Kitchen Choices

[rubyslippers]

I am ready for kitchen wall suggestions. While everything looks "cozy" and feels "cozy" in my kitchen, I do not personally love the wallpaper and the border. I think the retro red countertops are fun, plus the cabinets and appliances are all in touch-up condition. Plus, the hardwood floors are still nice. So, what would you do?

1) New wallpaper?
2) Paint? What color?
3) Do you like the idea of bead-board/wainscoating?
4) What about some serious tile work?

Anyway, I have some ideas I will share with all of you. This needs to be a do-it-myself level project. So, help me dream. Right now, I have a lot of fun ideas. One of my ideas makes things a little "modern" for a retro-kitchen. The other idea might be a little too cottage cutsey.

I can't wait to hear your ideas ... Chyna, dust off those paint brushes!

Bye,

Rubyslippers

[Heather]

Nice kitchen Rubyslippers!
Although I love it as is I would keep the wallpaper (or go with a smaller print of florals) - go with beadboad wainscoting to lighten it up and lower the ceiling with crown moulding where your wallpaper border is.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Ooooo, I'd much prefer to help you with your kitchen than work on mine! :p

LOVE the red counter tops, cupboards, and wood flooring. I'd tackle the first step of removing the wallpaper. Gigi - what is that dish soap formula you like so much?

Miss RubySlippers - tell us more about YOUR ideas. Maybe a couple pics of what you like?

Zu

[rubyslippers]

First of all, I do believe the kitchen needs some crown molding along the top. Also, the molding around the bottom corner needs to be changed and/or extended under the cabinets. This area is not as "polished" as the rest of the kitchen. So, I would like to just clean that up so-to-speak.

I'm going to need my husband and my Dad to help with crown-molding. Personally, I'm just not comfortable tackling that on my own. I also agree that I need to just start stripping the wallpaper. I don't really know how to do that, but even if you loved this wallpaper it is getting dry and brittle and peeling. Plus, I will not be hanging my own "new" wallpaper unless it is vertical stripes. If it is a repeating pattern, then the experts will have to make a visit.

There is an expensive Schumacher wallpaper pattern that is still available in limited quantitites. It is dominantly black and white with pops of red, blue, and green. I think it is pretty classy and not too busy, but it is a lot more expensive than I was planning on for this project. I'm in the process of requesting a sample.

In a corner of the kitchen you cannot see, I have exposed brick painted white or cream (whatever it is matches the cabinets) - - so, subway tile did enter my mind's eye, but then you start to get a LOT of mixed-media. Brick, wood, stainless, wallpaper, red-countertop - - YIKES. I think that is one of the things that bothers me about the wallpaper idea in general. Granted it might be best, but there is just A LOT going on with the wallpaper.

Anyway, one of the paint colors I had in mind was a nice sour apple cheery green like a granny smith apple. It is a little "different" - - I believe yellow would work nicely, but that green could be equally cheery. The lighting is a little too tame for my tastes as well. If I want the lighting to add more interest, the walls are just going to have to come down a notch.

However, if I pant the kitchen green, I immediately have to move on the adjacent dining "area" that is a golden green because those colors would just clash. In a relatively open floor plan, the colors tend to domino into one another, so I have to be careful if I really plan to take this one room at a time. That is probably my biggest hestiation. I am biting off more than one room at once if I go with the color I am considering.

Can you all visualize a green in there. I would like to keep that shutter if possible, I like it ... it has some flecks of green in it.

Thanks for the ideas ... again, keep them coming ... I'm not completely commited to one idea over another.

Sincerely,

Jenny

[RoseMary]

I love the idea of the green paint! It would look great with your red coutertops! If you decide on wall paper, maybe a smaller print would do better since the room is small. The one you described sounds nice~post a pic when you get your sample!

