Colour white indecisions!

6 years ago

I have finally decided that my coastal kitchen will have Devonshire Sky gloss subway tiles and Quantum Quartz Venatino Statuario Quartz benchtops. The difficulty for me is the shade of white in the cupboards. I am thinking of Lexicon but would like any advice on any of these choices. If someone has used these tiles with another benchtop or cupboard colour I would welcome your input. Many thanks in advance!

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PRO

Paul Di Stefano Design

6 years ago

Concur that you need to balance the selection so you're not too "multi-featured" - elements should not have to fight for attention and more often than not pulling back on one aspect will bring the other out better.........scaling/sizing/ proportion of the various elements as well as lighting conditions will impact decisions (on colour/shade etc) one way or another in this regard too......I regular address the issue of clients becoming stuck in similar decision making processes....my advice is to clarify and establish the priority of the elements and what is more important, and this can be very personal....it's important to remember just because it works in a particular photo or another house doesn't mean it will necessarily translate as successfully the same into a different (but similar) context, whether that be a particular colour or finish.........if for you personally the blue tile is what you like above and beyond the other elements then work with it (you can make anything work!) but the trick will be to then balance it appropriately and be flexible with the other peripheral choices....if you're drawn to the sophisticated aesthetic of the veined quartz it may be arguably better to let it breathe, and balance it with either complimentary neutrals (those grey Tiles of Ezra are super classy) or deliberately contrasting/possibly darker supporting elements........Ann has some great advice and tip for looking at Resene colours - it smokes most other paints IMO and the only brand I ever spec........perhaps some more info on the actual kitchen set-up detail and spatial context would help us understand your decision (dilemma) in context better :) PD

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Comments (33)

PRO
Tiles of Ezra
6 years ago
HI There! We actually would love to recommend our Fl006 Igloo bejmat. Its 100% handmade from Morocco, and think it would look so stunning with the other finishes you have described! Let us know if you want more info!
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annb1997
6 years ago
Hi Cath. Here is a shot of your benchtop, and a shot of Dulux Lexicon, then another of benchtop and Whisper White, just for comparison.

Lastly is a section of a Houzz story about choosing the right white. The section I've screenshot gives a couple of tips re selection of Dulux colour or Resene colour. I hope it helps. BTW! Absolutely gorgeous quartz you have selected! WOW!
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annb1997
6 years ago
Some inspiration pics. One is Lexicon Half. For others, to find out which white/colour was used, you could ring Quantum (some are from their website) to enquire. Have you considered using some dark colour for any cabinets (ie island) as well as white, or do you want to use only white?
annb1997
6 years ago
Resene has some beautiful whites.

http://www.resene.com.au/pdf/charts/Whites-&-Neutrals.pdf
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for these images. I would like to use Devonshire Sky gloss tiles from Beaumonts as the splashback. This is a picture I found on the web. Just wonder if it will all go together well.
annb1997
6 years ago
Hi Cath. While I think those blue tiles are beautiful in their own right, I think they are not the most complimentary to your stunning veined quartz benchtop. I feel the benchtop is the main attraction and the backsplash tiles need to compliment it, not compete with it. What do you think?
annb1997
6 years ago
Cath, I wonder how that tile would look in stacked pattern rather than the brick one as shown in the pic. It seems the brick pattern makes it look too busy, esp if used in conjunction with the veined benchtop.
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Ann, that's my dilemma at the moment! Even if I change the tiles to white or even the same as the bench top, I still can't find a white colour for the cabinetry to match. I have heard people say that certain whites will throw a blue light. I would like to see if someone has actually used this stone and what colour white they chose.
annb1997
6 years ago
Cath, would you be able to post a sketch or drawing of your proposed kitchen? That would help, esp in light of Paul's advice. I have often seen stunning veined stone used solely for an island bench, then beautiful tiles such as the blue ones you are proposing to use, as the splashback for a solid colour stone benchtop all in the same kitchen.
annb1997
6 years ago
Cath, I came across this gorgeous kitchen in Houzz pics. It was designed by Rachel Oliver Designs, LLC, and she used MSI - calacatta laza for benchtop and blue glass 3x6 tiles for splashback. I am sorry I was unable to visualise it before. I stand corrected, it works beautifully!

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Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
I have attached a layout plan and my sketch of the kitchen along the wall. Many thanks Ann and Paul
annb1997
6 years ago
May I suggest the two smaller cabinets over fridge be changed to one full width (same as fridge) hinged so it opens upwards? Also, are the small upper cabinets on either side of integrated range hood purposely designed to open towards the rangehood? It seems awkward to me.
siriuskey
6 years ago
For the two small cupboards either side to the range would look better the same height as the other cupboards or just make it all open shelves.

