After years of bouncing around, updating, and climbing the real estate ladder, we’ve finally found a home to settle down in (famous last words, right?) I MEAN IT THIS TIME!

And by the way, the exterior is WAY different now – stay tuned for THAT blog post

If you aren’t aware of the long and sordid drama about our six-month forever ‘summer home,’ here’s the gist…

There weren’t many homes on the market, and we walked into this gorgeous newer house with a killer 180-degree ocean view and were like, ‘Sure, let’s do it; let’s raise our family here.’ A newly built home was a new concept for us, seeing as EVERY home we’ve owned needed updating/renovating *needed being a relative term. This house was only a year old and needed NOTHING.

However, it was a home with no heart – it was an almost tangible thing, and we had to get out of there.

Don’t let it suck you in…sure it looks cute, but it bites

Luckily, I have a very understanding husband who agreed that the house was sucking the life out of us. We were able to sell it and buy our friggin’ DREAM HOME! Seriously, I’d stalked this house for years as it was in our old neighborhood. I’d walk by it whispering, ‘Oh yes, you will be mine, one day you will be mine…’ and now it is. I am that creepy.

Long story kind of short, we gutted it (naturally) and did a remodel on most of the rooms. And rather than drag it out over the years, which is our habit, we did most of it in one shootin’ match (minus some bathrooms/laundry). We did this with the idea that we could then relax and enjoy it. But you know me, I’ll ALWAYS find projects to do.

Are you ready to dive in? After sharing the entryway last month (above), it’s time to look at the kitchen and dining room!

Check out this before photo showing how our entryway and stairs tie into the kitchen. I tried to get the whales in the bargaining process, but no such luck. Just joking; those damn whales still haunt my dreams.

FREE FRIGGIN’ WILLY!

SHUT THE FREAKIN’ FRONT DOOR! Just LOOK at the difference. I mean, the kid’s college fund is dry, as is the bottom of my wine keg, but it sure looks pretty!

Before we get much further, let’s give credit where credit is due. This WHOLE project was brought to you by Jackson Triggs, Robert Mondavi, and Tanqueray – proud supporters of my drinking habit, which was further encouraged by the FREAKIN’ STRESS OF THIS RENOVATION! Seriously though, regarding credit, I’ll touch on the trades/companies within this article.

OUR ‘TWEAKED’ REVERE PEWTER KITCHEN

Looking at this next photo, I’m not going to lie and say it was a terrible kitchen; it wasn’t. It just wasn’t MY kitchen. This seems funny since I tried to cook Mr Noodles the other day (which Maggie fondly refers to as ‘non-gender specific noodles’) and actually burnt the water and ruined the pot. But regardless, I wanted a pretty kitchen…

And I got my pretty kitchen…

Just LOOK at how much brighter and welcoming it is. It almost makes me want to cook. Just kidding. Nobody needs to suffer through that.

In this next before photo, we’re looking the other way, so you’re seeing a snippet of our backyard, which is our oasis (and will be another blog post unto itself), as well as a dark and dismal dining area…

I’m sure THOUSANDS of you recognize this granite from the early 2000s! 

Ideas to Update Older Style Granite Countertops

After, I can’t even tell you how restful these spaces make me feel. Because it is all about me, am I right?

And you even get a sneak peek into the living room – you can see the before and after photos HERE.

I also chose a consistent undertone between the island, cabinets, backsplash, and countertop – green. If you’d asked me a few years ago what my least favorite undertone was, I would’ve said green. Well, I change my mind about my favorite colors as often as I change my underwear, so I’ll let you figure out how often that is.

The 6 Best Paint Colours for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

THE DINING ROOM UPDATE

Before, the light fixture (with matching island pendants) was like a bug zapper. If you have a mosquito problem, let me know, and I’ll pop these babies in the mail for you.

Here’s the dining room with my new art from Ronei…

I’m in LOVE with our new light from Wayfair with its clean, simple lines…

THE PAINT COLORS WE USED

And you might be wondering what the kitchen cabinet colour is (or not). Either way, I’m gonna tell ya! It’s Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, darkened by approximately 25%. My clients often say, ‘If you have to darken it by 25%, why don’t you just choose a different color?’. Because if there were a color nicer than this, I would’ve chosen it. I played around and hit JUST what I wanted – a warm, soft, earthy gray with a green undertone.

The 6 Best DARK GREIGE Paint Colors

The island is Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze, a completely badass mix of greige and green. Tims says it’s gray…but it’s not.

What’s the paint color on the walls?

Finding the PERFECT off-white is like finding that random hair that’s slipped down the front of your shirt and is tickling you, but you just can’t seem to find the damn thing, so you reach in and plunge your hand around looking for the damn thing while people stare at you strangely. Anyway, I picked Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, 75% lighter.

I know I’m anal, but I want what I want when I pick a colour – whatever that takes. And with Edgecomb Gray 75% lighter, I’ve got this whisper of warm gray/greige with the tendency to FLIP through undertones throughout the day. The trim is Benjamin Moore White Dove.

WANT TO LEARN MORE: Our Kitchen Remodel – All of The Details

And check out our big hunka wood dining table – MAD LOVE…

THE PANTRY AREA

I don’t have a great before photo of this next area, but note the built-in microwave and the side of the pantry door…

We opened that area with a small counter above our wine fridge and painted the pantry door to tie into the cabinetry. This also makes the kitchen look wider. The microwave is now in the pantry.

As for the pantry itself, it’s not as big as I would love, but better than nothing. One day, I’ll organize it and show it to you…maybe.

OUR OFF-WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOP

The quartz countertop slays me (in a good way). It’s Brittanica WARM by Cambria Quartz. It has a white/off-white base, soft, greige warmth, and even a wink of modest taupe-beige. While it’s AMAZING, I’ve got more warm-toned countertops for you to check out here, if you’re curious.

Is Revere Pewter the Best Cabinet Color for YOUR Kitchen?

THE SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH & STOOLS

As for the backsplash, OH, THE FRIGGIN AGONY!

I can advise clients on what to do all day long, as I have the KNOWLEDGE without the emotion attached (you know I love y’all, though.) Making decisions for myself gives me serious hyperventilating, twitching in the corner angina. Seriously. I look forward to renovating, but the process just about does me in.

As for the counter stools, I usually prefer a stool with a full-height back for better badonkadonk support; Tim asked for backless ones, so I listened to him (first time for everything).

The backsplash tile is an Ames Tile (sadly, they don’t carry this exact tile anymore) and was installed by none other than BE Tile. The cabinets were custom-made from Mid-Island Cabinets. Notice that the grout is OPPOSITE the norm, as I opted for a DARK contrasting colour rather than the usual white/gray.

I’m also noticing that some of these photos look like they have a filter on them (thanks to my epic photography skills). I’m going to get better ones – stay tuned. But in the meantime…

4 Ideas to Jazz Up a Simple Subway Tile Backsplash

Here’s another shot of the foyer, looking into the kitchen and dining room. Notice that I painted the handrail to match the kitchen island…

All of the painting, including the walls, ceilings, trims, and stair railing, was done by the most patient and talented duo of Delea and Shalyn of Details Painting.

If you want to look closely at our entryway remodel and how it relates to the kitchen, visit this blog post – Our Entryway Remodel, from Dark and Dismal – To DAMN Gorgeous HERE.

READ MORE

A Tudor Kitchen Makeover (With Revere Pewter!)

Is Revere Pewter the Best Kitchen Cabinet Colour for YOU?

The 5 Best Off-White Paint Colours

Ideas to Update Older Granite Countertops

6 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Update Ideas

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting packages! 

Chat soon,

2019/UPDATED FOR GRAMMAR N’ STUFF IN 2023

The post Open Concept Kitchen & Dining Room Update: Before & After Photos appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When my client hired me to help her with the remodel of their lovely Tudor home, I KNEW something beautiful was about to happen.

