Try Googling this question, “white versus wood-tone cabinets”, grab a cup of coffee and hang on! The comments, the opinions and the photographs are un-ending. In prepping for this month’s article, I did some research. On a discussion board from 2008, one poster shared that white kitchens were “overdone” and “on their way out”. Well, that was 9 years ago and I can safely tell you that they are NOT on their way out and have never left. White kitchens are, and continue to be the most requested, most “pinned”, most favorited kitchen cabinet color. The number one kitchen on Houzz for several years is a lovely white kitchen with light counters and backsplash. Does this mean you can’t select a wood-tone? Absolutely not! The options in kitchen cabinetry are endless. The choice for cabinetry in your kitchen, and to a lesser degree in your bathroom, comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. The bigger factor, in this designer’s opinion, is less about the color and more about the cohesive package of your home.
And if you’re interested in the kitchen color from a resale perspective, I would suggest the color of kitchen cabinets play nicely with the rest of the home. Home buyers want a neutral, but well coordinated look. Keep the style and color of the cabinets as consistent as possible throughout the home and pay attention to the style. A highly contemporary kitchen in a strictly traditional home, will look out of place and out of character.
It’s easy to add color to the walls of a white kitchen as virtually shade works. The number one selection in kitchen appliances is stainless steel and white works well with stainless. White visually expands a space and gives a lighter, airier feel. If your tastes run to the traditional, you might prefer the timeless quality of white kitchen. That said, even if you love a sleek and modern kitchen, there is a white for you. And white need not be just white: you might consider creams or beiges or soft grey. An antiquing glaze over a creamy hue, adds and elegant or rustic flair AND covers hand prints.
On the other hand the wood-tone kitchen has so many options to choose from. From rich and warm espresso stains to contemporary dark to warm maple, wood cabinets are still a popular option. You can select a rich wood and bring in saturated hues on the walls or allow the wood to sing and go neutral on your walls. If you’ve opted to buck the trend in stainless appliances and want to go black, contemporary black cabinetry is great and modern option. For a softer compromise, a warm maple cabinet is beautiful and allows the natural wood to show without too much of that grainy look (remember orange-y oak?) that many don’t like. And one final side note for ladies to note? Most men preferred wood!
Ultimately? Your kitchen remodel will probably be the most expensive, but best remodeling investment you make on your home. Don’t fall victim to trends. Make your kitchen something you love and will love for a very long time. Decide if you are traditional, cottage country or contemporary and plan accordingly. Unless you’re doing a complete home remodel, your kitchen should fit the style and mood of your home. In the designer’s opinion, the most important is that you love your kitchen!
Want to view a few my favorites? Check out my Agoura Life page on my website: www.pamelasandalldesign.com/agoura.
Good luck!
And reposted from a previous blog are some gorgeous examples of each!
All images via
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Inserting a new color into your decorating project: 10 affordable fix ups
Interior designers, just like those in the fashion industry, eagerly watch to see what’s “in” for the coming year. Each winter the spring colors are released as well as the color of the year. For spring 2014, the color of the year is Radiant Orchid. It’s a beautiful color – not quite pink, not completely purple. Wearing this? Beautiful in silk or cashmere! But inserting it in your room? Well, maybe!
If you’ve got unlimited funds and want to re-decorate your room on a yearly basis, go for it. You can do anything if you throw enough money at it. But if a complete re-do isn’t a part of your 2014 budget, here are some fun and affordable ways to interject a little seasonal boost into your home.
First, in any decor project if you want to add a new color, it will look better, more purposeful and more pulled together if that color appears randomly around your room at least three times. So pick three (or five) items in your chosen pop of color, move those items around the room so they are balanced and give your room a quick refresh!
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It’s still cold out…a cozy throw gets you a lot of color for not a lot of money.
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Change your candles in your trend color.
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Fresh flowers are always appropriate.
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A scattering of pillows on your sofa – down filled, please! These need not be solid. The finished design will look better pulled together if you mix up the solids and the patterns.
{can you use ‘examples’ like this?}
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Use a quart of paint in your trendy color. You can: Paint an accent wall. Paint the back of a bookshelf. Paint the ceiling. Painting requires a little more commitment but it’s still affordable and fun.
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Update your lamp shade(s). Add a band of ribbon around the bottom of your current white, cream or black lampshades.
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Update your seat covers. Recovering your dining room chairs is an easy diy project. Pick up about 1/2 yard of a great fabric per chair and plan on just about 2 hours for the project. Easy and affordable!
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Create art! Use your new accent color to create your own art pieces on canvas. Paint on or create a trio of custom art.
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Add your colors complement color to make it really sing! Playing with this springs color, Radiant Orchid? Teal looks gorgeous with it.
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Add color to your bedroom or bathroom! Invest in some super high quality cotton sheets to your bed. Radiant Orchid sheets? How romantic! Pretty hand and bath towels? Easy update.
