Will retro work with this design? Kinda long ways apart in time.

I think that even though you may be able to tell that your white kitchen with dark granite countertops was done in the 2000s, but that there is nothing so trend specific about it that it will look "bad" in retrospect. Just because a kitchen is dated (which is a word I hate) --that doesn't mean that it gets ugly.

If it had every trite element of every hot trend of 20-- all mixed together, it might look silly later. But in reality it would *now* too, but most people wouldn't think so because they are swayed by trends. This kitchen doesn't: it's relatively simple. So even if it says 2010 in 2020, so what?

The retro will definitely clash, which is why I'm adding green retro pendant lights as a little transition touch. The furniture in the family room will be modern, but with a retro pole lamp, table lamps, starburst clock, and hanging chime doorbell as homages to the '60s/'70s. I might eventually add vintage style stools to the island, too, but for now it will just be chairs that match our current table.

I forgot to mention that in the dining area that's visible in one of the photos, the builder's light will be swapped out with a fake Tiffany that's in my current home. I have a collection of comedy/tragedy masks, so they're going to all hang in that dinette area, which will have my current tall table and chairs. Many of the masks are retro-looking, and many are quite colorful, so that will liven things up.

Hmmmm, it reading this as I type it, it's all going to be so eclectic that maybe I shouldn't bother worrying about the kitchen getting outdated!

This post was edited by EmmJay on Mon, Sep 15, 14 at 22:27

I feel like the stuff that will date your kitchen the most is the easiest to change -- namely, the backsplash and the stainless steel appliances.

Black and white is pretty classic, and granite's been popular since the 90s. There is nothing particularly year-specific about any shade of granite. And while white kitchens have been all the rage and are ceasing to be so, your kitchen is not all-white like the trend (white cabs + white counters + white backsplash + white paint).

In your shoes, if it's really bothering you, I'd paint the walls a fun, retro color and get a white fridge with stainless handles and call it a day. This one: http://bigchill.com/shop/refrigerators/retropolitan-big-chill-refrigerator/

is expensive, but it could help with the retro thing you're going for.

This one is less expensive and also kinda retro:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/ABE20EGHWS.html?mv_pc=cj&AID=10409817&PID=1609763&SID=tfc_-_6_24_140916_9e2f399a9e24a02a548fc73734752510%3A0000&utm_source=CJ&utm_medium=CPA&utm_campaign=1609763

White fridges are just coming back in now, and the stainless handles will tie it in with the other stainless appliances you have.

I think all things considered that you have about the best combo of current items to work with.

No glaring patterns or busy items to overcome. Neutral finishes and a good layout to boot.

Yes to changing the light fixture.

Consider a different wall color on the end wall in the dining space.

I have figured out to hang "art" on a backsplash, all you need to do is screw in a small screw eye into the bottom underside of the cabinet where it meets the backsplash. Then hang art from wire through the eye. No holes in the back splash, and heavy items can be hung.

Add some accessories, especially textiles, and you will have just the look you want. No problem.

Can you post pictures on some inspiration rooms and/or some of your items you would like to use in the new space? We love that!

I don't see dated at all. I see that it looks like a very nice simply and tastefully designed kitchen. If granite and subway is trendy then a whole lot of people are in for a big surprise in a few years because that is what everyone is using if you ever look at the threads here...oh and stainless appliances. What else would you using for a new kitchen?

You guys are making me feel a lot better! Honestly, if I designed the kitchen myself, I don't even know what I would have picked. I love tile backsplashes, and wood seems to date more quickly than white because types/colors go in and out, so it might have been something similar, but maybe with a lighter granite or quartz countertop.

Thanks for the info on hanging things on the backsplash, I have no idea how I'm going to accessorize the kitchen, other than my Keurig being a necessity, I only know how to add one photo per post, so here's one that shows the family room across from the kitchen. Sorry it's an older one; please try to imagine the dark hardwood floor.

Next, here are some of the accessories, and I'll also have '70s style table lamps that have a green glass base with a night light in it. The curtains (on large window only) are a somewhat olive green. Doorbell will go between the powder room door and wall, starburst clock will be above wall mounted TV, and the furniture itself is pretty contemporary/neutral (charcoal gray sofa/chaise, two sage chairs, dark wood coffee table and end table). Basically, the house will be mostly contemporary, but with some kitschy retro stuff that I want to really pop out. The pendant lights that will be over the island are also in this picture.

This post was edited by EmmJay on Tue, Sep 16, 14 at 9:31

And finally you get to see just how garish I can be! This photo is from two houses ago, but it shows most of my comedy/tragedy collection, which will go on the dining room wall starting from the desk and going around the corner. I want to put the corner curio there, too, but I'm worried the lighter wood will clash with the floor. It might work, though, since my table is a tall bar-style with medium beige marble top. Ignore the box I drew on the one set of masks; those were the originals that inspired the collection.

Wait, I thought subway tile was "classic"? Because people are using a lot of it now I guess classic has become a trend.

Honestly, how can anyone avoid eventually having a "dated" kitchen... or bathroom, or living room or whatever. Time marches on and trends change. People with large budgets can update as the go along and others ( like me) will just have to accept that we are not always going to be at the forefront of what's in fashion.

Your kitchen is lovely- enjoy it!

my husband is the cook and he loves it.

