Need help adding personality to my dark, beige kitchen!

7 years ago

We have recently moved into a new house and have been doing up our kitchen on a budget!

It's north facing with a small window onto the garden. We replaced the old oak-effect kitchen doors with handleless cream gloss ones (yes there is one on the way for the front of the integrated dishwasher!) and we have painted the walls white. The tiles are black and beige, and the worktop is black quartz. The floor is walnut-effect Karndean, we laid this over the whole ground floor, and it's great, so easy to clean and doesn't show too many bits!

I don't hate my kitchen, but I don't love it! I love cooking and we do a lot of entertaining, so a lot of my time is spent in here and I want some ideas to inject some personality into my kitchen. :)

We are going to put some extra units up on the back wall (with the kitchen table), probably to match the rest of the kitchen units? There is a radiator on this wall so we'll probably put some worktop below the units and make it into a breakfast bar with a couple of bar stools. We don't know where the previous owners got the black quartz worktop from, so rather than try to match it we'll probably go for a contrast worktop here.

We're also going to improve the lighting in here, and get some LED under-cupboard lighting installed. It's a dark room and I don't think there's any point in fighting against it, but decent lighting will definitely help.

I wondered about putting some statement wallpaper up on the window wall, so that it doesn't block the light, but makes a big statement as you walk in. I love the Leopardo wallpaper by Matthew Williamson for Cole & Son, it has hints of metallic gold and cream and a deep, warm royal blue, and I'd only need one roll to do that whole wall cos it's not cheap. And I'd bring in hints of royal blue and gold elsewhere throughout the room.

I'd love to hear your suggestions though! Thanks in advance x

Featured Answer

PRO

Dulux Amazing Space

7 years ago

Hi there,

It sounds like you have already done quite a bit of work to
the kitchen, and I must say it is looking good!

I really like the walnut effect flooring you have laid. Under
cupboard lighting is a great idea, and it will make a huge difference to your
space. I think adding extra units on the far wall is a good idea as it will
provide you with some extra storage space, and a breakfast bar sounds
fantastic! In regards to the worktop, I would try to match it with the existing
one to make the space feel more uniform.

The wallpaper you have chosen is amazing and definitely
would bring some colour and personality to the room. Wallpapering the window
wall is a good idea to create impact as you enter the room, however the
wallpaper does have a big print and I am unsure as to how much of the design
you would be able to see. Have you thought about painting the wall and fitting
a statement blind at the window instead? This would still create the impact you
are looking for, and may also work out more cost effective. Below are a couple
of blinds that I think will work really well with your chosen colour scheme:

http://bit.ly/2gdmAFK

http://bit.ly/2fYf5z9

http://bit.ly/2gg72i9

The colours you have chosen are perfect for the space, and I
think the gold and navy blue will really enhance your kitchen and make it the
perfect place for dining and entertaining guests.

I hope this has been helpful and all the best with the
decorating! I’d love to hear back from you and see the final result, so please
post a picture once your kitchen is complete.

Rebecca Davis

Dulux Design Expert
www.designer.duluxamazingspace.co.uk

Comments (12)

Daisy England
7 years ago
Are you going to change/cover your end panels? The one with the towel rail on does rather stand out and clashes against the floor colour.

IMO the wallpaper is overpowering.

Perhaps add some artwork on other walls or some decals.
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli thanked Daisy England
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wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you so much for commenting, Rebecca!

What kind of colour would you recommend for the window wall? And, because it's not a huge area ....do you think I should consider painting some of the other walls, or would that be enough?

I love those blinds! I hadn't considered a blind because we don't use the one that's there at the moment, because the garden isn't overlooked. But it's definitely something to consider :)
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for your comment Daisy!

Yes, we definitely need to replace those end panels, it's one of those jobs that's been on my to-do list for ages :(

The wallpaper is pretty feisty, but there won't be a lot of it, I don't think we would even use half a roll. And I love the idea of artwork but I don't think it would have the 'breathing space' it needs once the extra units are up on the other walls.

Decals are a good idea though, I will have a browse tonight!

