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Inspired Question: What kind of inexpensive backsplash would look good in my kitchen?

Aug 05, 2010

Alisa wrote:

"I am stumped by my kitchen backsplash. We just put in new Venetian Gold granite counters and planned on doing a tile backsplash. We have honey oak cabinets. Lately I've been trying to find a less expensive option than tile. I have fallen in love with beadboard as a backsplash but can only find examples of white beadboard with white cabinets. What is your opinion? Do you have any examples of beadboard used with oak cabinets that you can share?

Thanks for your help!
Alisa

Here are some photos of Alisa's unfinished kitchen:

Hi, Alisa.

You're on the right track thinking that beadboard is a good, inexpensive backsplash if you want a traditional or cottagey look. And based on the design of your cabinets, I think it would work well. Here's a photo of white painted beadboard with cherry cabinets:

Keep in mind that even though it's most often seen in white, beadboard can be painted any color. And in your case, I think white would be the wrong choice. You have very warm tones in the oak and the granite counters: orangey reds, gold, brown, and warm grey. I would recommend hanging the beadboard backsplash and painting it a warm taupe like Sherwin-Williams Brainstorm Bronze (SW-7033). Then I'd coat the walls with a warm color, too. Try Bagel (SW-6114). It's a tan with gold and slightly reddish undertones. This color will tie together the reddish tones in the wood with the golds in the counters. The dark backsplash will give the space some substance and balance, because of your dark floors.

You might even consider putting beadboard on all the walls, right up to the ceiling. Kitchens like this with high ceilings but without the custom cabinets to reach them can look more deluxe and cozy with this technique. If you have an open plan, you can edge the beadboard with a piece of half-round moulding where you want it to stop.

Hope that helps you create a beautiful room that fits your style and budget! If you need any help integrating your new kitchen with the adjacent rooms, please check out my eDecor Plans. They're $50 off during August! Want to see some plans I've done for other clients? Download them here.

Diane

Do you have an Inspired Question? It's a dilemma that can be summed up in a few sentences and 2-3 photos. I'll answer your first question for free and share it here on the blog. Email me your question and photos. —Diane

TAGS: kitchen backsplash budget inexpensive painted beadboard cottage traditional oak cabinets sherwin williams brainstorm bronze bagel color scheme edecorating edecor e-decorating designer answers questions

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Inspired Question: How do I mix whites?

May 12, 2010

Kat recently sent this Inspired Question:

I am redesigning my vaulted family room with white, going for a bright, soft, airy look. I Because I have little kids, I am going to make the fresh white work with light and dark brown upholstered furniture. I have picked a white: West Highland White SW7566 by Sherwin Williams. My question is, how do I mix whites? I have heard that one should paint trim a different shade of white. The trim, two built-in bookcases flanking a brick fireplace, and an iron banister will all be white. Should I use one white or two shades (or more)? In the future I will be adding some white end tables and other pieces. How can you tell if whites "match"?
Thank you for your help,
Kat

How to Decorate with Multiple Shades of White

Hi, Kat.

Sounds like you've heard a few decorating "rules." Generally, rules can make the decorating process simpler, but the results may not be as personal and creative as they might have been without. It's a good idea to make choices that work for you and express your style, but if you don't have a natural eye for design, that can be tricky.

In your case, because you want to really make a statement with white and you'll be applying it to so many pieces and surfaces, I'd recommend a multi-layered approach using several shades of white. This will make the process easier for you because you won't have to find perfect matches, and it will result in a room that feels assembled rather than matched. It will have depth that you wouldn't see in a matched white space.

Start with the color you've already chosen for the walls, SW West Highland White. Determining whether it's a warm or a cool white will send you in the right direction for your other shades. This is a warm white with slightly yellowish undertones. For a balanced look you should avoid whites that have bluish undertones. Choose a warm white that's a bit lighter for the ceiling, and lighter yet for the trim. Use the same principle for furniture and accessories, choosing neutral or warm whites. And don't be afraid to mix in a little pale beige or taupe to create a "colro bridge" of sorts with your brown upholstery.

