too dark house problem

2 years ago

We purchased a home last week. It is a Scholz designed home. Open concept. Lots of windows. However when the kitchen was updated I believe it wasn’t in keeping with the home. The original had fluorescent ceiling lights all over. Those we taken out and beams were added and then painted brown. Cherry cabinets and a red stone floor was installed. Without major expense what can i do. Paint ceiling white? Help. Pictures attached.

Featured Answer

tozmo1

2 years ago

As info, it may have gone unnoticed but the OP indicated this is a Schloz designed home. Yes, the kitchen was updated not in keeping with the classic Schloz design, but the floor is very much in keeping with the original style. More info on Schloz homes here https://www.ncmodernist.org/scholz.htm. Some have very similar flooring.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (20)

beesneeds
2 years ago
Get more lights, get bigger better lights. Like in that last photo there is one little can off to one side of the square. YOu can put in more cans or pull the can and put in a bigger bar or block sort of light. You can change out those pendants over the stove to something else too.
kandrewspa
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The cabinets are beautiful. The ceiling is OK. The floors are dreadful, although some people may like them. Get a couple of area rugs and/or runners to cover up as much of it as you can if you don't like them. More lighting is always a plus and you could paint the ceiling a lighter color, although you'll need to stay on the warm side of the spectrum.
Related Discussions
Does Cement Tile Stain?
Q
Comments (6)
Cement tile is very popular in my area now. My client is considering it for a bathroom. I am unlikely to recommend epoxy or any other coating. It would change the look and feel too much. I prefer to apply penetrant. I call it that, rather than "sealer," because it does not prevent leaks, or even absorption in porous tile, or grout. It protects calcium based cement and grout from reacting with acid, but it is not perfect and it needs to be reapplied periodically. Wine, salad dressing, lemon, and any tart food would react with cement I am hesitant to recommend cement tile for a bathroom. I am afraid of it as a kitchen floor. Sure it is a knock-out gorgeous material, but will caring for it make some clients wish they hadn't fallen in love? I would like to hear from home owners who have lived with it for a few years. Has anybody lived with it in another Morocco?
...See More
Where do you store knick-knacks?
Q
Comments (19)
Luke, please keep some if the empty film canisters, they hold $17 in $1 coins, and are handy in the car's ash tray. I don't have enough $2 coins to advise of their value. Look at the storage container of everything you through out and just like the lady above with the nappy containers, often things are grossly over packaged and can be re-purposed.
...See More
My first house! Need your insightful advice!
Q
Comments (19)
I very much agree with what Beverly said regarding adding shutters to your home. You don't have the space on either side of the windows to accommodate appropriately sized shutters. Awnings would definitely be an option. Since you're in the Caribbean, you can add color by using a brightly striped awning. One shutter option that you could consider would be a Bahama Shutter. Since they mount at the top of the windows, you wouldn't have any problem adding them if you like.
...See More
HOW TO CARE FOR AND MAINTAIN YOUR NATURAL STONE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS.
Q
Comments (0)
One of the biggest fears people may have about natural stone is the maintenance it requires. With many individuals increasingly turning to the use of natural materials in the home, granite has become the countertop of choice. Synthetic solid surface materials are no match for the richness, depth, and incredible performance of real granite. Unlike laminates and solid-surface materials, a hot pot or frying pan has no effect on granite’s mirror-like finish. Most importantly, by choosing a granite countertop you not only give your kitchen everlasting performance and beauty, but you also increase the value of your home. Granite is also a very hard mineral and is virtually impervious to abrasions, impact damage and heat. However, the material is prone to cracking due to mechanical stresses caused by repeated heating and cooling. While the seams in between slabs provide some leeway for this repeated expansion and contraction, it is best to keep granite away from sources of large heat fluctuations. You’ll find caring for your natural stone is easy. The best care you can give your natural stone is preventive care. By following a few suggestions, your countertops will last a lifetime while maintaining a brand-new appearance. BASIC CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 1. AVOID USING CLEANING PRODUCTS WITH ANY KIND OF ACID OR ABRASIVE. Avoid using harsh cleaning agents that contain strong acids/alkaline (e.g. bleach, glass cleaners, ammonia, degreasers) or abrasives (e.g. powdered ceramic/bathroom cleaners) as it can cause the sealant to discolour and scratch. Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid, and soft clean cloth are generally all that’s needed to maintain your granite countertop surface. 2. AVOID SUBJECTING YOUR GRANITE COUNTERTOP TO HEAVY WEIGHTS AND PRESSURE. While hard, granite surfaces are brittle and you should not stand, kneel on, sit or stack heavy objects onto your countertops as they could crack or break. This doesn’t mean that granite is fragile, however, and it’s perfectly capable of supporting microwaves, dish holders and other moderately heavy objects. 3. DO NOT PLACE HOT PANS OR OTHER OBJECTS DIRECTLY ON YOUR COUNTERTOPS. Again, hot objects can cause the sealant to discolour (mainly in dark granites) and/or cracking. Always use a protective barrier between any hot object and granite such as trivet or mat. Unsealed granite countertops do not have this problem, but are highly porous and come with other problems. 4. WIPE OFF SPILLS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. Sealed granite countertops are surprisingly resilient to stains from citric acid, coffee tea, alcohol, or wine. However, as a preventive measure, wipe up any spills on the countertops within a reasonable amount of time and do not let liquid sit on the countertop overnight. 5. Watch out for oil stains. Granite is most prone to staining by oil – be careful not to place any pots or frying pans with oil traces on the bottom on the countertop surface. Blot oil and acid spills as soon as they happen, and clean with mild soap and warm water to avoid any harm to your countertops. If the oil stains remain, there is a special cleaning procedure for the removal of deep-seated, time-set dirt and grime. A general poultice with baby or baking soda and water is the best remedy. First, moisten the surface of the granite with the same liquid that made the paste. Next, apply the poultice paste to the granite surface about half an inch thick. Tape plastic sheeting over the poultice area, and allow it to sit for 48 hours. Remove the poultice with a spatula, rinse the cleansed area with clean water, wipe off excess water, and allow the surface to dry. 6. RINSE SOAP AND WASHING DETERGENTS OFF TO PREVENT LIME BUILD UP. Rinse with hot clean water on a regular basis and use a paper towel to dry. Another way to remove lime build up , soap scum, stains or dried spills, is to use a straight razor blade in a gentle scraping motion. Do not use lime removal products or cleaning products that contain ammonia, as this will affect the seal on the stone. 7. AVOID HITTING THE SURFACE WITH HARD OBJECTS. Chips in granite are not a common occurrence. When they do happen, chips are most often caused by banging something into the edge of the countertop. Take care when you handle heavy pots and pans around your granite profiles as these are the most prone to cause chipping. If a chip does occur and you find the piece that chipped out, hold on to it. Most of the time it can be epoxied back into place. 8. APPLY SEALERS. The use of sealers is an excellent preventive measure and will encourage the preservation of your granite countertops. Some granite can be very porous. Sealers fill in natural pores and repel spills on the surface, radically reducing the rate of absorption. This gives you time to wipe spills away before they have a chance to penetrate your stone. After the installation process, the granite must be sealed. We recommend a re-application of this sealer annually, or more often for some light granites, to fully maintain the luminosity and avoid stains. Some dark-colored, dense granites (browns, blacks) do not require sealing. When the water or liquid spilled on your countertop fails to bead up when splashed, or you begin to notice a water darkening spot that dries out, this is an indication that your countertop needs to be re-sealed. 9. AVOID STORING CHEMICALS ON THE SURFACE. It’s risky to store chemicals on the surface of your granite countertop in case of spillage. This includes cooking oil, hair products, chemical cleaners and cosmetics.
...See More
tozmo1
2 years ago
Yikes! Dreadful is a strong statement. The floors are in great shape and are of a certain style but definitely not dreadful. More lighting is the key here. Invest in that. You may even want to have a lighting designer aid you so you can get the biggest bang for your buck. Hopefully all that wiring from the fluorescent lights is still in the ceiling someplace.
cawaps
2 years ago
Agree with beesneeds: More, better lighting. Painting the ceiling white would help marginally, but there needs to be light for the ceiling to reflect. You might be able to do something with uplighting on top of the shorter/lower cabs.

Removing the pot rack over the cooktop would open up opportunities for better lighting, and better light distribution, in that area.
User
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Are skylights or solatubes an option? Also, painting the ceiling and beams white will make a huge difference.

Install white countertops. They will bounce light up, especially the ones near windows (I did this in my dim office and it made a major difference). Lighten up the flooring as well.
bmorepanic
2 years ago
LVP. Simple, light in color. Just float it.

