Sorry about the previous post with no images...screwy server stuff. Here's the 2nd attempt! Please let me know if you can see the images this time.
I'd appreciate advice from Red, or anyone else on H&H!!
Our kitchen has a lot of windows which is great. We have three window areas in total - small (35x35.5) over kitchen sink, one sliding door to backyard, a large window with two smaller windows below it. The previous homeowners left us their vertical blinds for the larger window areas. They are a dark rose colour which I detest.
Sliding door and 3-window group with a great view of our backyard:
[IMG]http://tinyurl.com/aw59p[/IMG]
Window over kitchen sink:
[IMG]http://tinyurl.com/ay57q[/IMG]
Our kitchen work area has dark grey cabinetry, black faux slate countertops, white or off-white appliances (we'll eventually replace with stainless steel). The kitchen table is dark wood with dark chairs and cream leather seats (which we'll re-upholster with a lighter off-white fabric). We have a oil-rubbed bronze chandelier over the kitchen table (excuse the ugly cream circle where the old fixture used to be, we'll paint over it) and a matching semi-flush mount over the kitchen work area (not yet hung).
[IMG]http://tinyurl.com/8wypf[/IMG]
[IMG]http://tinyurl.com/bxwfn[/IMG]
We were thinking of putting a bamboo roman shade on the window above the kitchen sink, in the same green colour as this bamboo holder that will sit on our countertop.
[IMG]http://tinyurl.com/86w9q[/IMG]
I have no idea what to do with the rest of the windows that will compliment the bamboo shade. Should we go with colours to spice up the room a bit? Or neutrals? Any opinions on paint?
Thank you!!
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many dishwashers come with reversible front panels (white or black, or white and some derivative of almond/off-white) - don't know if yours has that feature...(trim piece comes off the edges of the door and bottom panel with a few screws, then the flat panel can come off) - if you're going to replace anywyay, maybe a very meticulous use of painters tape would do the trick if the panel doesn't come off... if the panel comes off, you may also consider getting a matching piece of actual stainless cut at a metal shop to get that look immediately even though the dishwasher may need replacing for other reasons in the future
paint using either very light multiple applications of spray paint (thick coats will drip, not a pretty sight) - best done outside of course ;)
with all this talk about adding colour in the room, I'm thinking that small wall at the end of the counter would be a good place to try something different, cause it's not going to disappear even if you paint same colour as other walls, might as well make it look like a feature ;) plus if you don't like the colour, it's a small area to repaint
I really like the changes you have made in your kitchen. I agree about the small railing and wondered if painting it black in the meantime would help it blend in more.
And yes, I'm with everyone else - lose the handrail.
Have you considered a different light in your kitchen area? Your light fixture in your eating area doesn't seem to fit in with the other aspects of the kitchen. How about a large drumshade perhaps in a patterned fabric?
I believe I did see that show Red, and as gorgeous as it was, orangey red is just not us. I'd say coffees, rich browns, charcoals and some greens would be HEAVEN.
I agree that the drum shade would work really well, but somehow it looks better in person. Our problem right now is that our kitchen eating area is where we want our kitchen style to be, while the grey cabinetry is just a temporary thing. When we save up enough, we will get maple mocha-stained cabinetry and a cream countertop. That's more of our style than the sleek grey, it's just that the gray paint masked the ugly laminate.
That handrail bothers me.
Seems in that area, if you want/need a divider, you could do a half wall.
Could even be a sleek build with cubbies..??
Also, have you though of covering your dishwasher front with black?
Agree with the eventual half wall. If all goes well, I was thinking of getting a custom-made wall unit that houses an aquarium. Maybe in 5 years when we save $2000 for a custom aquarium. That would be fab!!
We'll eventually replace our oven hood, dishwasher and fridge with stainless steel. How would we cover the dishwasher with black?
Must run - but let's think of a coffee colour for your walls, other shades of cream for something, maybe an acid green to finish it off with accessories and such?
Will ponder - but those chairs I posted (which by the way - the fabric would look great it your kitchen) need to be delivered!
Haha...I had a feeling you would suggest colour. I agree heartily. I think we'll use green accents because as much as I love red, it's just too girly of a colour and I'd rather use it in our future living room. Sage green is something that will make it less girly.
We won't overdo it on the bamboo we promise! Just the bamboo holder, the bamboo shades (for the small window above the sink only), and er...did I mention we had dark wood bamboo placements on the table. But you can barely see them because they are the same colour as the table. We're only using them because our table is pine, and we heard pine is not good when it's wet. I'm committing a home decor crime I'm sure...but I know it works and it's not overkill!! And we are definitely not going with bamboo shades for the large windows!!
I'm intrigued by this Ikea window treatment that you suggest. Can you send me a link to something like it because I don't see it on the Ikea website.
Keep going...looks like you have a great start.
Thanks Angel! We're going with the dark wood bamboo for sure, we loved the sample of it.
As for the handrail, hubby agrees profusely. It's the first thing he wanted out. Only problem is that it is screwed into holes in the hardwood so we would have to put something over it. It's not a priority for us right now.
Did I mention that we're newlyweds in our late 20s and this is our first home? So our renos aren't quite as beautiful as everyone else's since we don't have the cashola!!