When doing my Online Consultations, sometimes old finishes are in place and need to be accommodated, whereas other times, we have a FRESH new slate to work with. We were starting from scratch with this one – new finishes, new flooring, new husba…wait, the husband was staying.

My client had a VERY clear idea of where she wanted to head with things, had a great contractor (Lewis Remodelling), and hired me to help her pull it all together with colour. My first look at things involved a combination of Caesarstone Statuario Nuvo on the main countertops, along with a soapstone ISLAND countertop, as well as some other custom details (WAIT until you see the range hood). And while you MIGHT call me crazy (duly noted), I kindly suggested that the soapstone countertop was taking things too far.

Why?

Well, between the main cabinets (which we planned to paint a warm gray), the wood island, the STUNNING soapstone fireplace in the adjacent open layout living room and the WICKED gorgeous range hood, we had enough going on. In fact, I worried that the soapstone would tip the scales, overwhelming the space with variety, rather than keeping it classic.

I’m happy to say she agreed, and in the end, we’re BOTH super happy that the soapstone was kept to the fireplace surround. But boy oh boy, once she settled on her set finishes, the colours we landed on turned out to be JUST what was needed to turn this house renovation into a LOVELY home to live in.

Ready Betty (in homage to the late great Betty White)?

Let’s start in the kitchen…

We chose Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (darkened by 25%) for the cabinets. My client had started with the idea of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, but with the countertop she chose, along with the James Mobly mural she was hoping for in the dining room, Edgecomb Gray leaned too warm.

ALL AFTER PHOTOS: RICK PHARAOH PHOTOGRAPHY

Adjusting the cabinets to Revere Pewter and adding a wink of depth made for the PERFECT backdrop to the Caesarstone quartz countertops and wood island.

And while the combination of interior lighting and photography can throw colours off-whack a bit (super technical term), this next photo is a GREAT shot of Revere Pewter in action…

Swinging to the right, we see the bar area with an indiscreet stainless steel wine fridge. PERSONALLY, I’m not a huge fan of wine bottles on display, unless they’re in a dramatic feature piece or empty (wink wink).

THE RANGE HOOD

Ummmm, did ya SEE THE RANGE HOOD? That is one metal-clad masterpiece…

THE WOOD KITCHEN ISLAND

The wood stain on the island is also the perfect complement to the wood floor. Whereas some wood islands COMPETE for attention, this bad boy is the perfect partner…

INTO THE LIVING ROOM…

At this point, you MIGHT be wondering what paint colour is on the walls? Or maybe you’re still mentally absorbing that range hood. Either way, the wall colour we chose was Benjamin Moore White Dove, the PERFECT warm white for this project, which is best showcased in the living area…

In these next photos, White Dove is looking FAR more creamy than it does in real life (it looks more like Sherwin Williams Creamy); the previous photo was a better representation. But all the same – HOLY FREAKIN’ CANNOLI!

And that ceiling. The subtle whitewash on the ceiling cuts the intensity of the wood stain back so nicely without it flashing too pink. However, with the flooring being red oak, this subtle undertone is NOT unwelcome…

Here’s another full shot looking from the kitchen back to the living area – MAD LOVE. And just spend some time with Benjamin Moore White Dove, with its passive warm glow (there’s good reason why it’s one of my fave shades of white). In fact, this next view is my fave of them all…

See Kylie M’s Kitchen Cabinets in Revere Pewter 

And I HAVE to share her pool table room with you, it’s the EPITOME of badassery…

THE FAMILY ROOM / POOL TABLE ROOM

Hey, is that really a knight playing peekaboo with me? DAMN STRAIGHT IT IS! Seriously, I’ve NEVER done a consultation where there’s a knight in play.

My client CLEARLY has a great sense of style and chose to wrap it all up in Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth, a colour you might be seeing more of as those trends lean warmer and warmer!

The Best WHOLE HOME Warm Neutral Paint Colours

READ MORE

The Best Paint Colours for Kitchen Cabinets

Should You Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets or Keep Them Stained – a QUESTIONNAIRE

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colours

Benjamin Moore’s Best Warm White Paint Colours

NEED HELP?

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING PACKAGES!

Chat soon,

The post A Warm Gray (Greige) Tudor Kitchen Remodel appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When this kitchen showed up in my inbox, it had a LOT going for it…

Gorgeous granite countertops, updated wood flooring, and a modern subway tile backsplash were just a few of the great features in this kitchen. However, my client was tired of the dark wood cabinets and wanted to give them a colour face-lift, which is where I came on the scene.

How to Update OLDER Granite Countertops

The granite countertops weren’t in a position to support WHITE cabinets and demanded a SOFTER approach.

There’s also that beautiful warm gray-taupe subway tile backsplash. And because the backsplash is the FIRST PLACE YOU LOOK when choosing a cabinet colour, these tiles, along with the warm base of the granite countertops, were the inspiration for this…

SHUT THE FRIGGIN’ FRONT DOOR (or the cabinet door, might be more the point)! I mean, I didn’t mind this kitchen before, even if the wood was a touch heavy and rich. But HOLY DINAH does it ever look good now!

Let’s get a nice full shot of this bad boy. This is a great photo, as you can see the ORIGINAL floor…

The old flooring was way too orange for the cabinets, and even just changing this was a great move for this space. HOWEVER, painting the cabinets really took it to the next level…

There’s only one thing I’d suggest (and it’s not a big thing). The paint colour on the walls, Benjamin Moore Ranchwood, is just a TOUCH too heavy and warm. UGGGGH, I feel so mean when I do this, but I have a little radar go off in my head when I get near wine, crave Doritos, see Ryan Reynolds in a movie, AND when a colour is just a bit off.

Worth changing? For most of the world – HECK NO. But for me, who is a glutton for punishment, you know I’d change it. What colour would I sample first? Oh, Benjamin Moore Collingwood FOR SURE, with Balboa Mist in hot second. Again, I’m being particular, but that’s why you love me – also because I’m cute and witty…riiiight?

And I bet you’re wondering about this magical paint colour on the cabinets. It’s none other than Benjamin Moore Classic Gray. SURPRISED? You should be.

Classic Gray can look CONSIDERABLY grayer on walls with a more noticeable purple, sometimes purple-pink undertone (remember, EVERY gray has undertones). However, cabinet colours have different formulations AND the sheen affects the way a colour looks as well. Classic Gray was also lightened by 25% for this project which can account for a bit of that shift as well.

The 5 Best Off-White Paint Colours

Not sure if you should paint YOUR kitchen cabinets? I’ve got a fun QUESTIONNAIRE STYLE blog post for you to check out. Need some inspiration? I’ve got that too! Just scroll down to the READ MORE section at the bottom of this blog post.

NEED HELP?

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING & E-BOOKS! 

READ MORE

How to Update OLDER Granite Countertops

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Makeover with Benjamin Moore Cloud White

A Budget-Friendly FULL Kitchen Makeover with Benjamin Moore Collingwood and More!

Painted Maple Kitchen Cabinets: Before and After

Our Kitchen Makeover with Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

The post PAINTED KITCHEN CABINET MAKEOVER: Granite Countertops, Subway Tile & More appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Painted Cabinets, Quartz Countertop, Dark Oak Floors and MORE! 

When it comes to updating a kitchen, it can be hard to know where to stop – one thing ALWAYS leads to another. But, that doesn’t mean you need to go all-out, as there are ways to save money while you spend it.

This kitchen had EVERYTHING going for it…if you still lived in the early 2000s. However, as it relates to a more modern approach, it had a few fatal flaws…

• cathedral/arched cabinet doors

• strong red/cherry stain on the cabinets

• orange-hued floors, which themselves weren’t a BIG problem, but the whole palette was

• older style granite countertops (if you have these, read THIS)

• diamond-pattern backsplash

And a quick note on the travertine backsplash. I actually LOVE travertine; it’s soft, warm and adds texture to a room. In this kitchen, it’s the PATTERN that killed the deal, as that large-scale diamond pattern is SOOOO 90s / early 2000s.

