Now that fall is just around the corner (:yahoo:) and outside projects are slowing down, I'd like to spend some time inside getting things done. My kitchen is seriously bugging me, because of course it's painted with awful flat paint. Every splatter soaks in, and when you wash it off you wash the paint off with it. :doh: I need to do something behind my stove. And I need window treatments.

I found some paint at Lowes that had been returned and it was cheap! Only $5, and I really like the color. It's a Martha Stewart kind of aqua (http://www.marthastewart.com/) (like the background of her webpage). I was going to use it for our bedroom, but now I wonder if I should use it for the kitchen. I kinda like the vintage/cottage/farm house look, but I'm not sure how to bring it all together.

Also, just off the kitchen is the mud room, which I plan to paint a wheat color, and I already have some burgundy accent colored things (like a lamp, rug, painting, etc). Will the aqua clash horribly? I want the kitchen to be bright and colorful.

Also, the windows. What type of curtain would look best? A valence? I have the two windows over the sink and also a single window on the side wall. Should I make the curtains over the sink go all the way over to the cabinets on either side? :shrug: Should I just hang something over the windows like normal? It'd be nice to come up with something new, not just the same old thing.

And back to the walls, should I just paint behind the stove? It doesn't seem like there's enough room to do something just behind the stove because of the microwave over the stove. So I was thinking of doing something like a backsplash but down the length of that entire wall. Good idea or not?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Now that fall is just around the corner (:yahoo:) and outside projects are slowing down, I'd like to spend some time inside getting things done. My kitchen is seriously bugging me, because of course it's painted with awful flat paint. Every splatter soaks in, and when you wash it off you wash the paint off with it. :doh: I need to do something behind my stove. And I need window treatments.

I found some paint at Lowes that had been returned and it was cheap! Only $5, and I really like the color. It's a Martha Stewart kind of aqua (http://www.marthastewart.com/) (like the background of her webpage). I was going to use it for our bedroom, but now I wonder if I should use it for the kitchen. I kinda like the vintage/cottage/farm house look, but I'm not sure how to bring it all together.

Also, just off the kitchen is the mud room, which I plan to paint a wheat color, and I already have some burgundy accent colored things (like a lamp, rug, painting, etc). Will the aqua clash horribly? I want the kitchen to be bright and colorful.

Also, the windows. What type of curtain would look best? A valence? I have the two windows over the sink and also a single window on the side wall. Should I make the curtains over the sink go all the way over to the cabinets on either side? :shrug: Should I just hang something over the windows like normal? It'd be nice to come up with something new, not just the same old thing.

And back to the walls, should I just paint behind the stove? It doesn't seem like there's enough room to do something just behind the stove because of the microwave over the stove. So I was thinking of doing something like a backsplash but down the length of that entire wall. Good idea or not?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I think I'd be scared to paint my kitchen aqua. Our kitchens are super similar but my counters connect from one end to the other and my counter tops are darker. For color I think a sage or butter yellow would look good. You have plenty of cabinet space so take the utensil thing off the counter and put them in a drawer. I have matching baskets with liners on the counter, a big one for snacks, chips, etc and another that I rolled up and put the hand towels and wash cloths in, close to the sink for easy access. We also have a small 1 gallon fish tank with a couple gold fish on the counter for cute factor.

I think I'd be scared to paint my kitchen aqua.
:yeahthat: Especially such a big kitchen. I like aqua as an accent color, though. If it were me, I'd pull out one of the lighter shades from the countertops and use that on the walls.

You have plenty of cabinet space so take the utensil thing off the counter and put them in a drawer.

I only put the wooden spoons in that. The utensil drawer is so packed I hate searching for the wooden spoons (my favorite to cook with). I definitely need to get rid of that old blue crock thing though and get something new.

:yeahthat: Especially such a big kitchen. I like aqua as an accent color, though. If it were me, I'd pull out one of the lighter shades from the countertops and use that on the walls.

Hmm..so no aqua. That's ok, because I really like that color for the bedroom. But what should I do on the wall behind the stove? Just paint it?

And would it be totally stupid of me to paint the cabinets?

Just remember that whatever color that you pick when looking at a color strip card it will be approximately two shades darker once it dries. I learned this last year and it is true. Also I believe Sherwin Williams.com has an online program you can use to try different colors to aid in your decision.

And would it be totally stupid of me to paint the cabinets?
We painted ours and we really like them. :yay:

And would it be totally stupid of me to paint the cabinets?

no.

