Help me finish my kitchen (dual post in decorating)

9 years ago

I'm really bad at FINISHING rooms. I feel like most of my house is this pretty green (which I've grown tired of) and beige.
My kitchen is no exception to this horrible pattern I've developed. I'd like to replace my bar stools and get a rug for in front of the sink area. My thoughts go like this:
Red bar stools? Is that too much? Mustard yelllow? Just keep the stools black? Should I paint and get rid of the green? Maybe just add color in the rug and accessories?
I'd love to hear ideas from those who aren't allergic to color. My wish list:

1) Four bar stools - Most important to us are comfort and overall style/look.

2) Accessories/rugs - Bold color? Patterns too busy? What do I need to do to FINISH this room?

Thanks in advance! I love these forums.

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Comments (5)

regmoses
Original Author
9 years ago
It occurred to me I might need to clarify the colors in the pics. Also, I apologize for all the junk on that particular space of counter - it's my "landing spot" for everything.

Maple cabinets with a dark glaze. Olive green paint (very little necessary in my actual kitchen area). Multi-toned grey laminate counters. Cream subway backsplash, except the buffet section, which has black beadboard backsplash. Black trim and decorative pieces on cabinets. White trim, ceilings, and doors.
brightm
9 years ago
I am HORRIBLE with colors. I didn't used to think I was, but having just bought two gallons of paint that I'm pretty sure I won't use in my kitchen, I don't feel qualified to give that advice.

My thought would be, if you want to bring in color, find barstools and a rug that you like together that MAY work with the paint, and if they don't, then re-paint. :)

Can I ask an off-topic question? Your kitchen looks very comfortable and inviting. Do you know the dimensions of your kitchen, aisles, island, and overhangs? Today starts cabinet install and it looks like your kitchen might be roughly the same size. I'm sure we won't get to island placement/overhang size, but we should get there Mon or so. Maybe today! :) I had worked out where the island would be and how long of a potential overhang (mine will just be at one end) but working with an existing lighting/junction box may have me push it a few inches this way and that. Would you repeat yours as is?

Buy your accessories at some place with a generous return policy and play away! Also think about draping various colors of clothing on your barstool to test them. :)
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Your kitchen is beautiful! Very inspirational to me :) Are you familiar with Ballard Designs? They have a huge selection of "outdoor rugs" (although I can't imagine using one outdoors where I live!) But we have a few as door mats and one in our Dining Room, and they are perfect! Easy to wipe down to clean. But they look really, really nice! Take a look--they are all on sale right now. And maybe one or two will inspire you? Just a few examples... OR Now, under your eating area, I am going to just caution that it will get MESSY under there one your little eater is eating independently. But you can enjoy the rug until then, and then see how you feel. It's just hard to get under there and clean, with the built-in there. Also, I had wooden fabric seated chairs, and they will be getting re-upholstered in a few more years--they are trashed! Even the wood backs are "gunky" from so much wet hands/jelly/cereal/yogurt/etc. I switched to industrial style metal chairs from World Market (so not very expensive!) and I love them. Sooooo easy to wipe down--even easier than wood! And I have the coordinating wood table, so it does look good with wood tones, too. And my kitchen is white, Here they are: Finally, go into stores, like World Market or Pier One or anything that floats your boat. Find some napkins or placemats that inspire you. They are a good way to bring in some color in an inexpensive way, test it out in the room, and use it as inspiration for your room. Here is a link that might be useful: Outdoor rugs
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I would not add anything that sticks out much into the walkway on that long wall...people's shoulders will whack them going by! And at the risk of horrifying everyone, I see no reason why you shouldn't paint the three walls of your kitchen a different shade from everything else, if you want to. A warm gold-toned tan would give a good backdrop to the things you want to use, and make the kitchen into a space of its own. I would also pull the ledge off the pass-through and add a generous countertop supported by big iron brackets on the family room side where your family and friends could sit while you are in the kitchen, and that you could use as a serving surface or bar. That would solve your no-table problem in a simple way. Since you don't have a window, your big wall is the ideal place for a really big mirror, the size of an actual window, which you could then surround with four prints that suit your style. I agree that you shouldn't clutter things up...you don't have the luxury of a lot of counter space, so you will need to keep your counters pretty clear of things that are only decorative. You can put something nice in the corners, though...Ballard has a group of white urns that are purely decorative, but you might do well at antique shops and fleas, too, and find things you can actually use (these are purely decorative). And I would hang that wonderful plaque on the larger wall over your fridge, so you can get it up higher and see it from the family room. Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard urns
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regmoses
Original Author
9 years ago
cal_quail, thanks for the response. I like your idea of draping clothing over the stools to "try on" colors. And yes, a store's return policy is my friend! I only wish I had a Hobby Lobby and Garden Ridge closer than an hour and half away!!!

My island is 6 feet by 3 feet with a 10 inch overhang on the 6 foot side and 12 inch overhang on the one 3 foot side.

Placement of the island is 4 feet from the cabinets on the bar stool side and three feet from the cabinets/kitchen sink side.

The island is four feet away from my stove area (which was a MUST!

The kitchen itself is 14 1/2 feet by 16 feet.

I was a bit worried about overcrowding in my kitchen, but it hasn't been an issue at all. I LOVE my island. I'm constantly using that counter space. I hope to upgrade to solid surface or granite someday, but when we did the remodel four years ago I couldn't stomach the $4,000 counter top price. Paying $1,000 for laminate was easier to swallow!

Hope this helps!
Texas_Gem
9 years ago
My first thought looking at your kitchen, which is beautiful BTW) was to use turquoise and a deeper red.
Maybe a patterned rug and then solid barstools that complement?

Check out the rug I posted below for color inspiration.

Here is a link that might be useful: burgundy and turquoise rug
KAA15
9 years ago
My thought was a rust or muddy red for the stools (with a low back) and a patterned rug.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rug

Help me finish my kitchen (dual post in decorating)

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regmoses
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brightm

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Help me finish my kitchen (dual post in decorating)

Comments (5)

regmosesOriginal Author

brightm

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regmosesOriginal Author

Texas_Gem

KAA15

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GET HELP

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regmoses
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regmoses
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