Saturday, December 14, 2013

Cabinet Color Consideration


I painted each of the Farrow & Ball colors on a square of card stock.
I've never done well painting them on the wall for some reason.  By
using card stock, I was able to get two nice coats of color on each one
and I'm now able to move them around the kitchen at different times
of the day to see how they look against different elements of the room.

I've included a mockup of one of the columns which has had a larger
plinth block added to the bottom to bring it up to cabinet height because
I think the style of the piece plays a role in the color choice.


Here's a list of the colors:

1.  Charleston Gray
2.  Lamp Room Gray
3.  Ammonite
4.  Purbeck Stone
5.  Mole's Breath
6.  Elephant's Breath
7.  Manor House Gray
8.  Skimming Stone
9.  Hardwick White

3. and 8. were possible wall colors but all of the colors
were darker than I expected so I don't really want them.

The little white half moons on each card are where I painted
around my thumb.  It's nice to have that white reference.



I was surprised a few days ago with news from the appliance store that
my range came in!  So here are all of the colors alongside the floor color
and a little peek of the stainless steel so you can take everything into consideration.

Oh, up at the very top is a square of the white paint I've used on the walls
throughout the house.  I think I'm going to keep that the same so the wall
color is carried throughout the house just like the floors.

I love one color in particular, with one close second, but I thought
it would be fun to see what you all had to say.

I should also add that now the piece is out of the fluorescent light and sunlight,
the wood color isn't half bad.  The question is would I be able to make the new
bits of wood match the old?  I might try before I paint it.  I'm proceeding cautiously.

77 comments:

  1. It's really hard to tell in a photo. So much depends on the light in the room at different times of day. My initial favorite was Manor House Gray. I also like Lamp Room Gray.

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    1. I agree completely with Leith.

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  2. I like 1, 4 and 5 but its hard to tell. My monitor shows 2 and 9 pulling a lot of green.

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  3. I really love 1 if you go dark. That is the one I liked immediately but I don't know if you want to go that dark. And then I like 4 if you go light....I like some of the lighter ones too but they'd be too close to the wall color. Yes, for me..it's 1 or 4 for sure. I like 8 as well if you really want to go light.

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  4. I'm wondering if you shouldn't pick out your countertop material before chosing your paint? Cool grays against warm grays have funny effects on each other. Having said that, I'm liking #2 & #7.

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  5. They actually all look amazing.
    I love 1 and 9.
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  6. This is tough - I think I like 5, 7, 9 - going darker. Curios to see which way you head. Those floors look fantastic.

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  7. it all depends on what feel you are going for. I like number 2 and 4 a lot. Number 4 is my fave. But I want lighter cabinets (mine are dark) so that influence my choice. Is the dark floor the one you will use in the kitchen. Because I would want to see all the samples against it.

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    1. Yes, the floor you're seeing is the finished floor in the kitchen.

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  8. This is fun! I'm leaning toward 1, 4, and 9. Looking for some warmth in the greys.

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  9. If this were my kitchen - I would use #4.

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  10. on my monitor I've partial to #3
    would depend on what counter and backsplash you're going with?

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  11. I like #8, Skimming Stone. It is a "cheerful" gray, if there is such a thing. I agree, though, that you should get your countertops first. There are many more paint colors than there are countertop colors. After countertops are in, or at least chosen, the perfect gray will be more apparent.

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  12. Well, I'm not sure with my monitor but 4 or 7.
    Depending on the countertop colors.
    I actually have 3 stripes of color on my own kitchen wall that's been there for MONTHS.
    and I'd say they are close to 4, 7 and 2. I already ruled out 2 for myself! LOL!
    (and I'll probably just paint the whole dang thing White)
    Good Luck!

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  13. I'm partial to #1 and #4, my eye was quickly drawn to them with the stainless in the photo.

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  14. OK, wait a minute. Just looked at it again.
    Maybe #1 instead.
    ???

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  15. It's hard to tell through a computer screen, but I'm leaning towards 4 and 6..but I'm sure whatever you decide on will be absolutely brilliant! I love how it's all coming together..and so glad you were surprised with your range coming in!

    Hope you're getting some of the snow that we have up here in Central New Hampshire. It's beautiful and I love watching it fly while I'm in my warm house.

    Tim

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  16. #4 is my favorite with the wood cabinetry.