:yeahthat: Especially such a big kitchen. I like aqua as an accent color, though. If it were me, I'd pull out one of the lighter shades from the countertops and use that on the walls.

I would have agreed a few weeks ago, but I have shown some homes lately that have an aqua kitchen and are MOST attractive. One had red accents and I was shocked by how much i liked it!

For the window over my sink, I bought a tension rod in stainless and put between the cabinets and a little way out for curtains. I've also seen a pot rack in that spot that looks neat.

Backsplash...I did a knock down with putty, painted it with washable kitchen paint and the antiqued it with a glaze. It looks great, easy to clean and we get a ton of compliments!

Think twice about painting the cabinets. I believe those are Maple, which are gorgeous. My kitchen is similar except the counters are a dark blue marble. We painted the walls a grey/blue and it turned out nicely.

And would it be totally stupid of me to paint the cabinets?

Yes!

Think twice about painting the cabinets. I believe those are Maple, which are gorgeous. My kitchen is similar except the counters are a dark blue marble. We painted the walls a grey/blue and it turned out nicely.

Are maple cabinets expensive? Because if so, they're probably not maple. I think the guy who re-did the house didn't pick expensive things for it...like the flat paint and bare bones appliances.

I just think painted cabinets would really brighten the room.

I just think painted cabinets would really brighten the room.
Do you want to paint them white? Keep in mind your appliances are already white.

Are maple cabinets expensive? Because if so, they're probably not maple. I think the guy who re-did the house didn't pick expensive things for it...like the flat paint and bare bones appliances.

I just think painted cabinets would really brighten the room.I think your kitchen looks great the way it is CG. That's a large kitchen!! I like it!

Do NOT paint those cabinets!! they look fine.

I think your kitchen looks great the way it is CG. That's a large kitchen!! I like it!

Do NOT paint those cabinets!! they look fine.

I agree, If anything you might consider refinishing them with a different color stain. Once you paint wood it is a bear to strip and repaint or restore. Also white or light colored painted cabinents show every dirty fingerprint, smudge, grease splatter etc.

I agree, If anything you might consider refinishing them with a different color stain. Once you paint wood it is a bear to strip and repaint or restore. Also white or light colored painted cabinents show every dirty fingerprint, smudge, grease splatter etc.

Not with leaded paint..........:whistle:

Also white or light colored painted cabinents show every dirty fingerprint, smudge, grease splatter etc.
So you wipe them off. :eyebrow: Just because you can't see fingerprints and grease splatter on darker cabinets doesn't mean they're not there. Just wipe the cabinets down daily as you would the countertops. :shrug:

CG, you should decorate your kitchen however you want to. If you want white cabinets, you go for it. It's much cheaper to slap a coat of paint on cabinets you don't like than it is to have them replaced.

So you wipe them off. :eyebrow: Just because you can't see fingerprints and grease splatter on darker cabinets doesn't mean they're not there. Just wipe the cabinets down daily as you would the countertops. :shrug:

CG, you should decorate your kitchen however you want to. If you want white cabinets, you go for it. It's much cheaper to slap a coat of paint on cabinets you don't like than it is to have them replaced.

I agree with that as well. It's her house and her choice. I was just expressing my personal opinion. I personally love hard woods so to each their own I am sure she will end up with a wonderfull new kitchen when they are done.

I don't really know what I want at this point. I see pictures of kitchens I love, and usually the cabinets are white. :lol: I know it will be lots of white with white appliances, but I'll bring in color with curtains, etc. I'm just looking for ideas because I'm very indecisive and can't figure out how to get where I want to be.

I don't really know what I want at this point. I see pictures of kitchens I love, and usually the cabinets are white. :lol: I know it will be lots of white with white appliances, but I'll bring in color with curtains, etc. I'm just looking for ideas because I'm very indecisive and can't figure out how to get where I want to be.


My last house had painted white cabinets, white appliances (although the stove was a black flat top but the face was white) and wine/cranberry colored walls and I thought it was very cute. I like painted cabinets.

My last house had painted white cabinets, white appliances (although the stove was a black flat top but the face was white) and wine/cranberry colored walls and I thought it was very cute. I like painted cabinets.

You did an adorable job on that kitchen!

In my humble opinion, please do not paint your wooden cabinets, they are very nice. Find a color for the walls that compliments the cabinets and floor and will tie everything in. Nice country curtains for the windows will finish the look for you cowgirl. I don't have any curtains in my farmhouse, my choice. I made all the trim and liked it so much I didn't want to hide it. Good luck, can't wait to see the finished look!