Now, are you ready to see the big reveal?

Can I get a HELLS YEAH AND A FREAKIN’ HALLELUJAH?! (Can I say those two things in a sentence?) Sure I can.

Seriously, it’s hardly recognizable…

You might be thinking ‘ermmm Kylie, you said something about saving money? This looks like a damn nice kitchen reno, how on earth did they SAVE MONEY?’

Well, money HAD to be spent, but they definitely cut back their costs with the following:

• they kept the FOOTPRINT (layout) of the cabinets, meaning they could keep the cabinet boxes and ONLY replace the doors

• they refinished the floors rather than replacing them

• they kept the bulkheads, rather than ripping them out and going full-height on the cabinets

You’ll find all of the colour and product details at the end of this blog post.

Notice how the bulkheads were a noticeable feature before? And now they just belong!

Read more: SHOULD YOU PAINT YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS? A Fun Questionnaire! 

Read more: Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Are you DYING to know what countertop that is? I friggin’ love it – details at the end of this blog post.

Check out the gorgeous eating nook…

Check out the LIVING ROOM AND FAMILY ROOM attached to this gorgeous kitchen!

And a butlers pantry, leading to the dining room which was ALSO redone…

And if you’re coming to this blog post fresh from Pinterest, you should see the REST OF THIS HOME!

NEED HELP?

Check out my ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING and E-BOOKS! 

Chat soon,

READ MORE

Our Revere Pewter Kitchen Remodel – Painted Cabinets

A Budget-Friendly REAL HOME Kitchen Makeover

A Brand-New White Kitchen with Pure White and Cyberspace

SHOULD YOU PAINT YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS? A Fun Questionnaire! 

PRODUCT LIST

WALLS

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray Colour Review

KITCHEN CABINETS

Colour match to Benjamin Moore White Dove Colour Review

TRIMS

Benjamin Moore White Dove

BACKSPLASH

MS International – Highland Park Portico Pearl

COUNTERTOPS

Cambria Ironsbridge

FLOORS

Red oak stained with Duraseal Ebony/Jacobean (1:1) ratio

The post An Early 2000’s Kitchen Update with Benjamin Moore White Dove appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

It seems every time I post a photo on Instagram about our kitchen, I get the same questions, ‘what colour are your cabinets? Which countertop is that? Is that your real hair colour?‘ So, I figured it was time for a blog post with all the dirty details.

Before, our kitchen (actually, our WHOLE HOME) was heavy and dark…

While many of the finishes were very liveable, they were worn out and just weren’t us – TIME FOR A MAKEOVER!

Jen Wynia Photography

And no, the floor isn’t actually faded in front of the stairs, it’s just a lil trick the photographer did to make the surrounding areas pop a little more.

Now, it’s not often that I let you guys into my wicked little brain. And let me tell you, it’s a scary place if you don’t know your way around (I get lost ALL the time). But I don’t just want to tell you WHAT I chose for our kitchen remodel, I want to explain WHY I chose it.

But first, let’s take a gander at the before, which wasn’t bad, but has several fatal flaws…

• The cabinets are cheap and are a ‘good from far but far from good’ scenario.
• The hardware is dumb. That’s right, dumb. Look at the way they put the handles on the doors? Sure, great for a more modern style home, but for a more traditional or even transitional approach, they don’t work. Plus, I couldn’t just put in standard knobs/handles without seeing two big gaping holes in the front of the doors #firstworldproblem, but moving on…
• The countertop is Santa Cecilia granite and I could certainly work with that, but the pink undertones in the backsplash clash with the counter and make me want to twitch and cry in a corner.
• The previous owners had two large dogs and the floor is BEAT and isn’t quality enough to be refinished.

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW (my motto with husbands too…just joking Tim).

Let’s start with the countertop.

CAMBRIA BRITTANICA WARM QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

When designing a kitchen, short of the actual layout itself (which we couldn’t adjust too much), the countertop is usually the place to start. Why? Well, whereas there were HUNDREDS of paint colours to choose from, there are only a handful of countertops you might actually fall in love with.

BTW, check out the artwork above by Linsey Hopkins Art on Etsy. She notes the heights of family members, hair colour – all that jazz. She even takes a sample of your handwriting and uses that for the script. LOVE IT! Thanks to my sis-in-law for having it done for us.

Now, back to the countertop.

The second I saw Brittanica Warm, I fell desperately in love. It was new on the market, following in the footsteps of the well-known Brittanica and followed by Brittanica GOLD, both of which weren’t quite right for us.

You see, I have a weakness for wine, cheese rice crackers, Ryan Reynolds and green undertones. I don’t like green undertones in yellow, these make me nauseous, but give me a green tucked in a warm gray or greige and I’m one happy lil Ginger.

Follow me on INSTAGRAM! 

Brittanica Warm has a soft, OFF-WHITE base, so it’s not as white as some of the more popular quartz countertops and also has a warmer look because of this. Along with this, it has that glooorious warm gray-greige with the most MUTED green undertone as well as a muted taupe. Strange combo but it works. The variety gives me colours to play with in the future should I want to change something else in the room (which you KNOW I will).

Before…

How to Update Your Older or Outdated Granite Countertops

And after…

Read more: The Three Undertones of Gray 

BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER CABINETS…KIND OF

I wanted to tap into that passive green undertone in the countertops and knew Revere Pewter would do that – it just wasn’t dark enough. Why? Well, because cabinets are most often a satin finish, this finish can make a paint colour look LIGHTER than expected when light shines on it. I wanted a colour with a bit more junk in its trunk but couldn’t find it. So, instead, I did what I ALWAYS do – I experimented!

I can’t seem to find my photo of the 25% darker sample, but this one will give you the idea…

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

I had samples of Revere Pewter lightened by both 25% and 50% (and clearly, 40% as well because I’m slightly OCD) and the cabinets turned out somewhere in between (they had to be colour matched into the cabinet company’s paint).

I LOVE how it turned out. The green undertone is still passive and MOST people think I have gray cabinets, when in fact they’re considerably warmer looking. Look at the colour in this next photo compared to Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray (a more traditional gray with an LRV of 59). If they were both regular strength, you’d see only a four-point difference in LRV, however, this photo helps show the shift with RP being darkened.

The tricky thing is that when you get a PROFESSIONAL photographer (hallelujah) to take the photos, the colour can look a bit different than in person (she obviously didn’t take this fugly before photo…

But she definitely took this one…

Jen Wynia Photography

But it’s the everyday living that makes our kitchen look its most beautiful…

The New Era of Laminate Countertops and Why They ROCK! 

And yes, I always leave cupboard doors open, one of my many bad habits.

THE ISLAND OF GLORY (URBANE BRONZE)

No, it’s not an island with waterfalls over-flowing with wine, free Starbucks and Ryan Reynolds in a Speedo, it’s my island painted in Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze. I LOVE contrast and wanted to hit the island hard with a killer dark paint colour (but didn’t want black or navy blue).

Urbane Bronze is the PERFECT choice being a dark greige with a green undertone. And not only this, I chose it BEFORE it was Sherwin Williams Colour of the Year (2021).

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze

I LOVE how the green undertone plays with the warmth of our white oak flooring as well as Revere Pewter.

THE SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH

I love the timeless look of subway tile, but I’m not really a ‘white tile’ kinda gal. Instead, I chose a gorgeous glazed subway tile in Ames’ Manhattan series called Mang412 – a super romantic name, I know. The colour is ‘GRAY’, however, we all know that grays have undertones and guess what THIS gray has? Green, of course!

Tile installation by BE Tile

I love that the tiles blend with my cabinets, creating a low-contrast look, which I HIGHLIGHTED with dark grout (Truffle, I believe). I love contrast, but only in specific places/doses and didn’t want my backsplash poppin’ hard with my cabinets.

