Thursday, May 8, 2014

Golden


Still to finish in the kitchen is this one upper cabinet next to the fridge.


When I started planning the kitchen renovation, a few of the things high on
my list were hiding the microwave and adding a TV.  Having this little space
tucked next to the fridge seemed to provide the golden opportunity to get both.



I think I mentioned earlier that I was painting the back of the cabinet
a dark color called Ben Moore Deep Creek.  I learned in my art
training that your eye goes to the area of highest contrast so the
idea behind the dark color is to "hide" the microwave and the TV.
And then I'll use white pieces of pottery to further draw your eye
away from these things.  An interesting experiment if nothing else.

I've quickly staged it with a few things so you see what I mean.


But this little area has also proven to be a challenge.

The original plan was to have a full-sized microwave but my ductwork
guys thought this would be the best location for the heating duct to the
upstairs bedroom which left me only 16 inches for a microwave.
I know they make tiny microwaves that will hold a mug but imagine
how psyched I was when I found a 15-1/2-inch model (Whirlpool)
that still holds a full-sized dinner plate.  It's perfect actually.


And deciding what paint colors to put where is driving me crazy...
this side panel on the fridge especially.


It starts out at the floor where I feel it should be the same gray as the cabinets...


...up to the top where white feels right.

If I start with dark gray at the bottom, I'd have to carry that all around
the fridge...

...and quite possibly around the corner on to the wall.  Nothing feels perfect.

How would you feel about an ombre treatment?


Anyway, while I mull that over, I'm thinking about staining
the wood of the upper cabinet to match (as closely as possible)
the bin drawers.  The two sets of bin drawers are pretty close
to each other so having that upper cabinet match those
would really help balance things out.


It looks like it's somewhere between Golden Pecan and Golden Oak.

If I can make it match, I'll be golden.

61 comments:

  1. I'm having the same "where to stop" problem trying to plan for the kitchen backsplash. One counter comes out at an angle and then there are odd trim pieces and the windows so it gets complicated. Is there a way that we could take a photo and, in your case try colors and, in my case hash in some tile?

    I also agree that the stain that you are aiming for is somewhere between the two. Time to start blending - just measure first or you will be in the same situation as VEB (Victoria Elizabeth Barnes) was with her porch storm door stain! According to her, you can name it too ;-)

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    1. I think I just need to shut up and paint it and see if it works.

      Yeah, I need to find some really cheap measuring spoons for sure.

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    2. Dollar store.

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  2. How cool is that tiny microwave? I think I need one. May I offer an opinion on the paint for the trim on the shelves? I think you ought to go with the cabinet color. Here is my reasoning. 1) The grey would blend with the stainless steel of the fridge. 2) While it might seem off-putting to put the grey up high in the room, you'll be painting the window mullions a darker color (if I remember correctly). A dark color on the fridge side would bring balance to the room since you also have a high black cabinet, a stainless hood, and dark mullions on the doors. Love that you are staining your shelves. Another example of balance!
    Camille

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    1. What if I told the doors and windows were going to be white? I don't think I should have dark doors next to the black armoire. And if the doors are white, I think the windows need to be the same.

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    2. Hmm, food for thought! I can see why this is so difficult. On second though, maybe it's best to paint a line right at the counter level. White on top, grey on bottom?

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  3. I am so glad you are going to add "more" of the drawer color. My suggestion would be to use a semi transparent stain for an undercoat and then another stain over the top. New stain over new wood is always difficult.

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    1. That's a GREAT idea. The finish of the old wood is definitely more opaque than the new stains. That just might do it.

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  4. How great that you found the perfect size microwave, and yes, I totally agree with hiding the tv and the microwave in the dark color. I went back and looked at the shelves again, and for sure, when I let my eye naturally go where it wanted, it started at the top with the cream. Brilliant. As usual! Good luck with the stain colors, that should be a bit of a challenge.

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  5. Steve I love your cabinet next to the frig, so perfect and your thoughts on ombre...I think you just have to paint it out that way to see if it is a good look. The back panel in the dark is great!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Soiree by Danielle Rollins Giveaway!

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  6. Using that dark paint color definitely makes "things" recede...really, that's why I did what I did with our kitchen in a log cabin...it needed to recede. You're on the right tract and that IS golden! franki

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  7. That microwave is so cute. I would go with the cabinet color for paint with no other explanation than I just would.

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  8. I see some amazing kitchens in homes, magazines and design centres, but frankly they are all starting to look the same....until I saw yours. How refreshing that you incorporated old elements into you kitchen that make it wonderfully unique. Every detail is well thought out. Thank you for the inspiration. Congrats on a marvellous job.

