The beauty of multiple options
During re-designs, a client will sometimes want to keep an item of nostalgic value, such as a sofa inherited from a great-aunt, or a keepsake from decades ago. It’s a decorator’s challenge and job to find options that will help a beloved old item blend in with the new.
In my recent experience working on a color consultation, the old item in question was a bright red kitchen counter. The homeowner last painted the interior in 1994, with several different white-gray neutral wall colors and a bright yellow kitchen. She wanted a paint refresh, but also wanted to keep the red kitchen countertop installed by her now-deceased husband 30 years ago.
The first order of business was to select a neutral wall color to refresh and unify the dingy, disparate living room/adjacent dining area, and the yellow kitchen. Sherwin-Williams Paperwhite (SW 7105) proved the perfect choice, with its warm undertone and clean look.
But how to integrate the red (as in bright red like the Red Hots cinnamon candy) countertop with the new neutral for a cohesive color palette?
The answer lies in color options for the kitchen cabinets:
- Neutral. Stay with Paperwhite for continuity and harmony.
- A medium-dark blue would give the space a casual, polished look, cheerful and smart. Pro tip: cabinets should be darker than countertops unless they are neutral.
- The right smoky medium-dark green with gray undertones would bring a layer of sophistication, especially with the complementary red/green color scheme accented with silver accessories, and matte gray décor such as a kettle and tea towels.
Need help finding options to meld the old with the new? Ping me @info@lilacdustcolor.com. Chatting is free.
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