Best Kitchen Paint Colors: September 2014

Thursday, September 25, 2014

SIMPLY FALL: THE MIGHTY ACORN

NATURE needs very little embellishment..

it has a quiet elegance all its own

decorating your home for the coming season can be as easy

as bringing a little nature to your table

There are so many natural Fall elements to choose from...

the leaves, the pumpkins and gourds, pinecones

fall florals, berries and fruit..

and a favorite of mine...

ACORNS AND OAK LEAVES

COLOR FOR KITCHENS - THE 10 BEST

So fortunate to have Jennifer Riner of Zillow as a guest blogger today. Zillow is a site Mr. B and I find ourselves on often. (Totally unsolicited by the way). We love to check out the real estate in areas we think might be fun places to live... yes we are guilty of the 'lookee loos'. Mr. B fantasizes about retiring on a beach or a lake someday so he loves to look at the 'possibilities'. I like to peruse Zillow Digs for design ideas. So being fans already, we jumped at the chance to have them on a guest post today.

The 10 Best Paint
Colors for Kitchens

By Jennifer Riner of Zillow

Altering kitchen paint colors can be intimidating,
especially when homeowners are accustomed to bland, builder-grade palettes.
However, incorporating fresh flair in kitchens is easy, especially when applying
adventurous palettes in small amounts.

Choose from the following 10 colors to create well-designed,
inspiring culinary spaces.

1. Timeless Gray

Source: Michelle Workman

Complement marble countertops with soft gray tones on walls
and cabinets. Marble stone grains provide dark contrast against similar,
lighter hues. Unlike other pale neutrals, gray color schemes appear clean
without feeling cold.

2. Bright White

Source: Lukas Machnik

Nothing says sterile quite like all-white kitchens. While
not everyone’s taste, bleached kitchens featuring pops of colors maintain some vibrant
interest. Fresh flowers, brightly-colored stand mixers and brass hardware
pieces appear more vivid against stark backdrops.

3. Charcoal

Charcoal is a prime accent color for large fixtures in the
kitchen, such as lower cabinets and island bases. Incorporating darker hues on
lower levels helps disguise drips, dust and grime accumulating from foot
traffic and high-use kitchens. Avoid overusing darker hues as they tend to
block out natural light, which is a highly-desired feature in kitchens.

4. Deep Black

Source: 24 Design Construction

While not appropriate for every space, black accents are
sleek and versatile options for larger spaces. Vast kitchens typically have
ample lighting to contrast dark shades, but black paint in smaller spaces tends
to absorb the already limited lighting. Limit dark hues to cabinets, accent
walls or countertops – but not all at once.

5. Greige

A new spin on classic beige is “greige,” incorporating gray
undertones rather than yellow. The latest mixture yields warm, yet
contemporary, atmospheres without looking generic.

6. Dark Navy

Source: Zillow

Navy is a go-to color for nautical or Cape Cod style
interiors, and the kitchen is not off-limits. Consider navy cabinets with
marble or quartz countertops for a sophisticated, Hamptons-style in any home.

7. Kelly Green

Fashionable, primary green looks great when paired with
butcher block countertops. Keep in mind that strong colors are best balanced with
neutrals. Constrain the number of loud tones on large façades, adhering to one
or two options for walls and cabinets.

8. Soft Yellow

For cottage-cozy appeal, incorporate muted yellow tones via
kitchen walls and cupboards. The key to finding the perfect yellow for varying spaces
is testing shades throughout the day. Sometimes, darker rooms require brighter
tones that appear gaudy in sun-filled spaces. Paint small patches and
photograph in various weather changes to determine suitability.

9. Bold Red

Source: Zillow

Some individuals shy away from using red paint and choose to
incorporate the color using fabrics and accessories. Many fear the aggressiveness
red often denotes if overdone. On the contrary, red accents radiate energy. As
some designers proclaim, stimulating surroundings are imperative, especially in
the heart of the home.

10. Burnt Orange

Source: Gustave Carlson Design

Contemporary
interiors, especially in loft-settings, appear handsome when paired with
unique colors. Burnt orange combined with exposed wood beams creates funky,
industrial ambiances for kitchens.

Kitchen color schemes largely reflect individual homeowners’
preference. Provisional to location, sun
exposure and size, painting surfaces bright colors instead of neutral palettes
can be beneficial even if it’s outside of homeowners’ natural tendencies.
Regardless of personal preference, keep buyers searching for homes in mind
when updating kitchens for resale.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

THIS IS HALLOWEEN (PART 2) .

PART 2

the Halloween Display at Rogers Gardens in Corona Del Mar, CA

Retail as theater...

I am a little into skeletons and skulls this year....in a fun way (not at all scary)

but with the house torn apart for the remodel, I won't be decorating inside.

Last year I looked all over to find economically priced life sized skeletons

but had waited too long and found they were all sold out.

This year I started early and found a great positionable life sized skeleton

at Grandin Road

Immediately after ordering, Mr. B arrived home with a large box

he'd found a great life-sized skeleton at Costco.

so now that I have skeletons in my closet (literally)

I must come up with a fun way to display them in my walkway

and front porch area

Rogers Gardens had some unique ways with skeletons this year.

These climbed the walls and ceiling like the ivy entwined through them.

without the skulls they are less macabre and more 'hauntingly beautiful' which

RG used as their theme this year.

The dining room vignette had crystal stemware and beads handing from the chandelier

and glittered faux taxidermy

and statuary...the dark glitter was a nice touch

here and there a gentle reminder that this is indeed a plant nursery...

This vignette featured twigs and beaded cobwebs along with the clocks and glowing apothecary jars

Loved the spider cloches...

won't be reading those books any time soon...

really liked these black corrugated paper pumpkins...