I can't give any ideas on the 'mixed media' problem~my kitchen already has that problem:o. I just like too many different things, so I just put them all together:p

[rubyslippers]

The wallpaper selection I found is high-end ... there are only a few hundred rolls left ... if I can't get a sample then I'm not going to use it. (The only reason I can't get a sample is that they may not have any samples anymore.) Anyway, I believe the question with going with green would involve shades ... I don't want to darken the room and make it look smaller ... I also don't want a neon green. I think the first trick will be committing to the project and removing the wallpaper. Do I need a steamer for that? Can I just peel? What do I do with the sticky stuff? Anyway, I may go to the paint store ... I like the idea of an apple green, but it is a little "different" - - hmm.

[RoseMary]

Anyway, I believe the question with going with green would involve shades ... I don't want to darken the room and make it look smaller ... I also don't want a neon green. I think the first trick will be committing to the project and removing the wallpaper. Do I need a steamer for that? Can I just peel? What do I do with the sticky stuff? Anyway, I may go to the paint store ... I like the idea of an apple green, but it is a little "different" - - hmm.

I know, getting the exact color you want can be a little bit tricky. I had to try 3 different shades before I got the right red for my cabinets. I do think that apple green would be a very bright and cheery kind of color for your kitchen~the kind of color that would make you smile everytime you walked in there:).

[cheapdiva]

oooohhhh, we're on the same wavelength (what else is new?!). I want to do apple green and just last night found some great apple greens in the April issue of BH&G - I'll scan and send to you when I get home.

We will have virtually no wall space when we finish with the kitchen - except for backsplash and I think I will either do beadboard (again) or pressed "tin" - which can be painted.

But back to YOUR kitchen. How about beadboard further up than the traditional height? How high is your ceiling? We did b.board 4' up in our old kitchen and I loved it! I would look for some fabric for chair covers (?) or window treatments that have red and apple green in it. I also think a butter yellow would be beautiful. Change your cabinet hardware (or paint the old stuff) and you'll be done!!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Guess Gigi hasn't had a chance to read this post yet, so I went searching for her tip on removing wallpaper. It is:

Here's a tip~ and you wouldn't believe how GREAT it works...Forget the expensive gel to strip wallpaper- put some Dawn liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle- moisten the area of paper- and it will peeelllllllllll off! I love this stuff!

P.S. don't use the Dawn straight-water it down a bit!

[mac78]

While I do love the pear theme, (that is what my kitchen was), I agree the wallpaper is quite lively. I would start by removing that. I have removed a lot of wallpaper and have never used a steamer. I use a mixture of fabric softener and hot water. I am allergic to the actual wallpaper stripper and ended up in the ER using that.

I love your counters, but, I am not sure of the green. I think a yellow would look nice. Red and green to me, hmm, just don't go for me. But please remember, I am one who can't make my own decisions on paint color etc. I love the cupboards white and I love your floor. The fireplace sounds very pretty. Crown molding---I know there are corners you can buy so there are no miters to cut and it makes the job much easier. Sorry, not much help. Maybe beadboard and wallpaper at chair rail height and up.

[yarborough house]

Laura Ashley paints at Lowes has 3 different shades of apple green and they are all awesome. I like the idea of beadboard about nose high. That is what we did in another kitchen and also in the baths. Not sure what exact height as I just go in there see where my nose hits and tell hubby to put it up there. Beadboard would be a good option because you could also glue it over the painted bricks to get rid of one element to make it flow better. Not so many wall types as you said.

I removed wallpaper and lots of it with downey works great but messy. My son swears by renting the steamer to do it. So, 6 one way 1/2 dozen another.

And lighting...ohhh a chandelier over the island would be so cute. Not sure the look you are going for...more rustic or more girlie or what..but you could also add some wooden appliques to the cabinet fronts if you want to make them more girlie..

