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Design Dilemma
tcmalm

What would you do?

tcmalm
7 years ago
We are in the early stages of planning a new kitchen. I love to really think things through and happily consider others suggestions. The room is a large open space area incorporating dining and living. I have a white leather modular couch and the pictured dining table. These are the only two pieces of furniture that will be staying. I would love to know what colour scheme you would have for the kitchen and flooring if this was your home. Thanks
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Anoushka Allum Design
    7 years ago

    Firstly your table is stunning, I can see why you're keeping this. Given this is quite a large feature in the room, why not tie the timber into the kitchen by using a great timber laminate or veneer for some of the cabinetry and contrast that with lighter white cabinetry and benchtops for the rest. Polytec Ravine range have a few nice laminate timber looks to choose from in the darker shades, and they are great quality. If you aren't feeling that brave then just make the dark timber a feature on the island:

    Comments (21)

    • tcmalm
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Ps I'm not afraid of being a bit adventurous
    • Luke Buckle
      7 years ago

      hey! Great question! Could you share a wider shot of the kitchen too?

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    • bigreader
      7 years ago

      Agree a few more photos would be great. I had a look at your ideabooks and you seem to like a bit of colour, and a mix of traditional elements with a few shots of modern industrial.

      The chair and table look lovely but a bit brown. A colourful rug underneath would lift the dining area.

    • tcmalm
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      As you walk into the room the kitchen is on the left, dining table in the middle and living room to the right
    • tcmalm
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Standing in the walk in pantry
    • User
      7 years ago

      Depends on your budget??

      The kitchen looks good except the splash back (it's clashing). The kitchen, floor and bench top all work together. I'd get rid of the aqua glass and it replace with an appropriately coloured tile (cream/beige).

      If I was going to spend some $$ here, I'd be investing in getting better light and more flow to the garden. Either bifolds or stacking glass doors- floor to ceiling across the entire back width of the house.

      If there is left over $$ I'd get rid of the pendants and get LED downlights.


    • tcmalm
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Smart space interiors - I do like the idea of dark cabinetry. Would it be too "woody" if we were to have wooden floors as well?
    • PRO
      Anoushka Allum Design
      7 years ago

      Great I'm glad you like the idea. If you introduced timber floors into the space then I would limit the timber in the kitchen, maybe just the island like this picture below.

    • LesleyH
      7 years ago
      It seems a a pity to get rid of the existing cabinets particularly as you already have a walk in pantry. Agree with losing the splashback. What if you kept the cabinets and invested in a solid suface benchtop?
    • KK1000
      7 years ago
      I also think that kitchen is in a good condition just replace splashback and if you need more storage add some wall cabinets to match existing or some stylish shelfs. You could use some funky tiles or try to match colour to your floor tiles . You could use glass again but you have to get a white glass so that you get a true colour of your choice, the existing glass is just a generic type with green edge that's why the colour is funny.
    • ladyrob1
      7 years ago

      Like the general layout of your kitchen,,,but I feel, as I do when anything resembling an island dominates a kitchen space, that the line of cupboards in your last photo with the wide island top, is intruding into the space and giving a feeling of cluttering...doesn't "flow", its like a baricade...and this feeling is repeated with your lovely modular lounge facing the TV. I feel I'd have the urge to throw myself over the back of the lounge so to sit and watch TV. I'm not really good at arranging already bought furniture in a new place so not the one to tell you what to do instead...but thought I'd give you my first impression on walking into your space. One thing I don't like for kitchens is islands of any kind. If I were confronted by that row of drawers and the solid looking island top...if it were mine...the first thing to be removed would be that...sorry I can't give detailed advise of what I'd have instead as that's a very useful work space, but it would be something more ..."open", maybe even something moveable that could be tucked away under a bench and pulled out when needed. I love your beautiful table and chairs...maybe move the table to that spce or maybe even have a second, lighter coloured, plainer, very stylish and unnusual but more casual table in that space...maybe even a substantial glass-topped table.? I'd have something that was both utilitarian, substantial and even ornamental.....for the feeling of 'lightness and non clutter"? Agree with bigreader......a rug under that lovely table would give it a lift.....maybe a dusty blue? If you like browns and nutty colours then dusty blues are a good "lift" colour. Also, think of blues for window dressings...whether curtains, blinds or even internal shutters. For curtains, See if you can find some of wide vertical striped fabric...preferably different pale blues....keep away from "greeny blues". Turquoise is a popular colour but I find that, for me, it drains the warmth out of a room no matter where it is used...and if you like browns and neutrals its not the shade of blue to put with them. See the blue you have on the side of your..."island"? Well, not as bright as that. Imagine it a couple of shades lighter and paler and dusty...like the blue of Wedgewood china...very sophisticated and is a good "all-rounder" - nothing much it does not complement...AND... Wedgewood is a "warm" blue. Many other shades of blue are naturally cool or cold and make one feel that way....good for beach houses though. In general I do not like blue, you won't find any in my house...(except where I thought it would appeal to buyers when I was going to sell up)... so this is a completely unbiased opinion piece.

