How can I bring this kitchen to life?
Daniel McNulty
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We've moved into a new build. We're happy with the kitchen, but it needs 'bringing to life' a bit. It still has a 'stock' feel about it and I don't think little touches of color here and there will suffice.
According to a picture I found on a site for inspiration, the back and side walls painted really bring it all together (the kitchen in the example pic is the same layout but different color units). The problem is that in the example picture, the units are all white, meaning they have the flexibility to work with what color they want. Whereas ours has white, driftwood and a dark brown top. Getting something on the wall to marry these 3 colors/textures is what I'm stuck on. I want to bring it together without it looking too busy but want to detract from the 'plain' whitewash feeling it has.
I'm thinking tiled wallpaper (square tiles, light cream colors in there but predominantly white)?
Next year at some point we may look into buying a new worktop or some units but, for now, want to work with what we have.
Really appreciate any suggestions.
According to a picture I found on a site for inspiration, the back and side walls painted really bring it all together (the kitchen in the example pic is the same layout but different color units). The problem is that in the example picture, the units are all white, meaning they have the flexibility to work with what color they want. Whereas ours has white, driftwood and a dark brown top. Getting something on the wall to marry these 3 colors/textures is what I'm stuck on. I want to bring it together without it looking too busy but want to detract from the 'plain' whitewash feeling it has.
I'm thinking tiled wallpaper (square tiles, light cream colors in there but predominantly white)?
Next year at some point we may look into buying a new worktop or some units but, for now, want to work with what we have.
Really appreciate any suggestions.
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Comments (28)
PROIsland Bathrooms & Kitchens
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoDaniel McNulty
9 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (9)Hi. It's quite difficult to work out the whole room from the pics and exactly what your style is. If the room can take it I'd go for a mid tone grey on the walls so there isn't as much contrast with the sofas but if not a pale but warm grey. Swap the rug for something plain but with texture so a natural coloured sisal for instance so it doesn't make the room feel smaller with such a contrast between rug and floor. I'd use orange as the accent colour so maybe grey patterned curtains with orange cushions and additional artwork. It may also be worth considering blinds rather than curtains to give the sofa some space. I would also pick another colour like green or teal etc to liven it up for just a couple of accessories. Use a mixture of textured and patterned cushions. put something in the middle of the dining table be it a plant or flowers or vase etc. also consider the lighting as table and floor lamps will add a cosy feel. Can you move the dining table so it's central under the light and add a feature pendant (maybe with some orange!)? The existing art looks as if it is hung a little high so would rehang a few inches lower and align over the sofa. Is it a table in front of the tv? Can that be moved in front of the sofa and accessorised? A plant and a couple of piles of books are cheap accessories! Is there anyway to move the furniture to cover the ŵall sockets or maybe disguise with a potted plant?...See MoreLighting up and bringing to life and old chapel conversion
Comments (3)What an amazing property!! Whichever type of lights you do decide on you can give it a lot of dimension by adding some very basic smart lighting control. We suggest a few low cost and almost invisible multi-function sensors that monitor light level, motion, temperature and even weather, the lighting can dim gently up or down, on or off to give this beautiful building a living breathing mood adapting constantly to it's surroundings. I'd love to see it! Let me know if you'd like to discuss it....See MoreHow can I bring this living room to life?
Comments (40)We were going for the 3 seater + the chaise, so it'd be wide. Then the footstool as well so when it's just us two we can create 2 chaises for ultimate comfort. We considered a 3 seater + 2 seater but the room is awkwardly shaped / laid out for that. We wanted something large enough for multiple people to sit on if we have visitors. The 3 seater on its own with the footstool would make for smaller width as you'd lose the + chaise seat, know what I mean? Unless we did a 3 seater plus a chair. With the TV in one corner and the wood stove in the other, I can't figure out how to place two sofas without one of them being back / side on to something or blocking it....See MoreAdvice to bring this living room to life.
Comments (5)OK, so here's few thoughts to get you started off... It is a bit stark looking at the moment, but if you like light and bright you don't have to dive to colour to bring life into your room, you just need to come over all Kelly Hoppen and include lots of different textures in fabrics, glass, wood, plants and maybe add a subtle accent colour. This is a big room too, and it needs some large scale items to set it off. Do you have one ceiling light fitting or two? If two they're probably fine. If one, you might consider getting something larger and more showy. How are your DIY skills and does your budget stretch to opening up the fireplace and reinstating a hearth? That would be ideal, as the chimney breast is the central feature of the room and something needs to happen there to create visual interest. ie. you could buy a second hand fire basket and dress it with logs, even if you have no intention of using a fire, but to do this you'd need to stretch to a fire surround to keep things in proportion. We can think up some alternatives if a fire/fake fire isn't possible ( You need more height to your decoration too, to suit the proportions of the room and I would suggest doing something in the recesses either side of the chimney, for example fitting matching shelving on both sides if that was useful, or, as this is a light and bright scheme, perhaps foxed or plain mirror cut to fit the walls above the dado rail. If you are happy to stick to curtains I'd suggest a new curtain rail that is mounted to run around the inside of the bay and has enough length either side of the bay that the whole of the curtain can sit perfectly outside the bay when they are pulled back. This enables you to reclaim the bay as usable area at night when the curtains are closed. If feeling heat from the radiator is a problem you might want to opt for roman blinds instead, which come to sill length. I would also suggest you get a much larger rug and maybe add a coffee table on top to create more of a sense of intimacy. And of course the obligatory cushions! I've attached a few photos for inspiration and I'm sure some mood boards will follow! :)...See More- PRO
Island Bathrooms & Kitchens
9 years ago Daniel McNulty
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoThanks a LOT for your reply. Really appreciate that. I like the idea of a coral/deeper red. I think a red would be on the spectrum as what my brown is so something similar (but darker) to 'Family Loft' could work. I think my reluctance to leave it it up to the furniture to brighten it up comes from the fact that the other wall (attached picture) is also white, and we were going to leave it as such. So there's definitely too much 'white wash' feel about it.
I'm interested in the backing idea. I didn't consider this at all, is it what I assume it to be; a cover/wrap on the existing units then reattaching the handles to give them a new look? Thanks again, big help!
Daniel McNulty
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
rinked
9 years agoDaniel McNulty
9 years ago
Tani H-S
9 years agoDaniel McNulty
9 years agoYe, I don't mind the white, but we have to break this wall up a bit. I've had a good search and mustard yellow square tiles seem to even work well:
NW3, P1 Basement & Refurbishment · More InfoTani H-S
9 years ago
boundsgreener
9 years agoHi. The mustard is a great idea. You have the benefit of a great skylight and (I presume) patio doors, so make sure you don't suck too much light out of there with the colour you choose to paint.
This is the kitchen from the same house that Tani posted a link to:
Putney, Loft Conversion · More Info
And in this one they also use sage green glass tiles with the bamboo effect cabinets:
Modern carbonized Bamboo Kitchen · More Info
I think your dining table is competing a bit, so I'd suggest getting a modern tablecloth with greys and yellows (transformative and cheap!) or try a stain on it.
Marimekko Unikko Tablecloth · More Info
Dutch Table Cloth & Napkins - Mustard · More InfoDaniel McNulty thanked boundsgreenerDaniel McNulty
9 years agoboundsgreener
9 years ago
special morning
9 years agorinked
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Jane Bateman
9 years agoTani H-S
9 years ago
PROEOS Rooflights
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Michelle Jacobs
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PROJust The Chair
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Jo Elwell
9 years ago
puffinrock
9 years ago
rinked