Maybe also something light greenish for the wall paint?
olychick
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Beautiful home! I would definitely paint the ceiling and beams a light color - not only will it brighten the space but make it look more cohesive - not too bright white, tho'. I would also remove the pot rack. Those dark hanging pots in your face don't help evoke light and bright. It looks like you have plenty of storage space to put them in a cabinet.

While the floors aren't what I'd choose today, they are original to the design and are actually quite wonderful. Cover with vinyl? Never! I think the counters work nicely with your cabinets and the floor - the problem really is the oppressive feeling from the ceiling and pot rack. You could also investigate removing the beams...that would raise the visual feel of space and light above you. Add more pot lights, as others have said. You might be able to find pendants that provide more light if they didn't have opaque shades, although I like the ones you have.

eta: We can't really see the island set up from another angle, but it looks like you have 3 pendant lights? Would it ruin the balance if you took out the middle one and added a pot light there (after the pot rack is gone)? It could provide way more light to a greater area than the pendant, but not sure if that leaves too much space between the 2 remaining pendants.
ShadyWillowFarm
2 years ago
The whole kitchen is overkill. So many different patterns going in so many different directions. Plus pots and pans hanging off the ceiling looking like instruments of torture. Floor is dreadful. Ceiling is not far behind. It’s like you went into a home improvement center and asked for a little of everything.
grapefruit1_ar
2 years ago
It looks like a wonderful kitchen hidden in there. Is the window trim red? The backsplash yellow? Painting the beams, replacing the floor, and eliminating the clutter will be a huge improvement.
olychick
2 years ago
Thank you, tozmo...the suggestions of vinyl floor replacements made me shudder.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Something like this would have been more appropriate for a Scholz Home.
arcy_gw
2 years ago
Beverly I am guessing they took the white out. White evokes a cool feel they craved warming up. Since the ceiling and beams were already painted it would be easy to give them all a white wash. That would brighten things up a ton. Rather wastes the expense of the beams but the POs did this with their brown paint so no loss. Your cabinetry is beautiful. I would celebrate it. I would agree you need to declutter the visual field, the random pots hanging on hooks needs to go.
Moore4
2 years ago
Why on earth would the white "farmhouse" kitchen be more appropriate than the cherry cabinets? Neither really fit the modernist style of a Scholz.
la_la Girl
2 years ago
I think decluttering, getting rid of hanging pans and all vast amounts of visual clutter would go a very long way - minimalism is a discipline and will let everything else shine. I agree with @arcy_gw on the ceiling
PRO
Debbi Washburn
2 years ago
I think you have a hidden gem.. I don't mind the floors, but I get it. I really think you need to start with a good declutter - as others have said. I would paint the ceiling an off white ( white can be a little harsh ) and even carry that onto the walls. Get rid of those recessed with the partial eyeball cover to them and replace with regular recessed and add a bunch more. The room is terribly under lit.

I love the beams dark and the cabinets are beautiful. Start slow - don't do it all at once. Paint is easy; decluttering - easy; lighting - a little more involved, but worth it. Then step back and have a look.

Good luck!!
beesneeds
2 years ago
Man, the more I look at those pics.... Did they just pull the old lights and stick cans in the holes where the electrical work was? The spacing on them is really making me feel off, like they just plugged holes with lights.
olychick
2 years ago
I don't think I'd be so anxious to paint the beams if they looked like natural wood, but in the pics they look like they are painted brown (at least on my monitor). Your cabinet wood is so beautiful, I just don't think that brown painted look of the beams adds anything good to your room.
jjam
2 years ago
You have a beautiful kitchen. Add more white. New countertops and blacksplash in a white/marble look will help considerably with brightening the space. Declutter, remove pot rack, paint the ceiling a warm white. I’d leave the beams alone for now.

You may fall in love with your ktchen with just those changes. I know I would!
PRO
Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
2 years ago
I suggest to remove the ceiling panels and paint a light color

too dark house problem

tozmo1

Comments (20)

beesneeds

kandrewspa

Related Discussions

tozmo1

cawaps

User

bmorepanic

olychick

ShadyWillowFarm

grapefruit1_ar

olychick

BeverlyFLADeziner

arcy_gw

Moore4

la_la Girl

Debbi Washburn

beesneeds

olychick

jjam

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US