White on White & other (mis) Matched Kitchens
I was at a friend's house, an artist, last week showing her my samples & finishes. I showed her my "Crystal White" (creamy) cabinet door sample & I told her I was going with white appliances. I held my breath waiting for the nearly inevitable: "but what if the whites don't match!" Instead, she said "I LOVE white on white!" She went on to say that she particularly loves bright white with cream, and that she specifically chose that color combo for her bathroom tiles.
I looked around her lovely house and kitchen: black & white range, stainless fridge, black dishwasher - nothing matched. Her cabinets were wood, some painted various colors, her crown molding painted burgundy. Her counter an oatmeal Corian. I remember my mother saying about her artist friends: "they wear the most outlandish colors together, but, these artists, somehow, manage to put them together so they look good. I could never get away with that."
But here's the thing, I think a lot of times we COULD get away with it. We can put different whites together, we can have non-matching appliances and they can look good - even great together. I think we're often convinced we can't do it. We're afraid to take risks. Who wants to take the risk that our $10,000 or $50,000 or whatever investment is going to look stupid? So, we play it safe. And we end up with visually safe-looking kitchens.
But sometimes, just sometimes, a leap of faith can be a worth it kind of thing.
A small portion of my friend's kitchen:
Comments (11)
palimpsest
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Matching Whites and OFF-Whites to Get The Best Match
Comments (3)Thanks--this came at a good time. I have two nearly-matching creamy colored fabrics laid out to watch in different lights. One seems peachier. Why haven't I realized that it's the same as me saying that as long as I have close reds, that's close enough (something I have long claimed--have matched maroon and other reds willy nilly). Life's too short to quibble, isn't it?...See MoreHelp with mis-matched kitchen!
Comments (53)WOW! What an unfortunate kitchen. You have some big decisions on this one. What Lindy did with the tan paint really pulls the different (read: unmatching) elements together. Seeing the kitchen you love, you are an earth tone person, the backsplash may not work into the remodel but leave it if you can, it is beautiful and (I think) your style. For now, keep the countertop and backsplash, just paint the walls (definitely the tan color) and buy the furniture you need. Replace the countertop with an earthtone laminate or wait until you can afford granite. I never read what the floor is made of, but it needs attention. If it is ceramic tile, you can leave it or do inexpensive stick on vinyl tile until you can replace it with larger angled tile that would compliment the backsplash. Changing out the hardware is another easy, cheap fix. I watched a show the other day where they "refaced" the countertop with a granite cover, basically making a fitted granite veneer box that slid over and was affixed to the existing countertop. It was much cheaper than a new granite slab since the pieces were thinner. I don't know the company, but definitely something to look into. Although I am not a fan, granite tiles are much less expensive than a slab. I feel for you, don't you hate it when a seller's "selling point" is your "on the list to destroy" point? Keep us updated, this is one remodel I can't wait to see!...See MoreWhich white for trimwork? Match new kitchen cab white or other wood?
Comments (6)Is there a clear division between your kitchen woodwork and the other rooms? My kitchen addition is "outside" the original footprint, with a 9' ceiling and the old house has an 8' ceiling. Because I had a "line of demarcation" between the new kitchen and the room it opens to, my kitchen crown molding is painted the same color as the cabinets. BUT--my crown molding is attached to the cabinets, not separate....See MoreOkay to have a white glass door fridge to match other appliances?
Comments (3)I'd consider the Bosch B11CB50SSS 500 Series Freestanding Bottom Freezer Refrigerator 23.5'' Easy Clean Stainless Steel which is nearly identical except for what might be more useful accessories, matches your other appliances, and costs CA$500 less. Note that Home Depot owners don't like the Bosch 500 much (and I assume their opinions would apply to the Bosch 800 too). They're much fonder of the LG LBNC12231V and LG LRDNC1004V at a third the price. Bosch Accessories: 800: 2 x cold accumulator, 3 x ice cube tray 500: 1 x cold accumulator, 1 x berry tray, 1 x egg tray, 1 x ice cube tray...See MoreNothing Left to Say
9 years ago
enduring
9 years ago
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
9 years ago
deedles (zone 4b or 5 depending on whom
9 years agonosoccermom
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoI personally don't like it, but then I also like kitchens where all but the range are paneled for a truly streamlined look. To look good, I'd say that there should be a noticeable difference between the white and, say, creamier cabinets.
Compare these:
Lincoln Square Family Kitchen · More Info
Modern Kitchen · More InfoTo these kitchens
Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. · More Info
Deephaven, MN – Cottage completed in 2009 · More InfoAnd this kitchen:
Look at some great pictures of cream and white kitchens in this previous thread
Errant_gw
9 years ago
wildchild2x2
9 years agopnwraingal
9 years agoraee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
9 years ago
bpath