Sorry, Nanc... those pics are way too tiny to get an idea what you're describing.

I couldn't see the details in the pictures. Instead of mustard though I wonder about a terra cotta or pale beige that is yellowy - maybe that is what you already have? I cannot tell...

I will try again w/ a bigger picture! Thanks for your help!

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x22/nancfred/BoatFloor078-1.jpg

I like the idea of taking the wainscotting down unless you don't want to get into that as it will probably require a lot of drywall touch up work. If you leave it, I would paint it a creamier white/linen or black. You could also add something at the chair rail to make it more decorative or to set it off more than it is now.

If you paint it black I'd put a neutral on the walls like SW Basket Beige. You are right that you need a warmer wall color. If you paint it a cream color you could paint it the same as the wall color to make it disappear.

Thanks for putting the pic in sugarbreak. I had actually thought about painting the wainscott black, but could not convince my husband. I wasn't sure if that would be too much black? I will wait on the granite, but need to start considering paints. Thanks for your input!
Nancy

I have Santa C. as well, and I used Laura Ashley Gold #3 on my walls. After months of gold testing it was the one I liked the best. I had originally wanted to put wainscotting up in the kitchen but changed my mind quickly once things started coming together. I do love wainscotting, but I agree that it needs a face lift, and more punch on the railing. What color are the window/door frames going to be? I would match to that - perhaps a creamy white? What color are your cabs to be?

The cabs will be a creamy white w/ choc glaze...I don't know if dh will let me paint the door...it will have to stay white...I like the idea of black for the wainscott, but not sure if it would be too much. I LOVE your paint color, the Laura Ashley #3. I went and got the chip today...really like it. I love the gold. Would black look OK w/ that color or should I stay w/ a creamy white? I will replace the chair rail...would have never thought to do that. Thank you!

Nancy

I have black accents with the gold and I do like it, but I worry that black wainscotting would shrink and darken your room. If you want to pull in some black you could do the chair rail and other accessories in black - like your chairs - and paint the wainscotting cream.

My first thought - and take this for what it's worth - was to lean more toward accenting with the chocolate from your glaze rather than black. Creamy white wainscotting to match the cabs, maybe a stained wood on the chair rail and door/window frames to compliment the glaze. Keeping the cream on the bottom half of the room with cabs and wainscotting will keep it from feeling broken up as well.

PS - I painted our french doors - it was very easy!!

I had my son hold up a black board over the wainscott and I think your right...just too much black. Also, my bench black on black..too much. Could I put a glaze on the wainscott? Can you show me another pic of your beautiful gold on another wall? Did you have to take your doors off to paint them? I will think on that one...Thank you for your help!

Nancy

I think the glaze on the wainscott might overdo it, and it would detract from the cabs which you would rather be the focus.

I left the doors up and used a foam brush to eliminate bristle brush lines. Worked like a charm!

If you want black in I would stick with creamy white, bigger creamy white chair rail and balck accents - chair, bench, maybe a bread box and such like I have (I like black too, and it looks nice with the Santa C.) I actually love white/cream wainscotting more than anything - it's classic.

Here is one shot from the doors looking out, and then looking at the doors - sorry that one is so blurry! The big wall was the one I thought of putting the wainscotting on, back when I was going to have white cabs!

I love your kitchen and your taste. I see you did the granite as the backsplash...very nice. I almost did that...but my husband thought it would be too much. I think I will paint the wainscott and french door/trim an off creamy white...it is natural cotton now...so I need more off-white right? Where did you get your canisters? I love them. I think your right about the black accents...I have some red accents now, and I think they will have to go...toaster,coffee pot, etc. I love your cabinets! We are keeping our cabinets, due to budget and they are really in good shape w/ all the pull outs. Thank you so much for all your help!

Nancy

my pleasure, and thank you for the kind words!

Your current cabs now are creamy with the glaze, right? I would just take off a door, haul it in and have it colored matched!

I actually found those at Target of all places - sad to say but I picked my granite around them! I just loved them, and I'm not usually a canister person, but I have a pitcher, a platter, cream/sugar bowl . . . anything the had, really! Also got the breadbox there.

Red does look good with Santa C., so don't toss them yet. There are lovely garnet splotches in it, and the red I used in there for Christmas looked great. You can pull it in with towels and accents and likely have it look great.

The cabs are IKEA - my saving grace. We're starting a new kitchen in a couple months, and I think I will do the same style in white this time.

I'm always around if you need help!! Good luck!

They installed my granite and backsplash this week! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I am still undecided on the color for the kitchen...pittsfield bluff or Laura Ashley #3..any suggestions?