I lost count of how many crystal chandeliers were in the display this year

and this little guy came home with me...

I wish you could see the face, its adorable -

but the spot lighting was too strong!

The skellies and skulls ruled supreme this year...

loved their unique blend of skellies and hydrangeas

beautiful in an eerie sort of way

Beaded Day of the Dead style purse - a little bling

This crow is rocking the witch hat!

so, how are you decorating for Halloween this year?

*****************************************************

QUESTION FROM A READER:

Hi,

I have been checking out your blog and color choices. Awesome! My husband and I are building a new home and the color choices are a little overwhelming. Not sure if you have a moment to give me a suggestion, but here is my question:

I absolutely love the color beach glass by Benjamin moore for my master bedroom.

We are looking for a coordinating color with more green in it for our master bath. The tilework in the shower and across the front of the big tub, has small glass tiles that resemble the green beach glass, and the rest of the tile is sort of a grey/white/cream combo. We are hoping to find a subtle green/grey color that will go with the glass tiles but can flow from the master bedroom beach glass Benjamin moore color.

Does that make sense? Any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!!!

Nicole W

Maryland

Dear Nicole,

You are completely in my favorite color zone right now with Beach Glass and all the grayed down blues, greens and blue/greens. There is something so calming about these neutrals. Here are a couple of suggestions for colors that have a little more green. You will have to do a swatch or two to see how they look in your light and against the Beach Glass by BM.

SW Filmy Green

SW Contented

Also, try Sherwin Williams SEA SALT.

Sea Salt SW

and SEA HAZE by Benjamin Moore

Good luck!

Monday, September 1, 2014

THIS IS HALLOWEEN - ( AND XIMENA'S HOUSE COLORS)

END OF SUMMER - ALREADY?

Mr B and I were talking about our Summer. Actually he said "What Summer?" - and it's true

it has completely escaped us this year...

It started with the slab leaks (2 of them)

waaaaay back in November of 2013.

With the flooring already torn up, the second one did little damage

more inconvenience than anything

but it delayed us so completely that the architect had to make revisions to the plans...

new laws...

and now the contractor is delayed because he had to take another job in the interim...

Then in June in the middle of doing a wedding for the most darling couple (can't wait to see the photos)

I ended up in the hospital with blood clot

kinda scary...

Mr. B. won't let me out of his sight - (like if he can see me, then nothing bad can happen...adorable)

but in all seriousness recovery is taking a lot longer than I ever realized...

Then my dear, sweet, 97 year old mother passed away

and the funeral will officially end our Summer.

If I can quote Mr. B again, "I don't ever want to repeat this Summer!"

Ever.

Yeah.

On a good note...

My son graduated college, AND started a new fabulous job in the Bay area.

So proud of him!

I needed a distraction, so I

hobbled through Rogers Gardens Halloween display.

RG can pick up my spirits any time of the year,

but seeing their Halloween display is one of my favorites.

Don't expect to see stuff lined up on shelves like Target or Michaels -

at Rogers Gardens, Halloween retail is theater.

[I took way too many photographs...

so, I'm breaking them up into two posts ]

PART I

There is always a theme - this year it is "Hauntingly Beautiful"

It was full of gold damask draperies and accents

and lots of skulls... so fun!

the chandeliers and spot lighting set everything aglow

( I love skellies and skulls at Halloween!)

It's impossible to see everything in one trip.

My dress form, Matilda, needs some of these...

Super cute paper medallions. Matilda would love them!

The wall of transforming photographs - where they go from normal to creepy - was pretty cool

especially if you walk from left to right in front of them and watch them all turn into monsters...

the whole wall of them....

(wanted to take the clock home, but didn't think I could sneak it out in my purse..)

These would look adorable on the front porch, lighted at night.

Folk artist Vergie Lightfoot, creates these cute creepy pumpkins with the realistic eyes....

but at this boutique, it was the skellies and skulls that ruled

softly lit by dozens of chandeliers

glittering pumpkins, crystal cobwebs, and even sparkling rats...

Gotta get me some of those glasses!

Halloween will be chaos at my house this year.

Inside will be a construction zone.

so the plan is to just decorate the front door, patio and walkway.

I have 3 new skellies still tucked in their boxes that I'd love to use somewhere

plus the cutie I found at RG...(show you my treasure in the next post)

stay tuned for more photos....

I still want to find a little 2-3 foot articulated skeleton so I can make this wreath...

I think I need it for my door..

or maybe just a skull and a few bones will do?

*******************************************************

QUESTION FROM A READER:

Would you be able to help me by giving me ideas of colors to paint the exterior of my house? I am a single mom and I started to save money to paint it. When I bought it in 2011 I knew it would need to be painted soon.

Thank you very much.

Ximena Fernandez

Bend, Oregon

Ximena,

I think we need to make a good contrast color statement on this home, because the beige isn't doing a thing for it, right now. Its a little to 'fleshy' looking. I'd go with a grayed down color - or a gray - and provide plenty of contrast with fresh white trim which will brighten and lift your home - especially around the windows - reflecting a little more light inside. Oregon - famous for its overcast and rainy days - needs a little more contrast in color to keep from looking bland. Bring in a black or near black color for accents if you have them - and add a bold bright door. Who can have the blues with a bright colored door? Here are some color suggestions: (I generally recommend Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams - but if you can't find them in your location most hardware stores can color match them.)

Try: Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers

Try: Benjamin Moore - Amherst Gray

Try: Benjamin Moore, Chelsea Gray

In the beige tones - make sure there is a healthy helping of gray so that it doesn't turn fleshy looking, and maintains that calm, soothing, sophistication.