I'm lost! Please help with my kitchen.

8 years ago

I got some great advice and help recently with my living room so was hoping I could get some help with my kitchen to : )

I just can't get it to work, I think I've gone wrong in every possible way. I built a workbench (with a little help from husband and yet to be completely finished) using reclaimed wood and then used a scaffolding board for a shelf, as far as function goes it's great, I have a syndrome that effects my hands and so on a bad day it's great for me as most things are in easy reach.....but I just don't know how to pull everything together.

I love the industrial look and also the French look, I want my kitchen to be light and I'm worried that now I've stained the workbench (almost!) that the kitchen will be too dark, even though I have white wall tiles to go up. I did plan to paint the walls white to brighten it up but will this be boring? I have no idea what colour to paint the cupboards (renewing isn't an option with our budget) but have played about a bit with grey as you can see in the picture. I have black grout for my tiles but am now thinking maybe I should use white instead? The light pendants are recycled, originally from a nightclub and they had bronze coloured grills on them, I've included an image of them with the grills, I took them off though because I thought they looked far too big for the space? In the same picture you can see the wood used to build the workbench before I oiled it.....should I of left it this colour, have I made a mistake?

I have no idea what colour worktops to buy, I have a white sink which has been sat in its box for over a month waiting for me to make a decision! I've included a picture of the sink.

I want the kitchen to be light but more importantly I need it to work for me, but I just feel its turning into a mess! Please help!

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Amanda
Original Author

8 years ago

Yaaaay finally got the painting finished! We love it!! : ))

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Comments (544)

Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi all : ))

Well with one thing or another the kitchen has had to take a back seat while doing some unexpected work elsewhere on the house but we're back on track now : ))

Thanks so much Amber : )) Here are the floor samples we have at the mo : ))
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Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello Amanda, :))

I actually want to say I prefer the plain sample.. I think this one would be lovely, given I'm a fan of geometrics it's interesting, but I do think the plain one is the nicest out of the two. Do you have more or is this your final choice..

What do you think and like best though.. :))
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Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Amber : ))

Well.....I actually want to say the patterned one to but I feel it may be too busy? My first choice is actually the plain but I feel its not light enough? So basically I would like the plain, but for it to be as bright as the patterned. These are just two samples from carpet right....they didn't have anything else I liked. I can shop around for more in the hope of finding something else....I think that might be the best thing to do?
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello Amanda, :))

I'm sorry I have never heard of that company so can't advise you there but I like the plain - of course the end result has to be what you like and feel works. Perhaps find some more examples before deciding.. For linoleum I would suggest Sinclair Till.. :))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Amber : )) I will have a look at them now : ))
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
Hi Amanda are you going for vinyl flooring now? If so, some very stylish options at Harvey Maria: http://www.harveymaria.com/Kitchen-Flooring
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi mrsmcee74 : ))

Thanks so much : ) I won't bore you all with the details but yes unfortunately we've had to do a U-turn on the flooring : ( So vinyl it is! I will have a look at the link now. : ))
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello mrsmcee74,

How are you? :))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Amber & mrsmcee74.....there's some REALLY gorgeous vinyls there! Maybe they have a store close by to me....I'd really want to go take a look : ))
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
I'm good thanks AJ! Well Amanda there are fantastic vinyls these days, so you won't need to compromise on looks ;)
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Excellent Mrsmcee, I'm good too! Yes Amanda Linoleum is not what it used to be and for me S T are number 1. :))
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
Amanda Harvey Maria offer samples, first two are free but eventually I found their retail stockist bit of the website: http://www.harveymaria.com/find-a-retailer?_ga=1.217749397.2095387439.1464282398
There's just John Lewis who stock it where I live.
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes I agree: )) I was very surprised actually once I'd started to look, at just how nice they are!

We are on the Wirral, I'm hoping I can find a good outlet close by. We've got the whole day free on Tuesday and the aim is to return home with a fitting date : ))
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
And just found this on their website if you live anywhere near Haywards Heath:

Our floors are on display with your local Approved Retailer, and most John Lewis stores throughout the UK. If you’d like to visit our office near Haywards Heath, you can see full size samples of most of our range - please call in advance to make an appointment to ensure that someone will be available to help you (Mon-Fri).
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
Oh sorry just saw you're in The Wirrall. I'm in the North West too :)
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh dear.....I'm over 250 miles away! : ((
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes, we are in Bromborough....I don't know if you know it? But John Lewis isnt far I think so we could pop in there : ))

I think yours Amber only has one in London : ((
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Yes Amanda, I'm in London but they supply and ship internationally. Anyway an idea should you find it useful. :))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh fab!! Thanks Amber : )))
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Most welcome Amanda :))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi all,

Our shelves have had to come down because I'm unable to reach them anymore : ((
But we bought these new pans and have hung them on the bottom of the workbench. As you can see the bench itself has had a bit of a makeover : )) We still need to do the stools though....I have no idea what to do with them now, but I've been playing with them as you can see lol

Everything on the bench besides the pans wil probably be moved at some point.....I have no cupboard space left though : (
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello Amanda : ))

You have been busy painting! That's looking good with the pans underneath, it's a butchers block and table. Maybe move the plates/bowls to the shelf under the pans, but I rather like the other things on there..

