Help make taupe cabinets look gray!

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I am trying not to panic and I really need your help! I am putting in a new kitchen in an newly built apt. and the builder gave me a few options for the kitchen. I went with Caeserstone 3040 Cement counters and I planned to do a white/gray wood look formica for the cabinets. In the kitchen store, I chose this formica because it looked like white and gray with a slight shine but when I brought the sample home, it now looks taupe/pearl/cream/brown!

I called them right away to try to switch it but they refused and claimed that all the information was already sent to the factory and since I signed on it, they can't help me.

I still need to choose a backsplash and formica for a full wall pantry closet. I was hoping to do a white pantry and a white/gray marble backsplash but anything white makes the formica look even more cream colored and I really don't like cream!

Is there any specific kind of lighting or colors that I can use to make my formica white again?

Please help!!

Featured Answer

herbflavor

4 years ago

no don't put a blue green backsplash....the wall tint that will help you will be hardly noticeable. I just painted an almond [warm] off white kitchen wall to a "cool", w gray green under tone off white. It ends up being still just off white but the cool shift works in a subtle , general way. [small room...wanted less color heat or noise ...busy kitchen] . I'd still stay neutral with any tile backsplash with your cabinets.….you can do something with hardware with style and metal finish.

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Comments (7)

calidesign
4 years ago
See if you can change the countertop material. If the cabinets aren't in yet, they likely haven't ordered the countertops yet. The cabinets seem neutral enough that a taupe or warm gray countertop would work. Keep the pantry the same as your other cabinets. Don't pick a final back splash until the cabinets and counters are installed.
B K thanked calidesign
B K
Original Author
4 years ago
We can't change the counter either because we signed on that too. I thought they actually look ok together but I just don't want the taupe cream look. There has to be some way to get my kitchen lighting and paint to make this cabinet look gray like it did in the kitchen store!

I'll choose a back splash later but wanted to be more prepared as to which colors I should look for.
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herbflavor
4 years ago
you really have to wait because the lighting from windows..your fixtures and other surfaces ...flooring as well as walls all affect the result. Just from what I see I think it's fine. Can't the pantry be the same ? very light gray backsplash tile if you don't have time to select a white. Whites can be somewhat of a challenge and you have a particular goal with the white /cream issue it sounds...so steer to gray...just stay very light....[do you have to even pick the backsplash right now?] I'd be more interested in what floor choices they provide as it will be a grounding element . Wall color can be a "neutral" off white....or if a "cool white" get slight blue/green undertones. Paint stores have brochures on "whites" and you have thousands of ways to take it. Light bulbs of higher kelvin LED ...and on a dimmer can help. Just bear in mind you have more elements that each make a slight difference. Focus on what they absolutely need from you as far as choices, now.
B K thanked herbflavor
B K
Original Author
4 years ago
The floor is a light gray so that should help and yes, I told them I am not choosing the back splash until the cabinets are installed.

Thank you for letting me know about the blue/green undertones and the higher Kelvin LED! I was wondering what to look for.

Do you think a blue/green backsplash would help too?
aprilneverends
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You have looked at it while it stands vertically, right? the sample of Formica for cabinets?

And when you checked whether it works with countertop, you kept countertop sample perpendicular to it?

Just making sure, since samples should be looked at, in the order they'll be installed.

The lighting in stores and in one's home often is dramatically different. Also each house-has its unique lighting and other things that surround a color and change our perception of it.

I think-if cabinets and counter work together, and with the flooring, that's already much less problemaric. Agree with others to wait, until all is there, for backsplash, and look into different lighting.

Harmonious things, even if not exactly what we envisioned, irritate us much less, than things that seem to fight each other

As long as it works, even if it's warmer look than the "cooler" one you were hoping for-you can introduce then brighter, crispier so to say, "cleaner" or cooler colors with styling. Not with semi-permanent elements that will indeed make it look creamier-but small easy movable things.
B K thanked aprilneverends
B K
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, I checked them with the formica vertically and the counter perpendicular. I actually have the samples next to me and just checked again and they do look nice together, just not the look I was aiming for.