Friday, January 24, 2014

Counters and Colors



The stone place surprised me with a call about four days after the
templates were made.  They would be ready to do the install on the
MLK holiday.  I was off work so it was perfect timing.  

Here's a peek at the counter tops.  I couldn't wait to set my faucet
in to place.  It's the Rohl Perrin & Rowe bridge faucet in polished nickel.
I looked at as many faucets as I did light fixtures and I think this is the 
most beautiful one by far.  


The installation was just as interesting as the templating.  The installation
team cam in and measured each section again and made tweaks to the
stone outside before bringing it in and setting it in to place. 

On two of the sections, they even made new templates and took them
outside before grinding here and there to make sure everything was perfect.
They were really impressive.


Shortly before the install, the cabinet doors were finished up and
installed.  The detail on the doors was replicated from the panels on
the front of the store counter.  The base moldings still need to go in.



You can see my predicament with the wood color here.  The doors
are made of the wood from the antique store counter but they needed
to be planed down to made the rails and stiles of the doors.  And then
the drawers were made out of fir when we ran out of wood.



After considering the Farrow & Ball colors, I just couldn't find a
gray in the right shade and value so I picked a Benjamin Moore
color I thought would look nice.  It's Cape May Cobblestone which
is on the same strip in the fan deck as my exterior house color.

It goes really well with everything:  the floor, the marble, the stainless,
but I'm having two problems with it.  Don't get me wrong, I think it
looks beautiful but I think it's maybe too safe.  More importantly, I'm
feeling like it's wrong for the architecture of the piece.  The hefty carvings
somehow don't feel right in this misty, modern color.  It's kind of like the
Dowager Countess wearing a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress.

Okay, maybe not that silly but it's a good way to describe
how I feel about it.  I'm not going to rush a decision.


Of course, the cabinet color also affects the window casings
and sashes so I can't wait too long.

69 comments:

  1. It's looking so beautiful -- I am so impressed by your attention to detail and your patience!

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  2. You won't be surprised when I tell you that I just checked my trusty BM fan deck to see exactly which color you are experimenting with. It reads warm and substantial on the chip, and I see it as cool and misty (exactly as you describe) in your photos. I have a sample can of 'Greyhound' (color #1579) sitting in my workshop, waiting for the chance to use it on cupboards in my downstairs bath. I think that may be a bit too blue green for you, tho. What about the next color down on your strip, Greystone?

    Your counters are totally fantastic!!! Love the care that the installers took as they did their job.

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    1. That's the same color as my exterior siding! It's funny you would pick that.

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  3. Steve I love your choices and the cabinetry is amazing!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  4. It is unfolding BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!!! Relax.......deep breaths........enjoy the moments!!!!!! Your inner wisdom (and fabulousness) will guide you!!!!!

    All the best,

    Rob

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  5. If you think the color is a bit off then it will never look right-every time you use the kitchen you'll be thinking "HMMMMM..."

    Maybe more contrast is what's needed-either darker or lighter?
    In the photo it almost reads the same color as the stainless.

    What about white? Or black/navy? Too light/dark either way?

    LOVE the way that red knob stands out BTW. Maybe red!? :)
    Nah. Too much like the Countess's fave American in law, Martha-loud and pushy, LOL.

    The counters are swoon worthy, that's for sure.
    The whole space is really turning out beautifully.

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    1. I second Susan. If you question now, you will definitely question later. A dark navy or the black would look gorgeous with the stainless, the amazing marble and I think really make the veining pop. I personally would do navy over black just because even though it is dark to me it doesn't feel as heavy, if that makes any sense.

      Love how it is coming together and that faucet is marvelous!

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    2. I'd love to something really dark but the floors are dark and I think the room would be too bottom heavy. But I do love the idea of dark navy or black.

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  6. The counters and faucet are so beautiful. I'd be standing there running my hands over it all day, really lovely. Maybe you'll know more about the color after you've filled everything in and are using it as a working kitchen. I like the idea of waiting. you can always go darker if you decide too.

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  7. Wow! Everything is gorgeous so far! Love the cabinet detail! You'll be a master chef in your new kitchen before you know it!

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  8. Steve - Wow - things are really starting to come together. Looks fabulous so far!

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  9. LOL at Dowager Countess and DVF :)

    Everything is looking amazing....faucet and marble are stunning! Fantastic choices.