It looks ready for some lovely homemade rosemary dressings and pesto making.... Why not carry the grey further down the legs on the stools to lighten them up.. ... Now you just need a little herb hanger or hang a large bunch of Rosemary on the wall for decoration while you use it.. : ))
Midcenturylass
7 years ago
This is such a huge post! I've had fun scrolling through, trying to find out what colour you used to paint the units (which look beautiful!). Can you let me know? thanks for all the inspiration.
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi midcenturylass,

Thank you so much, I've had lots of help as you have probably seen. The colour on the cupboards is Scree by Little Green : )
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Amber : ))

Great idea for the crockery.....I think I will do that. Out and about looking for flooring....no luck yet!
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello Amanda, : ))

Don't worry.. You'll find something.. One other good brand for rubber flooring this time, is Dalsouple. If you have no luck you could give them a ring.. : ))

http://dalhaus.co.uk/Rubber+floor+tiles+and+rolls+for+contract+installations
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Amber : ))

We've just got home with a couple of samples.....the lovely man in the shop let me bring the sample books home : )) I like both of them : // The first is basically the same as the sample I had a fee days ago only its lighter.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello Amanda : ))

Lovely that's gr8! I like the plain one again.. Put all the contenders down and then have a think, you may naturally gravitate towards one and there will be the chosen.. : ))
PRO
Applesteam Limited
7 years ago
Love the second one, we're using something similar in a kitchen and home bar as a back splash
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Husband really likes the patterned one but as he wont be getting the last word on this I will sleep on it. Thanks Amber : ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you applesteam limited : )) It is rather lovely.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Most welcome Amanda, choose that which your natural instinct would gravitate towards for both of you and for the kitchen... : ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Amber we will : )) Can't wait to get this finished! lol.
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi all,

After having the samples for a few days we've decided to be really brave and go for the patterned one. We absolutely love the colour against the cupboards: )) We've even ordered it and have been given a fitting date....this Tuesday! : ))
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello Amanda : ))

So get those images loaded and maybe ask the husband to stand on a ladder and take a shot! Then you can get it all in.. Just responding here to your message to me re the images you've taken as I thought of that afterwards.. : ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Amber : ))

That sounds like a plan! A free day tomorrow (very rare these days!), so watch this space : ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Amber : ))

We've managed to get some better pics, tried to get as many different angles as we could. We've counted at least 7 snags to lol. Also, I think the way I've placed everything could be far better? We did make the shelf though for the bottom of the workbench for crockery which we love : )) I was now thinking some colour might be good? i have a thing for orange lately lol
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
A few more : ))
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello Amanda, : ))

There you go, you can see the whole kitchen! I am sure you'll focus on the fact that you have now really finished the room too! Snags are easy to fix but the main thing is you're done really.. I do love those overhead lights! They are so fabulous aren't they.. Well if you're wanting to add more colour you could add it in the form of a canvas for the bare wall above the butchers block as just one idea..

Greens in the form of large foliage fronds and a decorative element like a pewter plate of avocados or artichokes or both.... A vase of eucalyptus or something could be lovely..

: ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Amber : ))

Thank you.....i like all those ideas, especially the canvas above the butchers block, maybe I'll have a go at doing something over the weekend, I have some canvas sheets I could use then I could frame whatever I do for protection.

We have our builder booked for the 29th, we're having the plaster taken off the chimney breast in the lounge (another project!) but he's also an electrician so want to try and get him to change the socket fronts at the same time.....i thought polished chrome to match the cupboard handles?

We do love our light to : )) Do you think they look okay the way they are or do you think they'd look better tidied up a bit? They are very battered which is how I bought them but I think I quite like them that way.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello Amanda, : ))

Do you mean in the kitchen? Yes a nice idea. I like flat plate too, but really plain. Well the best way to describe how I feel about certain alterations is to tell you about someone I knew who "did up" her flat to such a degree that she literally took away all that was characterful about it..

Sometimes it's best to leave things as their patina develops over time and results in something quite special. Restoration is one thing but you can also restore the life out of something and thus diminish in certain contexts the value- and so it's good to know when to stop.. So yes, I'm firmly in the camp suggesting leave them, but of course it's entirely your choice. : ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Amber : ))

Fabulous!! I was hoping you'd say that lol. I won't touch them at all now.....thank you : ))

Sorry, yes the socket fronts in the kitchen.....there are quite alot to in this kitchen, I've never seen so many sockets in one room!! I will get the polished chrome.....maybe I'll be able to hide a few to further down the line by placing things in front of them. I'll have a look online now and try and get some delivered before the builder is due : ))
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Hello Amanda : ))

Well if you want to hide some that are perhaps less visible or below counter top then you can consider leaving them white too.. They don't all need to be polished chrome.. I would suggest only those that are visible and or above counter top but you would have a better idea as I am not there for a close inspection so to speak.. : ))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi Amber : ))

There are one or two I could miss out, behind the microwave and water urn for instance, once everything is in its final resting place I will be able to make up my mind.....i shall keep you posted: ))
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello Amanda :))

It really works best if all are the same colour on the same plane. Any that are low level for example should be left as white. Chrome is best at work top height placement. Also you may find you move the urn and then it would look odd.. But as with all, it's your choice. :))
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you Amber : )) I will be sure to do that.....as I know I can be prone to moving things about sometimes!
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
7 years ago
Most welcome Amanda : ))
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
Hi Amanda, it's looking great. Really like your choice of flooring :)
mrsmcee74
7 years ago
Another possible idea for adding colour could be adding a small shelf either side of the extractor and displaying orange cast iron cookware etc. Sainsbury's version of le creuset is pretty decent.
Amanda
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi mrsmcee74 : ))

Thank you : )) Going with the patterned flooring is the bravest we've been lol..... we're glad we did though.

Love the idea of the cast iron cookware, we had to remove the shelves we originally had above the butchers block as I can no longer reach up (health reasons) but perhaps we could place something ontop of the microwave at the side of the cooker : ))