      That's about the limit of my inspiration for your place tcmaim....Your table was my starting point. Not too many like the dark brown furniture...I LOVE it! Wedgewood blue and chocolate brown....YUM!

      For other colours I see off white or even a patterned creamy hue with dusty Wedgewood blues........and I'd have that colour on the kitchen floor too! Maybe unnusual and not very "en trend" but I think it would really work well in your kitchen.. maybe even as a splashback if you did the floor..and those little "In ceiling" lights would, in my view, look really nice and cosy up th whole area.

      The tall cupboard near the doorway.....for my liking it needs to be taken to ceiling height...as it is it gives the feeling of a flat pack piece that did not quite fill the gap.

      LR



    • suancol
      7 years ago

      i would start by painting or tiling over the splash back to create a focus in maybe red. Wander to the hardware store and experiment with paint colour swatches to find colour combinations you like. Get a colour wheel to see how colours combine for dramatic effect. Have fun, be confident. Obviously brown is an important colour to tie into with all the wood. Love the table and a table runner will bring a pop of colour which can change with the seasons.

    • Melbourne44 Melbourne44Musk
      7 years ago

      Turn the lounge suite so it goes around and under the window and put TV into a clever box( piece of furniture ( 0r something) and if necessary organise wiring to go under floor. This would open up the space!

      Then put light coloured cushions on dining room chairs, paint whole kitchen warm white with a new set of cupboards above the splash back which could be painted or replaced...all white.

      If the budget allows, investigate laminated wood pattern Vinyl planks for floor to include kitchen dining and lounge and then get a good size rug for lounge.

      This would create a brown and white space and colour could be added with bits and pieces. PS Rethink window dressing. Even temporary Ikea drop blinds would improve the space.

    • tcmalm
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Thank you everyone for your thoughts
    • PRO
      Total Integrated Security Pty Ltd
      7 years ago

      Have you thought of sanding the table and chairs and restaining? What's everyone's thoughts on this?

      I would definitely update the counter top, and maybe add cabinets to the back wall? I quite like the back splash but it would look better with a different countertop.

    • ladyrob1
      7 years ago

      Just a few more thoughts....About the table...sanding and restaining? Yes it could be made to look ' tops'. I envisioned it in a glass-like finish but thought that perhaps the style of the table would not lend itself to this treatme t as it would be more appropriate for a formal dining room...space...meaning not an enclosed room. Anyway, the table is not the problem. To melbourne 1944...lounges with their backs to windows don't really work unless there's a type of windoe dressing that enhances the glass...like a stick on transparen patterned film, allowing the light in and creating a feel of privacy.

      Vinyl planks in heavy dury walk areas tend to lose their very thin faux timber grain and begin to look worn.

    • LightCo Lighting Importer
      7 years ago

      I would stay light as the table is quite big and a dark colour, but if you want to stay in trends, it seems that grey/purple is the 2017 paint colour.

      Maybe a feature wall in the living area?


      Sophie

      LightCo

    • girlguides
      7 years ago
      White walls to offset dark of timber but like Aqua splash backs love that colour don't like benchtop tho Also like kitchen pics suggestions posted by smarts pave interiors
    • tcmalm
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      I had written a whole lot to each of you in my last post but it seems to have disappeared ☹

      The brief response is I'd forgotten about my table runners. I will have to find them again or perhaps just buy a new one in a bright colour. I have two young chn and so while I'd love a rug underneath it's just not practical at the moment.

      The table has been on the other side of the bench but we found it a bit cramped and it left a big empty space between the kitchen and the modular.

      We have had our brother in law draw up some new kitchen designs and will go with something like this, possibly removing the window altogether. Add a pendant over the dining table and definitely change window dressing (they were in the house when we bought it and I've just been waiting to redo the kitchen before changing them) Thoughts? Colour schemes for cupboards benches etc?
    • ladyrob1
      7 years ago

      LightCo...the grey/purple 'en trend' colour...its almost the shade of blue I have in my mind;s eye...just a tiny tinge less purple without going towards green.

      tcmalm...lucky you to have such a brother-in-law! If you like it then go for it!

      I think I'd like the windows lower and right across the back of the range...or set in a stainless steel splashback with this modern design. As I've always said...do not really settle into the idea of a sink in an island or even an island per se' I don't 'feel' that tables and islands are a good look in the same space unless there's plenty of space so that the table...and such a classic one as yours, has an area all of its own and does not seem to be part of the kitchen. Yes, with chrn a rug, as rugs go could be contraindicated but what the reason is could change that idea. If its because of food on the floor under the table..then maybe one of the new synthetic 'wipeable/mop-ables' would be nice, if you found the perfect one. otherwise a carpet one, I agree, is not a good idea. If tripping is the problem...there are those anti-slip attachments for rugs.

      Must be exciting for you this new kitchen reno. Wish you FUN!

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