first of all, I think your kitchen is amazing. I love the choices you have made and think you did a WONDERFUL job. I LOVE the strip of color in the backsplash and think it is just brilliant.

I have to agree with your DH on the wall color. I also think it is too bright. I think a pale slate blue, or any shade of gray would be really nice... OR I happen to like the looks of the brownish color on the lower part of the wall to the left of the fridge.

You should be majorly impressed with yourself for doing such a gorgeous job as a DIY on a small budget.

At my local paint shop they sell Benj. Moore samples in 1 oz. jars for cheap so I bought several when I was choosing wall colors. You might want to consider this. If you go that route bring your little tile mosaics from the backsplash along and try to match up with one of the more calm ones.

Job well done!!

I think I'd choose something close to the color of the larger tiles and then use other accents in the kitchen in the colors of the smaller tiles - rather than trying to paint in those colors. I swear by those little BM sample jars - I don't paint anything now without using those to put on a large sample first. Got burned once and never again.

Your kitchen looks great. I especially like the nook by your frig. What a great "make a snack" spot! We will be DIY also with a relatively small budget. I hope my kitchen turns out as nice as yours.

I am decidedly a "blue" person but I agree that the blue is too bright. Your field tile has pinkish undertones to it which makes it perfect for your cabs but highlights how the blue isn't quite right. I agree with mamadada that a gray blue would look great if you want to stay in those tones. I think I'd prefer that to the beigey earth tones because of how it would tie into your hardware and appliances. Looking at my monitor, your top pic, the little tiles you have as an insert, the fourth little one in from the edge of the stove looks like the kind of gray blue I'm thinking about.

Oh my-I agree with mamadadap...
Your kitchen is so very beautiful--we all are our own worst critics--you are being WAY too hard on yourself. You are so obviously good at this!

But yes, the color is wrong :) But you knew that already...
Those 1 oz jar samples are the best, I went through about 15 of them myself! I ditto the previous comment, a nice slate blue or grey with a bit of blue in it would work nicely...but so would an earthier tone...
colors are hard to see "truly" on the monitor --but there was a color I fell in love with from BM --it's an affinity color called coastline (AF-570) but never found a place to use it. Some of the affinity colors can be mixed into any paint (not just the more expensive Aura) but it looks to me like your kitchen would only take a gallon or less of paint, so it might be worth the more expensive brand. In any case, buy a $3 or $4 paint sample first!
OT-What are you planning for a light fixture? :)

You're too hard on yourself. Your kitchen is beautiful. My initial thought with those cabs was a grayed down sagey green, but with the beautiful mosaic tiles I'm thinking a grayed down blue. Here's my photoshop attempt.

It looks like you chose one of the blues out of your tile, which wasn't a bad idea, but I also see a grayish one that would be nicer. As the others have said, a gray that's just barely blue will probably suit you better, and maybe even be subdued enough for dh.

What a great job! I'm DIY too, and there's so much blood and sweat in there that nobody will ever see. Kudos!

I agree, you could go pretty gray-blue without any trouble:

While I like the last gray/blue best is it possible for someone to try the color of the tile? Like someone said then blue accessories. Tea kettle, towels etc.

And actually, what about going a tone darker? This is Benjamin Moore "Mysterious" in affinity aura paint:

And this is "Flint" in the same Affinity colors:

Here's the color of the tile, at least as it shows on my screen:

Oooh! I really like the Mysterious that circuspeanut photoshopped in.

I love the "Mysterious" color too. I think it really sets off the tile. Your kitchen look wonderful!

I was thinking the same as rhome (surprise again). It looks like you picked the blue of the third tile from the right in that photo by the door and that maybe the first one would be a better choice. It's not too far from the Mysterious posted above either -- I'd go in that direction.

This might be what laxsupermom already did, but here's the darker blue tile color; it's funny how it looks lighter on the wall:

I like Flint or Mysterious.

Tip on using the little Benj. Moore sample bottles. I buy 2x4 foam boards at Michaels and cut them in quarters and then paint the Benj Moore colors on the boards. You can put them up in different spots in your room. And also take them with you shopping for other color matching.

Another thing to keep in mind... Not sure if you care about decorating trends or not, but I read that greys are in and earthy colors are going to be out. (not in *MY* house, but there ya go...)

THe greys definitely go better with stainless than earthy colors.

I think your kitchen looks great (though I do agree the blue is wrong). I don't think you should worry whether your kitchen measures up to some of the others on this website. We all do what we can within our own limitations and comfort zone, you did a particularly nice job.

And for what it is worth, I've been watching a Bones marathon (it is a TV show, I don't know what network it is one) and I'm in love with the blue in Seely Booth's office, and I think it would look great in your kitchen. It is a nice dark blue that is neither navy nor royal. If any of the color wizkids on this website have any ideas what color it might be please help us out! It is closer to the one LAX posted, but still darker.

Another vote for MYSTERIOUS! OH good Lord, that looks GORGEOUS!!!
CircusPeanut, you are AMAZING!
And oh, BTW, gorgeous kitchen!!!! Great job!

i agree- if you go with blue, something with more grey. my son's room is BM northern sky (I think that's what it is, anyway).. it's a nice, muted blue.

awesome kitchen. great job.