My opinion, paint your kitchen any color you like. I painted ours orange, yellow and blue with white trim and love it. I figured I could always paint over it if I didn't like it.

For the back splash area, I discovered by using the accent color there, it really made the difference I wanted. Plus I had that crap paint before like you do. Now I just use a wipe and it's an easy clean.

With that crap paint, don't forget to paint your ceiling. Makes a HUGE difference.

I wouldn't paint your cabinets. Not yet. You may be surprised by once you get some other paint in there how much more you like your cabinets. After I painted, I washed down all the wood cabinets with Murphy's and discovered I actually like them now. I have given some thought though to buying handles and drawer pulls and installing them.

Window - with your window, I saw something that I wanted to do, but my window was too small, but yours would work. Across the whole length, install glass shelf brackets. Place plants, colored glass bottles, or other items in your accent color. Looks really neat, and still allows for light and the window to open. Now with my window being smaller, but in basically the same place, I switched the overhead lightening with a decorative pendant light that matched the accent paint.

I have french doors that swing out and I bought a really funky tapestry fabric to sew up a running swag across. I used a complimentary fabric and staple gun and recovered the kitchen chairs. The remanants I'm going to turn into napkins and placemats.

Oh, and your kitchen seems about the size of mine, do it in sections. I got a tad bit overwhelmed halfway through and almost quit. :lol:

Get rid of those sheep figurines in the kitchen window. Pack them up and send them to me. :lol:

Get rid of those sheep figurines in the kitchen window. Pack them up and send them to me. :lol:

:yeahthat: And I'll take the piggy towel holder. :clap:

Get rid of those sheep figurines in the kitchen window. Pack them up and send them to me. :lol:


:lol: When I read the first sentence my mouth fell open.


:yeahthat: And I'll take the piggy towel holder. :clap:

That piggy towel holder belonged to my mom and she had it in her kitchen for as long as I can remember. She re-did her kitchen and I inherited it. I love it!

Are maple cabinets expensive? Because if so, they're probably not maple. I think the guy who re-did the house didn't pick expensive things for it...like the flat paint and bare bones appliances.

I just think painted cabinets would really brighten the room.

cowgirl there is a long drawn out process to paint the cupboards did you know that? You can't just slap paint on them. My mom and stepdad were going to do that in there kitchen but then said nope and got new light colored cabinets put in instead as they were going to redo there kitchen as all they had was 8 cabinets and that wasn't enough for them. Now the kitchen has a ton of cabinets and spots that we can hide stuff without it being seen. Maybe next time I go to my moms I will take a picture with my cell and let you see what she did in her kitchen (she painted hers a dark blue).

And would it be totally stupid of me to paint the cabinets?:cds: Why in the world would you put paint over that beautiful wood. :banghead:

I want to gut my entire kitchen. Make all new cabinets and get all new stainless steel appliances, but I just haven't figured out what the new kitchen will look like. The kitchen is like 20 years old and needs a remodel.

cowgirl there is a long drawn out process to paint the cupboards did you know that? You can't just slap paint on them.

I know. I re-did the cabinets in my last place, but those were not as nice as these.

I'm still undecided.

I'm still undecided.

BTW, I think aqua will look nice in the kitchen. You've got a nice mix of browns in the counters/floors so the aqua color will look very pretty! I would throw in some buttery yellow accents to bring it all together. :smile:

Look at this kitchen! The fridge is awesome, but I don't know if I'd want an aqua fridge. :lol:

And I'd love a sink like this. (http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/394304791_5gkm8-L.jpg)

Look at this kitchen! The fridge is awesome, but I don't know if I'd want an aqua fridge. :lol:

And I'd love a sink like this. (http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/394304791_5gkm8-L.jpg)

I love that look...but no aqua fridge for me.

I love that look...

:yeahthat: Very nice!!

Look at this kitchen! The fridge is awesome, but I don't know if I'd want an aqua fridge. :lol:I guess I'm more of a country person. I don't like that at all.




And I'd love a sink like this. (http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/394304791_5gkm8-L.jpg)That's not a sink. it's a bath tub! :lol:

:cds: Why in the world would you put paint over that beautiful wood. :banghead: :yeahthat:

I'll take those cabinets and she can have mine if she's going to paint them.



.

I love the look of wood cabinets. I have oak cabinets and the paint was a peachy color. I decided to paint it granny apple smith green :shocked: I couldn't believe how much the cabinets "popped" once I redid the paint.

