skip to main content

Home Decorating

Choosing a paint color for Kitchen and open LR

9 years ago

We are in the midst of a kitchen/LR renovation and need to pick a paint color in the next few days. I could use your help in picking a BM paint color.

The cabinets are Cherry with a medium tone stain called Honey by the cabinet maker and we are trying to decide between Siena Bordeaux or White Springs granite. The other big elements in the LR are cream colored leather sofas. We are looking for new DR table and sideboard.

Here's the cabinet sample with the Siena Bordeaux granite.

Here's the White Springs

I was thinking of a light gray in the Stonington Gray/Revere Pewter line but they are not quite right. Revere is too peachy and Stonington too washed out. Unfortunately, the stone yard doesn't have samples for me to take to the paint store.

Any idea of other medium gray that I should try out-I am looking for grays with green undertones. Should I go darker or maybe look in the sage family of colors. Am I going in the right direction?

Thanks for any input.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

tibbrix
9 years ago
I like the Siena Bordeaux. Can you say specifically what colors are in there? It's hard to tell from the photo. Looks like all browns and grays?

The second looks like it has some purple/red tones in it?

I wouldn't go with gray. snore. I'd pick a color that will add some depth, esp. in the kitchen area. Kitchens tend to be great places to get some bold color up because of the lack of wall area.
User
9 years ago
Tibbrix..."snore"...you make me chuckle. I actually like gray but it seems it's become a requirement.

Vinu, when you say cream, do you mean it has a yellow undertone? I like gray with yellow in the same saturation--so a light gray without undertones might look nice. I like the White Springs because it has larger patches of cream and cleaner grays. The other feels muddier to me. Your house is small so I'd let the dining room furniture and cabinets be the dark tones.
Related Discussions
Open floor plan; can LR built-in doors be same style as kitchen?
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks folks! All good input. I just emailed my brother, who's an architect, and his suggestion is: Keep the built-ins ONLY on the long wall. Don't wrap them around on the short wall flanking the wood stove. He would like to see bare wall there (with a firewood bin on the right and the chair/ottoman on the left of the woodstove.) What do you think about that? Regarding door hardware: I was thinking no hardware, actually... just those push-to-open thingies :) Color: my brother suggested stained or painted almost-black (playing off the slate woodstove wall). Palimpsest suggests wall color. I would have done white just cuz its my fall-back. I will have to think on that! Depth: The built-ins as drawn are about 11" deep. We don't have any A/V equipment deeper than that, so no need to bump any part out. I'm also not a huge fan of bumped-out cabinetry in a more modern setting. I know I said I wanted to keep it cottage-y, but it still has to work with my modern furniture :) I could probably be convinced if there was a really compelling argument, but my druthers is for simpler, usually :) Height: I considered varying the height (taller on short wall, etc) but I felt like going taller made the already small room feel a lot smaller. DIY- yes, we're building these ourselves :) .... although I think we may buy the doors from Scherr's. We have a really long project list to get through this year!
...See More
LR adjacent to our opened-up kitchen (pic/word heavy!)
Q
Comments (20)
Thanks jkmom51 and morton5--I know I'd read a thread a few months back about seating/couches in the kitchen (after we'd planned our flip-flop and were either awaiting our couch's delivery or had it, but no cocktail table)--figured a picture would be helpful to those contemplating the same sort of thing. With our Christmas tree and menorah lit up this past week (equal-holiday observance household here! :-)), it's been really nice just sitting there in the evening, basking in the glow of our holiday lighting. pbrisjar--the painting is actual a felt(ed wool) wall hanging. It was a birthday gift from my very dear DH this past spring. While we've only had it for less than a year, it's actually one of the artist's older pieces (her works are very different now, so we feel doubly lucky to have found and been able to get this one--I'd fallen in love with her stuff years ago). BTW, the jewel-toned pillows are actually knitted pieces (by my mom!) that I sewed onto pillows I purchased in Crate and Barrel. todds--Yes, we both remember you! Did you end up purchasing any Wolf and/or SZ appliances? If I recall, you were having your cabinets custom made? I might need to get a name/number from you.... Good memory re: our house; we are in a bi-level. Our kitchen measures roughly 13' X 13'. The aisle between the window wall and the island measures 42" counter to counter, and the aisle between the pantry wall and the island measures 36" counter to counter (island top to msg center top). We deliberately biased the spacing the way we did, in order to allow plenty of room to walk between the opened DW door and the island. trailrunner--no fresher than you are...LOL
...See More
Rehabbed kitchen - now need help choosing paint colors!
Q
Comments (15)
Here's how it might work. Pick an inspiration...in this case the fabric...which works with a turquoise island. From the fabric pick a wall color, a ceiling color and the turquoise you want for the island. You can then use the colors in the rest of the palette to bring all your rooms together...maybe use the lighter palette in the LR, the medium colors in the dining area...keep the chairs in the yellow green tones and maybe select the gold tone or the deeper taupe to use on the pew fabric. I'd use the same fabric for the drapes in the dining area as I did in the kitchen. I'd select a more formal fabric though for the LR. I'd probably pick the soft beige for the LR walls. If you don't like this fabric or this color way, that's ok...it's just an example of how this could work for you.
...See More
Color advice on built-in shelves for open space LR
Q
Comments (3)
inevitably you will have to prime the bookcase white, I would start there and see how it feels, I would not do grey its on the way out, maybe you could add some wall paper to the backing of the bookcase for visual interest. But the fireplace should be the focal point. I think a rustic green would be better than grey if you do paint it.
...See More
tibbrix
9 years ago
Any pics of the rooms?
vdinli
Original Author
9 years ago
Sorry for absconding after posting yesterday. I had to get more detailed pictures that were on a different computer.

