To not compete with the awesome built-ins but still coordinate, I'd go white shaker doors with slab drawer fronts. I'm not crazy about marmoleum (especially if multiple colors or mottled) and the retro appliances (especially in colors), and I don't really envision marble going with all of that. It seems like too many colors, textures, and patterns. I think I'd be more inclined to do a simple cork floor or maybe painted hardwood if you're opposed to regular hardwood. I'm not sure about the rest, but the layout seems fine so long as the range isn't butting up against the right wall. You'll need space on either side.

Maybe I'd like the marmoleum more if it were a diagonally laid black and white pattern. But I'd still go away from yellow appliances and stick with stainless. I know, I'm no fun.

Thanks, Kevin. Hmm, I love cork, not a bad idea. You can't tell from the moodboard but I was planning on painting the wood floor, diamond pattern. I am thinking probably gray as I am worried b/w is too strong esp with the appliances.

I am usually all about white but I really like the appliances ... the color is soft, id call it "vanilla pudding"

Thanks for the cabinet input, I do think white is the way to go to.

Sorry, I can't help you with this. While I'm sure the finished product will be envy worthy, I'm too much form follows function to ever opt for unfitted. I worked in the kitchen at the old house which had literally one cabinet to ever opt for that style. I think my MIL and her mother were miracle workers to generate the huge meals that they did out of that mini, inefficient space!

I have thought through the ergonomics and I am pretty sure it'll work just fine --- but I hear you.

I think no one likes my unfitted kitchen, boo hoo. But I was actually asking about finishes, buried deep in my excessive prose, not layout.

How about the Butler's pantry in the first shot? What style cabinet? What countertop?

Have you looked at the David T Smith website I suggested in your first unfitted thread? Not just in the Gallery, but in "Kitchen Styles." Look at the "Cottage Kitchen." In the Gallery, there are a couple of kitchens that have the soft colors with wood that you're showing on this thread. Not the rustic look kitchens, but his unfitted, mixed color kitchen can provide visuals - food for thought.

Oh, mtnrd, I love your unfitted kitchen! Please don't be discouraged.

1. I think simple off-white shaker cabinets would look great (just which off-white is probably a whole separate post) in the BP. A very soft grey may also work with the grey in the floor.

2. Marble may be too cold a look with your warm wood tones, although it would look great with the blue fabric. I am having a hard time imagining it with the yellow walls - I think the woodwork will look quite different once the walls and floors are painted. I am leaning toward the stainless because it should work well with the grey on the floor and the fabric too.

3. How unfitted do you want to go? What about a warm grey-green cabinet? Maybe FB Green Smoke or Green Blue? You have blue in your fabric, and yellow in the appliances. Green is the natural middle ground.

Jreuter,

Thank you.

I think by unfitted, I mean more like this image, then what Allison posted. In looking at the David T Smith stuff, i realize my CT kitchen is unfitted ... furniture legs, different doors styles, mix of painted and stained, etc.

1. I suppose I should copy the door of the built in (shaker I think).

2. I am really leaning toward stainless on the worktable/island like piece, and thick butcherblock on top of the D/w to the right of the double drainboard sink. Otherwise maybe Corian witch hazel?

3. In the BP, since the L is all wood, I am not sure if white under the sink would be too jarring. Grey might be nice. Esp since, when the door swings in, it will be visible from the DR. Would you paint the trim and shelves and dish rack too? or jettison them ? or?

Random Q -- Can i paint the (clunky, uninteresting and maybe not original)trim the same off white as the walls, if I keep the doors and the built ins stained as they are, do you think?

Mtnrdredux,

Over on the kitchens side, lavender lass posted this picture and it reminded me of your kitchen. The black and white marmoleum and the lovely kitchen table which I really love :)

vintagey unfitted Kitchen with B&W floor and kitchen table

I like the layout idea but would opt for soft yellow cabinetry about the color of the appliances and the cabs you have now-- which I love, btw! It wouldn't be too much yellow if you get rid of the too bold yellow wall. For countertops I think something plain like stainless or gray veined white marble. Normally I would say wood but you have enough of it already.

I think yellow and white and wood and a diff counter material is a lot for a kitchen, unfitted or not. If you don't like the idea of yellow cabinets -- and I would do open shelving only where needed on the upper walls or nothing---- you could do a soft gray and repeat that color in your gray and white checkerboard floor--- or better yet, your gray and soft yellow and white checkerboard or gingham floor.

1. Like the proposed sink. For cabinetry you could either do a shaker front or just a plain front, which would look more like the style of your appliances. Yellow cabs similar to appliances and cabs already there, or light gray.

2. Island: stainless top, off white or soft gray finish. Or stainless top, white apron and drawers below top, gray legs and bottom slat shelf.

Gorgeous!!!!!

Mtnrdredux - I have attached a link of a kitchen with a soft yellow range that is similar in color to your moodboard. The entire site is pretty amazing I think!! Hope this helps.

http://www.plainenglishdesign.co.uk/spitalfields-5

I like your plans for an unfitted kitchen and am greatly enjoying watching them develop.
I have a minor suggestion for you to consider - put wheels on the back legs of the 'work space' to make it easy to take out and clean behind it.
I like the varying textures in the picture you posted on Fri, Oct 4, 13 at 10:53. Nothing really matches - except for the finish color on the fronts of the painted pieces. I'm not sure why the doors on the cabinet for the dishwasher would need to match the doors on the built in cabinet.

Someone will probably try to shoot me for suggesting this but ... what about an old "possum belly" baking center like the one I'm attaching, except with the upper tier removed, the whole thing painted in your soft white and with a marble top? I am in love with the rest of your finishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: possum belly baker

edeevee - I love that "possum belly" baking center! I have seen similar items, but never heard it called a possum belly before - love it!!

Edeevee, that is so pretty. Reminds me a bit of a Hoosier. I think the height will be too high for the windows. Plus, it has less utility then the one from the famous "Mousehole" kitchen that I'd posted. I think I want one exactly like that -- might just have it built.

Orcas, Good point! Maybe they should emphatically NOT match. And yes, we have casters on one of our kitchen islands here in CT, and they are great.

Lovetowalk, Ahh, this is so lovely! Funny i bookmarked that same photo 3 years ago, when I was doing my current kitchen. I especially loved the delicate spindles in the platerack ... which I didn't end up doing after all.

KSWL,
Thanks for all of your finish ideas. I like the idea of picking up the grey from the floor for the cabinet or "island". That would be nice. Especially in the BP where i think white would be too start a contrast. Now, on to try 50 shades of gray. I am pretty sure I am going stainless steel for the island counter. I also think I will paint the trim --- it is not particularly fine woodwork, it is the 5 panel doors that I really like and did not want to paint. But I have been looking online and I think it'll work fine to leave the doors and paint all the trim.

Mtn,

I don't know if you have seen it but there is a true vintage buttercream yellow refrigerator for sale on Ebay. I can't recall the brand but appears to be in good condition and not much smaller than the Smeg. I am not sure if you are still interested in that color for your fridge, but if you didn't want it for your primary one it could be cool as a back up. I can picture it on a back porch or in the BP with glass bottled Cokes in it (which are about to no longer be made if not already), or root beers, etc.

It is in Manhattan for $999.00. I will try to link it shortly.