Go bright!

And I'd love a sink like this. (http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/394304791_5gkm8-L.jpg)

got one..with a divider.......and real cast iron...circa 1947....:coffee:

the picture shows the back wall where backsplash is being tiled with small multicolored blue tiles. You could put up big white tiles and mix some blue designer tiles in there behind the stove and mix a few more in throughout. Or you can spongepaint your kitchen aqua be the background white sponging into it throughout the kitchen.

Do you like either of these ideas?

:yeahthat:

I'll take those cabinets and she can have mine if she's going to paint them.



.

:lol:

Put up a tile backsplash behind your stove! I'll even do it for you as I did our whole kitchen and wet bar!

And DON'T paint your cabinets! Their gorgeous as they are!

the picture shows the back wall where backsplash is being tiled with small multicolored blue tiles. You could put up big white tiles and mix some blue designer tiles in there behind the stove and mix a few more in throughout. Or you can spongepaint your kitchen aqua be the background white sponging into it throughout the kitchen.

Do you like either of these ideas?

I'm not sure. I may just paint the wall behind the stove an accent color and paint the rest a mocha type color. I like the look of subway tiles for that wall, but it might not quite fit in right.

As for a curtain on the window over your sink... I'd just put a valence and would hang it so that the bottom of it covers the top of the window frame but doesn't block any of the window. It would provide color/visual interest on that wall and would make the window appear longer rather than so squat.

BTW, I love the color of that paint.

I have the same color cabinets in my kitchen and I painted it a pale green-gray. It made my cabinets pop. This would also look good with the wheat and burgundy you wanna do in the mud room.

I have the same color cabinets in my kitchen and I painted it a pale green-gray.

Do you have pics? I'd love to see!

Just a thought, but have you thought about doing a rust color for the walls?

Just a couple pic's to help ya.

Green like mine (1st & 2nd)

Some kinda rust (dark or lighter)

Your aqua

Do you have pics? I'd love to see!


I can take some actual pics of my kitchen tonight, but look at the ones I sent the green is pretty close..

Just a thought, but have you thought about doing a rust color for the walls?

Just a couple pic's to help ya.

Green like mine (1st & 2nd)

Some kinda rust (dark or lighter)

Your aqua

That aqua in no way looks like her aqua.... get a grip...:lol:

Ok, here's a shelf (http://www.becoming-home.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/kitchen-shelf-pic-kss.jpg) like Mig was talking about. I like that look.

And here's an awning (http://img4.southernliving.com/i/2003/10/budget-kitchen-makeover/sink-awning-l.jpg)type curtain over a window. I kinda like this look too.

If you are daring, think this would be nice too. I like the outdoors colors and think this would be great up against the color of your cabinets and counter tops.

Ok, here's a shelf (http://www.becoming-home.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/kitchen-shelf-pic-kss.jpg) like Mig was talking about. I like that look.

And here's an awning (http://img4.southernliving.com/i/2003/10/budget-kitchen-makeover/sink-awning-l.jpg)type curtain over a window. I kinda like this look too.


I love the shelf with the plants and stuff..

Just a thought, but have you thought about doing a rust color for the walls?

Just a couple pic's to help ya.

Green like mine (1st & 2nd)

Some kinda rust (dark or lighter)

Your aqua

Yeah, that aqua is WAY brighter than mine. Mine is more subdued and not so shocking. :lol: I was playing around with Sherwin Williams earlier, but none of their kitchen types look remotely like mine.

I like this! (http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/living/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/farmhouse_kitchen-mhi.jpg)

I like this! (http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/living/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/farmhouse_kitchen-mhi.jpg)
Oooh! That would look pretty, especially with all the light you get in the kitchen.

I love the look of wood cabinets. I have oak cabinets and the paint was a peachy color. I decided to paint it granny apple smith green :shocked: I couldn't believe how much the cabinets "popped" once I redid the paint.

Go bright!Why in the world would you paint oak cabinets? You might as well get pine or poplar if you're going to paint them. Painting good wood/oak cabinets is a sin.

I like this! (http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/living/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/farmhouse_kitchen-mhi.jpg)

Sorry, the all white just doesn't do it for me.

Why in the world would you paint oak cabinets? You might as well get pine or poplar if you're going to paint them. Painting wood cabinets is a sin.
I think she meant she painted the walls. :shrug:

Why in the world would you paint oak cabinets? You might as well get pine or poplar if you're going to paint them. Painting good wood/oak cabinets is a sin.