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  17. Love Love Love #1 and I am wondering if there isn't a way to combine it with some of the wood? maybe all the columns stay in stain? I am sorta assuming that you are going with a cararra counter or something like it and with that said, I would want a warm gray for sure....did you make up a card of Cathedral Grey? ( another Farrow & Ball dark grey) Don't you just hate it when people EXPAND the color choices instead of narrowing it down?? Are you entering the Decorating Contest over at TartanScot this year? Loved your winning entry last year, but wondered if you were swamped with renovations....anxiously awaiting your decision!! its going to look fabulous!

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    1. That's an interesting idea. Each of the columns has a new plinth block so I'd have to deal with that issue. Cathedral Gray? It's not in my fan deck or color cards.

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  18. Although I am partial to #6 because it is my kitchen wall color against cream cabinets, for your cabinets, I prefer #4 for its harmony with stainless and its contrast with the floor and your wall color.

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    1. Harmony with the appliances and contrast to the floor are two good considerations.

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  19. #8 is definite favorite...lighter and on the warmer side...#3 a close second, light but on the cooler side

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  20. I love Lamp room grey, BUT I also prefer soft contrasts to bold ones, so I'd choose Ammonite or Skimming stone.

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  21. ah, you're speaking my language. this is so much fun to go along on the gray paint choice ride. I always have such a hard time chosing colors for myself. love the direction you're headed...donna

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  22. I like #2, Lamp Room Gray. My better half likes #8, Skimming Stone. She is much better at this than I am (and I only have a 4/10ths vote) so I'm sure we'd be painting Skimming Stone.

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    1. Larry,
      I think you've earned another tenth or two voting power.

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  23. I am in the midst of a remodel myself--but had to stop and buy appliances before making cabinet choices. I choose #6 and seem to be in the minority. I would take the samples to the stone supplier. I found, with my counter top choice, that quite a few colors wouldn't work at all.

    Since I am "looking" at ranges, cooktop plus oven--what did you choose? I sort of love the Bosch 30 inch gas cooktop. The oven choices are tough as I didn't want any uppers but the smooth slide out shelves were pretty exciting (my present oven shelves rarely "slide").. The Viking salesman was very good-- LOL but I didn't go looking at the Wolf with my favorite red knobs.

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    1. I got the Wolf, had to have the red knobs. With a Wolf and SubZero combo, I got a $1000 discount and free dishwasher. An offer I couldn't refuse.

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  24. Being the practical sort (and also lazy), I would choose #1. Although I like gray, I'm getting tired of seeing it everywhere...the brownish tint (at least on my monitor) doesn't make it appear so gray.

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  25. I like number 1. And the floors are beautiful.

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  26. my 2 cents worth...I like #5-mole's breath and # 7-manor house gray...I think either would look great if you go with the Carrera...there's more drama with the darker color...are you going with open shelves? if so, are they going to be stained or painted? Floors look great too...this is going to be one beautiful kitchen...maybe there's another magazine shoot coming your way... :)
    am

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    1. AM,
      Surprised to see you going to the dark side. You don't think they're too dark with the floors? I may have some upper cabinets with glass doors but they have to wait. The cat's surgery and care really put a dent in my budget so they may have to wait.

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    2. I don't think either is too dark...I think the darker lowers and the wood floors look classic and sophisticated together...more gentlemanly...again, my 2 cents worth...

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  27. Purbeck Stone - it's a mid-tone, not too dark, not too light, works well with both wood stains and the stainless steel appliances. #2 is also one of the few that really looks gray, the others seem more brown or green, even on the Farrow & Ball website. Another darker option is Brassica http://us.farrow-ball.com/brassica/colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100271

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    1. Very thoughtful response. Brassica seems a little too purple for my taste but it could be very striking.

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  28. I like #5. did you think maybe to get that sample at 50% intensity?

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  29. All of the F&B paint is premixed so you can't do 50% without making your own brew of two different colors. I have been known to mix my own colors when I can't find the perfect one but I understand each F&B "gallon" can't be slightly different so it would be hard to ever recreate anything.

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  30. i like the very bottom middle color. you are quite thorough. :)

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  31. Cabinet color Boy:
    I like 1, 4, 6. I like the warm with the floor
    (and I like the plain aged pine...so that sways me)
    Tell us what you are leaning to?

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  32. I love #4 for a lighter colorway, and #5 if you want to go dark .

    (Except for the name! Mole's breath? Ewwww. Surely that's a Shakespearean insult that the F&B people tittered about as they decided, "Yes! That's it! Mole's Breath! )

    Maybe both? A tuxedo kitchen?

    Or mix 4 and 5 together.
    Or like someone else has said, diluted color vs saturated?
    Or a stain instead of paint?
    Decisions, decisions...

