The Kitchen Considered, Chapter 3: Going Grey

46 comments:

 The kitchen is moving right along...in fact it is finished!!!!
but I haven't had much time to share the details
so here we go:


Once the cabinets are installed, the majority of the
construction issues and design decisions
 have been worked out
 One of the hardest decisions I needed to make on this project is what color to paint the cabinets...do I stick with the tried and true white
or try something different?

after all it's only paint right?!

We mocked up about 6 different color ideas 
ranging from a dusty chalky white
to a really dark grey

I looked at colors from Benjamin Moore,
Restoration Hardware, Martha Stewart,
Dunn Edwards and Farrow and Ball... etc etc

who knew there are so many beautiful greys to choose from

It was interesting how the Restoration Hardware greys
almost looked purple
 next to some of the other paint companies we looked at
 In the end I chose this really nice true medium grey
 from Farrow and Ball
 called Lamp Room Grey

My 2nd choice was another Farrow and Ball color
Pavilion Grey

The walls will be painted Benjamin Moore
White Dove

There will be two types of stone used,
 Soapstone which is almost black once it's oiled 
and Carrera marble

The slabs of Carrera used for this project
are more grey, than white, which was what I was looking for

 I think the grey cabinets will be very interesting
 with the stone choices

The color on the right is Farrow and Ball
Cornforth White
which looks amazing with Carrera marble too

I will definitely use this color for another project

 Once the cabinets were installed,
 I realized that there was an opportunity to add another
large cabinet for additional pantry storage and cook books...

so we re-worked the large cabinet to the right
 I think sometimes people are hesitant to change things as the work progresses but in the end always insist on what you really want, even if it causes a delay,
because doing
 a kitchen is a huge important  project....
and you might really regret not having that little extra "thing"
you really wanted
in the end

We have really taken time with planning electrical options as well,
because I will have lamps on the floating shelves
and in the servers for ambient light....

can you guess which lamps?

 Soapstone is quarried at 3 centimeters
which is thicker than granite and marble but it is  very soft
 and can crack along the lighter grey variations in the slabs

 Often fabricators will add mesh or metal
to the back for more stability
Soapstone typically gets a simple eased edge
but can be fabricated with different ogee edges
if you like that look

 On the opposite end of the kitchen, where the table will be,
 I designed two servers and a storage bench,
which will have cushions and pillows
 The servers are topped with Carrera and have ample storage above and below for linens, party platters, candles and all of the other spill over items
that any kitchen usually has
The marble got a fancier edge detail too

I designed a center island on wheels
which will have a Carrera top as well

 Here we are with the stone installed
and the Lamproom grey color
going on the cabinets
 The big stainless farm sink is really great and
definitely
 a contemporary statement,
 but this is a modern country kitchen

I know what your thinking right now...

"why did she do stainless and not a big
Shaw's porcelain sink?"

Because it's been done over and over and over again!

I did price out doing the sink in soap stone
but there are always
 issues with drainage and leaking
 so I picked the stainless


And I love the idea of metal with this black stone
 There will be pendants above the sink
with the rest of the ceiling lighting being
semi flush with prismatic shades

a total of 11 fixtures

 A large slab of Carrera will go
behind the stove between the shelves
and the range hood is brushed stainless like the sink
When I took these photos we were on about week 5 or 6
and let me tell you
I have about had enough of microwaved casseroles for a life time...not to mention washing my dishes in the garage was starting to become sort of "normal",
how scary is that?



Hope you liked the tour!



I will share some more kitchen details on upcoming posts


happy remodeling

 kelley
46 comments:
  1. Looks fab. Great choice to go outside of the norm with paint choices.

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  2. I love everything you picked... Looks gorgeous!!!! Thanks for sharing... Can't wait to see more pics!

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  3. Good for you to do something different from the usual. I love everything you chose and can't wait to see the finished room. You have such an amazing talent!

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  4. I am really considering soap stone for my kitchen, too. I love the look of it! I'm interested to read how yours "works" after you live in your kitchen for a while. Beautiful!

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  5. OMG - beautiful color for those cabinets Kelley! I love the progression. I can't wait to see how it all turns out - I'm so glad I haven't done anything with my kitchen, because I'm getting A LOT of inspiration from you!
    xoxo,
    A

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  6. I love it Kelley! I really wish I had considered using grey cabinetry! I do love my white, but grey is so darned elegant! And I do love my big soapstone farmhouse sink, but that stainless one will make such a statement and give the whole room that cool contemporary feel you are famous for infusing!

    Kat

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  7. Hello,

    It's looks amazing.... Can't wait to see more! You are so talented and loved your other kitchen so much. Looking forward to more posts. The kitchen project was my favorite house project. It took two years to complete but well worth it.
    Take care, Claudia

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  8. Your cabinet colour is amazing and the Carrera marble looks absolutely perfect with it. Your kitchen is going to be gorgeous!

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  9. Like it??! LOVE iT!!

    LOVE soapstone...love the sink...love it all!

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  10. Kelley, Your kitchen will be fabulous! I love the gray cabinets and all your choices.
    Hugs, Sherry

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  11. Cannot wait to see the final reveal. Your kitchen looks like mine right now as we prepare to paint the cabinets. We decided not to go with white either. Green! I like your choice of grey. It will go nicely with the soapstone and that stainless steel sink, which I love! ~Delores

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  12. WOW!
    It is looking wonderful...
    LOVE your choice of paint. You can't go wrong with F&B!
    Have a great week ahead my lovely
    Look forward to seeing your completion and your wonderful finishing touches and styling to the room
    LOVE PEACE enJOY!
    Julie
    x

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  13. Oh...I know this kitchen is going to be gorgeous. Everything you do is fabulous. Can't wait to see the finished results.

