https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:20:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2018595 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:54:30 +0000 Astrid 2018595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Would love to see some pictures once you’ve finished! My new kitchen is going to be white too, but more like the budget version of yours, LOL. Cheap and it looks like it too. Definitely feels like a fall back to my student days, although I’m going to have a dishwasher, so YAY. (But no oven, so there’s that.) I have ugly grey PVC flooring in mine, so I’ll also do a carpet and cover up as much as possible. I’m also going to paint, probably a dark grey to make the backsplash look less odd and a light grey on the rest of the walls. I’ve decided to embrace the grey, white and brushed metal and work with the color scheme that’s there. And then add in some pops of color with accessories and some art.</p> <p>I like my new flat, good floorplan, good neighbourhood and good price, but it’s not very stylish or all that up to date. The previous tenant had no eye for interior design at all though, I’m curious how it ends up looking with a bit of love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012604 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 22:20:21 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2012604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the suggestion, Suntiger! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012571 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 21:27:09 +0000 Anonymous 2012571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Go play on roomstyler for ideas I like all your bright happy colors! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012352 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 08:11:53 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2012352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, lol, now I see why you shudder at the idea of tenants who paint! </p> <p>RL, some people do the opposite—paint or wallpaper a backdrop behind the shelves. </p> <p>Epigal, white &amp; wood sounds wonderful! There are so many temporary products out there these days. I just went looking for a round-up of them and came across this nifty set of ideas <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/no-paint-required-temporary-patterns-transform-rental-kitchens-245302" rel="nofollow">https://www.apartmenttherapy.c.....ens-245302</a><br /> I can’t find the exact article I’m looking for. This is an older version of it. I want to try paisley temp wallpaper in the living room, which will be our hippie hangout. But the reason I want a kitchen without upper cabinets is that i don’t like the way they take so much space and make the room feel smaller, right at eye level. Even in a big kitchen, they are just boxed-up &amp; uptight looking (to my eye—I know not everyone sees it that way). The good thing about this wall of cabinets is that they do not intrude, and the lack of color might help them recede. If I have to have cabinets, this is probably the best way to do them (although I do wish there was one above the sink with a dish-drainer bottom). But I might use your idea, or a variation on it like in the article, to tart up that backsplash. </p> <p>Gigi, I’m beginning to think, from the hardware, that they might be Ikea. Totally didn’t occur to me at first, and if they are, there are a ton of solutions available. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012344 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 05:34:23 +0000 rachylou 2012344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is hilarious, Janet, painting around the furniture!</p> <p>Altho, I have to admit, I’d be tempted to do that in my closet. Not take down all the shelving... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012341 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 05:08:03 +0000 Gigi 2012341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would try to match the gray to something that you can take with you to the paint shop. Do you have some magazines that have a lot of photos in them? Maybe one of the photos would have something in the exact shade of gray that is your kitchen, and then you could take that swatch to the paint store and ask for suggestions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012314 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 01:41:10 +0000 Janet 2012314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a landlord, I’m breaking out in hives thinking of a tenant painting walls black. </p> <p>Also remembering the tenant we had at a house my parents rented out (many years back when my mom was still alive but I think my dad had already passed away). The tenant moved out and I walked in to assess what needed to be done before we got another tenant in there, and was mystified at first when I saw these two-tone walls that were primarily yellow but with green rectangles here and there. Then I realized it was because the tenant painted AROUND THE FURNITURE. Too bad it was before the era of cell phones, much less ones with cameras, so I could document the insanity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012306 Fri, 15 Mar 2019 00:42:09 +0000 elpgal 2012306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I came here to post exactly what CJH suggested. Put in a nice colorful polypropylene runner in there. I love the white and wood kitchens with Persian rugs.</p> <p>I customized the plain white closet fronts in a rental with contact paper. It held up very well for over 4 years. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012161 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 17:27:51 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2012161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>RL, yes of course, but instead of normal turned leg dimensions, these were very fat. The table top itself was also much thicker than expected. It’s sitting in their attic still, because I “couldn’t fit it in” the next (20) time(s) i moved. </p> <p>Texstyle, what a good point about the wood in the living room, and tying them all together!