What would Joanna do?

Jessica Tolbe
by Jessica Tolbe

Hey fellow home talkers. We bought a house and one of the compromises to settle was that I could remake the kitchen.


I dont like that we got 3 different woods going on here. Its too busy. The cherry is a big no no for me. so I am going to get the cabinets redone, counters and backsplash.


but where I need u is I cant decide on a cabinet color. white everywhere (grey walls) with a blue island or white cabinets on top, blue on bottom with a white island?

current kitchen pics

very fixer upper like

liking the stepping outside my box with blue on bottom

just a little blue?

  10 answers
  • Cha34090019 Cha34090019 on Sep 12, 2018

    I'd do medium to dark grey on all cabinets. Then I'd do white with grey pattern for counter tops......maybe something different on island. Carrera looking would be perfect.....timeless!!

  • Catherine Tonetti Catherine Tonetti on Sep 12, 2018

    Hi Jessica. It looks like you’ve scored a really nice house! So big and bright! For the sake of balance, the darker colour should be on the lower cabinets, otherwise it looks too heavy ( kind of like what you’re experiencing now with the cherry). In this gorgeous space you have decide whether you want funk things up a little or go the traditional route. You could do a different countertop on your island. I’m not sure what you’re thinking in terms of countertops but throwing a colourful terrazzo counter on your island could be awesome! Can you imagine a cobalt terrazzo countertop over your dark blue island? Heaven!! The dark blue island would really anchor the kitchen. The island should be the standout of the kitchen. I would go with white/cream cabinets. The floor looks pretty plain (but nice). Is it gray tones?

    Good luck! I’d really love to see before and after!

  • Crystal Meyer Griffith Crystal Meyer Griffith on Sep 12, 2018

    A decorator friend once told me that if I needed help to re-do something like painting cabinets, replacing countertops, etc. to make those things neutral and use accessories for the pops of color. It doesn't take long to get tired of popular colors. I would use a light grey to taupe for the cabinets. The Carrara for countertop and make the island your pop of color since it's front & center. Maybe a textured white tile for the backsplash. I don't think a colored tile would be appropriate with the Carrara marble.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 12, 2018

    White cabinets with blue island would be my vote. I love the glass top cabinets.

  • Jessica Tolbe Jessica Tolbe on Sep 12, 2018

    thanks yall!!

  • Congratulations on your beautiful new home! So jealous of all that space! My vote is for either blue on bottom, white on top or the all white with touch of blue. Just happens to be my favorite color combination. It is a timeless classic and you just add your pops of color with decor and accessories which are easily changed out as trends come and go.


    Now about the countertops. I do not want to talk you out of marble, but you need to know a few things. It can be fussy. It stains easily and needs to be resealed periodically. You need to be careful when you cook. If your family really cooks and bakes it might be problematic to keep pristine and in "showroom" condition. (Mind you I cook and bake every single day, my kitchen gets a workout.) If you want showroom fresh, think about caesarstone instead. It takes a beating and always looks good. Now if those things don't bother you, and every scrape and wine stain is added character, go for the marble.


    Here are some countertop comparison guides to help you decide.


    http://usenaturalstone.org/countertop-comparison-chart/


    http://www.kitchens.com/product-guide/countertops/countertop-comparison/countertop-comparison


    https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/07/pros-cons-costs-10-countertop-materials/index.htm


    http://countertopreview.com/consumer-toolbox/countertop-comparison-chart/


    Have fun, enjoy the process and hope you will post when complete!

  • Joanne lueke Joanne lueke on Sep 12, 2018

    White uppers, lighter grey walls, darker grey lowers, white island, white countertops. Use your teal from your chairs to add pops of color. New larger pulls on your cabinets in either silver or black.

  • Gretchen Krutz Gretchen Krutz on Sep 12, 2018

    It's a personal decision, but I'd say if you are doing blue on the island it had better either be a total match with the chair cushions or different enough to play well with them... a 'similar' color would just look like a miss.

  • DD DD on Oct 22, 2018

    If you look at the pictures that you included which was a great idea the 1st seems more formal the 2nd more casual and the 3rd seems to come up in the middle. I would love the 1st personally but my kitchen always seems to run not so formal but not at all casual so I would have chosen the 3rd look for myself but I would not use marble because you need to seal it 3 to 4 times a year to make sure it doesn't stain. Good luck with your project you have some great suggestions for the others, would love to see after pictures!!

  • Jan Marie Jan Marie on Oct 22, 2018

    Grey walls, white cabinets, and charcoal grey island with either a stainless steel top or marble/quartz that looks like marble. It looks like a fun project.