4 Ways to Add Style with Subway Tile

THE CABINET HARDWARE

I went with cabinet hardware supplied by the cabinet maker, making life easier than me ordering two dozen different styles from Wayfair. However, you can get them at Wayfair too.

Look at its cute lil feet!

RICHELIEU HARDWARE ON WAYFAIR

The key to picking hardware isn’t just in the finish, it’s in the fit. This means that a handle or pull needs to FEEL good. It should have a tactile element so that when you grab it, it feels solid and quality (just like a good husband).

If you need hardware ideas for your own kitchen, I’ve got some beauties HERE.

THE WHITE OAK WOOD FLOORING – GOODFELLOW

I’ll say it time and time again, OAK IS TIMELESS; it’s all in the grain and the stain.

This is why, when choosing new flooring for our home, I wouldn’t look at anything BUT oak. I also chose a stain that isn’t super light OR super dark, giving it a bit more longevity and flexibility.

We actually used this SAME floor in the ‘natural’ look in my sister-in-law’s home…

See more of this project HERE

This is an engineered wood product from Goodfellow. A lot of people confuse engineered and laminate, thinking they’re the same thing – they’re not. Laminate is not real wood, engineered is real wood on the top – just not all the way through.

THE PENDANT LIGHTS

While I didn’t want frosted shades or fabric-covered ones, I also don’t love seeing a bare bulb. With their unique textured glass, the shades I chose hide the bulb a bit more than clear shades (no longer available on Wayfair – insert sad face HERE).

The above photo also gives you a peek into our living room.

So, there you have it, all the dirty details and THEN some!

READ MORE

Our Entryway Remodel: From Dark and Dismal to DAMN GORGEOUS!

Our Open Concept Kitchen and Dining Room Makeover

5 Ideas to Update Your 1990s Home

4 PART SERIES: How to Create a Timeless Home

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting packages! 

Chat soon,

The post Our Revere Pewter Kitchen Cabinet Remodel – ALL THE DETAILS! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

A home update CHOCK full of great ideas that YOU can do too! 

You know how some rooms just speak to you? If you don’t, you should drink wine like I do and then you’ll be having full conversations with everything from rooms to dogs! Seriously though, have you ever been in a room that’s out of your comfort zone or not your personal style, but there’s SOMETHING about it that hits a happy place? This home definitely did that for me.

I think it’s a combination of the look along with the homeowners’ obvious blood, sweat and tears that drew me in.

And who are the homeowners? Melisa and her ever-loving, EVER-PATIENT hubby, John. I bet if John and Tim got together they’d be able to swap wife war stories for HOURS. Oh, and did I mention that they did all of this with FOUR kids under the age of NINE underfoot. Yup. (insert wine and funnel here, or maybe that’s how they GOT all of those kids…wink wink).

This home really IS a reflection of the tastes of the people who live there and THAT’S what makes a home to me.

Now, with this whole remodel, there were a few things staying put:

• The beige laminate perimeter countertops
• The black appliances (being changed to stainless steel eventually)
• The maple cabinets
• The wood flooring
• The backsplash

But a few things were going to change – DRASTICALLY…

• The island would be taken down to one height
• The NEW island countertop would be marble
• The over-the-range microwave came DOWN
• The soffits would be filled in to get a full-height cabinet look
• The area to the left of the fridge would be changed to add MORE storage and CHARACTER

Let’s see how it all turned out…

The Main Kitchen Area: Painted Cabinets and More…

As you can see, they filled in the soffits, added crown moulding, rebuilt the range hood and filled in the ‘glass’ portion of the pantry door…

And here it is. Seriously? Yup, seriously…

And not only did they paint the cabinets, but this husband and wife duo even painted the BACKSPLASH.

Can you really paint backsplash tiles?

HECK YES YOU CAN!

Melisa handpainted each backsplash tile herself. She wanted the look of handpainted Zellige tiles and used a combination of colours to get a soft, subtle, textured look. SO FRIGGIN’ AWESOME! (I know some of you are thinking of paint YOURS now!).

And I really respect that Melisa and John did all of this on a budget – a SERIOUS budget. I mean, anyone can create a dream home with a huge bank account and professional help, but there’s something to be said for ‘improving and adding to what you already have WITHOUT breaking open the kid’s piggy banks’.

Read more: 4 Ideas to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget

The Rebuilt Fridge Area

Let’s look at that fridge area a little closer…

The rest of the open layout space

The glory doesn’t just stop in the kitchen…

Did you notice the dining chairs in the above photo? We’ve ALL seen versions of those, but I bet you HARDLY RECOGNIZED them in their new glory! It’s AMAZING what a little paint and fabric can do to Grandma’s old dining set (let’s safely assume there was some wine in the mix as well).

And are you ready for THIS…?

Ermergerd. So…cool. And again, you don’t have to LOVE a certain style (I’m more of a west-coast-transitional-mish-mash gal myself) to be able to appreciate HOW FRIGGIN’ WELL it’s been done. (Just look at the arms on those chairs…I’m melting).

And seriously (because I never stop talking even though I know you’re just here for the pretty photos – and my charming wit), I RARELY get clients with mad style and photography skills like Melisa. I hardly had to edit the photos, they came in crystal-clear. And Melisa’s decorative style? Holy friggin’ cannoli. You don’t have to be a fan of the romantic style to see how beautiful this space is, it speaks for itself whether you’re into mid-century modern, traditional or modern farmhouse!

And get a close-up look at the paint colour in these next photos. Calm perfection.

And how about those PAINTED CABINETS?

Believe it or not, they found a salvaged piece of marble for the island countertop (it’s what really inspired this whole thing). It had a few scratches that they EASILY overlooked for the price tag!

Read more: How to get the LOOK of Marble Without the Price Tag

Read more: The New Era of Laminate Countertops and Why They ‘Rock’

So, I’m sure by now you’re thinking, ‘Kylie, I’m DYING to know what COLOURS they used, can you spit it out already?’

• Walls in the open layout kitchen, dining room and living room: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
• Cabinets: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
• Trims: Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Backsplash: A blend of Agreeable Gray, White Dove and Collingwood

Read more: The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray and Greige Paint Colours

Now, let’s talk about BUDGET…

Believe it or not, they did this all for under $3000. That’s right – 3…thousand…dollars.

Without getting into the nitty-gritty, let’s hit a few main details:

• The cabinets were going to be $4000 to get professionally painted. They hired someone to spray the DOORS only for $1000 and did the rest themselves!
• The marble island was a SALVAGED PIECE with a few scratches that were EASILY overlooked for the LOW price tag!
• The furniture pieces were passed down from grandparents and painted to suit their style
• The light in the dining room? You’re not going to believe this, but they found it broken and encased in 6 inches of solid ice. They brought that glorious beastie back to LIFE, even if it took 10 years off of John’s life
• All of the decor was found at salvage centers and marketplaces

I’m just so friggin’ PROUD.

Chat soon,

NEED HELP WITH YOUR HOME UPDATES?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting, I’d love to help! 

READ MORE

Kitchen Cabinet Makeover with Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, Granite and More! 

Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The Best White Paint Colours for Kitchen Cabinets

How to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets

The post A Budget-Friendly REAL HOME Kitchen Makeover: Painted Cabinets, Tile and MORE! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Seriously, nothing makes me happier than ‘after’ photos flowing into my inbox. Well, except wine, wine makes me happy. Oh, and Ryan Reynolds, he makes me happy too. Combine wine, Ryan and some after photos and it’s a GOOD NITE in the Mawdsley house (maybe not for Tim).

So, when my E-Design client sent photos of her painted maple cabinets, it was definitely time for celebration – WHAT a transformation!

Before, the kitchen had a nice layout and gorgeous granite countertops. And while the maple cabinets were in good shape, they didn’t DO anything for the rest of the space…

And after, can I get an AAAAAMEN!

Another before…

And after – fresh, clean and simple.

The cabinet colour is Benjamin Moore White Down via my Cabinet Paint Colour Package. White Down is an off-white paint colour that’s warm and creamy with a neutral base calming it down, so it isn’t OVERLY yellow/creamy.