</p> <p>Cjh, why did I think I should hide the fact that it’s a long, skinny room? Thanks for the link to that rug </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012138 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:19:40 +0000 texstyle 2012138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd take my clues of warm yellow color from the floor in the room adjoining the kitchen to integrate the two spaces together. I agree with putting some accessories (esp. wood more "warm" and yellow toned) in the room and see how it goes from there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1/page/2#post-2012125 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 15:25:47 +0000 rachylou 2012125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting table! Now I have to think about what I’d put with it :)</p> <p>Turned legs below. Is this what your butcher block had?</p> <p>Never rely on gifts. Omg. Let me tell y’all about the time I asked my parents for a pair of Starck Ghost chairs. These people who lived together couldn’t get me two chairs in the same colour! Omg. I’ve lived with this situation for over two decades (because it’s part of my decorating philosophy, but... omg!). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012113 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 14:14:52 +0000 cjh 2012113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You could get a nice thick runner rug maybe? I know several friends who have these living area type rugs in kitchens. Quite luxe and adds a lot of color. </p> <p><a href="https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Handmade-Jardin-Black-Multi-Wool-Rug-23-x-8-Runner/7886326/product.html?refccid=7CND2D7LEUN26RKIQTIGDHKZBA&#038;searchidx=41" rel="nofollow">https://www.overstock.com/Home.....archidx=41</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012110 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 13:49:51 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2012110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do it, Diana! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012099 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 13:19:28 +0000 Diana 2012099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, I would kill to see a house you designed. I think it would be amazing. Whimsical yet functional...,<br /> Actually this whole thread has me wanting to see everyone’s kitchen now, lol. Maybe I’ll start a thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012096 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 13:08:58 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2012096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Turned legs? Like the ones on the butcher block table my mom got me years ago when I had a simple, clean one on my wish list? I think I would’ve hated the clunkiness of that thing even if it hadn’t knocked something I wanted out of the way. Moral of the story: never count on presents to be just right.<br /> Anyway, I’m thinking of riffing on this to make a leetel table. <a href="http://somethingisdone.com/diy-dining-table-is-done/" rel="nofollow">http://somethingisdone.com/diy.....e-is-done/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012060 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 07:38:58 +0000 rachylou 2012060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’d be the world’s worst... I feel the kitchen calls out to be rustic modern, with some romantic touches to soften it up... so I’d paint a couple walls black and move in a chunky wood table and an old fashioned iron chandelier. Or maybe I could be more reasonable and settle for black shaker-style chairs around the table and black pottery dishes. Table has to have turned legs in my design. </p> <p>Lol. I wonder what I’d do if I built a house from scratch, no holds barred, no givens. I mean, I don’t even get dressed without considering the architecture of where I’ll be... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012059 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 07:30:41 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2012059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gretchen, “a horrible renter” lol. I was being serious when I said expectations are different here. It is becoming more common for apartments to be rented with kitchen cabinetry and appliances, but is certainly not the norm. It was just my misfortune to land on one that has them. But here, as a little bit of evidence for what I’m saying, is the ceiling light in one of the rooms, same as all of them. It’s up to the tenant to provide a fixture. It truly is expected that people will paint, and then go over it with the standard white when they move out. </p> <p>Sal, good point about how we live. It is a small apartment, so I want to get chairs we’ll be comfortable hanging out in after dinner, and to generally make it a comfortable place to spend time, just so we have another option. </p> <p>Nancy W, just try it? I can do that? Of course you are right—that’s what I should do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2012049 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 04:23:45 +0000 Gretchen 2012049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was a horrible tenant - paint, wallpaper, installing lights - anything to remove the cookie cutter look from the apartments we lived in. </p> <p>Before you do something strong, do you have a painting or a print that inspires you? I’m a big fan of starting with a piece of art that has the main color and then adding in over time. (My home remodel started with a piece of pottery from a summer art fair!) </p> <p>I love the idea of bringing in sour brights with the grey. Could also see you choosing 1 color and doing different tones to layer it throughout. