The results of my little poll were quite interesting. I don't think there
were any wrong answers but you sure had a favorite.
Purbeck Stone won by an almost 2 to 1 margin over any other color.
The mid tones received 54 votes, the dark tones received
32 votes and light values received 12 votes.
And some of you have real commitment issues!
For the few of you that liked the lights, I'm with you. I love a light kitchen
especially when it's got rich brown floors. This Darryl Carter kitchen
is one of my favorites. I do think, though, that the heft of this cabinetry
piece requires a color with a little more weight.
Some of you that liked the darks.
These are very handsome kitchens but I think some of the fantastic
details in the store counter would get lost wearing this deep colors.
 |
| Victoria Hagan |
The mid-values feel the most historic to me. This kitchen seems
to be in the Elephant's Breath, Purbeck Stone zone.
I love when the trim is painted to match the cabinetry.
 |
| Farrow & Ball Hardwick White |
The real sleeper of the bunch was Hardwick White. I think this
greenish gray would be really handsome with the chestnut floors.
My favorites?
Purbeck Stone, Lamp Room Gray and Hardwick White.
I also love Manor House Gray but I think it's a little too
dark and a little too blue for the orange tones in the wood.
A few of you refused to answer because you liked the wood.
And you know what?
As the cabinet bases are going in,
I'm really liking the warm honey tones of the wood.
This is a really tough decision.
The problem is, how do I make the new wood bits that were
added match the old wood. I guess I need to start mixing up stain samples.
Maybe I can do it, maybe I can't. But I need to try before I put any paint on this wood.
Maybe I can color match a few areas on the wood and faux it?
Any suggestions?
It could look like this. Sweet!
I love the look of wood and some painted elements in an older kitchen. We recently purchased a Victorian farmhouse that has a mishmash of 30s to contemporary cabinetry in the kitchen, and it is all painted. I'm about to paint it again as a band-aid solution, but I really kind of wish the cabinets were a natural wood tone. I love the warmth of the wood.
ReplyDeleteA mix is always interesting - breaks up the monotony. If wood is nice, I find it very hard to paint over, especially today when the paints are PLASTIC and not oil based - always afraid of ridges developing with the paint that don't flatten out.
DeleteWow - my heart skipped a beat when you said you are thinking about staining the cabinets. I was a bit sad when you said you wanted to paint them, but figured it's your house and was happy to play along with the color game. I hope staining works out - they are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe color looked so horrible under the fluorescent light of the warehouse. I couldn't imagine living with it. It goes to show how much lighting can affect things.
DeleteMy answer in the last posting was unclear. I meant to say that rather than using grays or trying to match stains, I would suggest a honey, wood-colored paint. It could be faux in the sense of a solid flat underpaint with a lighter paint rubbed over it. Faux wood needn't be a matter of graining. It can be a solid honey color that allows a slightly darker color to come through in shadow areas, like fluting. The trick is in matching the wood colors really well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that input, Mark. I think I would have an easier go of it with picking a few colors in the wood and painting. I thought I'd try the stain route first to see where that goes and then paint if it doesn't work out. Do you think it would be better start with dark and paint light over it?
DeleteI would start by finding the lighter color that's closest to the honeyed look you're going for. It might well be that that does the trick — it will certainly look rich and clean. I've been thinking about your project — and what I would do — and think that rather than a second, darker paint rubbed over the first, the second coat should be a stain lightly rubbed on and then off. But I think a beautiful honey-colored paint might be as far as you need to go.
DeleteI'm not sure about the honey. On an island maybe, but PERSONALLY, I would love to see it all Hardwick White...one of my favorites. I think it is fresh and clean and will look new, but old, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteWow, look at that sink! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI like the wood tone too, but it may be hard to match the new to the old. I guess you'll find out.
Claudia
Omg. my head hurts thinking about this!
ReplyDeleteBut I'm committed to making a decision.
When I first saw the Victoria Hagan photo I immediately thought that it screamed out that it was perfect for your home.
So I'm liking that look and sticking to it!
(of course, in my own home, it would have to be white and only white.)
