White Walls #12

The splash of turquoise is perfect!

Suffering from some closet envy...

Fun bright colors and bold patterns stand out so much more with a white background.  The contrast is that much higher.

What a beautiful wall.  You just have to love the entire wall in tile compared to a little backsplash.

photos courtesy of New England Home

White Walls #4

The timelessness of white is amazing.  Who really wants your ten year old cabinets to look ten years old?

Mixing White and Off White

Hi Christine-

We are redesigning our kitchen and we are choosing between off-white and bright white cabinets. We are installing an apron front sink, which is bright white--will that look funny with off white cabinets, or should we go with the bright white? What are your thoughts...

- Janice

Hi Janice,

A bright white sink will look great with either off white or white cabinets. If you decide you want to go with off white- and feel like the sink stands out too much- you would simply want to add more bright white - in fabrics, accessories, dishes, or wallpaper.

Look at the photo above- it has cream cabinets and a white sink. It looks great. Notice that the molding around the windows in is white. Mixing the two is fine. I would say that the whole idea that you need to choose between one of the two colors is wrong. They work together beautifully.

If you had two shades of white that are not working together - chances are one is warmer and one is cooler. However- in bright whites that you find in sinks- that will most likely not be an issue.

Get some larger paint samples - and hold them up by the sink you are planning to get to confirm that they go well. But don't worry about matching- just blending.

Happy New Year!

- Christine

Photos from Traditional Home

Hey everyone- what do you prefer? A white kitchen, or off white kitchen?

Kimberly's Kitchen

Hi Christine,

I've included a picture of the area above our sink. We need to finish trimming out the beadboard and cabinets but you can see the backsplash and wallpaper. We originally intended on putting long shelves above the sink but the can light hit the shelves and block the light from the work area. I'm not sure what else to do in that space. I really need some more storage space (I prefer open storage in that area.) I am going to the Country Living fair this Saturday and am hoping to find a solution to my problem there. Could I do small shelves to the right of the sink and something decorative in the rest of the space?

- Kimberly

Kimberly,
I really like your wood counters. They are charming. However- I don't like seeing that line where the wallpaper and tin meet at all. It is very awkward. It has to go. Let me give you a few options.

1. I would extend the tin to the ceiling. Then- I would still do one of my subsequent ideas.
2. A plate rack is very shallow- but offers some storage and good wall coverage.
3. A very shallow shelf for glasses
4. Cubbie style shelving- just 12 inches deep.
5. Add a large window- or a pass through if it goes to an appropriate room.
6. Add shelves just deep enough for spices. Then make sure you get cool spice jars-
7. Add a display area for a collection. Don't have one? Go to an antique store and get inspired.
8. Move your lighting or add some more and give yourself all the storage you want.

What do you think readers? What should Kim do with her kitchen sink area? Do you have a favorite of these ideas or one of your own?

The Lakefront Kitchen Remodel

Hello again:-)

I am spending WAY too much time reading your blog today:-) I wanted to see what your thoughts were on my lakefront house that we are planning a total kitchen renovation in VERY soon. We are planning on painting all the woodwork in the kitchen white, with the island being rebuilt and painted chocolate brown. I want to keep it light and airy as it is a lakefront property and I want to bring in the blues/browns to decorate. I am unsure of the countertops to use. Keeping in mind this is our second home, budget is a huge factor. I really do not like speckled granite/quartz. I have a shiny black quartz countertop in my home now and absolutely hate it. It is so hard to keep clean. I cannot spend a lot of money in this lakefront home as we are renovating the whole thing. I need to remain frugal. :-) Any ideas would be truly wonderful. :-)

thank you so much and I hope I can get all my pics to you. :-)

deb

Dear Deb,

I will tell you exactly what to do.

1. wood countertop


2. beadboard backsplash


3. stained island


4. wood floor

1. Wood counters are a less commonly used material- but generally speaking- you can get them for a fraction of the price of other solid surfaces. Sure- they require some maintenance- but they are timeless, charming, and inexpensive. You can't get a bigger bang for your buck.

2. Beadboard backsplash. Forget the expense of a tile backsplash- purchase 4 x 8 sheets- and go beadboard. Again- charming, timeless, classic, and inexpensive. Paint it to match the cabinets. The perfect look for lakefront property.

3. Stained island. I don't like wood painted brown. Wood is brown. Wood painted brown doesn't make sense to me. You said it was being rebuilt- don't paint- stain. With the wood counters on the other area- and now that we are staining the island- do a different surface on the island counter. I would do a grayish black soapstone. If that is too expensive- stay with the white cabinets and wood counter. The backside of your bar can be beadboard to tie it together.

One more thing- if you don't NEED the privacy- remove all of those blinds and valances and put in cafe curtains. We need a little more charm in your place. :) Look at the picture at the top of the post. These would be extremely inexpensive to make or have made- and what a great look! Add chrome or black hardware. (I would probably do black.)

Thanks for writing in, and thanks for spending too much time on my blog. :)

- Christine

PS- Remember that the blue and brown combination is trendy- bring it in though dishes, pitchers and wall decor, not permanent items like backsplashes and islands.