Message Boards

We are building a house with an open floor plan. We have decided to go with dark wood floors and a white kitchen. I am stuck on paint color, however. When you walk in the front door, you come into a foyer and the staircase in front of you. To the left is the living room and to the right is the dining room. Walk through the foyer and you will enter the open kitchen/family room. The kitchen is on your right and the family room is on your left. The kitchen cabinets will be white with the oceanside 1x1 square glass tiles in a mixed mosaic of matte white, clear white and irridescent white which gives a mother of pearl look. My thoughts have always been greys would look best in the kitchen because the mother of pearl gives off greens, blues a touch of pink, yellow. I am thinking of either a black or dark grey counter top. If I go with either of these colors, I'm assuming since it will be solid, it would be quartz. I like black, but I also think grey may be a bit softer. The center island, however would be granite or marble. If granite, I'd get the one that looks like marble, white with the grey veining. Do you like that idea or do you like the thoughts of the marble or granite that looks like marble on all countertops, not just island? I plan on accessorizing the kitchen with aqua. Here comes the paint question. I'd like to keep the entire first floor paint color consistant, but I don't know if I like grey on the walls. Whatever color I do choose, it will be subtle and neutral. I don't know if a whisper of grey would look good with dark brown floors. Also, the family room furniture is a taupe color. A light taupe would be nice on the walls if I went with a more tan/taupe color for the countertops,but I think the grey looks better with the backsplash.Thoughts? I never liked white walls, but the look of white walls with dark wood floors is nice. Should I go with all white walls, or a color that's a whisper of a grey or a whisper of a taupe. The painter has a color I loved in another house that they call off white but it actually looks like the color of butter. I love that color, but don't know how it will look in the family room. I might add that there will little to no painted walls in the kitchen area. The kitchen is open to the family room and the walls in the kitchen will be mostly all cabinets, etc. I'm thinking maybe a color that actually looks like a taupe/grey?? I am open to any suggestions. I just want something subtle and neutral so if I change up any accessories, etc (which I like to do) it will always match. Please let me know your thoughts about what I'm doing. I welcome advice, opinions, etc. Thanks

I'd also like to add that the ceiling is high in the family room with large windows so there will be lots of light

I love your plans for your kitchen, floors and counter tops! I like the idea of charcoal gray for counter tops since you are having brown floors, black can work too. I like the marble idea for the island to tie in the backsplash and other stainless in the room (gray). I would go with a tone of gray out of the marble (very light) or taupe to tie it all together and make the room look coordinated. Love the taupe/gray idea because it won't be too cool, as in black & white mixed gray (cool color). The hint of taupe in the adjacent room sounds like a nice adjoining room color.

I think tying in the backsplash with accessories is a nice idea, unless you want to coordinate with that great marble going on the island. Accessories can bring in that glass tile look without making it permanent. What about using some marble with that mosaic you have planned? This will be timeless.

I see you have 256 posts, but I am not sure we have met on the boards here so I am saying Welcome!

If your furniture is taupe then certain grays will be a challenge, especially if they are a warm gray. Something with a blue or blue-green undertone will still read as gray. A few personal favorites that come to mind are Ben. Moore Kentucky Haze, Wedgewood Gray and Nantucket Fog.

You didn't mention where you live. If your climate is prone to lots of cloudy overcast days, gray might not be an ideal choice.

I live in Pennsylvania so yes, there are several gray days
Thanks Mary Ruth, I appreciate the welcome. Can you please explain further mixing the marble with the mosaics? I'm not sure how/what you mean? Thanks

I like the taupe idea, but not with taupe furniture. You could put a different paint color in that room that will blend.

I also like Cavin's ideas. I have Nantucket Fog in my bedroom and I love it. It's more blue than gray though.

What do those Ben Moore colors look like?

Ok I just looked online at those Ben Moore colors. They are very nice but too blue. My whole first floor, dining room, living room would be stuck with blue. Also I'd like the color to be a bit more subtle. Does anyone think that butter color would work? I love it and think it would work with the floors, but what about the family room off the kitchen? See why I hate picking paint color lol. I hate to paint and with the high ceilings etc it's got to be right and stay that color for years hehe

chloenkitty,
If your gut feeling is to try that color, then go buy a sample ($4-5) and paint a large piece of poster board (they sell these at the supermarket even) and get white to paint on otherwise you will need primer to cover up any (ie. cardboard color) of the underlying color first.

Then put this large painted piece in the rooms and look at it in the AM, noon, afternoon, and evening with your lights on. Then you will know for sure if that is YOUR color. It has to be a large section so you can really feel the color out. Since you have such a large expanse to paint, I think this is a small effort to make sure the color works, and if it doesn't, then you will know early on and can look for a color... less yellow, more yellow, more tan, more white, more gray, etc.