;)
Oh I missed the survey but add my vote for Purbeck Stone! Looking good, Steve! Love the pilasters flanking the farm sink.
ReplyDeleteHey Mister,
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to go with the wood, it doesn't have to be uniform..........old house, character etc.........as long as it is pleasing to you!!!!!! Happiness is in the eye of the beholder!!!!!
Good luck!!!!!!
Rob
Add me to the fickled. I'm glad it is your decision and not mine. Whatever you chose it will be amazing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love painted wood and wood tones, alike! There's no harm in trying, and I'm sure it'll be spectacular either way!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about the wood. When we moved into our home 7 yrs ago I wanted to paint our new oak cabinets white. Now I don't. I thought maybe a grey but it is so hard to decide and then I keep feeling like if we painted them I would miss the rusticness of the wood. So go with what makes you feel most comfortable...it is your home!
ReplyDeleteStain? Paint?
ReplyDeleteA mix of both would be awesome!
The workmanship looks like it's top notch, too.
This was a nice respite from our seemingly endless packing...
You know I usually like my wood painted but in this case I'm really loving the way the wood looks against the sink. But you've been thinking painted all along and your first instinct is probably right. But you could live with it wood for awhile and paint it later. There ...how about adding to your workload and cost?
ReplyDeleteInteresting results in the poll! The cabinetry is looking great already--it will be fun to follow along and see what you decide to do. It's going to be a beautiful kitchen!
ReplyDelete-Deborah
Would it make you crazy if the new wood wasn't a seamless match with the old? I was thinking that your stain-and-faux idea has some serious merit. The new wood won't match completely, which could be a good thing ... it will show the process of converting the old counter into a new use in your kitchen. In this case, close enough may be a really good thing!
ReplyDeleteNow, if you were to do this ... you'll have to do a whole 'nuther paint test for your uppers.
I'm just lurking about, loving the cabinets and clueless about the color.
ReplyDeleteYou are kind of a magician though so I know the results, though they may involve blood, seat and tears, will be fabulous.
Merry, merry.
xo j
Well….well….of course i love every picture you just showed. My problem with beige is that I hate any yellow or pink tones. I agree…not too dark. Did you try FB String? Or BM Papaya? This is why I can't ask people what they think on my blog…it confuses the HELL out of me!
ReplyDeleteOh please paint them!
ReplyDeleteI think "matching" anything is a big mistake. It is the variations in color, texture and even in sound that make the ear and the eye feel good. One of my teachers said the space between the notes was just important as the notes.
ReplyDeleteMy new log cabin was built from trees off the place which means that there are at least half a dozen species represented. The roof rafters vary as do the horizontal wall logs. The logs were felled and then about 2/3 of the bark was scraped off by hand. I wanted the logs to look rough and real. That meant to me that variation from one log to another should be preserved. The finished product causes people to gaze in wonder. I'm telling you the truth. Their appreciation for the natural wood is palpable. If your cabinetry were mine I would ignore the stain differences. The more you try and match it the worse it is going to be. Wood, especially older wood has different properties. The one you are staining may be a different wood than the one to which you are trying to match it, rendering the effort futile. Taking off the finish of the whole piece might be the only way to achieve uniformity. But that might be, in the end, what you will find satisfying.
I very much like the way you think things through. Not hasty decisions, measured and reasoned decisions. The outcome relies on this as you already know. I think the people who see your finished kitchen will have the inspired impression that you want to produce. Ann
You can stain or faux paint the wood! I would love to do it if I lived near! Best to save the intergrity of the wood and at least try it before you resort to paint. I love the contrast wood with your dark floors. Love your sink- this is going to be sooooo gorgeous. Merry Christmas to you Steve, and all the best in the New Year! xo Nancy
ReplyDeleteI'm all for keeping the wood and staining it. You may grow tired of paint colors, but wood is so traditional and timeless. I was going to do my kitchen in a Martha Stewart gray until I put the two doors next to each other, the other one was a wood finish. No contest, the wood finish won out. Just my two cents. Whatever you do will be gorgeous, you have wonderful taste!