I am also tackeling my kitchen this month...just got done ordering the new fridge and dishwasher and now trying to decide between 30 inch or biting the bullet and getting the 36 inch dual fuel stove. Then on to cabinets..sanding, priming & painting. And order new countertops..ahhhh the fun

[vintage girl]

If you decide to go with the taller beadboard, you can put a chair rail on top and use it as a ledge to display photos and/or plates. I love your countertops. I have a red and green kitchen myself. My green is a very light green and I softened the color scheme by removing my cabinet doors on top and bottom. On the top I left them open to get a hutch-type look and on the bottom I put cafe curtains. I also put a crystal chandelier and it adds just the right touch of fun and drama. You have a lovely kitchen. I would not change the cabinets, except to maybe get some new hardware. A tin backsplash is fun and easy to do yourself. Lowes sells the tin panels in all different patterns and colors. They are actually vinyl, so are easy to maintain. They also look great on the ceiling, and add some light to a dark kitchen. Here is a link to my kitchen, so you can see the red and green I used. It is hard to see the green in the pics, but is very light and soft, almost a mint green,but with no undertones of yellow.

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e236/chunkymama/stove/vintage%20kitchen/

[annielinz]

I do love your kitchen as is, but I understand your need for change.

I will say after removing so much ugly wallpaper I have made a pact with myself never to wall paper again. And with the way I like to change things up painting by far is an easier option.

Now if you like stripes you could always try and paint them.

My kitchen used to be green, but I never was satisfied with the color and I did grow tired of it.

When I repainted the guest bath I went with a bright and happy green and I really like it.

Heres an old pic of the green kitchen and the green bath with the red toile.

[rubyslippers]

Other than a small foyer, my house opens into my kitchen. So, the red countertops are a "talking-point" immediately. However, the wallpaper just isn't me. Looking at expensive wall paper was more or less a ploy to fall in love with something way too expensive to take me back to painting.

One of my best friends thought a lemon yellow would be a fun color, but at this moment in time my bedroom is yellow and the guest bedroom is blue. I would like to "flip-flop" that at some point in the future, but I LOVE color and my house isn't big enough to have two rooms the same color. (Just my theory.) Plus, the green just seemed a little "different"; Maria, I respect your impeccable taste - - so, if we are on the same page, then I am fine with that.

Also, vintage girl, your kitchen is really fabulous. Personally, I need cabinet doors, but that is just me. I really love the look that you have. I am not "girly" really - - I am more artsy than anything.

I am going to check out the Laura Ashley Apple Greens at Lowe's. I did some serious hunting today and didn't find anything. I kind of flip flop between an apple-grassy-green and a more light pale sage mint kind of green. I also have a pretty crazy desire to go with a blue. I attached a picture of a Williams Sonoma Provence Tablecloth. I think French Provencal decorating does a nice job of boldly splashing colors together. I don't think this material exactly would be the cafe curtains or tables or whatever, but it gives you an idea of how blue, white, etc. all go together.

Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback. The kitchen is cozy right now ... it just isn't my cozy. I think I am going to have to get into the zone that decorating is art and that art means risk. I'm going to have to disrupt my little world, grab some fabric softener/dawn/water combo and start peeling. Then, if the walls are in good shape we can paint. If the walls are not in good shape, then wallpaper (or a fun mudding project) it will be.

I usually have good "vision" when it comes to this stuff, but the wallpaper just seems to be clouding all of that for me. I think that paint would be a good first step. Then molding/beadboarding ... then ceiling / light fixtures / hardware .... but, I don't want to wait to do ALL of that. I think just changing the wallpaper would make me a lot happier to be honest.

Okay, now I just have to work up the guts to peel off that wallpaper ... wow ... who knew I was such a wimp ...

Wish me luck! I'm a good painter, but this wallpaper thing has me a bit batty ... I really kind of detest wallpaper to be honest. I wish I could just poor some glasses of wine and coerce you all to spritz the walls for me and help me get this stuff off the walls ... arrggh.

I like to think that my hesitancy is respect for the kitchen and its coziness, but truthfully - - I'm being a wimp.