Also your area where you live is important as was mentioned.
If you live in a heavily treed area (casts green light into the house, or even pink) does this space catch early morning light, East, or mid day light South, or Sunsets, West. Or is it the opposite of the mid day light, North. All these factors change the light cast on colors.

And since this has to last for years, get to know your color choice while it is on a 2' X 3' or so area first.

Good luck with your project and let us know what you chose, and I hope there will be photos in the future of your space, sounds wonderful!

Yes, the house is in a wooded area. It will be hard to look at the paint a couple times a day etc because it's new construction, not an existing house! That butter color was in a few of the houses the builder took us to see and I lived it but the floors were a light wood and I'm going with dark.

Mary Ruth, what about my marble mixed with the mosaics question?

chloenkitty,
What I was referring to was that IF you use the green glass type tile, you are locking yourself into a 'forever' color for the open spaces in that area of the house. If your 'aqua' comes from accessories, then it won't be a problem to seasonally change out colors.

If you are convinced that the water-green color is for you, and you can match some glassware items with it, then you go ahead because you are sure that is what you want.

If it was 'up in the air' about that greenish tile, then rethinking it before it all goes in is wise.

You can go to the other houses going up that have the wall color you like and then see how it changes from morning to evening for example.

Mary Ruth, the backsplash tile is white, not greenish. I was referring to the fact that some of the tiles in the backsplash ate iridescent and they throw off/pick up colors. The tile is definitely white. I'd attach a pic but for whatever reason lately when I try to post a pic here it says the file is too big and idk how to make it smaller so it attached. If you go to Glasstile.com, look at the tessera collection and then veil in the mosaics, you will see the backsplash tile. It's def white

quote:

The kitchen cabinets will be white with the oceanside 1x1 square glass tiles in a mixed mosaic of matte white, clear white and irridescent white which gives a mother of pearl look.

I am sorry, that paragraph was so long I lost the wording in there.

I think you have a great choice then, you did great in your selections! Can't wait to see it in reality! You must be so excited!

Here is a pic of the inspiration

Sorry Mary Ruth, I did ramble in that long message, lol, but I was pressed for time and wanted to get it out so my fingers actually type faster than I can think lol.
As you can see in the pic I just posted, the floors are dark wood, white cabinets, black countertop, oceanside backsplash and the island has the white countertop with black veining. I do think their walls are a light grey, I can' be sure though.

Actually, here's a pretty good pic of the house. They have this wall color throughout the first floor. I do have trouble sometimes distinguishing certain colors. What do you think this is? Grey? Beige? Taupe?

Here's another pic of the wall color

Last one with mirror was hard to tell the wall color so here's another. Their entire house was my inspiration. Windows, floor color, kitchen, etc.

I have not read all of the other posts but here is my thinking on it.
First of all, I am prejudiced toward greys, blacks and taupes so you are speaking right up my alley.
I love how everything sounds and my only reservation with the dark brown floor would be the taupe walls.
I think white would be outstanding but then again, I love the whisper of grey.
Your kitchen is so me as I am also doing new countertops and you KNOW they are going to be black. I am looking at Quartz Silestone Tebas Black or Stellar Night.
They come tomorrow to measure so I am right with you and excited for you.
Just go with your gut. You are doing everything right.

We stayed in a vacation home last week with black granite countertops. It was a very sunny kitchen and I noticed that dust seemed to show up very fast on the countertops, though I definitely loved the look.

Sounds like it is going to be a very pretty house.

Chloe, what great inspiration pix. To me, the wall color reads gray, with a whisper of blue.

Here's a link that might give you some more color ideas: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks...the-Right-Gray-Paint

I love several of the colors aychihuahua suggested, especially the Intense White and First Star. I will go loo at them at Ace Hardware today.
Do you all agree that an off white with a whisper of grey will look good with the dark floors throughout my entire first floor and will go with any color furniture of accessories I end up doing in the living room and dining room?
I asked the builder yesterday and I was correct that there is no paint in the kitchen at all, but it is open to the family room.
I do realize about seeing dust and everything on black countertops, but I have to admit, I am a neat freak and every single day, twice a day sometimes, I must admit, I wipe down my kitchen countertops lol and they are light too! I am concerned about the dust showing on the dark floors, but I am just going with it and hoping its worth it in the end. I think the dark wood floors and dark wood on the stair case trim is gorgeous so I have my fingers crossed.
Arep, send us pics of yours! I love that we have the same style!

What great inspirational photos!

The first photo shows those white/gray, pealized tiles will really add 'Bling' to the kitchen!