I cannot suggest as I do not know what else is going on there and what you like. I am sure others will need some more info as well. :)
We will paint the kitchen. I agree that it should be a warm colour, maybe a cafe au lait colour.
We definitely need privacy for the windows 'cuz I'm a scaredy cat. We were originally going to purchase the thick panel treatments from Sears (not vertical blinds, they are much thicker) but the only styles that we liked were the sheers. So we scratched that idea.
You think the light fixture is too high? Interesting. It seems about right in person. I must say, the pics are awful - the kitchen looks much better in person. My husband is mad because I posted them. He insists that I retake them so you all get a truer sense of what it looks like. They started out as dark photos that I lightened, so everything looks more bland and muted than it does in person. The countertops for example are much darker in person.
to see a Restaurant Makeover I did (now showing on HGTV) called Full Circle - I used warm coffees, rich dark brown woods, charcoal and orangey red throughout the space which would work beautifully in your space.
And yes, I'm with everyone else - lose the handrail.
Have you considered a different light in your kitchen area? Your light fixture in your eating area doesn't seem to fit in with the other aspects of the kitchen. How about a large drumshade perhaps in a patterned fabric?
I'm with Mel.
That handrail bothers me.
Seems in that area, if you want/need a divider, you could do a half wall.
Could even be a sleek build with cubbies..??
Also, have you though of covering your dishwasher front with black?
we need a livelier colour scheme in this room! The bamboo is a good starting point - though I'm concerned that it could quickly become tiki hut prison if we overdo it on the bamboo. That's a lot of windows. I like the idea of using one of those Ikea three panel track systems on the doors - layering three different fabrics - say a variety of sheers - multiple colours and textures. Still neutral tones mind you for those.
Must run - but let's think of a coffee colour for your walls, other shades of cream for something, maybe an acid green to finish it off with accessories and such?
Will ponder - but those chairs I posted (which by the way - the fabric would look great it your kitchen) need to be delivered!
I like your idea of the dark wood bamboo on the small kitchen window. I would definately keep the window treatments neutral and add some pop with accessories. I find our tastes change fairly regularily and window treatments can cost a fair amount.
Keep going...looks like you have a great start.
I'm not really good at suggestions on window treatments and accessories...however I feel that the oak spindle handrail doesn't work at all with the direction your kitchen is taking. Its too country with the sleek look of your cabinets, countertops and soon-to-be stainless appliances. Sorry for the criticism..I feel bad saying anything negative. Everything else is looking good.
:) Mel
Hi: will the walls remain that colour ? It is hard to suggest without knowing . Also do you need privacy on those windows ? The kitchen certainly needs some colour for sure, The lamp over the table is a bit high also.
I cannot suggest as I do not know what else is going on there and what you like. I am sure others will need some more info as well. :)
I am almost afraid to say I can see them they are the same ones I saw at first so lets hope it works for you.
the pics are there, well at least i can see them....i will leave your questions to the experts....the kitchen is looking fantastic....excellent job
smiles
janetc
More pics, hope you can see them!
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow3.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow7.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow9.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow10.jpg[/IMG]
Please reply if you can see them or if I'm just doing all this in vain!!!
Window above sink:
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow2.jpg[/IMG]
Other sliding door in den which connects to kitchen:
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow5.jpg[/IMG]
Kitchen set and new chandelier with view of sliding door window and three-grouped windows:
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow6.jpg[/IMG]
Argh...frustrating. :hairpull: My husband rebooted his server.
To answer all your questions, at first I was using my husband's ftp server but that went down and he couldn't reboot it (it's located elsewhere). So I uploaded to a Rogers file server but realized they were in a private folder. So I made the folder private and still no luck.
But now his server his rebooted. So hence, my third attempt at photos:
Bamboo inbox. At first we wanted to put a bamboo Roman shade in this same green colour for the window above the sink. But after a Sears consultation we were thinking a bamboo Roman shade in a dark brown colour which matches our kitchen set. What do you think?
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/bambooinbox_1.jpg[/IMG]
Other view of kitchen:
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenclose1.jpg[/IMG]
Sliding door and three-group windows. What kind of window treatment (type, colour) do you think would work with these??
[IMG]http://www.myra.homeip.net/images/kitchenwindow1.jpg[/IMG]
I could see them when she first post them now they are gone.
Maybe just attach from your computer instead?
I can't open your links either. Do you have an album on the MSN site? Perhaps you could post the pictures there.
(on Rogers as well btw)
in Internet Explorer I get the "broken link" red X
in Netscape I get the text only
Rogers customer and I can't see them.
Redroze, are you posting files with .jpeg as the extension?
I think Jeep is with Shaw.
My husband says you have to be a Rogers customer in order to see it. Darn, sorry for wasting everyone's time.
Just a box with a red x.
This isi what I have with red x's where each photo should be. :(
Jeep - great!
Winewiththat - hmm...are you still unable to see the photos?
More photos with more context. The kitchen opens up to the den which has a sliding door as well. So we want to have the same window treatments on both sliding doors. In terms of future furniture for the den, we'll have a taupe sofa, dark brown wood side tables and tv stand, maybe some green accents. Ignore the out-of-place oven and chairs.
Another view of the kitchen windows:
View of the entire kitchen from the den:
That is SO weird and frustrating!! I can see them so why can't anyone else see them (besides Jeep)? Can you see them now Foxxy?