See, I'm not sure these are top quality cabinets. They're definitely nice, but I'm not big into wood cabinets. :shrug:

I can't find the exact picture that I saw, but this was really a neat idea

I can't find the exact picture that I saw, but this was really a neat idea

That's a neat idea, but I'd hate to block my view.

See, I'm not sure these are top quality cabinets. They're definitely nice, but I'm not big into wood cabinets. :shrug:

Add some nice knobs.

Add some nice knobs.

I definitely need to get knobs. It's getting old not having them. :lol:

See, I'm not sure these are top quality cabinets. They're definitely nice, but I'm not big into wood cabinets. :shrug:

Who care if they are top quality, they're yours so you can do as you please.

Who care if they are top quality, they're yours so you can do as you please.

I know, I just also think about re-sale if we ever sell the house.

I guess I should change that to *when* we sell the house. :lol:

I know, I just also think about re-sale if we ever sell the house.

I guess I should change that to *when* we sell the house. :lol:

True but it's pretty trendy and appeals to a lot of people so I don't think that it would be that big of a deal.

If you're looking for inspiration, why not browse through the kitchens on HGTV's Rate My Space (I think it's www.hgtv.com/ratemyspace (http://www.hgtv.com/ratemyspace)). I browse through there for ideas/inspiration all the time when I want to make a change. :yay:

If you're looking for inspiration, why not browse through the kitchens on HGTV's Rate My Space (I think it's HGTV Rate My Space - Find Decorating and Design Ideas for Home and Garden or Share Your Own (http://www.hgtv.com/ratemyspace)). I browse through there for ideas/inspiration all the time when I want to make a change. :yay:

Thank you! I'll check it out!

Thank you! I'll check it out!

:yay: Word to the wise, though. From experience, do NOT say to the hubby/boyfriend more than 1 time a year, "But honey, I saw this amazing (whatever) on HGTV! And they did it in 2 days. Why is it taking us a month ..." My hubby HATES the H-acronym with a passion, as does his buddy, who's wife and I are both serious HGTV junkies! :biggrin:

:yay: Word to the wise, though. From experience, do NOT say to the hubby/boyfriend more than 1 time a year, "But honey, I saw this amazing (whatever) on HGTV! And they did it in 2 days. Why is it taking us a month ..." My hubby HATES the H-acronym with a passion, as does his buddy, who's wife and I are both serious HGTV junkies! :biggrin:

:lol: I'll keep that in mind.

I found a picture I took of my kitchen window. I designed and built all my cabinets and trim so I did an extra wide sill to hold some plants/stuff and put cobalt bottles up on the little shelf the window provides along with a hanging cobalt rooter. I later added the Southwestern style arch over the window between the cabinets with a stained glass type running horse sun catcher built in. My kitchen is always a work in progress. Behind the stove I did running horse appliques. They've held up very well the last 7 years but thinking of doing a running horse ceramic tile background soon. Good luck in whatever you decide if you don't like it, you can always change it.

I found a picture I took of my kitchen window. I designed and built all my cabinets and trim so I did an extra wide sill to hold some plants/stuff and put cobalt bottles up on the little shelf the window provides along with a hanging cobalt rooter. I later added the Southwestern style arch over the window between the cabinets with a stained glass type running horse sun catcher built in. My kitchen is always a work in progress. Behind the stove I did running horse appliques. They've held up very well the last 7 years but thinking of doing a running horse ceramic tile background soon. Good luck in whatever you decide if you don't like it, you can always change it.

Very nice job. :yay: I really love the butcher block island.

Thanks. It's not a butcher block island, it's the butcher block out of my grandparents country store, it's over 100 years old. My grandma gave it to me, it's about the only thing of hers I have besides her wedding shoes and my farm. I built an island behind it but the butcher block is the center of where I usually work.

I found a picture I took of my kitchen window. I designed and built all my cabinets and trim so I did an extra wide sill to hold some plants/stuff and put cobalt bottles up on the little shelf the window provides along with a hanging cobalt rooter. I later added the Southwestern style arch over the window between the cabinets with a stained glass type running horse sun catcher built in. My kitchen is always a work in progress. Behind the stove I did running horse appliques. They've held up very well the last 7 years but thinking of doing a running horse ceramic tile background soon. Good luck in whatever you decide if you don't like it, you can always change it.

Yes, your window was closer to what I was thinking. Nice kitchen.

I found a picture I took of my kitchen window. I designed and built all my cabinets and trim
Pretty!!