On a side note: The low counters reminds me of my grandmother's kitchen she had custom made in her farmhouse in Nova Scotia. She was 4'8" (Scottish and English background) and she was tired of standing on a stool, so the counters were made to her height (my aunts and mother were 4' 10" so it worked for them too). What an exposure I got to 'customizing' when I was very young.

"I did ramble in that long message, lol, but I was pressed for time and wanted to get it out so my fingers actually type faster than I can think lol." No big deal, I do it all the time when I am excited about something, can't type fast enough to get it out! lol

I think that wall color is a gray that is just a bit on the tan side. See, cold gray is made with mixing black and white, that is a more non color as Bright white would be, they are chameleons in that they take on other stark colors in the shadows. Sort of like stark white cabinets and stark black counter tops together they are not a color, they create the opposite poles for other bright colors.

The picture showing the ceiling of the family room (one with fireplace) is wonderful because the wood appears to be driftwood, meaning it has grayed areas and then some Amber comes through in places to give it a match with beige and with gray. I like that they chose to use the warmer tones in the beiges they used at the human level furnishings.

I think you have your plan well set and it is a beautiful atmosphere you are creating in your new home! Can't wait to see pictures!

aychihuahua,
Love that link! I am saving it in my inspirational files!!!

Mary Ruth, funny you should mention the wood beams as we are putting those on our ceiling in the family room to break up the modern feeling. I love the mix of modern with a little rustic!

I know, the rustic just creates the human element (hand work and nature) that polished and smooth finishes just don't have.

You can find a few pieces to add to your decor that bring that clean rustic feeling down from the ceiling such as a coffee table, table, console, chair, baskets, etc. You will have fun doing that!

I am excited for you to create a space that will be what you want and like to be around. That is an incredible gift in life.

For example the company Hooker makes this cabinet:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Shumacher has this great print called Katsugi in color Link & Sepia by the yard ($168 per yard) expensive but would make a great pillow or set of pillows for an idea of using fabric to tie in rustic feel.
found on this site:
http://www.shopgreige.com/cata...k-sepia-f-schumacher

possibly cheaper at other sites not sure, just wanted to pass along idea of brining in something rustic without a dark color.

That fabric sort of reminds me of the fabric on the pillows of our sectional. The sectional is soft, comfy chenille I believe and is like a taupe color. I have a chair to match.
I must say I love that cabinet you posted. I love to find different pieces like that. That would look great in the family room. The family room and open kitchen will be contemporary, but yet have small elements of rustic or coastal rustic. Don't want that to sound like I have too many themes going on, that's not the case. For example, in the summer, I have a rustic looking white seahorse for the fireplace mandle and a big conch shell paired with some big white candles in a holder with sand. Stuff like that. I don't want it to be too stark and contemporary.
Keep the pics of pieces like that coming that you think I would like and can access on the internet, etc. I know the one big wall so many people struggle with in homes where the family rooms have high ceilings may give me a headache. I'm not a tapestry person and I do have a huge wooden clock that's a distressed blue/grey color with white numbers and it says something with Paris on it. Pier 1 had it and it's huge and I got it on sale. That may be nice there or I was thinking of maybe putting a nice wallpaper just in that area.

I'm going to start a new discussion showing pics of the actual house plan. I hope the pics download, lately they say they're too big and I don't know how to make them smaller to attach. If anyone does, please let me know. I think you can do it in paint or something? Thanks

Ugh! I wrote a whole thing describing what you see in the pic, etc and it wouldn't load the pic and it erases your message. Why on earth does it have to do that!

I know that clock! Great find for your home!

You would not have to wallpaper the whole wall, just a square of it below the human scale imaginary ceiling line of 8' or 9' depending on the other ceiling heights in the house, or the window lines. That might add interest to the clock face if it is the 'matting' for the clock. Surround the wallpapered area with molding to frame it in neatly to keep with your 'tight' contemporary side.

You will have fun putting all the 'bones' in, then the layer of what should be rustic or textured, and then color layer, then bling (to tie in backsplash) etc. Lots to play with and create that unique home for yourself and your family.

I am glad we like the same things!

I like the idea of adding rustic also with like a velvety texture such as on one chair, could be beige or medium gray in color, tufting is a bit much maybe for your home, but depends on how the lines of the chair are.
Link to Greige blog:
http://greigedesign.blogspot.c...3/online-design.html
showing what I was discussing with the velvet texture, rustic in a way, but so subtle and 'cleaned up' look.


That rustic look with texture is not going to ruin your look, it will add dimension to who you are, more complicated than just putting things together. A creative person can add layers and keep the interest going.

The dining room area photo you posted above has this type of look and feel to it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Love that couch for the living room. I have been wanting to do a room with gray and yellow!