[yarborough house]

Rubyslippers,

That table cloth is beautiful. It already has your red in it and it is white the color of your cabinet. You could take any of the three remaining colors and do the walls- the yellow, the green or the blue. Remember you can take the tablecloth to the paint store and tell them to match whichever color you choose.
Remember it is just paint so if you don't like it you can repaint.
I am like annielinz- I detest wallpaper. Well I like some of the patterns but when I remember how hard it is to get off I'd prefer paint as I change my mind a lot.

Just take it as it comes and you'll be happy with it.

[Gigi]

Hi everyone- I like the idea of taking the tablecloth or picture of it with you.

Removing wallpaper--- just a messy job (Dawn liquid and water in a spray bottle)

Marie, I haven't heard of fabric softner for wallpaper removal - but sounds like it would work.


Ruby-What fun to change the kitchen a bit! I love the red countertops, and the cabinets- and the sound of the green will really make everything POP!

[Lynzee]

I am certainly not one to be giving kitchen advice given my latest fiasco. Just wanted to add that I love your red countertops with your white cabinets and I think the apple green would be a very nice addition.

[yarborough house]

Gigi- we've always used downey with our wallpaper removal. Must just be the soap ingredients.

How is the beach house coming along? Are you able to enjoy time there along with remodeling?

[Zuzu's Garden]

RubySlippers - I love the tablecloth but then, I decorate with a touch of French.

That's the thing with giving decorating advice. We all come up with different answers and ideas when someone asks us to describe "cottage". I've elected to go with neutral colors - whites, creams, grays (yes, gray is a color!), and browns and then liven things up with colorful decorating accents that change with the seasons. It is hard for me to pick just one look, so I'm calling my decorating style French Eclectic - that gives me wiggle room to add what I love without worrying about a specific period or theme.

I was "done" with wallpaper after removing tons of it from a cottage home when I was in my 20s. I love paint - you can always change your mind. Tammy (yarborough house) wrote about a great idea in another thread. She said (I don't remember her exact words but it was something to this effect) when you can see other rooms from the one you are in, bring the same color from one room into the other. For example, if your in a blue room and the next room is red, put some red accents in the blue room and some blue accents in the red room. Tammy - correct me if I didn't get this right, but it makes perfect sense to me for blending colors into different rooms!

Most importantly, give yourself permission to just jump in and try things. Baby steps, starting with removing the wallpaper that prevents you from seeing different ideas is a great way to begin.

Zu

[rubyslippers]

I think French eclectic is just a great term ... in general, I'm just eclectic ... I believe spaces need to flow, plus I believe every room needs a little red. I can get cluttery at times, but for the most part I (like you) LOVE color. The way I change my mind tends to involve rotating throw blankets and pillows - - changing tablecloths and curtains, etc. I do however like wall color (but I could see how shades of grey could be phenomenal - - ooohhh - - with purple?) as a backdrop.

Thanks for approving the baby steps. I don't want to go out and buy everything and have one thing just put it over the top. It is supposed to be about simplicity. I believe I do that transitioning colors thing ... I just don't think I realized I did it. I sort of think it helps ease the mind from one place to the next.

[cheapdiva]

Don't you think the worst part is always just getting started? I hate the prep part of all tasks - I just want to get to the job. And, of course, I think part of that is because I know everything is going to be torn up and a mess and I hate living with the mess.

Jump in, Jen - just start!!!

[mac78]

I love the tablecloth too, and after seeing the red with the green, I changed my mind, I think it would look fine. Like I said, it takes me forever and a day to decid on a paint color. Sometimes I just need to see colors together.

Do you have that first strip down yet. lol Just remember, once you get started you won't want to stop till you are done.

[Breezy]

annie - I LOVE the green kitchen & bath - you did a fantastic job! What color did you paint your kitchen after the green?

