Help, my kitchen feels unfinished...
Hi, we recently had our kitchen redesigned but it feels a bit unfinished and doesn't quite seem to fit with the rest of the house (I've included a pic of the living room which reflects the style elsewhere in the house). We've added new (blue cabinet & stools) and old furniture (dark bureau and table/chairs) as well as some pictures and rugs, but it still doesn't fell quite right.
We think the problem areas may be the space between the patio doors, which is quite bear and the wall with the radiator on. We're not sure if the bureau quite fits but we saw that as a tie between the living room and kitchen, but it's not quite right.
Any advice would be appreciated to help us get a more finished look and possibly provide some tie in with the living room.
Thanks you for your help!
Comments (25)
8 years ago
8 years agoRelated Discussions
I'm lost! Please help with my kitchen.
Comments (544)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. : ))...See MoreAdvice to make my cold, plain, open plan space feel warm and inviting!
Comments (32)Hi Catherine, You have a lovely open plan kitchen and lounge, but as you say, it lacks punch and interest. Since you're stuck with the stainless steel kitchen for the time being, you need to work with it and have some fun. A symmetrical arrangement of stainless steel shelves either side of the splash back for the cooker would allow you to put up interesting bottles, plants, china, etc. What about painting this wall a bright colour like Seville Orange from Crown and the other walls in natural white. You could also paint the base of the island in the Seville Orange. In the seating area, use the orange colour and some others like plum or blue-grey in fabric patterns, have cushions made up for the seating area. Also an area rug large enough for the front feet of your sofas and the coffee table to sit on with colour would brighten up this area. It's unfortunate that the TV is blocking a French window. Can it be moved somewhere else, perhaps the bay if the bottom shutters are never opened? Instead of half of the bay window having plantation shutters, I would recommend a second upper row, which could be folded back or, if you don't need coverage for privacy on the upper windows, have an interesting, colourful valance. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=valance+and+plantation+shutters+for+a+bay+window&biw=1516&bih=839&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIzdu7xO-FyAIVh0gUCh1aigXI&dpr=0.95#tbm=isch&q=valance++for+a+bay+window&imgrc=SjLxqYYGnQmhlM%3A...See MoreNeed help for my kitchen
Comments (19)I love metro tiles. Personally I think that white grout in a kitchen can easily discolour and of course next to white tiles you will notice this. Since your cabinets are a crisp white (I think) then I might tone down the green- perhaps Farrow and Ball churlish green or olive. I think this will look great on all the walls. The only think you will next need will be pattern- perhaps choose a rug or curtains or even a nice wallpaper in inexpensive frames....See MoreNeed help with my unfinished bedroom!
Comments (16)Hello Joelle, I see your'e being given some great advise and ideas!! If you can't find any suitable vintage wardrobes have you considered having fitted wardrobes - painted the same colour as the pale grey walls so they blend into the background - with small discrete knobs or no knobs/handles (a push opener). Long grey curtains either dark or light I think would look great and very hotel chic. When looking for suitable material don't forget to take a sample of your wallpaper with you to check which colours work best and then ask for samples of the material to take home to check at different times of day ad evening to see which looks best in different lights. I'd consider having the long curtains as 'dress' curtain with tie backs and fit either a roman or roller blind - for privacy, warmth and to keep the room as light as possible. Moving the sideboard to opposite the bed I agree is the best place and becomes the focal point of the room - also great to see when you're actually lying in bed. You could look on e-bay for a large vintage 1950's mirror perhaps frame less with beveled edge to hang above. The long mirror I'd lean on the wall left of the window. I love your grey head board. To add luxury I'd go for a white duvet and pillow cases and use the colours in the wallpaper for throw(s) and cushions. Again don't forget to always have a sample of wallpaper and curtain material with you when shopping for these. I really like the photo of the mid century bedside table you've posted - very much in keeping with your theme and would also look to buy a ceiling light and table lamps again from that period - perhaps on e-bay? Good luck and enjoy your project! Katharine, DesignWorks....See More
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- 8 years agoI agree the kitchen has a different flavor to the rest of you interior. They seem more cozy. A few tweaks could improve the kitchen.
I think the back wall looks unbalanced, it needs more symmetry.
The dark cabinet is too dominant. Is there space by the door to rotate it and put it against the other wall, next to the door ? Not sure how this would look but might be worth a try?
Then I would centralize the picture (over the radiator) and move the table too. (Can't tell if there is space to do this?) I would change the print for a bolder painting in a colour scheme you like to make it the focal point of the room. Possibly darken the back wall colour.
I would replace the bureau with a tall plant to balance out the height of the cabinet.
Finally the table and chairs look a yellow pine in the photos and I think a weathered oak would fit in better with your style.
(Painting by Peter Doig)
Nick W thanked somervell - 8 years ago
Both rooms look great, love the doors and windows too! I find the cabinet rather domineering in terms of the door and dining table. Have you considered painting that wall in something like railings (last pic) so the cabinet fades into the background and anything else will stand out? I'd then add another abstract art display similar to what's over your sofa plus a tall palm as others have suggested where the bureau is (would look great in the hall if you have room). I'd pick up more of the mid century/abstract style you have for a rug, 3rd pic is from westelm. I don't think you need anything on the window wall personally, the windows and garden views are enough. I might centre the table under the light, add a sheepskin or a throw on one of the chairs kitchen side just to break up the wooden chairs and stools. Maybe move the hydrangea to the island and swap the vase for something in mustard and add some taller eucalyptus stems. For the table some textured bowls for fruit or veg would look good maybe with a decanter or 2
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Carolina