe?
I'd recommend a light blue/gray color. Modern, clean, neutral. We just painted our nursery-to-be that color and it looks very wonderful. We used a color called "morning fog" from Lowe's and it only took one coat! YAY for good paint!
I agree with Kim in staying away from the white. But what about pulling the taupish color out of the laminate and going a shade or so warmer towards the reddish in your floors? Also you are Amalah, I am sure that you could find a local Kim who would love to barter the publicity from your site in return for a consultation of your home? You may not know home improvement but you do know marketing. :)
I like the idea of pale blue. I love color. I am not a huge fan of white walls.
I'm all about the bold colors, too, so I vote red or grass green. As long as every room in your house isn't like that, a warm kitchen is fun. Also: BABY TOES! I almost couldn't comment because I was fixated.
I like a light green, myself.
I'd go with red. I really like red in the kitchen and I think it goes really well with black and white, which are the other colors you're stuck with for now. Also, from the photo, it looks like it would go well with your wood floors.
Is Ceiba eyeing those baby toes for a snack?
I'm sorry- that backsplash thing- love the look but OUCH! the price!!! You could pay someone to design and paint for less than that!
I think a blue with undertones of grey. I was going to suggest a Red wall until I saw the floors- no more red!
Amy, we seem to have the same kitchen issue going on, except I have god-awful wallpaper to contend with! Looking at your countertop, I would stick with a somewhat earthy tone - sage green, dark brick, or terra cotta perhaps. But NOT WHITE. The room will blind you with white walls, white appliances, and white cabinets! You might also consider painting the cabinets too - I'm actually going to try distressing or antiquing mine (easy as sanding down the edges or dry-brushing some stain on over the existing paint), which I think would look awesome with the countertop you have and sage walls. Think old-world Italian cottage type of look! Check out the Better Homes & Gardens website for some good inspiration and how-to's.
I'd pick a red that pulls out a little of the reddish tint in your floor - it'll go great with the white cabinets and black/white counters, too.
The headband looks good, I think. As for the wall, I would maybe go with a sage-y green. Then again, I think the headband looks good, so our tastes may be different.
I love the idea of chalkboard paint in the old school green color. I have not tried it myself, am definetly tempted to though. Of course, Miss Martha Stewart has already gone there: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/make-custom-color-chalkboard-paint
And you could have a lot of fun writing grocery lists and drawing pictures on it.
Pick a color that goes with the pictures on your walls. Maybe a green or blue. I am going to give a BIG warning about red walls - my son wanted red walls and we never did get complete coverage with the paint. A kajillion coats later and there was still areas that were not covered completely so we just gave up and went with a half-assed blotchy red mess and pretended it was supposed to look that way. However, if someone has a trick to make them look covered and even then it will look fantastic.
My first inclination is a bold red, not primary but a deep, rich red. Red is great for kitchens too. I wouldn't do white if you're trying to not make it boring. Of course I'm totally biased, there's not a single white wall in my house.
Something in the blue family might be nice too but I would go with deep, rich colors. Nothing pastel or light.
Oh, and if you do decide to do anything in the red family make sure you prime first (I'd use an odorless oil primer but latex would work too). Red paint is a bitch to get to cover and primer will save you time (in coats) and money (in the amount of paint the wall will suck up). I speak from experience on this one.
No white. Paint it red.
My floors match my dog too but he's enormous so isn't in real stepping on danger.
I needed (not wanted - NEEDED) new floors in kitchen/great room this year.
BOOM. Indeed.
I'd go a little bit bolder, and def. skip the white. (You can always repaint.) A red would tie in nicely with your floors (less cherry and more russet) but stay away from cool toned reds. They never ever translate well and they are energy-sucks. If you go bold, I'd choose a flatter finish in a higher-end paint so that you can wash the walls without having shiny glossy walls. (I used the highest-grade Valspar from Lowe's and love love love it.)
You should post this question on Apartment Therapy. I bet you'd get some good suggestions. I know you asked for advice about paint colors (I've got none), but have you considered going with open cabinets up top? That might help you like your kitchen more and doesn't require a ton of work: http://tinyurl.com/69t9kz
Shenandoah Taupe aka Ashely Gray by Benjamin Moore is the answer! We used it in our kitchen when we couldn't match anything with the ugly cabinets and slate tiles. DO IT!
Okay, you need to go to the hardware store and ask to see Ralph Lauren "Cotswald Breeches". Yes, it's the most RIDICULOUS name ever given to a color. I feel ridiculous saying it out loud. BUT, it's the best paint color ever invented. It's taupe...not it's green...no it's brown..no it's avocado. Seriously it can be any color, depending on what's around. It really warms up our house and everyone gets if after they see it on our main floor.
There. Go.
Hmmm...I too suck at the whole interior design thing but I do get lots of compliments on my kitchen color. Our cabinets are white as are our countertops so I went bold with a green. The exact color is Avocado from Pittsburgh paints. The previous owner had painted the kitchen yellow while her husband was out of town one weekend and he hated it. He came by to visit after we moved in and said he liked the green so much better. Lets not even mention the 22 Mary Engelbreit tea kettle designed ceramic knobs she installed on all of the cabinets. *Shudder*
I vote for an accent wall matching the purple sparkly headband.
