Kitchen designer pros please save me!
Hi! I posted last week about installing copious amounts of Giallo Verona in my brand new kitchen. I had no idea it would look like a 2005 spec home. Nightmare! Here are some photos. Designers: Do I just ride it out for the next 5-10 years then update? I never imagined it would be so distracting to work on either. I'm not a big fan of subway tile, so that's why I did the full granite back splash. I didn't want to see seams so this is why I chose Giallo Verano. Ugh. Is it as bad as I think it is? Lit up at night it's actually nice. During the day I want to scream. It reads more gray in the photos, but it actually works nicely with the cream cabinets. It just looks soooo dated. Obviously, I lost my mind during construction. Help please!
Comments (19)
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Comments (45)Hi really love your kitchen - lovely mix of cool, contemporary clean lines with the dash of colour: fantastic! I can understand your dilemma wrt the dining area. I'd tend to echo many of the previous comments - I would go for a smaller, simpler mirror with a plainer (probably white) frame and then I think there are a few options on table & chairs. White would work well - both for table and chairs - and then I'd jazz it up with some orange cushions and a nice runner or table mats. Really liked the white (Ikea?) chairs proposed by Joanna Zygo here: And the table works too. Alternatively, I like the grey/wood table you proposed (the second one), although I wonder if the style is a little "chunky" - thinner, simpler lines may work best with your very sleek units. While I recognise the "dangers" other have flagged wrt using too much white, I really think it would work here, and would really accentuate the inspired use of the orange highlights. As it currently stands, with the mirror and chrome table/chairs, I don't really get the full impact of those gorgeous orange lampshades - and they should be the stars of the show!...See MoreKitchen design, please help
Comments (5)I was in the same position as you & after hours of pulling my hair out & disappointment, eventually contacted One Plan, a pro on here with really good reviews, gave her my budget of maximum hours ( worked out the equivalent £ of a base unit) and she she came up with a fantastic plan that looks & works great & a full specification of positions & a shopping list too. I ordered the kitchen from DIY kitchens & got a carpenter to fit it. I can't recommend her enough - hopefully this weekend I will get around to posting my before & after!! Good luck...See MoreKitchen design help please, diykitchens
Comments (38)Minnie’s layout looks gorgeous :), and she is correct you can buy extra paint from DIY however bear in mind that it’s sold as a two part and almost impossible to paint by hand as the lacquer added is meant to be sprayed on. However most people seem to successfully paint theirs using a matching service so you might want to bear that in mind. And please reconsider the integrated bin, it’s amazing and you can have just one with a handy drawer at the top. It’s my favourite thing having the bin next to the sink on one side and the dishwasher at the other. I can scrape, rinse and load in the dw without moving. Plus it looks so much neater not having a box sat around your kitchen....See MoreAdvice please on kitchen/pantry design
Comments (8)Hi Kate, just personal opinion but I prefer the straight pantry. The main run with the corner pantry doesn’t feel balanced with the size of the island and leaves little worktop space for kettle, toaster etc and not (personally) keen on the island shape. I remember this Houzz tour which is very similar to your corner layout, I wasn’t keen but a lot of people seemed to like it so I may be the outsider! I do wonder if a sliding door would be better on the straight pantry, where the door opens would leave you room for recycling etc on the floor. What is the unit between the radiators? Just wonder if it’s better centred to the window as or aligned with the island? Will there be heating in the dogs room? what will the storage in the island be used for as the island is pretty deep and not so accessible behind stools? I’d also be a bit wary of hot oil splashes from the hob. I also prefer the larger utility with the straight pantry. Would a door outside not work In this plan? I personally don’t dry clothes outside other than in warm months, so just wondering if there’s heating planned for in here and potentially a sliding door could work well here too (just thinking of fighting with the clothes drier as you open the door!) It looks as if it’s going to be a fantastic space, exciting times! https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/kitchen-tour-a-timeless-design-with-a-fabulous-walk-in-pantry-stsetivw-vs~127805960...See More
ecasta
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
PROecasta thanked BeverlyFLADezinerartistsharonva
3 years agoKitchen looks fine as is, so far.
I agree with the others the granite back splash looks busy with the matching counter top; however it may balance out once things are put on the counters.
That's the easiest fix. I would try that for a few weeks.
Maybe it is just the photo, but the ceiling height looks lower than it actually is with the matching ceiling crown coming down onto the top of the cabinets, which makes the illusion of lower ceilings.
Something to consider to give the illusion of height is a matte white on the ceiling.
It will also bounce more white at the cabinets & brighten them up.
The crown to match cabinets , if needed. ( do a test strip, hard to match cabinet factory finishes or get crown from cabinet supplier)
Glaze cabinets pick up the color around them due to the satin reflection glaze.
Beautiful floors. They are bouncing some yellow, warm browns into the base cabinets. Not bad, just explaining.
The Beige ceiling is bouncing beige on to the wall cabinets.
Lighting may help. Try changing light bulbs before painting (easier)
Different light bulbs put off different hue colors in light.
https://blog.1000bulbs.com/home/how-to-choose-lighting-for-paint-colors
If the backsplash doesn't blend in enough to your liking, by the above suggestions:Then consider the following:
I did a couple of rough drafts for visual comparing.
big tiles with matching grout. Matching grout will decrease the tile lines.
If want to go more modern, consider stainless steel backsplash.
I don't know if it's possible to do panels over the installed granite to save costs. They'll have to somehow deal with the electrical sockets. A Pro is suggested on tackling the redo, if redo is chosen. The backsplash granite will probably need to be removed. That was probably costly installing in beginning & will be costly adjusting.
So, the kitchen overall looks pretty good. IMO, It does not look dated.Give it a few weeks to see if it works itself out. If it still bothers later, then invest in some changes.
Hope that helps.
ecasta thanked artistsharonvaecasta
3 years agoSammie J
2 years agoI am saddened by the way the world is blowing through natural resources, so I'd try to make it work before taking it out. Have you styled the countertops? Right now, everything is hard and shiny, so some softness would help. Here are some ideas for using neutral colors and items with little pattern to help to break up the granite...
A bit of natural wood, white/cream ceramics, green plants will do wonders for brightening up the space. Then, try a large textured rug - these might not be the right color tone, but will give you some ideas...
If these fails, then I'd replace the backsplash. There are many more options than a simple subway tile.rainyseason
2 years ago
2ManyDiversions
2 years ago
Cheryl Hannebauer
2 years ago
Beth H. :