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    1. Best compliment ever, Chania. Thank you so much!

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  9. The last six comments are dead on. Your instincts have been wonderful and the results have been amazing! Can only pray that my someday kitchen can be as wonderful as yours...

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  10. Here is my suggestion, paint the boards surrounding the fridge the same color as the cabinets but then when you get to the right side of the fridge only paint the front of those boards so that the color on the side towards the bathroom remains the same as what you have currently. So standing in front of the fridge its all one color. Now the shelves next the the fridge paint or stain whatever color you are thinking. I hope I explained what I mean as I can see it done.

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  11. I just went back and looked at older post and noticed that the corner on the fridge on the right looks like a square piece of wood then the planking. You could paint the entire square the same grey as the cabinets not just the front of the board.

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    1. Nathan,
      Yes, that's another possibility I've considered. I thought that little strip of gray might look funny so I might stop it at the corner and see what it looks like before going around the corner. But not a big deal to fix either way if I don't like it. Thanks for taking the time to go back and look at the old photo of the planked wall.

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  12. I am no expert so feel free to disregard this suggestion: what about painting the trim from the floor to the counter line grey and then making a clean line (not ombre) with your white from the counter top up to the ceiling? My eye went straight for the counter top that juts out (to the left of the refrigerator) so you could "extend" the counter top onto that piece of trim by painting it white from that point upwards.

    Or not.

    I agree with everyone's comments about your instincts- you know what you are doing. You have good Kitchen Karma, remember?

    Cheers,
    Karla in CA.

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    1. Karla,
      I've considered making a clean line at the counter, not sure it would look right but it's a possibility. I was kidding about the ombre. But would it would be fun to see if anyone ever noticed it.

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  13. Steve!
    Yes, I just used an exclamation point after your name...your kitchen is AHH-MAZING! I love every single detail from the copper tray holding your bar, your simple white canisters, the pitcher holding your dish washing tools...the marble, the ceiling, the tv and the shelves and everything on them, the wood ledge with a tray...shall I go on? Because I can keep going! I love it all. Perfection, right here.
    annie

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  14. I just love looking at picture of your house--you have such a knack for making disparate objects happy together. You are a poet of the home (and I mean that in the best possible way).

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    1. A poet of the home. That's a new one. You're very kind, Jen!

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  15. I can tell you about sheetrocking, installing pavers, a little about gardening and so on. But when it comes to colors and contrasts and stains, I have a lot to learn. And I enjoy learning every time I read your comments and those of your many friends that reply with their knowledgeable thoughts. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

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    1. Color is really difficult. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. I don't always get it right but I know when it's wrong which is half the battle.

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  16. I vote for the clean line idea.
    I like white on top but think the dark grey on bottom would keep the flow going.
    I love that you are doing more of the stain.
    Love the cute microwave.
    Yep, loving everything.
    yep,

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  17. I'm really excited to see the back painted dark. Love your thought process. I know I have said that before but it's true. All my decorating decisions bounce around but I could never articulate it as well as you!

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    1. Thanks for saying that. One of goals when I started the blog was to write more concisely. I don't think I'll ever be a good writer but I hope to be able to communicate in writing more clearly.

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  18. Steve, I believe in repetition. Staining it to match the bins would be great. Since they are not next to each other, a perfect stain match isn't necessary. If you paint the upper part dark grey or black, would it look like a long black space? Could be interesting, though. Live with it and let it come to you!

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    1. It's hard to see unless you're in the room but I agree the repetition of that brown wood color is needed.

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  19. Ombre is best. You could start a new kitchen trend. Love that you have this functional little space styled with all your posh epicurean books. :)

    xo Terri

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    1. I'm planning to sit with my morning coffee and read an Escoffier recipe each day.

      Ombre it is!

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  20. it looks amazing right now! This kitchen is simply amazing and unique. I love to study all the details. Fabulous.

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  21. Hi, Steve,

    It sure looks as though Golden Oak would do it. I really like the way the face of the ductwork provides a backdrop for your white pottery. The unit becomes a very sophisticated display cabinet.

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    1. Yes, it's different than I expected, Mark, but I think it'll look great when it's done.

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  22. Sounds like your mind is made up, but I would paint it the same color as your storage cabinet and let the whole space go dark top to bottom with only the accessories you pick as contrast to stand out.

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    1. Do I recall correctly that you're doing black cabinets?