So here are so more details:

This is our LR from a few years back: We chose Nantucket Gray after this picture was taken. We took down a few walls so it is more open . After this current remodel we will keep the sofas/chair and maybe the display shelf. I haven't decided on the art-it is nothing fancy-so wouldn't mind changing it out if it doesn't work with the new wall color.

The new kitchen space-The only wall showing will be above and below the window.

Dining area(so tiny-can't call it a room!)

Close up of the granite:

Another shot from mid distance:

The paint will go all around the LR/DA/Foyer/Kitchen. The kitchen will have medium tone cherry cabinets. I am not sure on the hardwood floor color yet.

I was thinking of BM Baltic Gray or Ashley Gray. They are in the Gray/Brown family with Ashley Gray being substantially darker.

BM Baltic Gray

BM Ashley Gray

What do you guys think? Will it be too dark for the room? Should I stick to something lighter like BM Nimbus?

Thanks for reading this far and I will take any suggestions you have for me.
Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
I think with that granite, you can go more blue with your gray if you like...BM feather gray

Related Stories

GRAY Choosing Paint: How To Pick the Right Gray

By Kelly Porter

Which Version of Today's 'It' Neutral Is For You?

KITCHEN CABINETS Choosing New Cabinets? Here’s What to Know Before You Shop

By Ventana Construction LLC

Get the scoop on kitchen and bathroom cabinet materials and construction methods to understand your options

KITCHEN DESIGN 3 Steps to Choosing Kitchen Finishes Wisely

By Vanessa Brunner

Lost your way in the field of options for countertop and cabinet finishes? This advice will put your kitchen renovation back on track

KITCHEN CABINETS Your Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

By Vanessa Brunner

Updating your kitchen? See designers' top choices for kitchen cabinet styles, hardware choices, colors, finishes and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Countertops 101: Choosing a Surface Material

By Lisa Frederick

Explore the pros and cons of 11 kitchen countertop materials. The options may surprise you

KITCHEN DESIGN Choose Your Kitchen Cabinet Glass

By Lisa Frederick

Textured? Frosted? Seeded? Find the cabinet glass style that will set off your kitchen to its best advantage

ORANGE Paint Picks: How to Choose the Right Coral

By Kelly Porter

Don't Be Afraid to Try the Eye-Catching Colors of Dawn and Dusk

COLOR Decorating 101: How to Choose Your Colors

Learn where to look for palette inspiration — and one commonly advised place maybe you shouldn’t

MATERIALS Kitchen Ideas: How to Choose the Perfect Backsplash

By Sophie Baylis

Backsplashes not only protect your walls, they also add color, pattern and texture. Find out which material is right for you

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

furniture style/colors/layour

7

Need advice to arrange furniture in small narrow room

4

Help with sidelight design

25

Guest bedroom ideas.......I need your HELP again :)

5

help, what should we do with our fireplace/tv wall?

9