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  10. I'm still drooling over your counter tops. I need a moment more to just gaze at them.

    I would do White, in my house.
    but for yours? I think you need to go outside and clear your head
    and then come in and walk through all your rooms and then into the kitchen.
    You'll figure it out.

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  11. Check out peppercorn by Sherwin Williams. It's dark, but a truly beautiful blue/gray

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  12. Gorgeous! just gorgeous. I like the color.

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  13. I love the marble, and the cabinets are wonderful. Maybe try one of the HC colors from Benjamin Moore?

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  14. The marble and the faucet are gorgeous. I know what you mean about that colour and what a wonderful analogy. :) The colour is beautiful, but yes, maybe not heavy enough for the cabinets. Talk about safe - I would do white...! :) I wish I could see the space with everything in place and I might be more help. I can't picture it in my brain. A rich blue??
    Wait and see it all together, and when we see it all together maybe we can help more.

    xo Terri

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  15. Counter tops and faucet. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

    You'll hit upon the right color. Love the idea of a deep and rich blue.
    Camille

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  16. aaargh, typed a whole comment and it disappeared!! Anyway, the great thing about Farrow and Ball is the amount of pigment in the paint really gives it a depth and variation of color depending on the light and shadow, making it much less flat. You have so much detail on the cabinets, maybe it is the use of only one color that is making your choice feel too safe or "ho-hum"- maybe if you added a toning glaze to highlight all the detail that would give you the pizazz you are hoping for....nothing strong of course...very, very subtle glaze to give depth to the color....at the end of the day, you will choose something great and trust your instincts...but even when you were asking for our color opinion, I was leaning toward something deeper in shade....felt the lighter colors were too " misty" as you say, so tht is where I am coming from....but those counters are gorgeous, lately marble is looking great in every style of kitchen to me, and the faucet is phenomenal ;-)
    Cheers,
    Meredith

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    1. I'd like to experiment with glazing. That might fix the problem. Thanks for that suggestion.

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    2. Every day is a life lesson. Could you tell me what you mean by glazing?

      Thanks.

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    3. Glazing means painting over the main cabinet color with a second color and then wiping off the second color to reveal the first color as much as desired. You might use a a light gray glaze over white beadboard cabinets to highlight the details. I would guess that most commercial cabinets that have a painted finish use a glaze over the primary paint color to give them greater depth.

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    4. Interesting. Thank you. I can see (imagine) that could really bring out a color and depth when used in the right combination. Thanks again.

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  17. Pinned your bridge faucet for my own kitchen reno board - thanks!

    And have a marvelous weekend!

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  18. Out come the templates...then "color" them in to see what "feels" much less "looks" the best...I equate it to "playing with paper dolls." franki

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  19. To " age" it up a bit, try a dollop of umber in the paint you have. Great analogy. Wish you were showing more of the space. It's lovely.

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    1. Umber would be good for a glaze too. Makes anything look older.

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  20. Who would have thought a faucet could be graceful and elegant? Your sure is. And the counter is beautiful.

    I think the right gray would be beautiful for your cabinets (and would pick up the veining in the marble).

    Like some others I thought of black or navy, but would that be too much with your black cabinet? I love my black (lightly distressed) beadboard island with marble top---it's stunning. And I love my red cabinets too. It all works together beautifully.

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  21. Looks great....but I'm thinking that you should have followed the advice of those who said to go darker. Why do people always think that just because I'm hot, I don't know what I'm talking about....;)

    Can't wait to see the project complete.

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  22. The faucet is gorgeous. Can't wait to see everything finished!

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  23. Wow its really coming together now, it looks gorgeous.
    Annie

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  24. Its looking really awesome. I agree with Michele. Live with the color once everything else in finished and then decide. Its hard but not the end of the world to live with a wrong paint color for a few weeks.

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  25. With all your grays, would you consider a plum color? Then you could get your retail therapy choosing plum towels to match.

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    1. That's an interesting suggestion, Mark. I hadn't thought of that at all.

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  26. Beautiful! Your analogy is hysterical! What do you think about going out on a limb with your cabinet color? Can you do it? I'm thinking charcoal, or green, or some other color that pops in your home, other than safe & muted. What say yee . . . ?