Texture and sheen variations are very important in monochromatic rooms. Introduce texture with wood, fabrics, rugs, accessories. Use a satin finish for the wall paint juxtaposed with a semi-gloss or gloss on the trim and built-ins. The brick will automatically give you texture. If you are painting it, use a gloss to bring out the textural variations.

Contrast in small doses can give the room interest and a focal point. The brown upholstery will really become a focal point when it's surrounded by white, so make sure you love it. Consider introducing another color in artwork.

So, the good news is, you don't have to worry about matching. If you need help choosing specific colors to fill out your palette, consider my eDecor Color Consultation. For the cost of a couple of gallons of paint, you know you'll get it right the first time!

Thanks for your question, Kat. —Diane

Here are a few inspirational photos of white rooms that use this multi-layered technique with white. And check out my Color Love blog post, The Return of White Walls, for more inspiration.

This gorgeous living room by designer Brooke Gianetti has plenty of texture: wood paneling, sheer drapes, a plastered finish covering a dated lava-rock hearth, crisp linen, and accessories with personality. Photo: Velvet & Linen.

This room has one shade of white on walls, ceiling, and trim, but variations show up in the furniture. Art creates contrast. Photo: decorpad.

I think I can count at least 6 different shades of white in this airy room. Pale accents like celadon and light grey stand out much more than they would with other "color competition." Photo: decorpad.

White can be interpreted loosely. Pale green-grey walls with bright white trim and toasty white ceilings are a harmonious combination in this modern living room. The natural seagrass rug, wood-plank table, and textural pillow fabric contrast with the ultra-smooth upholstery fabric. Photo: Natural Home Magazine.

Want a little design advice? If you have a single, succinct design question, send it to me with a photo. I'll answer it here on the blog! Your first question is free. Additional questions are $25 each. Just email me. —Diane

TAGS: how to decorate an all white room shades of white monochromatic decor living room sherwin williams sw west highland white 7566 color decorating advice consultation

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Inspired Question: How can I improve a wall cluttered with hardware?

Dec 18, 2009

Chris posted this design plea on the Inspired Room Design Facebook page:

What can I do with a main wall, in a busy location, that houses two intake vents, 2 outlets, 6 switches, a smoke alarm, and a thermostat?

Yep, good question. This is a tough one! Because all of that stuff is functional, you can't just cover it up. I have a few suggestions, and you can implement some or all of them for varying degrees of improvement.

Paint the hardware the same color as the wall. This works for everything except the thermostat. Prime smooth plastic or metal surfaces first, then just brush on the matching paint. That will go a long way toward making them less noticeable.
Place a long, narrow console table in front of the lower intake vent and outlets. Make sure there's still enough air circulating to the intake vent, or choose an open or skirted table. These are sometimes called sofa tables, and they are very narrow. A table with a curve would minimize the traffic flow interruption. Try this one, $200 from Overstock.

The upper intake vent seems to be the most problematic and awkward. The only way to cover it is to do it with something breathable. Here's a DIY suggestion that would be easy to make and still allow air to flow through.

Buy a canvas stretcher at an art supply store that's slightly larger than the vent. Better yet, buy an ugly canvas painting at a thrift store and remove the canvas!
Find an eye-catching, artful piece of fabric with a fairly loose weave and stretch it over the frame, stapling on the back.
Hang it over the vent. This will be an unusually high placement for art, so either go with a frame that's very oversized or hang other pieces around it to create a gallery effect. Fabric panels and fabrics with large-scaled bold prints like these from Ikea, are designed to be showcased in this way.
Keep in mind that the fabric will in essence act like a filter as air is drawn through, so you may have to vacuum it occasionally.

To fix it all in one fell swoop: Hang a drape from a rod mounted to the ceiling, a 2-3 inches away from the wall. The drape should be sheer or loosely woven and extend the full height and width of the wall. Switches are still accessible, air still flows, and your room now has a dramatic backdrop that adds color, texture, and style.