Dittoing the ditto's. Everything is looking great. Color matching or complementing is a weird thing--it all depends on the size of the area, lighting, and so forth. So matching the brightest blue ends up not working for the wall, but your colorful mosaic tiles are still great, so you pull a bit more muted color for walls and let the brighter tiles be the accent. It still will all "go" together and will look great. I am not even a "blue" person and yet I like some form of blue-gray much better than the beige from the main tile--that is too blah. My gosh, if the worst thing you do is have to go back to the drawing board on some wall paint when you are finally seeing how it all looks together, you're doin' great!

I vote for mysterious. I was thinking grey blue and seeing mocked up confirmed it. Looks great.

Your kitchen looks fabulous, though I think you're right about the color. Another vote for Mysterious. I think that would look great.

I really like that Mysterious color! It brings out the granite on the island beautifully and works with the cabinets and backsplash nicely. Flint is really pretty, too, but to my eye it seems to try to be the star of the show, whereas the Mysterious just pulls everything together without being showy.

And for what it is worth, I used the Aura paint when I repainted the kids' bedrooms this summer. I felt like a sucker after I bought it because it is so pricey, but that is really really good paint. My son's room had been orange (don't laugh, it looked good!) on the top third and khaki on the rest, and after a single coat you couldn't even tell where the line had been. It was amazing. Two coats gave beautiful coverage and it is very cleanable. Worth the $$.

Anita

Here's Mysterious on another wall:

Personally, I like it as it picks up the tile... what I prefer is the granite you picked over your husband as it brightens up the cabinets and the black is too dark for my taste. Personally, I'd live with it for a few weeks and then decide. Once you get the molding, accessory's and everything else it, it will look different. You are probably reacting to the entire look being new vs. just the color and I like everything matching which is why I like it as it picks up the tile. :)

You were going for beige and blue, and I agree you're off to a very good start. A nice inspiration for other DYIs.

I do agree with you on changing the wall color and with those who suggest picking up the beige of the field tile, either the same color or slightly lighter. You could then use the blue as part of a lovely accent such as a painting (perhaps the matting?), or some other favorite decorative item. That'll also please your husband even as you're continuing to adjust your own scheme. :)

A reason I would do this if it were my own kitchen, and my husband just doesn't care, is that cabinets, walls, appliances, and so on are arranged for function, not art, and often look best when the background pulls them together calmly, with attention carefully directed to attractive focal points.

I'm looking forward to your finished pictures whichever way you go though!

The Mysterious gives just the right amount of je ne sais quoi?
Brings out all the tones of your various colours/finishes and blends them together. I think Circuspeanut has found you a winner! Though- after mistake #1, I would test it out with a sample pot first. I primed my sample boards (used left over pieces of drywall- all us DIYers have spare pieces around- right? :>), and then gave them two coats of paint.

I love that Mysterious color!! it looks great. You all are so sweet for the photoshop. All the pics look better than currently.

Thanks again. I'm so greatful!

i think your kitchen looks great!!!! love all the combos. another color i think you should look at is Sherwin Williams---Basin Blue. It is grey/blue, possible a little lighter than mysterious.......

I think it looks great but maybe you should look at the color the Nester suggests. The color is called Oyster Bay by Sherwin Williams but I had it made over at Home Depot and it is just beautiful! It's a slate blue color that is very neutral.

Yes, definitely try out a bunch of color boards before deciding -- colors are so tricky and can look so different in context as opposed to on the computer screen. Whatever you choose, you will certainly wind up with a gorgeous workspace.

I do recommend getting your chosen color made up in Benjamin Moore's Aura paint (they can match any other brand's color exactly) - it goes on so beautifully and is very washable. I'm loving mine in my kitchen, which by the way is an antique yellow that took about 8 tries to get right -- so don't be feeling bad about one little blue goof!! :)

Ditto on the Mysterious color! Bravo!

I just wanted to say that if you end up looking for a tan like the one Circus Peanut photoshopped - that looks awfully close to the Benjamin Moore Putnam Ivory that I used for my hallway!

I remember other similar colors I was considering at the time were BM Stone House, Shaker Beige, Wheeling Neutral...and some others I can't remember now! All of which they had in the sample jars.

Have you considered doing the faux painting over top of the blue? You could try a grey or beige ??? over top of the blue with a sponge and see how it turns out. I would put it on a board first though. Just a thought!
Your kitchen looks great and we are getting ready to remodel ours. I am having a hard time deciding between corian and Wilsonart HD laminate countertop. I am afraid Corian will show the scratches. Does anyone have any feedback on either??

You have done a great job and have nothing at all to apologise for.

I'm going to go against the grain here, but I like the pic that shows the walls matching the backsplash tile colour the best. I think it makes the room look larger and more "pulled together".

If you were to lighten that paint up about a shade and a half (just add a bit of white) and then paint the doors and the trim in thae lighter shade it would really smooth things out nicely.

I was watching a show on HGTV today "Spice Up My Kitchen" and the blue they used was more of an aqua color. It was a very pretty color. The spec sheet for the show said it was Kilz and I heard the host say it was called "Tea Cup".

I like your look with the dark cabinets, but DH will have none of that.

Here is a link that might be useful: HGTV finished kitchen

One more paint suggestion - I just put BM Feather Grey in our powder room, and I *love* it! It is an amazing blue-grey, and as soon as I saw your pics, I thought Feather Grey would look fabulous in your space too!

Nice job on your kitchen! It's lovely!