For the ceiling, we went with Sherwin Williams Alabaster which looked gorgeous with her existing paint colour, Valspar Pawnee (similar to Benjamin Moore Putnam Ivory).

LOOOOVE that backsplash and the orderly cabinet display!

What do you think, would YOU have done the same? Or more to the point, would your HUBBY do the same? We know how weird those hubs are about their wood (no pun intended…okay, maybe a bit intended).

Want to see how painted maple cabinets hold up? Our Painted Maple Cabinets – 2 Years Later

Want to see another gorgeous maple kitchen makeover? Maple No More: A Cloud White Kitchen Makeover

Chat soon,

Looking for ideas to update YOUR kitchen?

Check out my affordable and fun E-design and Online Paint Color Consulting packages!

Chat soon,

READ MORE

Quick & Easy E-Design Package. GET THE HELP YOU NEED! 

Benjamin Moore White Dove Kitchen Makeover

The Best White Paint Colours for Cabinets

The New Era of Laminate Countertops and Why They ROCK! 

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2018, UPDATED FOR FRESH LINKS IN 2020

The post EDesign: Painted Maple Cabinets – A Gorgeous Off-White Makeover! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Painted (and stained) Cabinets: Before and Afters (and a BONUS project!)

I know how much you guys love your before and afters, so I figured it was time to show a few of my recent ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING projects!

Now, I didn’t have enough good clear photos of each project to do up a blog post (I rely 100% on my E-design clients for their after photos!), so I figured I’d do a mixed post, which will also give you a whole whack of ideas to think about for your own home – it’s like a 3 for 1 deal!

PROJECT 1  PAINTED OAK CATHEDRAL CABINETS, GREEN GRANITE COUNTERTOP, AND TRAVERTINE BACKSPLASH 

BEFORE: You know, I didn’t mind the orange tone of these cabinets too much, they did coordinate nicely with my hair, but I was happy to hear that my client was ready for some fresh paint on them as they weighed down the kitchen quite a bit and kept it tucked firmly in the late ’90s…

AFTER: The kitchen is SO much fresher and brighter with the soft white uppers and lowers!

BEFORE: The island needed a little face-lift to modernize the look of the green and peach granite and the travertine tile backsplash…

AFTER: LOVE me some SW Grizzle Gray on the island! The kitchen now has some personality and a whole new lease on life!

And thanks to my clients for sending these after photo along as interior photos can be a REAL bugger to get just right – ya done good.

PROJECT 2   PAINTED MAPLE RAISED CABINETS WITH GREEN GRANITE COUNTERTOP 

BEFORE: Between the oak flooring and maple cabinets, there was just too much warm-on-warm for those green granite countertops and backsplash.

And you might notice that these first 2 projects have granite with green in them. This was a common trend in the ’90s and early 2000’s as admittedly, warm woods and green DO play well together, however, it’s about a) how much of one thing there is and b) the long-term limitations of committing to a colour in permanent surfaces, whereas neutrals tend to last longer.

AFTER: It’s like the room gave a GREAT big sigh of relief…

The new cabinet colour is SW White Duck, a really pretty warm, slightly greige/cream off-white. And notice how the floor and the countertops/backsplash balance each other off and play with each other, whereas before the room was heavily weighted into the warm family.

The Best Off-White Paint Colours

The Best Hardware to Update Wood Cabinets

PROJECT 3   CATHEDRAL STYLE OAK CABINETS PAINTED WARM WHITE!

For this project, I don’t have a FULL kitchen ‘before’ shot because it was from the realtor’s listing and I don’t have permission to use those! But, I have a few random shots taken by my client…

BEFORE: Again, that good old golden oak and cathedral style doors that were prolific in the ’90s. For this project, I had the warm-toned countertops and flooring to consider, as well as the travertine tile backsplash…

AFTER: Seriously, this kitchen just makes me SO stinkin’ happy! And look at how they filled in the bulkhead area for a full-height cabinet look – love it.

We went for BM Cloud White on the main cabinets, a warm white – a wink warm for the floor, but right on point for the countertop and backsplash. Sometimes you can’t 100% satisfy ALL of the surfaces, and you have to prioritize things based on how they visually connect.

Read more: Our Painted Kitchen Cabinets – No More Maple! 

BEFORE: The island…yup, good old oak. And let me say that I am a HUGE fan of oak on cabinets and flooring, in fact, I redid our family room/bar area in oak (stay tuned for that one). However, it comes down to the stain and grain for getting a look that steps out of the ’90s and into a more modern style.

AFTER: Seriously? Seriously. I love this island. We went with BM Ocean Floor, a gorgeous blue that works it’s magic with the beadboard detail.

And I say ‘we’ as in the ‘Royal we’, as what I do is suggest a variety of options to try, based on the finishes in my client’s home and their personal tastes. From there, it’s my client who chooses the one that they love the most! I think this is a REALLY important part of the process for a sense of ownership and pride! And of course, if they can’t decide and need a 2nd opinion to finalize their choice, I love giving my two-bits.

And guess what? There is oooooone more project. But THIS time, my client wanted to KEEP their beautiful oak cabinets and was looking for some paint colour/countertop/backsplash ideas to update things…

PROJECT 4    Oak Cabinets – Stained with New Backsplash and Countertops

Now, you might be thinking, ‘Kylie, I thought you just drank wine and consulted on paint colours all day?’ Well, back in the day (like last year) I did consult on hard finishes like countertops and backsplashes and loved it. Flash forward to this year where my lil’ self is bustin’ her butt just to get through all of the online paint colour consultations that I had to limit what I had to offer.

However, I’m HAPPY to say that I will be reintroducing the countertop option in the near future!

Now, back to this ‘au naturel’ ginger-inspired beauty (no, not me – the kitchen). My client’s package included paint colour for the walls, island, backsplash ideas and countertop options…

BEFORE: It had great bones with raised panel door style and crown moulding.

AFTER: Seriously…what a game-changer for this kitchen.

BEFORE: That’s a WHOOOOOLE lotta wood (that’s what she said).

AFTER: Painting the island was a great way to break up all of the wood without taking away too much.

BEFORE: Super heavy looking and the products aren’t doing ANY justice to that beautiful oak!

AFTER: With a fresh new warm gray paint colour, backsplash and countertop, this kitchen has a WHOLE new lease on life – I couldn’t be happier (because it’s all about me – don’t forget it).

Read more: Subway Tile Backsplash Ideas for Your Kitchen and Bathroom

So, there you have it! I hope this has gotten the creative juices flowing! If you want more, see the links below to more articles on great ways to update oak/wood cabinets!

Not sure how to update YOUR oak or maple cabinets?

Check out my Online Color Consulting packages!

Chat soon,

READ MORE:

5 Ideas to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets WITHOUT Paint! 

4 Ideas: How to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets

The Best Hardware to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinet Makeover with Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, Granite and More! 

The post E-DESIGN: 3 Painted Oak & Maple Kitchen Cabinet Projects appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

If you love the classic look of white and blue, you’re going to love this open layout kitchen and dining room! And this blog post actually started out MUCH bigger, as these spaces are part of a new build that I helped with. However, I took SO many friggin’ photos that I had to break things down into a more manageable size, starting with these 2 rooms. You’ll get some sneak-peeks at the living room below and I’ll be posting the WHOLE project soon!

This home belongs to 2 of my fave people – Sarah and Brett (and their 2 lil’ nuggets), who also happen to live 3 blocks from us AND are my brother and sister-in-law (lucky buggers). Sarah had been dreaming of a white-on-white home for YEARS and after living a somewhat transient life (okay, it wasn’t THAT bad), they finally found the lot and home plan that they loved. So, with a bit of blood, sweat and wine, I helped them create the home of their dreams and it all started with the open layout kitchen and dining room.