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  27. Oh I think the color is perfect and would not change it. It is perfect with the oven and the counter top. To go dark seems like a big mistake to me, but then it is not my kitchen.

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  28. I just want to slow the train here and disagree at some level with many of the comments. I'm going to use a knitting analogy to make my point. When making a detailed, cabled style fishermans sweater you use the natural color off white wool for numerous reasons - mainly tradition - but also because the light color SHOWS the cables and fancy stitch details. As soon as you knit that same sweater in a dark grey or blue, the detail almost disappears and is very hard to see. I'm firmly convinced that the same will hold true for your cabinets. I'm not saying don't tweak as needed - and long range/full room photos would be very helpful for that conversation - but rushing to a dark color is definitely a mistake. That little detail on the doors, even the overhang detail in the columns would not be seen - there would be no shadow to highlight it. I'm also feeling a bit like its a massive trend to go dark - and trendy is the last thing you want to be here.
    Steve you know how invested I am in your kitchen and it is truly gorgeous - the counters and sink combo it to die for! Keep the great posts coming :-) J

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    1. Thanks for that analogy, Jacqueline. That's a really good thing to consider.

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  29. I love the color of the cabinets but once I saw your photo of the hood and range with the counters on Instagram I see what you mean about playing it safe. That beautiful cabinet might hold its own with a darker color with the marble. What ever direction you take however will be beautiful.

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  30. Wow, your kitchen is looking absolutely gorgeous so far. I LOVE the counter and faucet, as well as the cabinets. Love to see that much thought and individuality in a home. As for the color, I'd revisit Farrow & Ball because their colors seem richer, not as flat. I would not do white - maybe a gray with a little more of a distinguishable hue - something warmer. Anyway, not loving your paint color is relatively easy to fix, especially when you've just started. I know it's going to turn out beautifully and I can't wait to see it finished!

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  31. I’m by far not a good source for colors (which is why my better half has majority rule) however the stainless, which is beautiful, is getting lost in the gray cabinet and the gray cabinet is merging with the stove. If you like the seamless look than you’re on target. If you want each to pop on its own, then perhaps a bluer gray or plum or maybe a deeper cabernet red (it would almost match the stove knobs) would work?

    Altogether, it is really looking fantastic. The sink and faucet are phenomenal.

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  32. Everything is si beautiful!! That faucet is fantastic and I love all your choices and attention to detail.

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  33. Your marble counters look lovely. Your faucet is one I've pinned to my "Kitchen remodel ideas" Pinterest board! Joan (For the Love of a House) owns a Perrin & Rowe and she recommends it. Your selections are great. It's all coming along so nicely!
    Claudia

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  34. I love that faucet - simple and elegant. Love the Wolf also. It's gonna be a world class kitchen.

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  35. So much of your kitchen is Perfect don't let the choice of paint scare you. It's just paint fella, you can re-paint! It really is so beautiful. I am so enjoying your journey. Lorretta from NH

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  36. This may not be for publishing but I was wondering why you would not have chosen a double sink? Lorretta from NH

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    1. That's a good question and I should maybe address that in a post. I had to work with the parts that came off the store counter like puzzle pieces. A double sink would have required a larger base cabinet and when I added a dishwasher, there was almost no room to add additional cabinets on both sides of the sink. So it was a question of scaling everything to fit a smallish kitchen. Thanks for asking, Loretta.

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  37. I need to replace my faucet. I'm taking forever because I can't find the right one, maybe I just did. Also need to replace the countertop, I hate granite and keep going back and forth with marble, stainless steel, limestone, blah, blah, blah. I may copy you again. It is looking stunning.

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  38. Your kitchen is amazing! I never studied interior design but I'm a graphic designer and certain things are similar. Layering of elements. Have you thought about the knobs and handles? Texture and metal may influence the color direction. Looking at the color during different times of the day. How about a dark color inside the cabinet? Hope this helps!

    Emmy

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/197102921165161179/
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/197102921165161183/

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    1. Really good points, Emily. I feel that colors have a "language" and if I just tweak the color a little bit, I can have it read more historical I can get a different result without going much darker. You're right that the hardware is also really important.