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011999 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 23:14:37 +0000 Sal 2011999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do agree- I tried to match a grey for a fire and there was greenish grey and blueish and purpleish (which was what I needed!)</p> <p>I think to a degree it depends how you live.&nbsp; My bathrooms are very basic and tiny - and I keep them functional and simple because I don't spend that much time in there.&nbsp; If the kitchen is where you dine or sit down for a coffee and YLF time or reading decor is more important than if it is&nbsp; a functional space you head to for cooking, making the coffee and then leaving.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011995 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 23:06:12 +0000 NancyW 2011995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Green grey, purple grey, blue grey? Once you bring some colorful items into the room you will be able to see which 'neutral' grey you are working with. I have a bathroom with green grey tiles and a blue grey counter top and finding a color for the walls that worked with both those greys was tricky. Once you see some textiles/pottery/baskets that work with your grey you will be able to narrow down your choices to a manageable pile! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011987 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 22:35:22 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2011987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, there certainly is a lot of dust to settle, I’m learning. Less than a week in and I’m already dusting baseboards. And in less than a week, I’ve already learned which of those panels hide the fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer, and cabinets. I also k ow which is the dummy—tried to open it and I felt like the dummy, lol. But about the floor, that’s interesting. I’m not a fan of flopsy little rugs that are a trip hazard, and the time I had sisal tiles in the kitchen did not end well. I’ll have I think about what might work there. I like all three colors you mention. The fact that I have a dish towel in one of them seems a little arbitrary to base a color scheme on, especially when I do the laundry so it’s missing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011946 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:48:18 +0000 Janet 2011946@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My interior designer eye wants to see either apple green, buttery yellow, or a nice cheery red in there. Or a careful mix of two of those.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011945 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:46:33 +0000 Janet 2011945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL I'm so against the grain here -- I love closed storage and would hate open shelving. I like things tucked away where I don't see them all the time and they don't catch dust, grease, etc.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'd like that space a lot if only the floor tile had some interest in it, and the countertop were a nice granite. LOL. As it is, think of it as a lovely blank canvas on which you can add your own colorful touches and personality.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011943 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 19:40:07 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2011943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BD, yes, I’d repaint. I think the painting/repainting is very normal here, in part because tenants legally have so many more rights than in the US. The intensity question is a good one. Conventional wisdom says not to go too strong in a small space, but I loved Mango Tango (like #2, but more intense) in my entryway at our place in Tampa. </p> <p>Janet, excellent, excellent point about texture. Thank you for bringing it up! I can add some in with the wall hangings, etc, but all those doors! I hadn’t thought of it, but the lack of texture might bug me as much as the grey. </p> <p>JAileen, so much wood! And open shelving! Swoon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011910 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 16:41:37 +0000 Barbara Diane 2011910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Do you have to repaint when you leave? </p> <p>If you do decide to paint, once you narrow down the choices, paint sample patches. Let them dry and then look at them in different light conditions throughout the day. </p> <p>Your choices vary a lot in intensity. Which do you prefer?</p> <p>I like the accessories and flower ideas. I’d bring in anything that adds color and then remove any outliers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011893 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 15:07:27 +0000 Janet 2011893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I love a monochromatic modern kitchen, but would definitely want to add some texture at least, if it were mine! So it get it.</p> <p>I think a nice light yellow can look great with grey, but I agree with the suggestions to see if you can bring in the color and personality with accessories and art first, before you make the larger commitment of paint for a rental. </p> <p>Also speaking as a landlord who just painted a whole house off-white and is hoping the next tenants keep it that way </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011892 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 15:02:15 +0000 JAileen 2011892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here are some pictures from my kitchen. The kitchen is all neutral colors, but the accessories add a lot of color. Even the spice rack adds color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011827 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 08:20:05 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2011827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such good ideas here—thank you all! </p> <p>SW Ann, JAlieen, Alexandra, and Sal, thanks for listing specific items I could use to pep it up without painting. I need to focus on other things for a while anyway. Instead of feeling bad it isn’t painted every time I go in there, I can use this as a time to experiment with other items. Right now I have a red checked dish towel and this giant cutting board in there. <a href="https://m2.ikea.com/de/de/p/laemplig-schneidebrett-bambus-00309829/" rel="nofollow">https://m2.ikea.com/de/de/p/la.....