The kitchen, and in fact, almost the WHOLE home is painted in Sherwin Williams Pure White, one of the BEST whites for kitchen cabinets. It’s a white that is juuuuust shy of being crisp and clear as it has a wink of softness to it. I partnered it with Sherwin Williams Cyberspace on the island which is a subtle and striking navy blue.

The Lyla spindle back counter stools are from Wayfair and are great partners to the dining chairs which you’ll see shortly. Sarah wanted stools with backs on them for support for the little’s and the grandparents! With them in mind, she also didn’t want fabric stools – you know how messy those grandparents can be.

The Brenton pendant lights are also from Wayfair. When you live in Nanaimo, your shopping choices are (ahem) pretty limited and I usually have to shop online to find just the right piece. I’m pretty sure that once this project was done, Wayfair’s stock price went down.

And notice the gorgeous oak flooring. Oak is my FAVE wood for floors and for this project, I went with a more natural look with Goodfellow natural wood wire-brushed oak. I have MAAAAD love for this floor and we actually did the slightly darker version in our own home.  This floor here would give a similar look, as would this one if you like to do some shopping around.

The L-shaped layout of the kitchen meant they could have a prep/bar area, with a wine fridge that was greatly depleted by the time I was done on this project. The full-height cabinets also give plenty of storage for things that aren’t used as often. I did the same full-height cabinets in our own kitchen and use them to store moderation and a filter…get it?

At the above prep station, the 3″ floating shelves were a good place for Sarah to display some of her sentimental dishware and decor. The bevelled white subway tile backdrop goes from the countertop to the ceiling, so that the area is more of a feature wall, while still tying into the kitchen.

And let’s take a closer look at the white bevel-edge subway tile. I love how the bevel adds some texture and interest to the white layers of this kitchen. The countertop is LG Viatera Minuet quartz, a gorgeous white countertop with soft gray veining. It’s also more affordable than many of the popular white quartz countertops.

Read more: How to Choose the Right Subway Tile Backsplash

LOVE how the blue Le Creuset dishware pops on all of the white!

Now, over to the dining room…

When I took the main photos, the dining room furniture hadn’t arrived yet, so I snuck over a few weeks later with my phone to grab a few shots, so they aren’t QUITE as clear, but will do the trick if you put your beer goggles on.

The gorgeous Bradding farmhouse dining table is from Pier 1 and is actually the SAME table that we had in our last home. It has leaves that extend out on the ends, making it super handy when me n’ the kids come over for one of Sarah’s epic meals and the rustic brushed top means you don’t need to wipe it after every meal – a trait I look for in every table I buy.

And did you notice how the dining chairs coordinate with the island stools? LOVE IT! Personal high-five. Those are the Roudebush white spindle back chairs from Wayfair (and they come in other colours too!)

And seriously, look at those friggin captain’s chairs from Pier 1 – I covet them. One day they will be mine, oh yes, they will be mine.

So, there you have it! And I have a WHOLE lot more to show you, but that will have to wait for another day!

Need help with your own home?

Check out my E-design Colour Consulting packages! 

Chat soon,

RELATED POSTS

How to Choose the Best White for Your Kitchen Cabinets

Chef’s Dream – White Kitchen

Marble – Get ‘the Look’ Without the High Price!

Our Kitchen Makeover – Maple No More!

5 Ideas to Update Oak Cabinets Without a Drop of Paint

The post A Brand New White Kitchen with SW Pure White and Cyberspace appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Picking a Paint Colour that Matches Your Backsplash & Countertop

When it comes to updating a kitchen, painting the cabinets is one of the BEST bang-for-buck ideas out there. But, unless you have pro-skills and the patience of a saint, it ain’t for the faint of heart.

So, I’m going to share some tips and tricks for getting it right the first time, as not only have I consulted on HUNDREDS of cabinet projects via my E-Design, I’ve also painted DOZENS of pieces myself (because I am a glutton for punishment). And keep in mind, that there are SO many exceptions and other considerations (ie: flooring/exposure/style/etc…) and I can only hit SO many things on my weee lil’ blog. What I’ve tried to cover are the BASICS and some tips to get you on the right path. And if you need advice from there, I have a FAB E-design service and would be more than happy to help!

And I know this is going to hurt, but guess what?

It’s not about what you want – it’s about what your kitchen needs

Now, if you and your kitchen want the SAME thing, then hells bells, we’re on a roll! However, on a weekly basis, I find myself talking clients off the ‘white cabinet cliff‘ and into colours that are more suited to their kitchen and it’s specific needs.

Your kitchen needs to be able to visually support the colour of the cabinets – and not every kitchen can support bright white, gray or whatever cabinet colour is on-trend. In fact, more often than not, I’ve discovered that kitchens prefer a soft white, off-white or even cream.  But, how do you figure out what the right colour is?

You keep on readin’.

Tip 1   Test your paint samples the RIGHT way

Did you know that the FINISH of your paint will affect the way it looks? That’s right. So, if you make a cabinet paint sample in an eggshell finish (typical wall finish) and love it, that doesn’t mean you’ll love it in a satin finish, which is a more common finish for cabinets. The higher the sheen, the more light it will reflect. This reflected light can make a paint colour look a bit lighter and brighter than you’d expect it to (compared to matte/eggshell finish). You might even find that the wee paint chip that SEEMED a wink too dark for your cabinets, actually looks PERFECT when you sample it in the right paint finish because it looks a bit lighter.

Sample your paint in the same finish/paint you’ll be using on the cabinets. This will cost you more in samples but will be worth it

• Sample on a whiteboard/canvas
• ALWAYS do 2 coats
• Leave a white perimeter around 2 sides of the board as this will help to show you the level of contrast there is
• Judge it ONLY by how it looks vertically, NOT horizontally. Light reflects differently off of a horizontal surface vs a vertical one (it always looks lighter horizontally). Sure, lay it down with your countertop to make sure it jibes, but choose it based on how it looks on the upright

You can also order paper paint samples (some stores have them in-stock) and these can work pretty well as they tend to have a slightly higher sheen. Just do what my client did (above) and tape them to something white so you can see the depth/contrast.

Tip 2     The colour family of your backsplash & countertop will guide your choices

You need to figure out whether your backsplash and countertops are in a warm family or a cool family (and they should be in the same family). And this applies to white backsplashes, multi-coloured ones and even metal ones!

If you have MOSTLY warm tones in your backsplash/countertop

• You’ll want to look at warm colours for your cabinets (including warm whites)
• Warm colours include: off-white, cream, white that leans yellow or orange, brown, beige and some greiges

See the before and after of these painted cabinets HERE

If you have MOSTLY cool tones in your backsplash

• You’ll want to look at cooler colours for your cabinets
• Cool colours include blue, green, purple and gray or white (with those undertones)
• Some warm grays and greiges can humour cooler colours
• It can also include a clean, crisp white

And yes, it was hard to get a photo of this bathroom without being in it! Not that I’ve ever been camera shy…

If you have SOME cool/warm mixed together

This CAN give you a bit of flexibility to venture into warm OR cool, however…

• When it comes to whites, you need to go with the MAJORITY colour (so if your backsplash/countertop are MOSTLY warm, you’ll want to go with that)
• This could be a good opportunity to do a something different on the lower cabinets or the island

And when it comes down to it – SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE until you hit the right spot (it’s my motto with wine and men as well – just joking on one of those Tim).

Tip 3     Look at your backsplash FIRST and countertop SECOND

Most people refer to their countertop when choosing a cabinet colour and sure, it’s VITALLY important, however, the backsplash is MORE important. Why? Well, the backsplash and cabinets are on the same vertical plane, which means they are initially more visually connected to each other and pass through your vision at the same time. Let’s hit that one…more…time.

The backsplash and cabinets are on the same vertical plane, which means that they are more visually connected to each other than the cabinets and countertops. 

This means that because your countertop is horizontal, it actually plays second fiddle to your backsplash when you’re choosing a cabinet colour. Now, if you don’t have a backsplash, that’s a whole different project and you can just move on to Tip 4, but for the rest of you, let’s take a closer look at things.