[rubyslippers]

Well, my Dad is going to be over at my house tonight for burgers on the grill ... that isn't too sneaky is it? Anyway, after I declared myself a true wimp, I wandered into the kitchen just to rip something so I would have to fix it. I realized a couple of tricky things about the existing kitchen that might involve me waiting for some help.

The wallpaper is currently behind the existing baseboards. I am going to have to remove those in order to get the wallpaper off. I don't want to rip up the floors, so I need a little help in investigating how this stuff has been installed. Also, I figure relaxed dinner times are good times to actually remind the family as a whole that if we "tackle" this project, things will be in disarray for awhile. Maria, you are right that getting started is the hardest part ... I didn't realize how much avoidance of living with the mess I was really facing.

This might be a pretty quick and easy project ... but, it might not. The thing is, you never REALLY know until you "rip" off the proverbial bandaid. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

By the way, has anyone ever seen Cottages and Cabins? I found it in Wal-Mart when I was looking for Cottages and Bungalows. There is a red and yellow kitchen on the cover. I have never seen that magazine. It was a little spendy, so I left it behind, but I "saw" exactly how red and yellow look. It is cheery, but not "exactly" what I want.

Bye all,

Rubyslippers

[chyna]

I'm still voting for funky, or a fiesta ware type of color explosion in your kitchen. Oh and I hate wallpaper too, almost as much as paneling. :D The previous owners of my house put up that cheesy "wood" paneling in my house and wouldn't you know it but they actually did this job right and have it extend behind the floor trim. Of all the times they had to do something right!!! :mad:

Yep I'm seeing red, green, yellow, purple and orange for that kitchen. Not necessarily as paint but some accessories. Liking the beadboard idea too but not sure I'd paint it white. The cupboards lend quite alot of white to the room as it is plus the bricks. How about stained a light shade?

Them's my 2 cents. (I just had to mess with the teacher in you with the bad grammer:p)

[annielinz]

Breezy thanks regarding the green walls. I ended up going VERY neutral and went with a light tan on the kitchen walls-you can see it in my album. IRL the green had lots of cool blue undertones and the connecting rooms are a warm carmel color and I always felt they competed. And since I'm hopefully going to remodel the kitchen soon, In my mind I needed a neutral palette to work from---if that makes any sense.:)

[yarborough house]

Rubyslippers,
You can take the wallpaper down without taking off the backsplash..just remove it to that point then take a razor blade and score and cut it off even with it..Once you paint you will not even see what is behind the backsplash..

[chyna]

That was what I was thinking too! Unless you are looking to get rid of the backsplash then never mind. :p

[shabbychick]

Have you considered painting stripes on your wall? I did that in my bedroom, and though it was time-consuming, it came out well. It looks like wallpaper but is much cheaper. The white background helped tone down the bright yellow stripes and might do the same for you if you're using apple green. And crown molding looks great against the stripes. I think some lace curtains would look lovely at your windows in addition to or in place of the blinds. The curtains might be a way to bring in some other colors...a hint of red or yellow, perhaps, or more of the green. Have you considered taking the shutter off the window, hanging it on the wall, and using it as a sort of message board?

I've stripped wallpaper before using the commercial spray and a putty knife, and though it required some patience and elbow grease, it worked. I find a large glass of wine makes the whole experience less painful. :) Enjoy planning the new look for your kitchen! By the way, have you considered stenciling some designs on your cupboard doors? Or maybe using a few Wallies on them?

[rubyslippers]

Last night, my Mom and Dad came over for burgers. The kitchen was really about a five minute conversation. My Dad hates wallpaper; so, he essentially told me to get that "stuff" peeled off the walls, then he would be happy to help. We also took a look at the baseboard issue (wall-paper behind it) and decided we could start with an exacto knife and then remove the paper if we re-do the baseboards.

My Dad is one of my Mr. Fix-It Role-Models and his Mom (my paternal grandmother) is the reason for my artistic streak. Basically, his first question about painting was as follows: Does it have to match?

