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Home Decorating

More colonial/less country

14 years ago

Hi all - I'm new to the decorating area. I've been hanging out in kitchens since I found it in April and starting a piece by piece redo of some of my kitchen. I took down part of the dining room wall, put in soapstone counters and a fireclay apron front sink, had my cabinets painted white (that's a whole other nightmare story), new backsplash, dishwasher and fridge. Still need a new stove and floor.

My problem is that because of the style of my cabinet doors, my kitchen looks to country and not as colonial as I would like. I collect yellowware and blue onion, pie safes and antiques.

Any suggestions on making space more colonial looking and less country looking? One thing I'm thinking is a dark cabinet pull instead of the stainless. And the light fixture that Jant has over her sink over mine.

I just saw some pics of Jant's kitchen. That's what I'm going for - it's not far off from mine, but just enough. I know part of my problem in no liking my kitchen is that my cabinet painting experience was so bad. It's left me with bad feelings.

Jant's kitchen and the light! Thanks Jant for the inspiration.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jant's kitchen

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Comments (10)

jant
14 years ago
Hi there,

You did get my note about where the light came from right? I love it...I think it would look outstanding in your kit.

Such a tease with the nightmare painting story....???? LOL

Just one thing I've noticed over the years. Knobs vs pulls give a more simple/colonial look such as you're after. Yes to dark vs stainless too. Wood knobs are also a great look. I was going that route initially but felt something with a little punch was needed. Mine are ORB but not black...they are almost a deep, deep bronzy brown which I like. Lowes/HD? One of those. I'd definitely try and do knobs with the look you're after.

Change your paper towels to plain white lol???

Thanks so much for the nice compliments btw. :)
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jant
14 years ago
Oh, I forgot to mention that your soapstone is gorgeous! I just revealed mine again for the first time in a week.

Love to see more pix of your rooms and "stuff"!
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Well, haven't heard it out here! But I never did what everbody else did anyway!! We've not a bunch of sheep. I hate it when you redo your kitchen & then can't find anything to match few years later. Sounds like trying to get people to buy & get economy going!! I just do what I want when I want to & my house is not gray!!!! Never was, don't care for it, looks great on some houses, I just don't want it on mine!!! I never had huge flowered wallpaper either. Relative had huge flowers on black paper in kitchen, she liked it so that's what counts!! Not too much for fads tho 1 did work well to my advantage, I was PG & made 'tent' dresses & man asked me if I was PG. I had the baby next day!! I must be right on top of things as I certainly have "more" than I know what to do with!!! Jan
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jant
14 years ago
Prill...

I might assume you're seen this site? I drool over his kitchens. Hands down they do the best faux antiquing I've ever seen. If you haven't seen it enjoy! Right up your alley.

https://www.davidtsmith.com/newsite/home.asp
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prill
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Jant. I did call the store in NH. They have the light and I thought I would try to get up there to see it in person. Don't know if that will happen. If not, I'll send for it by mail.

I have 2 holes in the cupboard doors so I have to do a pull. Thanks for the compliment about the soapstone - It's nothing I ever thought I'd have - but I do really like it.

I can't find the link to my cabinet painting story - I'll keep looking and post it when I do. And also some pics from around the house. My grandson is here now - It's a disaster!
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prill
Original Author
14 years ago
I did just see that David Smith site yesterday or the day before. Nice! Maybe the floor will help pull things together. It's hard to see past these parquet squares!
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jant
14 years ago
Prill...why can't you simply fill one hole? Then just touch it up. I can't count the number of times I've had to do that lol. You must be close to us...where do you live?
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prill
Original Author
14 years ago
I could fill one hole - not wanting to probably has more to do with the cabinet painting trauma. I'm in Amherst MA - where are you?
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jant
14 years ago
Hi,

Near Newburyport MA. Oh, you'll get over the trauma when you
have a look you love! :))
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User
14 years ago
I definitely would do a dark knob and a dark wood floor.
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prill
Original Author
14 years ago
my daughter lives in Danvers... so close to you.

This is the pull I was thinking of - or something like this.

Here is a link that might be useful: pull
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