If you have a tile backsplash that is white or off-white

• If you are wanting white cabinets, your backsplash and your cabinets have to be the SAME WHITE.
• And yes, it can be a painful process trying to figure out which white is your white (I prefer Pinot Gris myself), but if you get it WRONG you’ll have a WAY bigger problem.
• If you’re wanting coloured or darker neutral cabinets, you need to coordinate colour families. If your backsplash is a crisp clean white, your cabinets will prefer a cooler colour/neutral. If your backsplash is slightly warm/cream, your cabinets will prefer warmer colours/neutrals.

Read more: The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colours

Read more: The 4 Best Sherwin Williams White Paint Colours

And what happens if you miss the colour boat? Well, for example, if your backsplash is a soft, slightly warm white and you choose a clean, crisp white for your cabinets, your backsplash could look yellowish in comparison. If your backsplash is pretty damn white and you choose a soft, warm white for the cabinets, your cabinets will look dingy and yellowed in comparison.

If you have a backsplash with mixed colours/shades

Of course there’s a WIDE range of cabinet colours out there, however, most of my clients are looking for some form of neutral. What you want to do is find the NEUTRAL that is in your backsplash and pick that up on the cabinets.

• If you are wanting white/light cabinets, you’ll want to find the LIGHTEST colour in your backsplash and match it (undertones and all)
• If you are wanting medium toned cabinets, you’ll want to MATCH one of the light-medium depth colours in your backsplash
• If your backsplash has multiple mixed shades but NO white – you probably can’t paint your cabinets white, there will be no visual connection

And keep in mind that there are ALWAYS EXCEPTIONS, it would be virtually impossible for me to cover EVERY scenario (I’m good, but not THAT good). What I try to do is hit the most common colour conundrums.

So, THAT covers the backsplash and its needs. Now we’ll look at your countertop for our next clues…

Tip 4     Look closely at your countertop

Once you’ve narrowed down the colour candidates based on the backsplash, you can look at your countertop to make sure everything still jibes. If your countertop and backsplash don’t look good TOGETHER, you MIGHT want to check out Tip #6.

On the other hand, if you don’t HAVE a backsplash, this would be the first place to start!

See the before and after HERE

If you want white or off-white cabinets

• You might think that having black or relatively solid coloured countertops guarantees you any white, and while they can make life a bit easier, you still need to consult with your flooring, backsplash and appliances (black / white). And sadly, I can’t cover all of these things in one blog post which is why I refer to as many links as I can to help you along
• When choosing a white or off-white paint colour, you’ll want to match a white or off-white that is in the countertop. If you have an off-white in your countertop and choose too BRIGHT of a white for the cabinets, they won’t connect well. You must choose the same type of white. If you don’t have a white or off-white in your countertops OR backsplash, we might then look at other products in your room such as the flooring for guidance using the same rules

See the before and after of these painted cabinets HERE

If you want cabinets with a bit of depth to them (non-white)

• Find that colour IN your countertop and/or backsplash. If that colour isn’t in your products, it will be hard to paint your cabinets that colour (the exception are black and white countertops which have more flexibility)

See the before and afters of these cabinets HERE

If you want to paint your cabinets a COLOUR (non-neutral)

• You’ll want this to be a colour that is in the countertop or that directly complements/accents it

If you want to paint your cabinets a COOL colour and you have WARM toned countertops/backsplash

• #dontdoit

If you want to paint your cabinets a WARM colour and you have COOL toned countertops/backsplash

• #stepbackfromtheledge

Tip #6     How to pick the best colour for an island or lower cabinets

Often, the countertop is actually the DIRECT inspiration for the secondary cabinet colour (ie: lower cabinets or island). This is where you’d find a light/medium/dark colour that is living in your countertop and apply it to the cabinets as a complement to the main cabinet colour (which is usually white or a soft neutral). In this case, the countertop plays a BIGGER part than the backsplash.

There are 2 ways to pick a secondary colour…

#1 – Match a colour in your countertop

You can match it PERFECTLY or do a lighter/darker version of it (same undertones, different depth)

#2 – Complement/contrast a colour in your countertop (and/or backsplash)

This is where you can get a bit more creative and dabble in teal, navy blue and the likes, just make sure that it actually complements the countertop and doesn’t fight with anything in your room

Read more: The 3 Best Gray and Greige Paint Colours for Cabinets and Vanities 

REMEMBER, there are ALWAYS exceptions, I’m just here to cover the most common queries.

Why do I keep saying that? Because I just KNOW that my comment section will get flooded with these exceptions/questions otherwise. And for MOST of these exceptions, I do need to refer to my E-design as photos will show me what’s going on in your room and the questionnaire will help me to figure out what you’re HOPING you can do!

Tip 6    What do I do if my backsplash and countertop DON’T look good together?

You’d be amazed at how often I come across this – a backsplash that has been poorly chosen/matched to a countertop. And it ALLLL comes down to Tip #2 and #3.  So, if your cabinets/countertop aren’t a hot combo, you will want to favour your backsplash because the backsplash/cabinets are in the SAME eyeball and it’s more important that THEY coordinate (that being said, if things are lookin’ real fugly, a backsplash is WAY cheaper to replace than a countertop – just sayin’).

The above photo was a tricky one, but a great example for you to check out. You can see how the white of the subway tile is TOO white/stark for the warmth of the granite. And while my client wanted white cabinets, I recommended that she actually went into warm gray cabinets, hitting up those flecks in the countertop as a way of creating a ‘happy medium’ between the warm and cool colours in her products. If she STILL wanted white cabinets after our little discussion, she would have to choose the best white for the BACKSPLASH, not the countertop (and those are WAAAY different looking whites…and it would’ve been terrible).

Tip 7     My 2 Fave Cabinet (and trim) Paints

In my world, there is one CLEAR fave for cabinet paint…

Benjamin Moore Advance in pearl finish. And no, I don’t get paid to say that, I pay myself in wine and personal high-fives – that’s it. Seriously though, this is a GLORIOUS paint and gives a close to factory finish look (not including your painting skills, which I can’t account for). I tried the semi-gloss one time, just to SEE what it was like and if you like surfaces that you can see your own reflection in, then you’re golden.

I also like Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane. And because it says ‘urethane’ a lot of people seem to think it’s an oil paint, but it’s water-based and anyways, NOBODY uses oil anymore – well, except 65-year-old painters, they love that stuff. I find the sheen of the Emerald Urethane to be JUST slightly lower than BM Advance, which is why I lean toward BM. I’ve heard of a few complaints re: SW All Surface Enamel being a bit gummy, so I’ve stayed away from that one.

And these paints aren’t CHEAP my friend, but if you’re looking to save money – you should look elsewhere as when it comes to cabinets, you need it done right the FIRST time. GOOD prep, GOOD primer and GOOD quality application products (oh, and good advice helps too – wink wink).

I know you probably have questions and while I try to cover as MUCH as I can with my blog posts if you need some one-on-one help…

Check out my E-design services where I can VIRTUALLY visit your home! 

Chat soon,

The post Painting Kitchen Cabinets: How to Pick the Best Paint Colour appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Before & After Oak Kitchen Makeover

While wood cabinets are definitely coming back in style, there is something classic and timeless about a white kitchen. AND if you’ve been drinkin’ my Koolaid for a while, you’re likely familiar with my fave saying. Repeat after me…

‘Just because it’s wood, doesn’t mean it’s good.’

If I could, I would tattoo this on my chest and would proudly show it to anyone who thought that their cabinets were better off ‘au naturel’ (particularly men, who think that any wood is good wood). But then I realized how awkward that would be, so I wrote it in jiffy marker and just showed Tim.