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    2. I think black cabinets and brown stained floors can be quite beautiful. Do you have room for an island? maybe that's a different color? I love looking at nature for color and inspiration. Sometimes I would go into wegmans and look at produce for color. Shetland Black potatoes, black figs, blackberries... the color and texture are amazing. Everyone expects produce to be green... It's like everyone expects a bride to wear white. Good luck! Emmy

      http://theurbanfarmhouse.typepad.com/.a/6a01287699c3f2970c0154362bf7bf970c-pi

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  39. Farrow and Ball Downpipe.

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    1. I LOVE that color. I have a sample pot and I've tried it on the cabinets. It's very blue, looks almost like Hague Blue in my house. So I don't think it will work but I'd love to find a place to use it in the house.

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  40. Fun comments. Agonizing choice. Going dark has never been a trend for me. I have always been drawn to saturated colors and chiaroscuro. I think you are right in thinking the current color is too safe and whispy. Ironically I was just going through the mail from yesterday and I think Williams Sonoma's catalog on its Open Kitchen line hits the middle with white cabinets and dark gray/black walls with great punches of natural wood colors. Maybe not where you would use them but it allows you to see the colors together in a palate. Couldn't find an online version of the featured kitchen. As for the comment about dark hiding details, I've just come back from a visit to the Nelson Atkins museum in Kansas City. Two of my favorites: Caravaggio's St. John the Baptist and the Dutch floral painting which is on a dark ground and the frame is the original black hand-carved frame. Stunning.

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    1. It's always interesting to read people's comments. We're all attracted to different things and I guess that's what makes the world go round. I think the cabinets would look best in a dark color and I probably could have overcome any diminishing of the details with a slight paint sheen that highlighted them. Since I just stained the floors a dark brown, I was more afraid of the room being to bottom heavy. I might be willing in a few years to paint the floors a lighter color, or even a pattern, and do dark cabinets. I think black would be very handsome!

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  41. Your kitchen is coming along beautifully. The sink, counters and faucet are gorgeous. I installed the Shaw farmhouse sink in our kitchen remodel last year and I love it. When it comes to your cabinets I'm in the camp with those who think a glaze or surface agent would bring more depth to the color. A little over a year ago I painted a hutch with chalk paint in gray. The color by itself was alright but I was surprised and very pleased how it changed when I added just clear wax; it created subtle striations to the color which deepened the look and feeling of age to the piece. I'm only giving this as an example of how adding a surface agent to paint can change the overall look - I'm not suggesting chalk paint or wax for use on your cabinets.
    I also think that using black or very dark paint on your cabinets would result in a loss of the visual details.
    Good luck, I'm looking forward to seeing your finished kitchen - your extensive planning and thought process will pay off even though it may drive you crazy at times. :)

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  42. I really love the color you chose, that you think now may be too safe. There is certainly no harm in not rushing. Perhaps, you just need time to pass for the paint color to come confidently. All these decisions take time. I love your faucet. I have it, too. It is a pleasure to own and use.

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  43. I cannot wait to see it all complete. xo

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  44. I'm not feeling the dark....and as much as gray is on trend lately...I'm thinking it needs to be a tad on the warmer side. Now what that color is beats the hell out of me.....I trust you will hunt it down with the same tenacity as you do everything thing else!

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    1. I agree with Sherry -- I can see something a little warmer, based on these photos. I dislike the word greige, but for lack of a better term...

      On another note, I appreciate your honesty about the difficulty of choosing the right color. Blogs these days rush things and tend to focus solely on the perfection in everything, but I'm glad to see you being honest about the process and your feelings about decisions along the way. Good luck!

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  45. Ah, the old grand dame is coming to life. Cannot wait to see how she ages~ and comes to life.
    pve

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  46. It is looking so grand. I love the carvings and the woodwork. That color decision is a killer- one that can only be made in your light, your setting, your finishes. Good luck my friend. Take your time and possibly wait til it's all done before you change the color. xo Nancy

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  47. How exciting! The marble counter and the faucet are amazing! And I can't wait to see your final color choice on the cabinets. Maybe the color you like and think works will grow on you. Very excited for you!

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  48. I agree that going too dark might lose the details for you but in the photo with the builders, the grey to the right is in shadow and looks a little more anchored. Maybe you could just drop it a tone or two. The marble is superb and those big deep drawers look so luxurious. It is just lovely, Steve- of course!

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  49. did you really just say that? that HAS to go down in my favorite quotes of ALL time. Expect a meme out of this one "it's kind of like the Dowager Countess wearing a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress."

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