Kitchen advice / comments needed

Patty S
by Patty S
Started updating my kitchen 8 years ago- what the pictures show is all new- the only thing I left was the cabinets, 1970's medium brown with scrollwork. That has been covered with first trim, then beadboard. In the process of repainting the cabinet boxes to a lighter off white. (you can see the difference between cabinet door color and box color.
I need some help on what to do next? It is pretty "stark" in there! Thought about faux painting the ridges in the beadboard, putting in a backsplash, curtain of some sort, stencils, graphics? Any comments or suggestions, I would really appreciate! Thanks
  12 answers
  • Rick Deeds Rick Deeds on Feb 25, 2014
    A good start would be new hardware on the doors and drawers.
    • Patty S Patty S on Feb 25, 2014
      @Rick Deeds thanks- the hardware for the cabinets, same as the drawers, just haven't put them up yet. They are 3-4 years old, can't find it in the budget to replace them quite yet.
  • Z Z on Feb 25, 2014
    Yep, an all white kitchen does have that "stark" feeling. Here's my thoughts... 1. Antique the cabinets to warm the color and enhance the detailing of the beadboard. 2. Add colorful hardware such as glass or spray paint wood handles with enamel for a nice sheen. 3. Find or spray paint deep rectangle baskets to line your counter under your wall cabinets to sort all the bottles and jars you have. This will not only add color and keep your counters looking tidy. You'll still have easy access to all your spices and protein drink mix by just pulling out the right basket. Kind of like under the cabinet drawers would. 3. Add a colorful valance or roman shade to the window and pretty rugs by the sink and stove.
    • See 3 previous
    • Z Z on Feb 25, 2014
      Yes, they do @Patty. I just ordered some last month since I didn't want to drive into the city to shop when it was so cold out. Much nicer having the delivered to the door.
  • To make the cabinets pop you need to paint your walls, anything but white. Soft color on the walls and a nice bold patterned valance.
    • See 3 previous
    • @Patty S Hey if you spend enough time in your kitchen you might as well make it a fun and colorful place to be.
  • Shari Shari on Feb 26, 2014
    I guess "stark" is a matter of perception because I don't see stark at all. Your countertop adds color. Although not particularly decorative, the functional items on the countertop visually add color, pattern and texture. I do agree with those who mentioned painting the backsplash and what little wall space you have would make a huge difference. And, once you get all your hardware back on, I think that will also add visual interest. I also agree with hanging some type of window treatment. If you don't need to lower a shade for privacy, check out this tutorial for this no-sew faux roman shade. I made a roman shade for my kitchen window following this tutorial (with a few minor adjustments for my particular needs and situation). It was super simple and I loved being able to pick my own fabric. Best yet, I think the hanging technique for this shade is sheer genius! http://www.impartinggrace.com/2011/05/faux-roman-shade-tutorial.html If you aren't up for making something like the faux roman shade, a simple bamboo stick shade would look great with the brown tones in your countertop, it would add texture and interest, and they are generally very reasonably priced for the smaller windows. (I could see a pretty sage green on the walls and backsplash with bamboo stick shade.)
    • Patty S Patty S on Feb 26, 2014
      @Shari thanks Shari :) sage green will work, it is also a color I use throughout my living room! Going to check out your link, love the "super simple" part best...and of course picking my own fabric is always good. Thank you so much for your comments- all of you have been great and given me some great ideas!
  • Rick Deeds Rick Deeds on Feb 26, 2014
    Another inexpensive thing to do is to use a color of your choice to paint the wall between the counter top and upper cabinets. Just a thought. The kitchen is very charming.
  • Patty S Patty S on Feb 26, 2014
    humm how about this idea? In picture one, you can see where I stopped with the ceiling white on the crown molding. My idea was to paint down, where everything then matches the doors. What if I took the one space, probably 3 inches of crown molding left, painted that in a soft sage green, then the one small wall on the left as well as the backsplash? too much? The third wall in this space is a smaller counter all along the wall with trash/recycle cabinets below. And a shelf higher up with my display of lunch boxes on it. What about then painting a sage green stripe on this wall. Hopefully this makes sense :) would this be overkill or what? thanks
    • Shari Shari on Feb 26, 2014
      @Patty S Personally, from the pictures you have provided, I think I would just paint any wall space and the backsplash sage green, but not the narrow strip between the upper cabinet doors and crown. That area looks like the cabinets to me, not wall. I also think having the continuity of white up there makes your cabinets look taller, which generally gives the impression of a taller ceiling. I think when you get some of the other details of the kitchen finished (window treatment, hardware, wall and backsplash painted etc.), you will see you probably don't need sage green paint up there. As far as painting a stripe on the other wall we can't see... I'm wondering if a stripe would detract from your lunch box collection. Maybe all you need is a nice solid color as a backdrop for the collection to take center stage. However, in my opinion, it hurts nothing to try painting a stripe. The great thing about paint is if you don't like the way it looks, you can always paint over it.
  • Gretchen Gretchen on Feb 27, 2014
    Take a look at www.mariakillam.com She is all about color, how to use it, what to use, etc. and she is all about white kitchens! I think a larger crown molding might be the touch you want - and if you can, do it by adding on another row of molding rather than tearing down and replacing what is already there.
  • Cyndi Moore Tippett Cyndi Moore Tippett on Feb 27, 2014
    I would start with a window valance that would contain all the colors from your counter tops and whatever color you want to paint the walls. I would then paint all the wall surfaces (even under the cabinets). I would also suggest using copper finished hardware to bring out the color in the counter tops. If you like the style of your hardware you can buy a can of "good" spray paint in a copper finish for about $7 at your local home improvement store. I cleaned my real good and spray painted them....love, love them. The accents are going to be the crowing touch to make your kitchen pop. Your cabinets are just the backdrop.
  • I would add some pretty hardware to the cabinets, pop off that piece of wood in front of the window which would expose the light and then add a pendant light in a contrasting color like ORB. Then I would declutter the counter tops and use dark colored baskets to hold a few things, maybe a nice pretty crock to hold your utensils next to the stove then paint the walls a soft but contrasting color like a soft green or yellow. If you're up to it I would add a backsplash too. Maybe a soft tumbled stone....something with a little texture and color but wont compete with the countertops.
  • Opal Opal on Mar 01, 2014
    It's great that what you have so far is neutral enough to go with anything your heart desires. I would pick up the colors from your canisters in the corner by the blender & toaster. The sage green would be nice. I would paint the ceiling a very light sage & back splash, remove the section above the sink if you can. Then add a colored window covering beginning close to the ceiling as suggested previously. You could also hang something on the piece above the sink if you would rather. Please post whatever you decide.
  • Snapoutofit Snapoutofit on Oct 06, 2016
    Yes, it is rather stark in there. I would paint the walls and backsplash with some bright color. I would add a valence/roman shade above the window in a print that picks up the wall color. (see pictures)I would de-clutter the counters; you have too much stuff. After the counters are cleaned up, put some type of a decorative display in the corner by the dishwasher area. Use a bright color tray or square basket to group some must have items you use and add a plant or something with color and height (pic)
  • Phyllis Phyllis on Oct 08, 2016
    I would first declutter the counter top.. Put things you don't use everyday in another cabinet.. Like blender, I only keep my toast and coffee pot and cannister set out on the counter. the back splash needs some color, so either use tiles or paint. Add something like oil rubbed bronze to cabinet knobs. They will stand out more instead of blend in. I hope this will help.. Let me know what you decide and sent some pics.