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    2. Yes! I am the princess of darkness. Black cabinets and stainless countertops in part of the kitchen and black cabinets with maple tops in the baking area. The dark color top to bottom gets you off the horns of the dilemma of which color to start/stop where—a problem made more visually obvious by not having any trim stop the two areas. You from art and me from my theater background, we know that black can be your best friend when you want to hide flaws. You could get more of the maple/oak color by using baskets that color in the black shelves. I'm sure you will find the right solution for you because your kitchen is looking quite lovely as it is.

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  23. That is the coolest little microwave. Love that whole little space. I would paint the bottom to match the grey cabinets, stopping under the white of the marble, then stain the upper cabinet. That repetition of wood would be lovely in the room. Try mixing the Golden Oak with the Ipswich Pine (4 to 1 maybe?)
    Have you shown us that gateleg table in the dining room yet?!
    Happy weekend! j.

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  24. That microwave is genius, I though that was the TV :). How about a very pale gray somewhere between white and the darker gray, it may transition well and fool the eye. I think you have it with golden oak, two coats. Heck, whatever you do will be gorgeous, maybe even ombre!

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  25. Oh, Steve, it's wonderful. Could you fnd a tiny piece of decorative moulding to 'extend' the edge of the counter and paint it 'almost white' to match the edge of the counter and then match the gray below and the golden whichever at the top? A sort of trompe d'oeil - heck! Can't spell it! Can't wait to see what you end up doing.

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  26. You have been creating such a gorgeous home and I always look forward to your updates. So, thank you. Since you posted this latest entry I've come back several to take a look at your open cabinet and read the suggestions. Every time I look at it I have to admit what comes to mind is an appliance garage door. There, I said it. That's what I would do. However, this is your home and you will finish it off beautifully. Thank you again for sharing all your renovation adventures. Ardith

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  27. Golden Oak it is....matches perfect....cant wait to see the finished kitchen...

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  28. Ha! I thought the microwave was the TV. I love this little nook! As for the ombre, you could bring the gray up to the bottom of the counter and I bet no one would notice.

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  29. Hi Steve,

    Greeting from Missouri. I love your blog. I have enjoyed the process of your all your renovations. You have a good sense of style and practicality.

    How about if you painted the all the trim BM Deep creek? You wouldn't have to worry about the white/gray problem. Whatever you decide, I know it will look fabulous!

    Jeanne

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  30. i am dying over that microwave. i think i need it, just because. i hate the microwave over the stove look and that's what i have going on in my kitchen right now, so i could do a full on hood and get a mini micro like this!!!

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  31. Anne-Marie MaginneiMay 15, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    I love this kitchen:) It has been so much fun to see this beautiful space come into existence with so much thought, care and taste devoted to every detail.

    My suggestion for color on that side panel would be to go with white. There is so much white surrounding the space - countertops, shelves, trim around the rest of the fridge, that it will look appropriate and blend in - which is what you want with a random piece of cabinet in a kitchen:) I think if you stain it brown - even if it's a beautiful wood tone - it's going to stand out and it would make me wonder - why is that piece standing out when it's not something that is meant to be highlighted?

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  32. Steve----Love your kitchen!!! Great job.
    Question: Is that a cooling rack in your sink? I assume it's there to prevent scratching the sink, correct? Where did you find it? Thanks

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    1. It's a Shaw sink and that's one of the accessories you can buy to go with it. Yes, it's meant to protect the bottom of the sink. I don't 100% love it because some food gets stuck in it and under it but it's not too much a nuisance either.

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  33. I could seriously look at pictures of your home all day. what a wonderful pallet! And SUCH a change from the early days of the blog, keep up the good work! It looks wonderful.

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  34. I think you should stain the whole thing! Make it look like it's own piece.

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  35. Perhaps someone already suggested this, or you've already gone in a direction concerning the stain, but you can always try having a professional paint store like Sherwin Williams match the stain for you. When we installed a new door in our living room they got so incredibly close to our original woodwork that was stained in 1912 and has aged that you don't even notice the door isn't original.

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  36. Just checking on you to make sure all is well. You've been MIA now for many days.
    xo Dianne

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  37. Miss the blog!
    Hope all is well and that you haven't run away with Katy Elliott ;)

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    1. That's hysterical. Made me laugh out loud. Thank you!

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  38. I just wanted to say I miss you too! Every day I check and still see 'Golden' I think "Oh no, I hope he's OK". Glad you are OK.

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  39. Of course I am catching up backwards....and I am in love with that cute little microwave! Want! And already changing things up in the "perfect" kitchen????

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