-00309829/</a><br /> Adriana, good point about the white in the lamp. I was mostly focusing on the gold, and the fact that it matches a floor lamp we got for the living room. It’s a small space, so the different rooms have to work together. If I paint, I’ll also do the wall that’s on the left side of the photo. </p> <p>Kathie, doing that for a whole house at once must’ve made your head spin! </p> <p>Sal, yep, that’s where we are living now. I’m not sure it’s easy to keep clean—a few bowls &amp; it’s a wreck. But then again, when the whole place is trashed, it’ll probably take under an hour to clean it up—big kitchens can hold more mess. Thanks for mentioning prints. “Art” was getting a 404 in my head, but I had some ideas for my room that aren’t going to work out. I’ll try to tweak them for the kitchen. </p> <p>RL, undertones is how they make those groupings? I never realized that—toldja I’m bad at them!</p> <p>Diana, sich color knowledge. Thank you! That app looks really useful. As for the open storage debate, it’s raged on Apartment Therapy for years. In the plan in my head, there are no plates and bowls on shelves for dust to settle on—they’re in a cabinet above the sink, with a dishdrainer bottom, and doors that can tuck inside when opened. Upside down glasses and pans turned to the walls. Check back in a few years &amp; i hope to be able to tell you how it’s working. Oh, also, glass-fronted cabinet for big fancy serving pieces that are rarely pulled out. </p> <p>Joy, it’s not a tea kettle, but my red dish towel has brought a pop of red in there already. </p> <p>Alexandra, your suggestion of cut flowers has me thinking I should follow up on my thought the other day that instead of having all the plants on the porch, I could put the herbs in the kitchen. It has a deep window sill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011824 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 08:05:36 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2011824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such good ideas here—thank you all! </p> <p>SW Ann, JAlieen, Alexandra, and Sal, thanks for listing specific items I could use to pep it up without painting. I need to focus on other things for a while anyway. Instead of feeling bad it isn’t painted every time I go in there, I can use this as a time to experiment with other items. Right now I have a red checked dish towel and this giant cutting board in there. <a href="https://m2.ikea.com/de/de/p/laemplig-schneidebrett-bambus-00309829/" rel="nofollow">https://m2.ikea.com/de/de/p/la.....-00309829/</a> </p> <p>This is the other end of the kitchen. I can’t wait to pick up the drill today to hang curtains! For now it will just be the simple gauzy ones I’m using in all of the rooms, but I can do something colorful for the blackouts to be added later. I had to laugh when my son put the fruit on the range hood—he’s getting tall! But I have a simple wooden platter we have used as a fruit dish that I need to pull out. </p> <p>Adriana, good point about the white in the lamp. I was focusing on the gold, and the fact that it matches a floor lamp we got for the living room. It’s a small space, so the different rooms have to work together. If I paint, I’ll also do the wall that’s on the left side of the photo. </p> <p>Kathie, doing that for a while house at once must’ve made your head spin! </p> <p>Sal, yep, that’s where we are living now. I’m not sure it’s easy to keep clean—a few bowls &amp; it’s a wreck. But then again, when the whole place gets trashed, it’ll probably take under an hour to clean it up—big kitchens can hold more mess. Thanks for mentioning prints. “Art” was getting a 404 in my head, but you’ve reminded me of some ideas for my room that aren’t going to work out. I’ll try to tweak them for the kitchen. </p> <p>RL, undertones is how they make those groupings? I never realized that—toldja I’m bad at them!</p> <p>Diana, sich color knowledge. Thank you! That app looks really useful. As for the open storage debate, it’s raged on Apartment Therapy for years. In the plan in my head, there are no plates and bowls on shelves for dust to settle on—they’re in a cabinet above the sink, with a dishdrainer bottom, and doors that can tuck inside when opened. Upside down glasses and pans turned to the walls. Check back in a few years &amp; i hope to be able to tell you how it’s working. Oh, also, glass-fronted cabinet for big fancy serving pieces that are rarely pulled out. </p> <p>Joy, it’s not a tea kettle, but my red dish towel has brought a pop of red in there already. </p> <p>Alexandra, your suggestion of cut flowers has me thinking I should follow up on my thought the other day that instead of having all the plants on the porch, I could put the herbs in the kitchen. It has a deep window sill. </p> <p>Thanks again—this has lightened my mental load, as I’m looking forward to the things to try before painting. Then even if I do decide to paint, I’ll have something else to match the paint to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/kitchens-1#post-2011779 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 02:26:37 +0000 Anonymous 2011779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bright white with pops of bright red like a red teapot. I like 2 and 6 best of the colors you show. </p>