Power of a monotone color scheme
Q The family room and kitchen in our home are located at the back of the house overlooking a beautiful garden and fields. We are renovating, and my husband is building an island that will separate the two spaces and give us a casual eating spot.
My question concerns color. I have seen a few kitchens that are all one color (not white), and this appeals to me. Do you think all gray or all green would be too much or too boring?
A: Choosing a monotone color scheme is more exciting than it sounds, and with an eye to surface textures and lighting, it is definitely not boring.
A single color will dominate the space, so be mindful of the power of that shade and how it will affect the overall mood. One of my most imaginative kitchen designs utilized the fresh and fiery potency of orange for cabinetry and counters, and it was a great hit.
It's important to have a contrasting color that will give a boost to the monotone color scheme. This should be something completely different. My suggestion is to go with the warm grays as the overall wall (and cabinet) color, and then use a lively lime green in some of your accessories. This could be tile, countertop appliances, picture frames or a giant fruit bowl filled with limes.
The serene, modern kitchen shown here features a stunning shade of gray with undertones of blue. Like your home, this kitchen is in full view of the family room, and I have given special attention to all the visual and working elements. The paneled refrigerator is flanked by matching gray cabinets with brushed-nickel hardware. The back-splash area is decorated with 5/8-inch glass tiles in crisp blue and white, a combination that adds interest and contrast. The island marks the outside boundary of the kitchen, and the white solid-surface countertop and stools make the connection to the door, woodwork and trim in the adjacent room.
Grays and greens are natural, calming shades; experiment first by painting a few cardboard panels and taping them to your existing cabinets. Trust your instincts: Your kitchen will look fab.
Q: We are renovating two bathrooms that have cultured marble on the sink counter and in the shower area. After deep cleaning, the marble in the showers is in perfect condition, but the counters are badly scratched. I would like to replace them with granite, but my contractor recommends marble. Why not granite? Is there any rule about mixing stones?
A: Marble is warmer to the touch than granite, which is why it is a more popular choice for bathrooms, but it does have its drawbacks. Marble is softer and more porous, which allows for the stains and scratches that you have experienced. Even when sealed, it does require maintenance. Granite is harder and almost nonporous. It resists stains and will last longer, making it a better option for high-traffic areas such as kitchen counters. A busy bathroom counter needs to be tough too, and granite is a good choice. There are many color and marking variations available; you will have no problem finding a granite counter that will complement the existing marble. All stone surfaces are beautiful and exist in harmony with each other in an interior setting just as they do in nature.
Debbie Travis' House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at www.twitter.com/debbie_travis.