Does anyone think it would work to use a metallic gold for the new piece of worktop (roughly it will be where the table is now)...and if so, where i could source it? Or any other suggestions are very welcome :) x
minnie101
7 years ago
Hi. I think the scale of the wallpaper is too big for that wall and it's not overly kitcheny (maybe for another room?!). I would wallpaper the wall where the table is. Personally I'd just go for a bar table at counter height so you have extra worktop when needed. I'd add shelves over the bar and just accessorise with glassware, white bowls etc (i.e. Neutral things) if you use paper on that wall. I think if you go for full depth units it might be a bit overpowering and not sure you then have the depth to use it as a bar? I've seen the bold florals in your ideabook, why not look for a similar paper and use a coordinating colour (or same pattern ) for the blind? Maybe try Laura Ashley to see if there's anything you like as their things coordinate. I'd go for Romans outside the recess to maximise light.
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli thanked minnie101
Carolina
7 years ago
Another option would be to do the gorgeous wallpaper on the breakfast bar wall and do a walnut countertop. IKEA has a nice looking one that's called barkaboda (see pic).
Instead of cabinets, I'd maybe put up some shelves with lights underneath. Just to make the most of what will then be your feature wall.
I'd paint the rest of the walls a dark blue that matches the wallpaper. I know you've just painted them white, but it will nicely frame the window, the cabinets and the white door.
Under cabinet lighting, as mentioned, will be great too.
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli thanked Carolina
minnie101
7 years ago
Love the worktop. I also like the blue walls idea. Just a thought but as you like bold prints have you also thought of using a botanical/jungle leaf style on that wall? This is by Cole and son (so admittedly not cheap but I think you just need a roll) and they also do it on a white background or blue on white.
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli thanked minnie101
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh wow! Thanks guys!

That's a good idea about the shelving...the reason I thought of putting more units in there was because I still wanted it to 'tie in' with the rest of the kitchen? I'm not mad on the idea of open shelving, I do a lot of cooking and i tend to find that things left out get greasy pretty quickly.

But I'll see if we can find a glass-fronted unit with dark wood shelves where I can wallpaper or paint the back...and install some nice lighting in there... :)

I absolutely love that Barkaboda worktop! And weirdly enough I bookmarked the Cole & Son page for that jungle wallpaper...!
PRO
Dulux Amazing Space
7 years ago
Hi again appydaysdevon

Taking your original ideas and wallpaper choice into
consideration, I have created you a colour scheme for your kitchen.

I would paint all your walls with Dulux Just Walnut to give
the kitchen a fresh, neutral base. Then paint your window wall with Dulux
Pebble Shore. Having the darker shade on this window will add depth and create
the perfect back drop for your dark navy blind. You could always dip paint your
barstools to add extra colour and personality, as shown in the image below:

I would recommend you buy tester pots of the colours first,
and try them out in your space and make sure you are truly happy with them
before going ahead and purchasing the full tins.

Good luck and please let me know how it all goes.

Rebecca Davis
Dulux Design Expert
www.designer.duluxamazingspace.co.uk
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli thanked Dulux Amazing Space
minnie101
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
That's funny re the wallpaper! I agree re things getting greasy, I pop everything in the dishwasher every couple of weeks. It's a shame the radiator is there or slim depth base units with an overhang may have worked. What's the depth of the current table? I might be wrong about wall units btw, it's just one thing standing against a worktop with wall units but I just can imagine hitting your head getting up if you're sat down etc. Do you actually need the extra storage as you can just tie that area in with colour plus the worktop would tie it in?
wishmynamewasbarbarabroccoli thanked minnie101
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7 years ago
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PRO
Darklight Design Ltd
7 years ago
Hi there.

The wall paper that you intend to use is striking but will sap a bit of the light with the deep blues. I would recommend over lighting the cupboards with linear led as well as under the cupboards. You could even put the over cupboard and the under cupboard lights on the same circuit to save on extra wiring. This can be the back ground lighting for dining setting. Below is an example image .

Hope this helps