I can't see any difference in the color of the chairs at your table. So, either my monitor is not showing the difference, or it is so subtle, that you've matched well enough that no one but you will notice. May I ask what it would cost to replace one of the side chair slips? I know you don't want to do that, and even if you did, the fabric will likely be from a different dye lot or fabric bolt. Just curious as I like the look of the oyster linen slip covers! Glad you found a solution that you are happy with!

mommyto4boys, I think the BM concord ivory and maroccan red will look great together. I checked them out on the BM online personal color viewer. They are both warm and very harmonizing. They are similar to the colors we have, and they do work well with one another. Shades of red are so great in kitchens and dining areas. I read somewhere that the color red is stimulating to the appetite. I know others have said that painting a large sheet of poster board or an entire wall will really be helpful in making you sure of the decision once you narrow your choices, and it sounds like you have. We struggled to choose paint colors, and it is definitely much harder than it looks. We had hickory and oak stained cabinets in our previous homes, so we wanted something different this time, but stained wood is gorgeous and timeless. I love it just as much as painted wood. I think the two together (painted and stained) are even better. I do remember one of your previous posts on the cherry stain, and it is really stunning. Your home sounds like it will have a lot of detail and fabulous accents. I should mention that I "stole" the trim color (BM Vanilla Ice Cream) and our kitchen color (SW Flower Pot) from a beautiful home on a parade of homes tour. Come to think of it, I used the same hardwood flooring and interior doors and door hardware as well - LOL. It was great because I saw something that really clicked for me, and I knew I would love it because I did when touring the parade home in person. It really helps to have an inspiration. Jan

Hello! I'm finally pulling the trigger to properly remodel my 1950s pre-war home's kitchen. I gave it a $200 facelift with painting cabinets, walls, trim & some fixtures 7 years ago and now I have some budget to work with. Sorry for the long post and copious photos. Hope someone is able to share their opinions! My home layout is *not* open plan. Living, dining, and kitchen are all closed off with an arch or doorway between them. Living room is 12x16, kitchen is 12x10, and I'd like to open a bit of the wall between them to give it a bit more of an open feel, use the open counter or step-up counter with bar seating to replace my breakfast nook, and add some pantry cabinets where the nook is now, which is much needed. Couple of questions: 1) pros/cons to the step-up bar? It will be on the same wall facing my dining room, so I'm thinking maybe the step-up would visually separate the seating area from the dining table, and make food prep on the other side a bit more hidden. but I'm not so sure. 2) Any tips to blend the 'old' with the new? i.e. my old wood floors with my new kitchen. I want light colors-- light cabinets/counters/walls, you name it. But I'm struggling with this 'cheap-o' white look I see in a lot of cabinets etc. I also am struggling with color scheme. I have original (knotty) pine thin plank flooring, with a slightly warm/honey tone. My current pref for colors is light greys, soft blues, and whites. They don't go too well together and I can't seem to decide on kitchen flooring, etc. because of it. 3) Flooring options: I plan to put in ceramic or pocelain tile (maybe wood plank tiles?) in the kitchen to replace old laminate. I'm struggling with how to pick a flooring that will not be jarring next to the old wood, but warm ceramic tile colors look so 80's to me. Every kitchen image I like has natural wood floors throughout the kitchen and rest of house. Would you recommend trying to match my old 50's floors? Or do you think I can get away with a different color wood-look tile? Note that the kitchen scheme will now have to flow with the dining room theme if I open up the wall, so I'm trying to pick good neutral colors for cabs (probably white), counters (white or white/gray/beige combo), and flooring (still stuck on this one). 4. I love the look of farmhouse apron sinks. I've heard mixed things about maintaining and cleaning them, breaking dishes, etc.. I hate cleaning. I see you can also do stainless apron-front sinks, which are gentler on dishes. Are they just as annoying to clean? Should I stick with something less exciting? Pinterest inspiration board: https://www.pinterest.com/emcelvaney/kitchen-remodel/inspiration/ This one design in particular is my favorite-- I like the mixture of colors & textures and it feels balanced in modern/urban/traditional styling-- but they have a brick accent wall and I don't. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/381539399675859327/ Here's some current pics: Note that I'd move the range/stove & microwave down to the wall (maybe keep a 1ft space against the wall for a narrow cabinet for spices & pots/pans to prevent wall crowding), and then remove top cabinets and open up the wall for the other 5'. Likely widen the doorway a bit further where the lightswitch is to give a more open feel. view from dining room to kitchen. Planning to repaint, redecorate, and get a new table, buffet, and wine/liquor storage (open to ideas). The wall shown here would be opened 5' towards the left and 1' more on the right, probably leaving the bottom half of the wall in place (contractor recommendation) Potentially a header would remain because this may be a load bearing wall, unfortunately. Counter would step-up and extend into dining area with 10-12" overhang, or keep at counter level (thoughts?) Planning to replace dining table with more rectangular, farmhouse-style table. I repainted the original wood cabinets 7 years ago which made them bearable but it's time for them to go. Where the wood table & yellow chairs are I would get wall cabinets or a pantry I'll need food/stuff storage since I'm losing the cabinets on the right wall. bar cart will go. sink/dishwasher/fridge will stay in place. Would like a farmhouse sink if possible (white or ss?) Will raise cabinets to full height for more storage. Flooring from dining into kitchen. Will replace kitchen flooring with ..?? I like natural wood better than ceramic/porcelain tile looks. Could I do porcelain wood-look tile planks? Maybe going perpendicular in direction and with a slightly darker color? One potential quartz counter sample that I thought might work with both the 'white/gray' theme I had in mind but blending w/ the warmer wood floors in the dining room. Thoughts? Here's a few pics of a sketch I designed in a rudimentary and free tool. Ignore colors and cabinet config mostly, but it gives you an OK idea of what I'm trying to do with layout

aktillery9 Thanks for the color inspiration! I love the idea of adding in a fresh color (after all, my entire house can't be white, cream, and blue!), and green is an unexpected yet beautiful choice. (And thanks for including a picture-- it's such a great example of how dark, traditional furniture can be paired with the right items/colors to produce a fresh look! I'd definitely like to do something similar in my space!) suzyq53 Thanks for the feedback. Your comment made me realize that my plea for help might not have been clear-- I definitely don't want a casual beach bungalow look. Ultimately the rooms will be formal spaces, and I'm happy with a more formal, traditional-leaning look... but I do want it to have subtle coastal references, through texture, color, etc. I continue to hope that there's a way to bring "coastal" and "traditional" together in a unique, beautiful way. ARBA Studios I'm mulling over the idea of adding shiplap or something similar to the wall around the fireplace. You're right-- it's not a huge area, so I don't think that it would be a costly change, and it might be a nice way to pull the room from traditional to coastal. Thanks for the inspiration pic! ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9 I agree! BIG rugs are definitely the way to go. I think that once rugs are added, the room will feel much more inviting. And I agree, everything that's currently on/above the mantle needs to be changed, and the dining table is screaming for something beautiful in the center. celerygirl I'm on the hunt for a wicker tray similar to the one in your picture. I think that the texture will be a nice touch, and with the right decor pieces placed on top, I think that it will go a long way to pulling the room together. Please keep the feedback coming, everyone! And if you have specific ideas for items that would look great in my space, that would be much appreciated!