Kitchen Color

If you have visited my cooking blog season | cook,  you know I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  But recently, I've spent many hours in my kitchen not just cooking and/or baking... but rather painting.  After recently getting married and moving in with my husband, it was officially time for the jarring yellow walls to go. 

NOTE:  This post is about updating a space simply with color.  This is not a major kitchen renovation.  In fact, this project cost less than $40 (and a little DIY patience).  Still interested? Keep reading!

I wanted a much more neutral palette... something that would blend with the grey counter tops and black appliances, both of which I would love to replace, but will have to settle with for the time being.

Fortunately, we had already replaced the linoleum flooring (which was also a yellowish shade but totally clashed with the yellow walls).  We put in tile, and I was very happy with it.  We chose an overall light beige tile with very subtle tones of grey to blend with the counters as well as lighter, creamy hues to coordinate with the white cabinetry and trim.  The new flooring really anchored the room and lended to the very neutral palette I was going...  Here's the palette of colors already in the kitchen prior to making a paint choice...

Now for the wall color... I wanted a hue from the beige family, but it had to have grey undertones to work with the black and grey already in the room.  I ended up going with Bleeker Beige HC-80 from Benjamin Moore...

.... which gave me this palette... nice and neutral but in need a little punch.

Simple solution: bring in an accent color.  I decided to incorporate the color of my every day china into the mix of kitchen decor so when the table is set, everything coordinates.

So here is the final color scheme...

And here is how it looks in my kitchen...

I love how soft the Bleeker Beige turned out, but it still provides a nice contrast with the white trim.

NOTE:  Test a section of your wall BEFORE painting the whole room.  Wait a day (or two) and view the painted section in all lighting throughout the day.  Depending on the lighting in the room, the paint may take on a different hue than expected.  Beiges especially have a tendency to appear pink or yellow in certain lighting conditions.  Test first to find the beige that works in your space.

Accessorizing with an accent color really finishes the space (plus, it's the fun part)...
1. Keep a fruit bowl on the counter or table that complements your color scheme.
2. A pitcher or other accent piece on a nearby shelf provides another subtle suggestion of the accent color.
3. I think every kitchen needs at least one piece of artwork.  This pair of paintingss blends perfectly with my palette.

4. Fill an oil dispenser with pretty colored detergents to blend with your color scheme.
5. Use a coordinating pitcher to hold utensils.
6. Dish towels are an easy way to accessorize in a kitchen.  Keep a pretty coordinating one in view.  Store other non-matching towels underneath the counter.

Choosing colors for your home is a very personal, yet important, decision... especially in your kitchen.  It is important to pick a palette that energizes you each morning and comforts you when you come home in the evenings.  Next time, I'll share some ideas for choosing colors that work for you!