My response - - Match what? His response - - Well are you keeping the countertops? Me - - jaw dropped.

Then, he explained. My countertops are fun and quirky, but the seams are obvious and from a quality perspective they could use some love. As we were discussing baseboards and putting in a punched tin ceiling, he was more or less just asking if redoing the countertops was a part of this on-going kitchen remodel idea. He thought I might want to re-do them one day from a quality perspective, AND if I did re-did them, would I pick red.

Well, I thought about it ... and thought about it ... and thought about it some more. Here is what I discovered ... I would not have gone to the store and just picked red. However, now that I have it I like it. Some of you know that I believe in decorating with architectural features of the home. I like to accentuate nooks, change light fixtures, and make things as artistic as possible. My house is not large enough to have a lot of grand and sweeping architecture. However, things like built in bookshelves and hardwood floors are the type of things I would want to add if I didn't already have them. I believe these features add interest. I just always considered my countertops part of the charm.

My Dad thinks that once I "upgrade" - - paint the walls, install wooden blinds, add a punched tin ceiling, (all the long-range stuff), well - - he thinks I'm going to want to change the countertops from a quality perspective. He also knows my favorite color (which isn't red) and tried to get me to honestly swear that I would REALLY pick red again. He figures that if I picked red again then I would replace the countertops in every home I ever live in with red. So, while I festered about this, he asked me again ... You don't have to decide now. All I want to know is: Does it have to "match"?

The reason he asked is because my Kitchenaid mixer is a kind of quirky blue-green ... it is kind of like robin's egg blue milk glass ... but just a smidgen aquaier ... while serving his plate my Dad just looked at the mixer and said, "Wouldn't you paint your kitchen that color?" - - "Why don't we just do it?"

In thirty seconds he nailed the reason I haven't stripped the wallpaper. I want blue walls in a kitchen with red countertops and the closest I can get is apple green. So, to publicly answer his question for all of you, I said - - it doesn't have to match EVER, but it does have to work because I can't tell you that I can bring myself to change these countertops. In my mind's eye, they are part of the house. Any countertop change would have to be just as retro and quirky. I don't even know if they sell that kind of stuff anymore. I also don't know if I could be at peace with the house if I changed the counters.

I am now puzzled ...

On a bright note, I have a friend who is good at removing wallpaper and she is going to help me. So, that is the good news.

We have now moved beyond a wallpaper issue. We are now facing the ethics of changing such a vibrant part of the house. Plus, even if I replaced red for red, is that being a good steward of the home? I know what the cable television home improvement people would do, but I always really loved the countertops. I never really saw the imperfections - - they still don't bother me - - I have a red toaster oven and a crazy red desk (all prior purchases) - - I actually believe every room needs a splash of red.

... the deeper ethical issues of home decorating come to the surface.

Chyna ... I know you'll support me ... it doesn't HAVE to match does it? I still like the apple as well. I wish I had Memmey's guts - - I'm gaining more and more respect for her red house. She even lived through the pink primer phase - - that woman has guts. She inspires me.

[CohenCottage]

It sounds like your Dad is a great guy to have around. I vote with your dad that you need to replace your counter tops. To me, the counters look 80s and not quirky, but I realize that is just my opinion and since I'm a stranger that lives far away, please feel free to ignore me! Robins egg blue with white trim would be lovely, and then you could do some red in the accessories if you like. I think it would give you more options and would really update the look of your kitchen.

We visited a home this weekend that had the Ikea butcher block counter tops like Heather's (with the same fabulous sink), but they had stained them to be a darker color (walnut instead of honey) and then put some super duper poly on them. It looked great! I may have photos in my phone if you would like me to post them.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Match? :confused: As in color, age, or material quality?

If you prefer everything to "match", then yes. Identical lamps on identical side tables on both sides of the couch kind of preference.

If you prefer an artistic look, then matching is out. IMO, the variation is what makes it unique, special, beautiful. Nothing matches in my house - on purpose!