==>>>> such a wicked web we weave ....

never mess with your food machine ... think about it.. he touches all your food.. lol ...

my best advice.. is tread lightly ... let him figure out what he doesnt like about the kitchen ..... and THEN pounce like a well fed Cheshire cat... lol ..

ken

Going into a total decline here. My house is 6 months old. The cabinets are white, the appliances are stainless steel, the backsplash is subway tile. My floors are a medium dark wood. And my countertops are a light granite. But for the countertops and the hardware (mine is nickle - can't tell what yours is), we have the same kitchen. If that is dated, I'm sunk.

Actually, if it is dated, I don't much care. I like the clean look of white. Other houses in my neighborhood have glazed cabinets and tumbled 3" (or is it 4"?) tile set on the diagonal. I think theirs are far more dated.

It's a nice, neutral, pretty kitchen. I think you'll be happy with it, and I think if there is one type of kitchen that will remain popular long-term, it's white cabs with a contrasting counter. Congrats on your new home!

I'm no kitchen snob, but I like it. There's no way in hell I'd tear that out. Also, don't worry about what HGTV says.There was a thread about that not too long along around here.

LOL, yes, the kitchen is one of the few areas in which I defer to the hubby. He doesn't mind some decor, as long as it doesn't get in the way of his food prep. He's a little nervous about the convection oven since he's never used one, but otherwise he loves it. Before we wed, one of his former girlfriends told him that his cooking threatened her femininity. He's been threatening mine for 20+ years now and is welcome to continue as long as he likes. @bbstx, my fittings are nickle too so it sounds like our kitchens are almost twins!

No matter what kitchen style you have, rest assured, it will someday be considered dated. Remember honey oak, ceramic tile countertops, appliance garages, avocado green appliances? Right now, its white shaker cabinets, subway tile backsplash and SS appliances. All so beautiful, why would you replace it with something else? You wouldn't, so someone has to decide these things are "dated" to get you to remodel and replace. Making us believe our kitchens are dated keeps cabinet companies in business.

Exactly what hpny2 said! How would companies stay in business if they didn't change things and lead us to believe we need something new.

Honestly, this kitchen/thread has been going around in my head all day and I really can't think of more conservative choices to buy and put in a kitchen then this builder chose. I mean white cabinets have been in style forever while difference wood cabinet trends have come and gone. I can remember my SIL getting the "pickled wood" cabinets in her new home then quickly hating them when HGTV had all the deep dark wood stains in their shows. I have an old kitchen that was redone in the 90s with a white tile back splash, the tile back splash is just as much in style today as it was 20 years ago! I have a basic white with spots in it counter, it's still stylish although not granite but it doesn't look dated.

It is a pleasant space and so neutral that you can add things to it to change the feel-- like the lights -- different color paint on the wall -- different style hardware. It isn't really "retro" but it can just fade into the background. You can even take off the trim at the top of the cabinets to change the look, or pant the cabinets a color. And someday, if you are tired of the retro theme, then you have a basic palette to go with something else! It is fine!

It's a lovely kitchen. It has plenty of counter space, room to move around and a neutral palette. You can have fun with it. who really cares about trends. This is from someone whose new kitchen has maple cabinets, green stone counters, green subways and a cherry floor. I love it.
My house was a spec house too. Everything was top of the line and well built except the kitchen and baths which were Home Depot, bottom of the line, ugly dark brown, nothing matching in the bathrooms. I lived with it for 15 years. Now I have what I love, and who cares if it is not trendy.

I think it's all neutral enough that your fine. You can splash it up with colors on walls and accessories.

I'm not one to ask about trends. We just did what we liked in the kitchen, trends be damned. (Natural cherry, busy green-toned granite, cobalt blue range, etc.)

The only thing that 'sticks out' to me is the one arched door. I bet most people don't even notice, but it calls out to me. I'd do something different there. Maybe replace that one with something funky.

Talking about splashing a white kitchen with colours, I just tumbled onto this picture whle browsing the web. Nice coincidence...

Here is a link that might be useful:

Congrats on the new home! I think it is a great neutral kitchen. It will be a perfect backdrop for some fabulous accessories in your favorite bright color. You can change the accessories as you wish a lot easier than changing the kitchen.

It is current, but not super trendy. Black and white will stand the test of time better than the 50's turquoise or pink or the 70s mustard yellow, brown or avocado. Remember when they renamed avocado wasabi and tried to get people to buy it again? I looked kind of cool in Mad Men - but everything looks cool in Mad Men.

Imagine a cobalt blue bowl filled with green apples....I have a thing for cobalt blue glass.

Your mask collection Could do your pops of color. Could be grouped differently on the wall. Pretend they're framed photos. DO you have a photo or painting of comedy/tragedy? That's the left side of the wall and the right side of the wall? You have about a hundred sets? My fingers are itching to rearrange them! Anything that you have more than 3 of is a collection. I'm an authority on collections. I don't even buy one of anything at the grocery store!

I think after seeing your inspirations pieces, that your theme should be The Emerald City.

That lamp with the spheres in emerald green/blue are just the jumping off point you need. Very cool.

The Palm Desert Bronze on the fixtures is all a great color and finish to use as well.

Consider painting the wall space behind the masks in a deep color add a backdrop to the project.

i think it is a very nice kitchen.
think about each element; subway tile is a classic hence being used in ny subways, plus it's well done from what i can see. i think a very colorful bs would date more quickly than a classic white tile. the white cabinets are also an element found in old houses so again classic. dark counters whether soapstone, dark bb or granite are so neutral that it would be hard to get sick of. i chose a busy granite pattern because i loved it but i am sure it will read dated faster than black granite.
i too replaced all the builder lights in my home and it made a huge difference.
congratulations on your new place and enjoy!

I like it ... it's a "modern neutral" kitchen. Nothing glitzy.