Have a small design dilemma? Make it an Inspired Question. The first one's free! Send your question about interior design, space planning, color choices, or budget decor solutions to me along with a photo, and I'll answer it here on Room for Inspiration. Email me!

TAGS: design dilemma edecorating e-decorating wall cluttered with hardware vents outlets thermostat disguising vents

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Inspired Question: How can I change my kitchen backsplash inexpensively?

Dec 15, 2009

Here's an Inspired Question from Billie in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She wants help changing her backsplash without ruining the original tile and for a low price. I give her some ideas but also suggest that maybe the tile really isn't the problem. Read on …

Hi! I love your website! I have a question for you regarding my kitchen backsplash.

The cabinets are shaker-style hazelnut. The granite is black, with some subtle grays, blues, and taupes. The current backsplash is ugly nude travertine, with just a hint of brown here and there. It's so boring! I want to change it to something affordable. I have a few ideas …

I could use ceiling tins. The options are to use adhesive or double-sided tape. My husband does not want adhesive stuck to the existing tiles. Do you think that tape would hold it in place? And what color do you think I should use?

Alternatively, I have seen some great blogs about paintable beadboard wallpaper. If I use that, should I paint it white or off-white?

Or, the last choice is vinyl stick-ons to create some kind of pattern. I do know of a business that can design 4x4's for about 1.00. That's probably the cheapest choice. I'm not sure, though, if it would do much to get me past that ugly boring color.

Thanks so much for your help!
Billie

Hi, Billie. First let me address your current ideas.

Ceiling Tins

This is a popular low-budget backsplash solution right now. It gives a kitchen a bit of an "old-house" feeling, and it's easy and inexpensive to install. To do it right, it should be attached with an adhesive like Liquid Nails. This is probably going to ruin the travertine underneath, though. And since it sounds like resale may be a concern for you, I'd advise against ruining the travertine. It may not be your cup of tea, but it's a quality material in a neutral color that will have broad appeal to buyers when the time comes.

If you want to put up ceiling tiles, I'd recommend using 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. I use them for all kinds of things. They're great because they hold well and leave no trace when you remove them. Apply a strip to each corner of each tile and follow the package instructions. It's a bit like Velcro, but holds better.

With all the warm tones in your kitchen, I would go for a copper-colored tile. Here's a nice option.

Beadboard Wallpaper

You mention beadboard wallpaper, but I think you'd be better off using real beadboard. Wallpaper paste is notoriously stubborn, and removing it from a porous and irregular surface like travertine tile might be impossible. To use real beadboard, mount thin wood strips at the top and bottom of the backsplash area and glue or nail the beadboard to the strips. This would put a little space between the tile and the beadboard, leaving it untouched. The photo at left shows beadboard in a similar color scheme to your kitchen. Photo: Encore Construction

Vinyl Adhesive Decals

I would advise against this idea. I think that the decals will cheapen the look of the kitchen. And when you add up the cost, it's $9 a square foot. I think you'd be spending a lot on a design idea that could hurt your value down the road.

Let's take a look at some other ideas…

Fabric Behind Glass

This idea (as seen in an Ikea catalog, right) gives you endless design options. Choose a fabric in a solid color or pattern. Have fun with texture. Use a low-tack adhesive to attach it to the tiles while you hang the glass. Fold edges under for clean seams. You'll have to have tempered glass cut to size by a glazier, with cutouts for outlets. The glazier can sell you clips that will attach to the wall at the top of the glass, or they can install it for you. The bottom of the glass will rest on the counter. Having the glass custom-cut can be expensive, and I wouldn't recommend it as a budget solution except that you have so little area to cover. The advantage is that when it comes time to sell, or you change your mind about the color, it's easy to remove or swap in new fabric! Plus, it's simple to wipe clean.