And I’m not saying ALL wood needs to be painted. I’ve done MANY E-design consultations where I’ve given my clients a hard no when they’ve asked if they should paint their cabinets – some wood cabinets are FRIGGIN’ gorgeous! Others? Not so much…

Now, these oak kitchen cabinets weren’t BAD by any stretch of the imagination and in fact, had a lot going for them:

• Dentil style crown molding (those little things that look like teeth all in a row) – super nice detail
• Small recessed valance, meaning they could have under cabinet lighting (oak cabinets rarely have this)
• NO exposed hinges – HALLELUJAH!
• They were in GREAT physical condition

So, why paint them, right? Well, it wasn’t the WOOD itself that was the problem, it was the COLOUR of it. And really, once the cabinets were painted they would still BE wood, they just wouldn’t be a fugly colour anymore. Sounds good to me!

Before, the room had a weighted, heavy look to it…

After – a fresh new face!

Before, notice the raised peninsula which really chopped-off the flow of the kitchen into the eating area.

After, SO MUCH BETTER!

Before, low lighting and heavy colours weren’t doing this kitchen ANY favours…

After, it’s like night and day!

Read more: How to Update Oak Cabinets WITHOUT Painting Them

Again, there was nothing wrong with the BONES of this kitchen, it was just looking dated (and the forest green countertops weren’t helping either…)

My client chose White Dove for the cabinets, which is one of the BEST white paint colours for cabinets. You can see here how it acts like white, without being too stark/icy looking. The paint colour on the walls is BM Pashmina, a GLORIOUS medium toned greige.

So there you have it, another painted kitchen makeover. Want to see more?

• Maple No More: Painted Kitchen Makeover
• E-Design: A Gorgeous Off-White Kitchen Makeover

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Check out my affordable and FUN E-design services!

Chat soon,

READ MORE:

How to Update Oak Cabinets WITHOUT Painting Them

4 Ideas: How  to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets

The post E-Design – An Oak Cabinet Makeover with White Dove appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When we bought our home two years ago, I knew the kitchen was not long for this world. Sure, other people thought it was just fine – I mean, the cabinets were solid wood; what can be bad about that, right?

Just because it’s wood, doesn’t mean it’s good    ~moi

Are they good because they’re solid wood? Sure, and they’ll still BE solid…under three coats of GLORIOUS WHITE PAINT!

LET THE PAINTING BEGIN!

This was our kitchen before – decent bones, just not our style. And although you can’t see it in the photos, the side gables were NOT solid wood and had faded to a soft pinkish colour, and the doors around the sink area needed some serious KLC…

Drum roll, please (or just tap your fingers lightly on your wine glass…)

Wanna know what we did? Oh, I say ‘we’ like Tim was involved – you know I make all the big decisions around here (wink wink).

OUR KITCHEN MAKEOVER – THE GUTS N’ THE GLORY

The previous island was 3×5, and while it worked, we had the floor space to extend it by an extra 18″. This meant that it would need some extra support (unlike my chest, which needs minimal, at best #TMI); here are the details…

• We extended the island by 18″ on the end to have three stools instead of two. I scooped up the stools secondhand – FIVE of them! This made the island space look MUCH larger and more proportional to the room, without remotely infringing on any pathways.
• I had my friend and craftsman Christian make up an island base/support for us out of reclaimed wood – MAD love.
• To save money, I chose a quartz counter for the island and an affordable laminate countertop for the rest of the space

Do you want to see what the island looked like before? Trust me, you don’t, but I’ll show you anyway…

YES, this is what happens when you don’t prep your cabinets properly by sanding and priming them. It’s like putting latex over oil-based paint – THE PAINT WON’T STICK and will peel off! I’ll also enforce the fact that it was not me, nor anyone I know, who did this…SACRILEGE!

With some prep work (clean, sand, wipe with a tack cloth, prime, paint, and let it cure) and the right type of paint, this is what the cabinets SHOULD have looked like…

Delea of Details Painting did the prep and painting and did an AMAZING job. I don’t mind a good DIY project and tackled the cabinets in our last home, but they were oak, and oak is much more (ahem) forgiving for less than epic painters. I also had a lot more time on my hands. And while I’m a pretty good painter, but I would NEVER tackle smooth maple cabinets on my own!

Delea took the drawers/doors away and sprayed them smooth as a baby’s bum! The pieces that couldn’t be removed were hand-painted and you can hardly tell the difference between her brush-work and the sprayed stuff  – friggin’ genius!

Now let’s take a closer look at those lover-ly legs…

Simple and solid was what I was going for.  I didn’t want too much decorative detail as the wood itself with a light gray wash would do the decorative work for me!

The Countertop and Cabinets

For the perimeter countertops, I chose Formica Soapstone Sequoia from the 180FX Collection (read a post I wrote about them here). I wanted to make a visual connection with the quartz that would complement – not compete. I wasn’t looking for ‘statement’, I was looking for ‘seamless’…

Read more:  The New Era of Laminate Countertops and Why They Rock

(BTW, there is nothing affiliate going on here – I was not paid to write about this stuff nor given anything for free – insert sad face here). However, you know you’d get my honest opinion anyway.)

Again, choosing a laminate countertop instead of quartz saved THOUSANDS of dollars on ye ole budget, which left me some room to do other fun things – like buy wine! This countertop mimics the look of soapstone and to be honest with you, the quartz island countertop is more high-maintenance than ME!  I see every speck on, even after it’s wiped. The formica/laminate? I can not wipe it for days (true story) and not see a thing. In fact, I didn’t notice some of the junk on the counter until I took photos and realized there were crumbs…oops.

I LOVE this backsplash.  It was installed by my fave local tile guy, Brett Edwards (BE Tile) – he did a great job. Because the cabinets weren’t entirely level, he had to hand-cut each and every perimeter tile – and he did it with a smile (and probably an inside voice that was full of 4 letter words).

The Open Layout

Our main floor is an open layout living room, dining room and kitchen, so one thing ALWAYS relates to another. This is another reason (other than my OCD) why our dining room AND living room both received makeovers in the last 6 months – knowing that the changes in the kitchen would be a HUGE shift for the entire space.

Before, our open layout area felt heavy and dark…

Now it feels like a breath of fresh air! And while our lighting situation is in a bit of transition (really, everything in our home is), there was nothing I could do about the pendants over the island.  The original builder only put 1 junction in, so while in the ideal world I would have 2 pendants hanging independently of each other WITHOUT a huge honkin’ track tying them together – it ain’t happenin’ this go round.

Read more: Our Painted Maple Cabinets – 2 Years Later…

Remember my blog post about ‘how to add light to a dark room?’ While this room is south facing and had tons of light, it had about as much energy as me at 7 am – nadda. Reflective surfaces move the light around a space, adding energy and life!

The only place I want to see a racing stripe is NASCAR – not on my backsplash…

This backsplash is not just trendy (you know how I feel about trends), it is also RIGHT up my alley as I find the hexagon to be one of the more timeless patterns.  Not too soft, not too edgy – juuuust right.

Now you might think that I drank myself a few bottles of wine, snapped my fingers and got all of this done.  Nope.  Like a lot of my clients, this kind of stuff takes some serious coin and I had to BUDGET!  We did the countertops about a year ago, the backsplash and appliances 6 months ago, and the painting and general furnishings 1 month ago.  I don’t mind taking my time if it means I’m making smart choices and the end product is going to SUPER fabulous AND affordable.

Read more: E-Design – Another Maple Kitchen Makeover: White Down

The Whole Kit n’ Caboodle

Here’s a series of photos to see how the kitchen and dining room relate to one another…

Read more:  Our Farmhouse Country Dining Room

Read more:  Our Living Room Makeover

Read more: Another – Maple Kitchen Makeover

So there it is – she’s done…well until next month anyway (wink wink).

UPDATE: Want to know how well they held up? 

Read this: Our Painted Maple Cabinets – 2 Years Later

Chat soon!

Need help with your own home?  Check out my affordable Online Consulting Services – I’d love to help!

The post Our Painted Kitchen Cabinet Update – No More Maple! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.