Barring that, I would beg you to not paint a kitchen with white cabinets and white appliances white. UGH! My last kitchen was terra cotta (like the pots people plant things in) and I loved it. I have also seen a lot of nice spring apple greens lately but finding the right shade would make my head explode. When in doubt a red kitchen is always lovely. Good luck (and don't discount the purple sparkly too easily).
PS: Scroll down this post for an example of the type of red to avoid (good gracious goobers, it was the worst red EVER in real life): http://tinyurl.com/p7quwk
Stay away from red because of your floors (love red in the kitchen usually). I would go with a bright green (not neon, more of a grass green). Green will contrast nicely with your floors too and the white cabinets will stand out. Use a lot of black and white accents (like black and white photos).
i was distracted by baby toes. YUM.
No white! I say a gray or slate for most of the walls and a red accent wall, because red accent walls are awesome.
Also, I think the headband is really cute, but they always hurt my head; I thought I was special, or had a giant head, or something...it's nice to know I'm not the only one!
I totally think you coulda pulled the headband off, had it not been pink.
Anyhoo, we too have white cabs, appliances and salt & pepper type countertops. I went to the paint store in search of a color resembling "tomato soup with milk". It took 2-3 coats but I love it! If you do go for a red, invest in some pink-based primer. Good Luck
When I read this, I right away thought red, but--not only do studies show that "warm" color kitchens make you hungrier (think of fast food logos--most of them include red and yellow!) but yes, if you ever wanted to paint OVER the red wall, you'd be in for quite a project.
I do like the idea of something bold, though, so I will vote for the blue idea. Perhaps not as bright as in your old home, but something in that family.
Good luck!
I'm a graphic designer and I love to decorate so that equals absolutely no professional opinion. BUT. I think red! A warm red would look nice with the floors and cabinets. Remember you can always buy a small can and do a test area to see how you feel about the color before you commit.
Oh and the backsplash - not sure about the shiny silver plasticy stuff... I get the feeling that you'll be re-gluing it to the wall over and over. That's something that personally, I would splurge a little on and hire someone to install ceramic tile.
OH and if you take a picture of the whole kitchen I can take it into Photoshop and show you how it would look:) I did that in my bathroom when we re-did it.
Best kitchen color ever think Tomato soup
I would definitely go with red as well. I think it would look fifties-ish and super cute. Get a couple of retro cannisters or a cookie jar and I think it would be fantastic.
I heard once that you should paint your kitchen the color of food. I.E. NOT ELECTRIC BLUE. Not anything unnatural. Pick a few favorite foods and consider painting it a color that is in that palette.
That said, I hope your favorite food isn't carrots. But once I painted my kitchen the color of, like, overdone hamburger and it was AWFUL. Then I repainted with a sage green that reminded me of the tops of winter squash, and I LOVE IT!
What about a pine green? Or some type of non-kelly/jcrew green for the kitchen?
I think a deep red color would look beautiful as well. Like a rich merlot color.
We are going to go with beadboard painted a color similar to "Herbal Garden" at the Behr website. We live on the other side of the country so you can copy me if you want.
Since I remodeled my kitchen about 6 years ago...I can give a tiny bit of advice. White. As nice and clean a color....will get dirty look quickly. And yes, like said up above me... there are a gazillon whites. I went with a slate gray. I also have white cupboards and gray speckeled counter tops like yours minus the brown. I also don't have a kitchen window so I needed my kitchen to be as light as possible. The gray is soft and hides most glitches. Good luck with your painting. :-)
We have similar countertops. There's a tiny spec of some-color-other-than-black-brown-or-beige in them and I tried to pick up that color on the walls.
See here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pocklock/390273721/in/set-72157594535766082/
It's sort of green/blue/seafoam, but not. I can look up the color if you like it. I saved the list of paint names when we remodeled. I think this color would match your floors rather nicely. (Am jealous of said floors)
I wouldn't go with white because white walls with white cabinets and you're going to wind up being all AHHH MY WORLD IS WHITE!
See if you can find some fancy cabinet pulls. Nicer/newer ones can really change the look!
Good luck!
I think yellow might be the right color but you have the wrong shade. There's something oddly peach about that yellow. Maybe a more Frenchish yellow if that makes sense? Otherwise maybe a a green. Or a red. Not white! There's nothing worse than clashing whites.
Oooops... My comment came off snarky. I hadn't read the others. I didn't mean to offend anyone with the 'NOT ELECTRIC BLUE' comment! It was just an example!
Don't do the HD faux-metal backdrop. I too was tempted, then I got a look at it in person. It looks... awful. Cheap. My opinion, I'm sure someone else will shoot me for it ;)
I can't say enough good things about apartmenttherapy.com - I've learned a lot about what I like, colours, etc. And there are so many submissions of other people's great work or design questions that there are bound to be ideas in there for you, or even photos that you can take straight to HD and say "MATCH THAT PAINT!"