Decorative Tiles or Trays

You won't completely cover the tile with this solution, but you'll be looking at a lot less of it. Using 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips (I swear, I'm not getting paid to endorse them!), hang large decorative tiles or lightweight trays against the backsplash. This will break up the sea of beige and create an interesting display in the kitchen. Photo: eHow

But maybe the problem isn't really the tile…

I think you might find the tile easier to live with if you paint your walls a different color. Right now, the walls and tile blend right into one another. Consider painting the walls a darker color that contrasts more with the tiles. A medium tone will bridge the gap between your very light tiles and very dark counters. Here are a few paints to consider:

Sherwin-Williams Poetry Plum (6019). See how a darker wall color makes the tiles look more like an accent? It brings out the texture of the travertine, and it's a yummy cross between plum and brown.

Here's a soft blue-grey with a hint of green. Don't use a color that's too saturated (too intense or clear). Go for a greyed-down color to avoid clashing with the strong color of the wood. Get the look with Sherwin-Williams Oyster Bay (6206).

This warm charcoal grey looks sophisticated and rich next to the honey colors in the wood and the soft tones of the tile. And it helps the black "make sense." Try Sherwin-Williams Griffin (7026).

Don't forget to send "after" pics, Billie!

TAGS: kitchen backsplash budget inexpensive ideas solutions decor design glass sheet backsplash ceiling tile temporarily covering tile

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Inspired Question: How should we lay out our kitchen?

Nov 25, 2009

Erik wrote with this dilemma:

My wife and I are building a home and have always wanted a great room open plan. What we have found is that our kitchen becomes a front and center focal point of the house, but with our plan, the space is somewhat limited in the kitchen. I was curious what ideas you might have for us for our kitchen. We have added another cabinet to the dishwasher side of the island to give us more workable counter space, and will be giving the island a 12" overhang around the back and on the side of the island closest to the hallway. Is there any other configuration that may make more sense given our floor plan and kitchen placement?

Here's the plan as it stands now:

Erik, I think that there are several ways to improve upon your kitchen layout. You easily have space for more counter area, more storage, and more of a focal presence for this space that is so prominent in your home. And now is the time to get it right! Don't skimp on something as important as your kitchen. It will cost you more to improve it later than it will to do it right the first time.

I have a few general observations about the current design.

There is a lot of wasted space on the living room and hall sides of the island. It's much more than needed for comfortable traffic flow.
The space between counters is a bit tight. You don't want your work triangle to be too distant, but a bit more space will make this kitchen more comfortable for two cooks, especially with the alignment of the stove and sink. Imagine a person working at each—not much room for movement.
Of course there's a lot to love about open kitchens, but a subtle separation makes the kitchen feel more contained and keeps visibility of messes to a minimum. It can also give more of a sense of transition from the foyer to the heart of the home.
You are right that this kitchen is a focal point for the whole space. Some additional attention to the island in particular can make it more of a design statement.

Here are three alternative layouts for you to consider.

Variation 1

Adds about 30% more counter space.
Doubles pantry storage. (Consider placing a window left of the stove instead of an overhead cabinet now that storage has been added elsewhere.)
Adds a seat at the island.

Variation 2

Almost doubles counter space.
Offsets stove and sink for more comfortable use by more than one cook.
Addition of corner walls subtly encloses the kitchen space without losing the open feel, gives the space more of a thoughtfully designed look.
One fewer seat at the island, but an overhang may be added on the dining room side if desired.

Variation 3

Adds about 30% more counter space.
Creates more comfortable space within kitchen by taking advantage of open space toward living room.
Addition of narrow walls subtly encloses the kitchen space without losing the open feel.
Adds a seat at the island.
Adds a very distinctive design element with the curved island. The curve creates more of a graceful traffic pattern and a connection with the living room.

Another variation flanks the island with round pillars (below), emphasizing the circular element in the design. This gives the island much more of an intentional presence and implies a separation without actually creating one. This effect can be further enhanced by dropping the kitchen ceiling slightly.

Thanks for your Inspired Question, Erik!

Do you have a dilemma in your home about layout, color, furniture, windows, curb appeal? Email me, include a photo or illustration, and I'll feature it on Room for Inspiration. —Diane

TAGS: kitchen layout design floorplans space planning new construction home design house plans

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