Why don't the upper and lower end cabinets line up depth wise, it's also out of balance? The kitchen would look better it the LH side of the cooker & range hood was balanced with the RH, which would then give better balance to the end cabinets cheers
annb1997
6 years ago
Thinking more about the new design, are the open shelf units set back from edge of counter, as I'm wondering where you can place implements whilst you are using the cooktop and/or oven. Maybe this has been already planned for?
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
Actually it's not that great an image! But they are windows each side of the oven. But I agree the cupboards would be better off with the hinges reversed. And above the fridge as you suggested Ann.
annb1997
6 years ago
Ooohhh, that makes more sense! Haha thanks for that. They are louvered windows - how great! Hope you have a lovely view! Perhaps the designer was looking for the knobs for the RH cupboards to line up next to each other and then did a mirror image for LH small cabinet.
siriuskey
6 years ago
Love the windows Cath, are they new. What I was trying to explain was the difference between the LH & RH and why. cheers
Cath Lindemann thanked siriuskey
annb1997
6 years ago
You have a sharp eye, siriuskey! I tried but didn't notice that size difference until now. : )
annb1997
6 years ago
The two longer LH cupboards could be wider and the end piece made narrower.
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
That will all be corrected! Thanks for your input. Really appreciate the feedback.
siriuskey
6 years ago
Glad we could help with your beautiful kitchen, can I ask why you wouldn't use the bench top material for the splash back, it looks amazing and no grout lines to clean cheers.
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
Am considering that too, siriuskey but fell in love with those tiles first and am now trying to match everything to them!
PRO
Paul Di Stefano Design
6 years ago
There are never right and wrong answers to this Cath....it can also become actually more confusing when you're not 100% and you get various/conflicting additional advice/opinions and then have to filter/distill the choices/options/opinions down to a final decision........when all else fails, trust your instinct/heart...you should "know" when it feels right....people sometimes ask why/how have I made a particular decision or move one way or the other, and sometimes my answer is simply "because it feels better that way than the other" - when it comes to design sometimes your "technical head" is your enemy ;)....sure the bench top material could look awesome as a splashback, but for you specifically the blue tile may be the better option, where it started and what you are drawn to......have you considered options such as a grey/earthy bench top? I've seen that done recently on a job (not mine btw) that combined with blue splashback tiles that you wouldn't expect to work on their own, but for what they were going for it was a perfect complimentary match.......when you get stuck with the decisions/palette resolution, sometimes freeing up and considering a lateral option is the answer to moving forward getting the balance and breathing space required
Cath Lindemann thanked Paul Di Stefano Design
siriuskey
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hi Cath, I thought of you when I saw this Architect designed bathroom, the tiles are blue Terrazzo. It's very modern unlike your Hamptons style but it is a striking colour. cheers
siriuskey
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Cath not wanting to confuse you but I think this is it, your blue tiles, bench top and cabinets, even though the cabinets could look a little grey the correct white paint will blend everything together, even if it reflects grey it will be a good choice. The white we have chosen over the years is a cool white on the green side. cheers
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes that's it. I think the marble look works well really. I just don't know what colour paint goes with the stone I like.
siriuskey
6 years ago
It works really well, if you can get a sample of the bench top and a tile visit a good paint shop and pick a couple of sample pots to try at home to look at different times of day
siriuskey
6 years ago
Inspirations Paint shops have all the paint charts.
Cath Lindemann thanked siriuskey
PRO
Paul Di Stefano Design
6 years ago
Maybe focus on the slightly darker/grey whites that will enable to stone to float over the cabinetry/appear brighter - if you match too closely/exactly to the white within the stone material, everything will blend into a block of white and arguably the stone you've invested in won't have as much impact or sophistication as it could - it will also depend upon the detailing/proportion of the stone bench edge...but I think generally something along the lines of the picture siriuskey posted works nicely :)
Cath Lindemann thanked Paul Di Stefano Design
annb1997
6 years ago
Cath, here are some pics of benchtop v similar to yours with cabinets Polytec Porcelain, showing some contrast between the two. Wall colour, although not shown, is Resene Triple Rice Cake. Taken in natural morning light. What colour are walls in your kitchen, or walls just beyond, painted, and is that a consideration in your cabinet colour choice?
Cath Lindemann thanked annb1997
ctathome
6 years ago
Cath, what decision did you make about your splash back? I am using the sky gloss tiles but have to decide on a grout colour, misty grey or Magellan grey. Would love to know what you chose?
Cath Lindemann
Original Author
6 years ago
My kitchen has been put back till August :( Anyway it gives me more time to consider. When your sky tiles are done, can you send a picture of your tiles with the bench top you chose? Cath