need help with kitchen decor???

Question

i recently installed a black slate counter-top in my kitchen as the first stage of a kitchen reno. my faucets are chrome and the sink is stainless-steel. the ceiling is made of metal embossed tiles but has been painted over numerous times (currently white). theres no room for a table and chairs but there is a small eating nook with a built-in bench on either side (I would like to upholster these benches--fabric ideas?) the walls are about 9' high. theres a 1 foot high baseboard and a large crown molding at the ceiling. the floor is a mid-brown (tobacco) colored hardwood which i dont want to cover. the cabinets are wood which has also been painted many times and are now a dingy beige color. (I believe they are the original cabinets). the house is a art-deco style circa 1922, so i would kind of like to be authentic to that style, but a few modern touches might be nice as well. I dont want anything fussy or cluttered or floral patterns. wall colors? cabinet colors? help

Update:

ps: there is a 4-light mission style chandelier with square, upward-flaring shades.

Update 2:

the light fixture is dark bronze and the shades are made of amber colored mica

Update 3:

there are 2 windows, both very long and narrow. they have shutters on them now that go about 2/3 up the length of the widow. the top 1/3 is frosted glass panels. but i could remove these shutters if necessary, theyre painted an ugly beige

wellaem · Accepted Answer

Your house sounds charming, ours was built in 1924, and we had about the same tribulations.  We ended up just putting new frames and doors around the existing cabinets.  We built raised panel doors, stained and put on poly.. our walls are the basic eggshell. As for the benches, May I suggest a brown Naugahyde (fake leather) it is durable, and washable..Don't forget the braided rug in brown and tan to tie it all together....have fun

pandy37050 · Answer

first of all- I'd strip the cabinets of the paint and sand- you may find  beautiful wood under all that. Or if they are too light you can stain and poly. REAL wood always looks better than painted :-) and is more value for re-sale. As far as the shutters and bench covers- I'd go with a blue- not like a 'baby blue'- but a light 'slate blue'- more manly and modern. You may even strip the shutters- or just replace so the wood matches the cabinets- or they could also be painted the light slate blue. As long as the blue isn't too dark it will compliment the browns. Sounds like you are off too a good start! And with the blue- you can 'accent' with different bright colors as far as the seasons go- sunflowers for spring- they aren't 'too' girly. red for Christmas and fall colors for Thanksgiving! Have fun!

LesElle · Answer

Check out www.allposters.com, vintage art, food & beverage.  There are some colorful posters that would be perfect in your kitchen and then that could be the jumping off point for colors.  I think white or cream painted cabinets with vintage reproduction hardware would be great, and you could live with it a long time without getting sick of the color.  Bring the color in with the fabric on the benches, cafe curtains, etc.  These would coordinate with the art on the wall.

not yet · Answer

Remove the shutters and replace them with cafe curtains  that match the upholstered benches.  A geometric pattern would keep with your deco style... I like shades of yellow  (perhaps with orange or red accents?) to brighten up dark woods. Walls could be sage green or one of  the yellow shades from your fabric.

Have fun with your project!

Anonymous · Answer

JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU LIKE. WITH THE STAINLESS YOU CAN GO WITH THE STEEL SHADE, OR AN ACCENT SHADE OF RED TO OFF SET THE BLACK. THINK I'D HAVE THE CEILING WHITE. AND PUT SOME VINYL ON THE SEATS, EASY TO CLEAN. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN ALWAYS REPAINT.

dtjb_635 · Answer

I'd add a POP of color... A bright one would stand out. 
What about adding a nice colorful painting?  those kinds of things are great to add, and you can work around.

lucy · Answer

See the link below for art deco colour palettes.

need help with kitchen decor???

7 Answers