I also want a dining room table that is not cookie cutter wood table and matching chairs. I'd love to find a table that looks a little distressed and put white leather chairs with nail heads perhaps with it or white fabric for the center chairs and a fabric on the 2 end chairs. If anyone finds a table like this, feel free to pass it along. I don't have a sky high budget, but not looking or cheap cheap either

This was Joss & Main, sorry should have checked it first, they have time limits on their stuff and this time has passed. But you do have a photo of the finish and look so that if you really wanted this, you could search for something similar.

Maybe something like this, barnwood or farm table. If I did this and added the contemporary upholstered chairs in white, what would I get for a side table or cabinet for glasses in the dining room?

That is a gorgeous table! I love it paired with modern chairs!

The only thing of concern is the darker brown floors (I have same issue with brown on brown).

The legs will disappear, whereas in this photo the rug helps you to see the legs.

Now if the table could be the same color as your ceiling in gray, what do you think? And still have the modern white chairs.

Could a table like this be refinished in the gray?

Here is one I got on Craigslist recently ($85) for my daughter who wants coastal style.
It is a Parson's table in Oak, very common, but I am 1/2 way through the process of changing it out. Just look at the weathering that applying Apple cider vinegar did to the wood.

My daughter wanted her gray to be lighter, and her texture will come from woven parson's chairs. So I added the top layer of stain (sunbleached by Rustolium. You could keep yours with the gray and amber woodtones in it for more texture if you wished. OR have the paint from the ceiling applied.

I am sure the table could be refinished by a local cabinet shop (that has a good finish person).
What you see in the photo is the table, with two leaves on top that are one application then two applications to the final approved by my daughter to seal (on the left)

OR add a rug under the table! lol easier!

*

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Well now Mary Ruth, if you live near PA, I think you need to make me a table lol. Actually, that's my concern with wall color. I don't want to be locked into certain colors of furniture etc, that's why I want neutral wall color. First of all, will a hint of grey look nice with dark brown floors? And yes, I thought of the floors and the table colors clashing. I don't know what to do there. That is not my table I posted, it was just an idea.

Yes I understood that. I tend to (training) pull away from things that stop the flow of ideas, and that color table did that, not the table design. So in order to keep the table idea in the flow of ideas and creativity I suggested another color perhaps. So, that is how I arrived at that.

I am on the East coast, born in Nova Scotia, lived in Massachusetts for many years, Virginia and Florida. So I am an East Coast gal.

I think you are going the right direction, designing is like this, there is a path but it has lots of off shoots, and as long as you are happy and things work.. the road is the right path.

We all have different ways of getting to where we are going! You are doing just great! And I do like your bit of 'rustic' thrown in, not only brings your design to 'today' but makes it unique, because you can't cookie-cutter antiques or rustic pieces which will add a unique style to your home.

Once you know the finish on your ceiling, sanded wood, hand treated, painted, how much texture... etc. You can figure the level of 'rustic' you need.

Like my daughter went 'weathered' but not like actual diftwood, she wanted it cleaned up and finished. So, you get the idea.

And you are not locked into anything at this point that is furnishings so that is good too, but you do have a direction which is wonderful and the bones are going to be great!

Glad you took us on the journey with you!

After finding some people rooms on houzza.com I think gray is the way to go! It looks fantastic with the dark brown wood floors and contemporary style! I just wish you could copy the pics in houzza to save for inspiration and show people

I went onto Houzz
Looked to the right it says 'Email Embed on blog and then emblems for facebook, tweet, and google. I chose 'Embed on blog' that opened a pop up window. I chose 'Small Image (320 pixels) and right clicked inside the box and chose on copy, then...

I went to HGTV in an open message box (pop up) then clicked inside the box and then right clicked and chose 'paste'.

And then you will see lots of code (don't interrupt any of that code), after you click on 'Post Now' it will then post... you will see the image! Amazing, I had never tried it so I thought I would do so now since you mentioned it!

Also you will notice that the identification of the photo came with it like it does with Pinterest.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

Forgot also that Houzz has a save to my idea book thing and so you can save all the photos you love on there.

When you want to share your ideabook, open it and there is a menu that says 'Collaborate' and click on that and it gives you the option to email the link to someone so they can see it!

I am saving pics to the idea book. How did I live without you, Mary Ruth?

Don't worry, its temporary, you'll get over it! LOL

http://www.restorationhardware...ategoryId=cat1850021

Restoration hardware has a Parson's style table that is rustic and modern. Beautiful!

I finally got a chance to post a picture with this link:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mary Ruth,

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/...dining-table/s181269

Along the same lines, from Crate and Barrel:

There are so many questions doing the round. And it sounded really confusing when I read the first post. But pictures does speak on its own. I liked the dining room decor and your kitchen decor so much. If you feel the GREy/ beige/taupe in the dining area is too plain then you can try using colorful decals to add brightness to the room.