    PS-we are looking at rentals. I cannot BELIEVE what passes for a "kitchen" in regular/suburban 50s houses in SoCal! I have heaps of work ahead of me and I will be looking here for inspiration, just FYI.

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  33. Hi, Steve,

    I like your idea of choosing a paint that comes close to the wood. I think that is by far the best solution because it will have a unifying effect, and I think it'll make your kitchen look bigger than it already is. In terms of paint, I think you'll find warm grays (like a lighter version of Charleston gray) more inviting.

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  34. I like #1 and #6 with the floor and stainless steel. Lots of handsome choices though!

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  35. 4, 6 or 8. 4 if you have lots of light

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  36. 2 or 9 But 2 was what I was drawn to first.

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  37. For me, it's no. 2.

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  38. Love 1 and 4. Can't wait to see what you're leaning towards...

    -Lane

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  39. confused yet steve?!
    so, for what it is worthy, love #1, a warm gray with undertones of browns, very livable and not as trendy.
    ever look into jerusalem limestone for a counter top, or is that already chosen? crazy for my top, honed, with overtones of gray and a subtle mottle of browns and honey.

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  40. I'm not certain about any of them in relationship to the white sample at the top. Of 8 and 3, i'd be afraid that 8 looks a bit yellowed against the white but I like it best with the cabinet wood. 3 is trending a bit blue which makes the cabinet wood look orangy. So painting the cabinets 7 with 3 on the wall would be my bet, if you have to paint the cabinets which seems a shame but matching the old with new may be necessary. Good luck. I know that your choice will be impecable.

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  41. I just went through this same exercise for my cabinets - very stressful! ...(one wood paneled wall - darker than yours, wide pine floors and honed Vermont Danby marble (white and grey) and wood counters planned)
    1,4,6,8 and 9 had too much brown or green
    2 ended up being quite blue on my sample - after 2 coats
    3 was too light a shade
    5 and 7 were the truest greys on my color test and went best with the appliances and the grey in the marble. Would pick those same ones for your project; however, do not know the color of your counters as I just joined in here yesterday

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  42. Are you still going with Carrera marble for the countertops? If so, I think the bases need to be darker to ground the marble, #4 or #7 would be nice, but I think you need to get your samples tested against the marble as well as the floors, appliances etc.

    SoCal Kerrie

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  43. Number 1, but what kind of hardware are you thinking of using?

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  44. Color 4 or 9, I so enjoy your blog and seeing the progress of you charming home!

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  45. 2, 3, 4, or 6. It is very difficult to choose...but I do like the greys with more brown in them than blue. Good luck!!!

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  46. I like #4 the best, but probably biased since I used BM Revere Pewter for my cabinets.
    Lots of good choices--especially if you wanted to go darker.

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  47. I vote for natural wood or number 4. I like the warmth in either. Definitely 4.

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  48. I love Elephants Breath, I've used this color in my own home and it is just beautiful!

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  49. Hard to say looking at a computer monitor, but I am leaning towards the green toned, slightly darker hues: 2, 7, and 9 (Lamp Room, Manor House, Hardwick).

    I must go read the other comments to see if you revealed your favorites..

    xo

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  50. Placing my bets on #6 - Elephant's Breath or #2 - Lamp Room Gray.

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  51. Looking good over there! I'm liking #4 and 6.

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  52. EEK!!!!!!! May the FORCE be with you!!!!!!

    Rob

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  53. I love Mole's Breath (never thought I'd say THAT!)

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  54. My vote is for #9. It seems to be neither too dark nor too light and has a bit of green in it, which might balance nicely with the warm color of the wood?

    P.S. I'm a bit of a lurker here from neighboring Charlestown. Will add you to my blog roll so I don't miss out on any more of your wonderful posts!

    -Deborah

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    1. Deborah,

      Oh, yeah, I remember your photos of hydrangea in Kennebunkport a few summers ago. I do think that greigy-green color is the right value and I agree it would look great wood floor. It's really hard to decide.

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  55. I love #4 Steve. How fun. I hope you figure it out without too much stress. Painted cabinets are so much more of a commitment than walls! Happy Holidays! xo nancy

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  56. Oh Steve, I am no help because I love the wood in there! :)

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  57. what a difficult choice...can't wait to see!

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  58. I vote for #5. The darker, the better. It'll hide any watermarks.

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  59. I like #4 - not too dark, not too light. Just right.

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  60. I'm thinking #2. I am not a beige person…so that eliminates 4,6,and 8 for me. Second choice is 7 but what the heck do I know……My whole house is white.

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  61. Definitely wood! Did not know that was a choice. Wood all the way!

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