Hi everyone! We are building a new house and I like 2 kitchen styles. Actually, they are kind of similar except the cabinets. First option: contemporary white cabinets 1x1 glass mosaic backsplash consisting of creamy white matte, glossy and irridescent mix countertops dark grey or black countertops I would do the island countertop in something different, a creamy white granite with dark grey to black veining
Second option: dark espresso contemporary cabinets white quartz countertops with silver metalic speckles running through it backsplash - white 5/8" x 5/8" all irridescent glass backsplash Like the first kitchen, I would do a creamy white granite countertop on the middle island
As you see, they are kind of similar except the cabinet color.
I would do stainless appliances in either and contemporary crystal chandeliers.
My one concern is how one will look with flooring. Our plan is to have an open floor plan where the kitchen is open and flows into the large, open family room. I really love dark brown hardwood floors, and would love to have them throughout, but worry they will be alot of work. I fear you will see every spec of dust on them and, when the sun shines through the house, you will see it more. The other option would be a light wood throughout. I like either of those color hardwood floors with the white kitchen, but not the espresso cabinets. I know I could maybe do a stone floor with the espresso cabinets, but I don't know if I'd like that having to transition in toe family room.
I will add a few pics below. Would love your thoughts. Thank you.
I love dark woods and would love to have dark wood floors. I have a dark mahogany table and now I've discovered the dark table shows every single little crumb of food. I imagine the dark wood floors will do the same if I ever got them. And the dark cabinets are beautiful but I wonder how they'll look with greasy finger prints and such. Sooo... A white kitchen would be easier to keep "clean", i bet. The maintenance would be the same, of course, but it might not seem so dirty immediatly as a dark kitchen.
Posts: 4228 | Location: SF | Registered: Feb 27, 2008
Prefer the look of the dark kitchen: very rich and dramatic. Also, compared to the white kitchen shown, the dark kitchen is less fussy looking, with fewer molding details on the cabinets and cleaner lines overall.
Both kitchens -- no matter which color -- would need lots of maintenance. Really. So, choose the one that speaks (or sings) to you.
I too am drawn to the white kitchen and the floors depicted are more a medium tone providing just enough contrast. It's really personal preference as to which a given person prefers as these responses attest to. Factor in the kitchen size and it's natural lighting (you can always tweak artifical lighting). BTW, white cabinetry IMHO, is timeless. I agree...you can't go too dark in flooring no matter the material, if you're opting for espresso cabinets.
Posts: 16810 | Location: Right here, duh! ;) | Registered: Nov 03, 2005
Well today, I can see the pictures. By FAR, I much prefer the first kitchen and love the granite on the countertops. I like the softer, more sophisticated look but don't particularly care for the black stools and the harsh contrast. That is not to say that with some cabinets, I don't like black granite. However, my cousin put in a very expensive new kitchen and used black granite. His wife says she regrets it on a daily basis as it shows EVERY little water spot. And please believe me when I say this woman is "nasty nice" clean. She actually sweeps the floor after every meal.