;)
Zu

[Heather]

Oh yes CohenCottage could you post them????? Please, please, please...
I was wondering what they would look like stained darker!

[CohenCottage]

Sure, Heather, I will post them!

My philosophy on matching is that looking like a furniture showroom isn't good, but things need to be cohesive and I can cross the line from artistic to cluttered pretty quickly. Because our house is so small, we've had to be careful to make sure our colors, furniture, and collections are well edited and things aren't too funky so it doesn't feel smaller.

[CohenCottage]

Here are the pics

[chyna]

Good lord no! I seem to remember that when you looked at that house before buying, the counters were one of the things you were excited about. I think you can still locate that specific countertop but it wouldn't be easy. Just a few months ago Old House Journal had an article about a Frank Lloyd Wright house where they restored the kitchen and I believe it was the same material as your house. There was some difficulty finding the material and lucked out finding it in some forgotten corner of some cabinet store. (why is it always a forgotten dusty corner?)

As for matchy, I'm with you. Go color!

[Lisa S]

Nice countertop, Cohen. That's such a great value ~ I'm always recommending it to people.

[yarborough house]

Okay I am a bit confused here. Does it have to match what?

You have red countertops that are quirky and they are probably original to the house or maybe the second upgrade. My neighbor across the street has those exact countertops in blue with the metal front trim on them and she has sworn to her husband they will not be taken out ever. I think it is hard for her to match them but they ARE the kitchen.
You love yours and they are fine..why take them out.
If you love Robin's egg blue then why not keep the cabinets white, paint the walls robins egg blue and keep the countertops red. That combo is a very nice color combo. It would be beautiful.
I have fabric that is robins egg blue background with floral on it in red...it is a nice catchy combo.

So, why are you not painting the walls the blue you like?

[yarborough house]

Your dining room you said was golden green. Well you could do the kitchen the blue you like and it would not clash. One girl just painted her cabinets a robins egg blue - glazed them a bit to take them down a notch then she painted the walls a light green. It was weird thinking about it but it looks wonderful.

I just got a quart of blue made at Home Depot that a lady on a blog had them make to her specifications - it is a wonderful light robins egg blue..

go for it. keep the countertops if you want them..they can be worked around. You have good bones in that kitchen...do what feels best for you.
And I can tell keeping the countertops is what is important..

[annielinz]

Ruby is this your forever house? I think if you are going to stay there then go with the fun countertop. However if you are thinking resale down the road then maybe something more neutral and add your color and personality through accessories and paint.


Heres a place I found on the web that does retro laminate, real funky stuff

http://www.americanretrofurniture.com/laminate.html

And here's this place, not funky but they have a variety of colors go to page 2:

http://www.nevamar.com/nevamar/pages_nevamar/nevamar_solids_1.php

So there are places that sell colorful laminate if you still want fun.

[RoseMary]

Personally, I love the red countertops! Just be true to yourself and pick what you want, Jenny. I'm not a matchy-matchy kind of person, so I'd feel free to add whatever colors that I wanted. Just have fun and make sure you LOVE it!

[rubyslippers]

Don't worry ... the counters aren't going away this week. I think they are fun. The wallpaper muddles the vision of the room. I don't want to go with a full-force coca-cola kitchen, but my house is from that era and could support it. I think the previous owner added the wallpaper in her own attempt to "work" with the countertops. She believed strongly in preserving the "red". The original owner of the home installed them, or they were original to the house. Your responses made me realize that not only do we have to much going on with the wallpaper and the counters and the brick - - we have too many decades competing with one another. We have a plan for attacking the wallpaper. Then, we will go from there.

By the way, my Dad doesn't really "see" that blue and red could go together the way Yarborough does. Hence, the does it have to match question. I also wasn't thinking about blue because I was sort of saving the color for another room. He just hit the nail on the head with the idea - - well if this is the room that you walk into when you come home, why don't you just paint it your favorite color? The counters will either wear and tear, or they will stay solid. I checked out both the butcher block and the retro counter tops you all posted. Very nice pictures and links.

