Getting ready for the kitchen redo.

[Midlodemocrat]

New countertops, redo of the cabinets, adding an additional pantry, new paint.

I hope I didn't fuck up the colors. :scared:

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. What are your colors?

Do you have "before" pics?

Do you have pics/links to the choices you're aboutto put in there?

(am an Interior Designer...am ever so curious!)

Kitchen redo is a big deal. How old is the kitchen you are doing?

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I'm doing a 'Provence' theme.

Pale yellow above the chair rail, dark blue below.

The cabinets are going to be redone/painted in a light almond/buff and the countertops are going to be midnight blue pearl.

I'm having trouble deciding what color tile to use as the backsplash, because I am going to use some of this artist's tiles as accents.

www.lindapaul.com

The kitchen is 16 years old. We're not replacing the cabinets, just updating them because believe it or not, my boxes are solid wood and a lot of the ones available today aren't. :wow:

Countertop is formica and badly in need of repair. I got all the new appliances, stainless steel over the last two years, so that major hit is gone.

Going to put in a new porcelain sink, undermount and a pot filler faucet over the stove.

I truly can't wait. I spend so much time in the kitchen and it will finally be something pretty as well as functional.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. The counter sounds beautiful, and I like the colors chosen...

What color will the chair rail be? Same as the cabinetry?

The colors you've chosen (pale yellow and dark blue) sound a lot like what can be found on some toile fabric patterns:
Like these colors:



Are you going to be using tile accents from Linda Paul, like this one? If so, then maybe an off white tiled backsplash with yellow and green tiles intermittent along with the accent tiles.




Am just wondering if the almond buff cabinetry will show well against the yellow, and if the yellow and almond together will lose the richness in creating a Provence kitchen design. The south of France Provence kitchen is one of rich textures and color, and walnut and oak colored woods.

Have you considered using a rich creamy white for the cabinetry? The creamy white cabinetry would make the yellow and the blue both pop.
(even using yellow cabinet with white frints on the doors and drawers...?, and then the alabaster on the walls with a bit of faux texturing?)
Here's a pic that has the three colors you've already chosen and the use of the creamy white.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Rich creamy white!!! YES!!!! That is what I picked, but

I couldn't think of it. It isn't a pickling, but it is a nice creamy white.

I am so excited about this!

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Then you are going to love all the work you put into it!

Sounds wonderful! Hope you can post a pic or two when you're done! :hi:

[Dover]

6. I've been wanting to redo my countertops too, What's involved?

I have the most awful high gloss dark brown 'faux-marbleized' formica counters. Does it have to be removed before they can put new stuff down or do they just put it on top of the old stuff?
I'm wondering if I can do it myself but have no idea what's involved.

[NMDemDist2]

7. i got mine done in PHX in a morning for less than $800

call some counter people and get some estimates, you'll be amazed!

[Dover]

8. Wow! That's beautiful! It looks like that stone stuff (can't recall the name).

Not even formica.

That is encouraging!

[NMDemDist2]

9. it's formica, but you'd be amazed at what you can get color wise in

laminate surfaces these days and the great thing is they go in and out easily and if you get bored they are cheap to change out, unlike tile or granite. they are much more forgiving too if you drop a dish

this is what it replaced

[Kingshakabobo]

10. I remember those!!

I'm down several Pilsner glasses with the granite tile I installed.

[NMDemDist2]

12. yeah, I have the old owner's DIY tile in the new place

I'm not loving it I tell ya..... Your granite is so beautiful but I wonder about keeping those darks colors looking good. how is the maintenance now that you've lived with it a while?


here's where we moved in (yuck


here's a pic when we were getting the new grout and wall tiles in



and here's what it is today but I'm not loving it...

[Kingshakabobo]

13. So far so good. I'm more worried about the grout than anything.

I figure, worse case, I can always re-grout. I need to buy one of those Dremel Tools anyway. My bathroom is 6 year old marble with cream colored grout that looks like crapola. The kitchen doesn't get a lot of wear and tear with two guys that can't cook. Plus, it's a dark grout.

I have a friend that buffs his granite with a car buffer. If it gets to that point I'll do just that.

[NMDemDist2]

14. the dremel grout tool RAWKS!!

we did all the counters with it in two hours

[Kingshakabobo]

15. Aha! There it is. I think I have my weekend project! Off to Home Depot I go.

[NMDemDist2]

16. PICTURES!!!!

we want pics :evilgrin:

edit to add, get several cutting tools, you'll burn through them pretty fast

[Kingshakabobo]

17. Will do! Thanks for the tip on tips!

[Kingshakabobo]

11. You can try your hand at granite tile if you want to save a buck(on granite)

I posted this thread, with instructions, a while back.... I would rate it about a 6 on the skill/effort level required but definitely can be a DIY job.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=287&topic_id=1766

[Midlodemocrat]

18. Wow. That is absolutely beautiful!