As for the color of the hardwood floors.....of all the houses I've lived in, I think I prefer a medium shade of a Walnut stain. It seems to go with everything. Most of my furniture if mahogany but I do have family pieces of walnut and oak.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Love, Lu,
I feel that the kitchen in the 1st picture has a better chance at being in style and loved for far longer than the 2nd pictured kitchen. Both are beautiful, but one is classic and the other is "flash in the pan" that you'll want to re-do in 10 years. IMHO
I'm really appreciating and taking in all the feedback. I especially appreciate saying the white one is timeless because this will be our forever home. I do like a contemporary look, yet comfy with a bit of rustic charm. For instance, the kitchen will be open with a casual dining table to separate the kitchen from the family room since it will be all open. I want the dining table (I will have a separate formal dining room) to have a worn rustic look with more contemporary chairs like leather perhaps. I am also considering putting wood beams on the ceiling in the family room (which may be pitched) to add a little rustic cozy feel. What do you think? Also, in the white kitchen pic, I don't go for the orname trim on the island, I like more clean, streamlines. The attached pic is the actual home of The Little Couple from TLC. If you were taking this pic, you would be standing in their kitchen looking into the family room. Their home is my inspiration. For the poster who said her family member had black countertops and regretted it, I do have that feeling as well. I will post after this msg a pic of the countertops they have. To me they look like black granite, but if someone else things otherwise, let me know. Even a dark grey would be nice, but I don't know if I've seen that before. I love idea of the creamy white granite with the dark grey veining through it for all the countertops, not just the center island, but I don't know how that will look with the glass mosaic backsplash I want with the mix of matte, glossy and irridescent creamy white 1x1 tiles. Ok, more thoughts please Thanks
Here is the best pic I have of their countertops. I will also post a pic below of the center island countertops which I love, but don't know if I want for the entire kitchen. Thoughts please?
You can see in the last post how I got the inspiration to put wood beams on the ceiling to add some rustic feel. I love the ceiling with all the wood, but know it will be too costly for us to do so I am hoping maybe beams will look nice and break up all the white and contemporary feel.
TFS those wonderful pictures. I can see why you'd want to model your new kitchen after their's.
What makes this particular kitchen very dynamic, besides the incredible architecture of the home itself, is the use of bold colors (the aqua range) and how the center island contrasts with the rest of the cabinets and counters. The use of black and white makes this white kitchen stand out. It's very much a transitional type of design; more contemporary than traditional, with clean lines and finishes.
Although I love white kitchens, in the two pics you posted I actually prefer the dark one. It is more calming.
I see them as very dissimilar. So much depends on the light outside and the ceiling height in your proposed home as to which final choice I would recommend.
Although the white is timeless, other elements in the 1st inspiration pic, the two (crystal no less!) chandeliers and the black stools do bespeak this time.
Originally posted by lady of shallot: Although I love white kitchens, in the two pics you posted I actually prefer the dark one. It is more calming.
I see them as very dissimilar. So much depends on the light outside and the ceiling height in your proposed home as to which final choice I would recommend.
Although the white is timeless, other elements in the 1st inspiration pic, the two (crystal no less!) chandeliers and the black stools do bespeak this time.
It's true, the white kitchen appears busy and active, while the dark kitchen seems serene, peaceful.
Posts: 4228 | Location: SF | Registered: Feb 27, 2008
if you like the wood ceiling, check pergo-type flooring...they just might have something that catches your eye...have seen it done on 1-2 shows recently...and remember! those beams can be faux, and are light weight installation..do a search online...
Posts: 8145 | Location: se mi | Registered: Sep 25, 2002
Awe! That is why I love this forum! Faux beams! Never knew it and I will definately look into that! Anything for saving some money. Also, achihuaha, I love the aqua too and plan on having my accessories that color, just not the stove!
After reading that the expresso cabinets were more calming that the white ones, I thought "HOW can that be" ? Dark cabinets are more dramatic.
However, I think the LOS is right. The expresso cabinets ARE more calming. When I went back and looked at the White Kitchen, I decided that it is the harsh contrast of all the black elements that make it more "jumpy". Although with some white cabinets, I do like black, I don't like the black in that particular kitchen. Don't like the black stools, the black outline behind the stove and especially the black chandeliers.
However, basically I LOVE that kitchen!!! IF it were mine for MY comfort, I'd just eliminate all that black.
Just my 2 cents. I don't expect anyone to agree.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Love, Lu,
I would never have those dark stools or the dark chandeliers. I do, however, think the chandeliers look nice. I would do small crystal pendant lights and probably an off white leather stool with nail head trim or something like that. Again, neither one is the EXACT kitchen I want, just some parts of them are.
Please keep in mind that these are not THE kitchen, but just an example of the color scheme I like.
