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Darker wood loors, lighter cabinets okay?

bluekitobsessed

16 years ago

I'm unhappy with all the tile choices I've seen and truthfully it's because I love hardwood. Now I'm reconsidering but have a color question. I've already ordered cabinets: natural maple for perimeter and off-white for island. The countertop will be a mid-tone blue (drop dead gorgeous azul macaubas granite) and backsplash and sink will be off-white. The general feel is cottage/farmhouse -- beadboard on island, apron sink, etc. The floor will be on both the kitchen and adjacent family room. Through the rest of my downstairs I have distressed natural maple hardwood that is very close to the cabinet color. How would a darker (but not too dark)floor look?

Can someone post photos?

Please?

Pretty please? I'm bad at visualizing.

For technical/brand-knowledgeable types, I have a slab floor, so people in my area usually install pre-finished hardwood; my existing maple floor is Anderson Dellamano Riscotto, and I'm looking at Amaretto (maple, medium reddish finish) in the same family (so the distressing pattern would be same/similar).

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Comments (8)

raehelen
16 years ago
Ohh,

I looked at the Amaretto, and it looks gorgeous!
I think it would go great!
kev_800
16 years ago
I might even suggest going to something darker. The darker color will make the cabinets pop out a little bit more -- if that is your goal. It will also create a slight illusion of your floors receeding, which may make your room look like it has taller ceilings. They'll also be a bit easier to clean, and the contrast will be excellent. I say go for a darker color!
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@Kristel Quintana - if your joists are too warped for tile, they are probably too warped for vinyl planks. If this is the case, I would recommend sheet vinyl instead. And NO sheet vinyl does NOT have to be the ugly sort. There are some stunning visuals in sheet vinyl that do NOT look like wood. In fact, you can get some STUNNING slate look floors that would look amazing next to the bamboo and the cabinets. Please, please, please assess your "flatness" quotient for the vinyl planks. Double and triple check your floor. The best way to do that = remove the existing vinyl. The existing embosed sheet vinyl needs to come out anyway....you might as well do it to see what your subfloor flatness rating sits at. Flooret is like all other planked vinyl....it needs SUPER FLAT ("perfect" comes to mind). If you realize your existing subfloor isn't going to cut it, I HIGHLY recommend looking at a sheet product to keep your preparation costs down. In other words, replace "like with like".
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bluekitobsessed
Original Author
16 years ago
I meant to say floors, not "loors." Anyway, please help by posting pix! Thanks.
pbrisjar
16 years ago
I don't have pics yet (we have to go pick up the boards tomorrow) but we are doing a darker hardwood floor (a mahogany-ish color) with a light wood cabinet (ash with a cherry stain). We've tested it out and I just love how the darker floor makes everything else pop while grounding the space. It also gives the area a sense of warmth.

Go you on the hardwoods! I think that's an excellent decision.
cpang74
16 years ago
Check this walnut one out-love the way it looks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Walnut floors
fnzzy
16 years ago
I've got walnut on my floors with glazed white cabinets.
bluekitobsessed
Original Author
16 years ago
Buffettgirl, beautiful! I also like your lights! I'm really torn between the beauty of hardwood and the convenience of tile.
mysterymachine
16 years ago
Did you say cement slab? :) The reason I went with cork is becuase it "plays nice" with cement slab floor (makes it softer, does not have the install issues of hardwood). Like you, I originally wanted hardwood.

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