ReplyDeletep.s. Can't post a picture here but I am thinking English cottage look, like the big light wood vintage hutches that you see with all the china displayed.
ReplyDeletei stand corrected, i now favor a combo of the hardwick white and wood. if you opt to stain, there are always many ways to age wood. then i would polish it with 'stones' polish from england. it is used in all the national trust properties and is the same recipe of early 1700's. without glycerin in it (all us products) it really penetrates the wood and plumps it up, bringing out the textures leaving a look of gorgeous wood glow. how do i know all this? i am the sole us distributor. if you go that way steve, let me know, i will send a bottle
ReplyDeletecheers
debra
Hi Debra, I'd love some Stone's products. Is there a way to contact you about getting some?
DeleteBest regards,
Ruth
If you decide to keep the wood. You can go the Italian way and use Mordente it comes in powder packets probably at a hardware or wood vender, water based or alcohol based. You can pick the kind of wood finish you want and mix your own shade you want. There is lots of control, then you have to clear coat it on top. Keep a jar of it around and it is easy to touch up if it gets scraped. I personally love wood when there is color around it.
ReplyDeleteIn boca al lupo
Nat
Getting caught up on your posts! But reaction - Lamp Room Gray all the way!
ReplyDeleteHard decisions! My only comment is to let the undertones of the wood you are keeping natural direct you as to paint colors. The orangey undertones of the wood would not do well with cool greys, in my opinion. Keep the undertones the same and PLEASE, avoid the dreaded pink undertones!
ReplyDeleteConquering a stain match is nothing compared to the mountains you have moved! :)
ReplyDeleteI have great confidence in you!!! You are on the right track, please don't paint!!! xo
as massive confusion has set in and i feel addled........the above note is from me steve, not 'sentimental notes'. so let me know if interested. i made a few changes on my computer and suddenly i had a new name, of the computers choosing......sigh.......
ReplyDeletedebra
I think you should paint!!! I know most love keeping natural wood but I think painting will give you the look it seems you are going for. Too much wood for me with the floors. Just an opinion. What ever you decide will ultimately be perfect, I am sure:)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's a killer making all these decisions. There is an undeniable warmth that comes from wood, I must admit. If it were my choice, I believe I would go with something creamy, because I am a change-aholic, and with cream/white, I could change many things over time in the kitchen, yet never tire of the cabinet color. That said, I know I will completely love whatever you choose.
ReplyDeleteMy experience has been that it's easier to match different woods with a faux bois paint technique rather than trying to stain new wood to match an existing finish
ReplyDeleteI always love the wood. My house has varnished dark wood columns and moldings everywhere but there are times when I'd love to just paint it white for the sheer light, uncluttered and clean look of it so I don't envy your position on which way to go. Regardless, I'm sure it will be gorgeous as always. By the way, I didn't vote but I think I would have gone with Elephant's Breath if only for the name :)
ReplyDeleteWow, tough call. At the end of the day you have to follow your heart. I think the mid-tones to light are right but what do I know. I would paint it all white like Daryll Carter. ;)
ReplyDeleteI do love that one photo where the trim is painted to match the mid-tone cabinetry. Lust!
Happy decision...! xox Terri
Hardwick White. I adore choosing paint like this! I know I am late to the game but there it is! Your house is an URBAN cottage, not a country cottage. I think the wood tones go slightly into the country. Classic with Federal sense is what I get when I see your home. I like wood tones on the floors but cabinetry and trim painted. Looking foward to seeing your final choice!
ReplyDeleteSteve...that sink! Wowee.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I missed the vote. I think you are right to do mid-tones, but I think it's smart to give the wood a go too. If the wood's a no-go, I'd want to pick the mid-tone color that looks best with your wood floors.
You can use a mixture of Potassium Permagnate and water on new wood, to instantly age it. Potassium Permagnate is an oxidizer and will oxidize the wood just like aging does. You mat have to seal the wood aafterwards with some thinned orange shellac, then go over it again with a gold/orange stain like minwax golden oak.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the Pubic Stone.
ReplyDelete