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  14. It is looking great. I love the FB lamp Room Grey, the floating shelves and you counter choices. 5-6 weeks isn't bad. I am into week 12 with no end in sight. Cannot wait to see your finished kitch -- and mine.
    All the best...Victoria

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  15. Whoa.....this is gonna be good......

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  16. I love the stainless sink and the grey you chose. The servers and bench are a great touch..smart thinking.))

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  17. It is so great , but that is no surprise your next kitchen would be amazing. I too am going with grey, and I am loving it. I chose Bedford Gray by Martha Stewart. I love a white kitchen but want to do something a little different but still subtle.
    Can't wait to see your kitchen all done.

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  18. This is going to look simply STUNNING! LOVE your choice of colours (I'm a MAJOR fan of Farrow & Ball). Can't wait to see the finished result. beautiful blog - beautiful style. x

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  19. Oh It is going to be BEAUTIFUL!!! I can't wait to see it all done!!!

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  20. That is one heck of an update! Your kitchen is looking fabulous. I love all the well-thought out and intentional details. Can't wait to see more progress.

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  21. Loved the tour , and your choices sound beautiful - can not WAIT to see the finished product. Wonderful combinations of color and different natural stones......

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  22. Oh my, how I wish I would have had your input when I was remodeling my cottage kitchen. For the most part I love it but, there are some things I would have done differently. Mainly I would have overseen things more closely and not let my construction people do such a substandard job that I've had to go back and do lots of things over. It has caused much consternation. You're right - always insist on what you really want, even if it causes a delay,
    because doing
    a kitchen is a huge important project....
    and you might really regret not having that little extra "thing"
    you really wanted
    in the end! I agree 100%. Also, kudos for going with the stainless sink. I had always dreamed of the Shaw's and now find that it chips very easily and drainage is a problem, plus the company doesn't stand behind it. I love the idea of lamps and carefully planning your electrical. I let my electrician whom fancies himself a designer as well, by using the words, "Make it pop!" so often I thought I would strangle him if I heard it one more time. In the end I have cam lights with stainless inserts (he said for more light but it just blinds you). I had to have a dimmer installed. Oh the woes of remodeling. My best advise is to have trusted friends to go over everything with. Ideas and mulling them over and over is extremely helpful. Also, tell your electrician to install an outlet wherever you are going to put your Christmas tree, even if it's the middle of the room in the floor! Lovely not to have those cords to deal with and not more expensive if you do it during the remodel process instead of afterwards. I can't wait to see your finished project. Continued good luck!

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  23. kelley--thank you so much for this post. I love your cabinet style and open shelves. I'm going to show it to the architect for our new house. Can't wait to see more. Allegra

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  24. Kelley I love all of your choices, especially the soapstone counters mixed with the Carrera! I can only imagine how exciting this must be for you! Enjoy all your hard work, xo Kathysue

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  25. It is gorgeous...love your choices. I painted my kitchen cabs grey also, with a high gloss black on my island and I love it so much! They went from orange oak to fabulous...you won't regret the gray at all. I did go with a white Kohler farmhouse sink, but I love your sink too...it's probably much more practical. Can't wait to see your progress....

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  26. This is going to be beautiful! (as everyone else has said.) I hope you don't have to eat too many more microwave meals...they DO get old very quickly. I love the idea of the lamps on the open shelves. It is so smart to plan ahead on those outlets. Can't wait to see more.

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  27. Kelley,
    I love everything I'm seeing...it's going to be gorgeous! You must be so excited. I can't wait to see what lamps you use on your open shelves. I'm very interested in hearing your paint color choices...sounds like very thorough research.
    annie

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  28. Good mornign...thank you so much for the wonderful comments and thoughts about the kitchen project!

    I didn't have much time to be near my computer yesterday but read eacha nd every one. So many people have comments about thow to do the shelving that I will do a post about that soon.

    Have a great day....off to work!

    xx kelley

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  29. Hi Kelley, I think your stainless sink is a wise choice. I have the Villeroy & Boch double farm sink, my farvorite thing about my white kitchen...but...it is set below the granite and it is china. As it scratches, ages, or, parish the thought, cracks...???
    Can't wait to see more!
    xoxo, Chris

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  30. Now that is going to be an awesome kitchen!! Those cabinets are fantastic!

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  31. Love all your choices - esp nice to tie in the stone tops in the breakfast/eating area - I always like a "built in" feel esp. one that ties together with materials. I also love the stainless touches (esp the sink) as you are smart to add a touch of contemporary and practicality instead of cliche!
    As for electrical - I fully believe the lighting and proper wiring are SO important. Many folks don't really give it much thought but then when the room is too dark, the outlets too far or the switch is across the room - they regret it.
    Lighting has become my favorite part of interior design!
    Can't wait to see the finished project!

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  32. wow!!!! love the soapstone! and the sink. can;t wait to see it finished. looks so great.

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  33. What color did you paint the walls. I love what you did

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  34. I love soapstone countertops, can't wait to see how you like them...they are on my future kitchen wish list. Your cabinet style is lovely too, I can't wait to see it all come together. Soon all those microwaved casseroles will be behind you & it will have been soooo worth it. -C

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  36. Yes, washing those dishes in the garage! I've done that in all my renovations, and washed them in the bathroom sink and under the hose bib. Have just moved into my new kitchen with some disappointments. The expensive appliances are not as user friendly as the old stuff. I spent lots of coin for s super stove which I don't like to cook on. Nothing to do about it now.

    Your gray is just perfect. Everyone who sees your completed project will admire the thought and planning that you did. It's really beautiful.

    Ann

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