Let's just strip some wallpaper and we'll take it from there ... I may have to post a picture of the mess in a few days.

Thanks again everybody. Remember, this is my "first" house and my "first" indoor project ... so, it takes on a little more "drama" than it probably should. I just want to go one step at a time keeping it manageable and fun.

Jenny

[cheapdiva]

cohen -
i just copied your sink photo - we are going to cut out a wall and do the same kind of pass through thing into the dining room. thanks for the photo - it will help me to show our contractor what i want.

RS - what do YOU want in your kitchen? You can keep the red countertops and either tile them or paint them if the color is not what you truly want. then you don't have the expense of replacing them right away. i say, don't work around them - they can be changed. start with a color that will make you happy and not wish you had done what you really wanted to do so you find yourself making changes again in a year or two.

[Breezy]

Personally, I love the red countertops! Just be true to yourself and pick what you want, Jenny. I'm not a matchy-matchy kind of person, so I'd feel free to add whatever colors that I wanted. Just have fun and make sure you LOVE it!

I'm with RoseMary I really like the red countertops too. They are unique & anyway you sure don't see that color used for countertops everyday.
RoseMary is right - go with what you love!:)

[chyna]

Jenny

I think I like the blue idea more than the green but remember I have those crazy "rules" I have for myself with colors. :p Anyway I can see fabrics with blue stripes and red roses which would be both funky-ish and vintage like.

Dads sometimes have a hard time seeing our visions. Mine argues with me all the time about stuff and then once it is done he is amazed. :rolleyes:

[CohenCottage]

I like the idea of blue and red better than green and red too! :D

[rubyslippers]

In response to Cheap Diva's what do you want to do question, the simple answer is both "EVERYTHING" and "I don't know".

So, as the nerd that I am, I gathered up a gazillion magazines I have saved on the subject. I looked at Cottage and Bungalow's kitchen edition ... I bought a copy of something called Cottages and Cabins with three or four great examples of "retro-revival" kitchens. I also have some old kitchen pictures from Cottage Living that I "liked".

... thanks for all of the good ideas. I'll keep you all posted. Your comments and my research helped a ton. Seeing all of the different things that have been done with kitchens from the same decade as mine helped a lot! I feel like some of them were a little too muddled as well, but they gave me some great ideas.

I'll keep you all posted.

THANKS!

[Heather]

So Miss Jenny, how's it going with your kitchen? Have you got your inspiration pictures?

[rubyslippers]

Hello everyone!

Just as a kitchen update ...

One of my college buddies came to stay with me for about a week; so, I paused in the destruction of my kitchen. My friend is more of a gardener so she had some great ideas for my yard! We worked on that some while she was here.

Anyway, I also worried myself sick about this a week or so ago when I was trying to figure it all out at once. So, Heather, I am currently looking for some inspirational pieces. I use light fixtures as a jumping-off point. So, I found a couple of really neat light fixtures in the NapaStyle catalog. They have this funky little kitchen light made of forks and spoons. The thing is fabulous. I also found some great pendant lights that are more retro and blown glass looking.

I have been trying to build this room around the red countertops. While they are certainly a consideration, my style is to build things around statement pieces (like light fixtures). So, I am on the hunt for cool light fixtures, hardware, and a fabulous blue and red fabric for cafe-curtains paired with possibly a red/white striped shade. I found some inspiration on a copy of a Cottages & Cabins magazine I found at Wal-Mart. The primary colors are more than a little bold for anything other than a vacation home; HOWEVER, I found the perfect way to dress the windows based on the cover. It doesn't have to match "exactly" ... but, I feel inspired.

I'll be bopping in and out for the next week or so (more company and some work training), but I'll be thinking of all of you. Once I get going, I'll post some pictures.

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm feeling more inspired.

Bye!

Jenny