On Jan 14, 2022, at 2:43 PM, Regan Conley <ohthatreganconley@...> wrote:

?颁辞苍苍颈别—

To me one big thing is what do you want to do with the kitchen long term and how can you move towards that goal? For example, how old are those appliances? If they’re going to need replacing in the next couple years, would you choose a different color like stainless or white? If they’re going to need replacing and you lock yourself into a design scheme based on black appliances, you might have regrets.?

Color-wise, since you’re not going to be replacing the floor, you probably want to lean into that a bit. Here’s a kitchen with honey oak cabinets where the island and walls are painted a similar color as your floor. They’ve lightened it up with white paint for the doors, trim & ceiling, a stainless sink, and nickel for the pulls & faucet, plus that beautiful oatmeal quartz for the counters. Cool colors for accents, like blue, also help balance out all that honey oak. Swapping out the sink for stainless or white enamel wouldn’t be hugely expensive and you could have it done when you replace the counters (and use the opportunity to get an under-mount sink with a large single bowl—but maybe it’s just me that hates double bowl sinks which are too small to soak a pan and over-mount sinks that are grunge traps.)?

<Kitchen.png>

One issue is simply how much honey oak there is because you have so many cabinets. Can any of them be removed or swapped out for something else? You could take out the cabinets over the cooktop and replace with a big stainless vent hood. Or swap out some of the doors for glass fronts. Ditch the appliance garage when you have the countertops replaced. Take out the uppers on either side of window and put in some open shelving to show off some white dishes, glassware or some pretty serving pieces that you have, plus a plant or two.

Finally, I agree with whoever suggested ditching the light fixture. It’s too big, dated and in an awkward location. If the budget will allow, I’d install can lights in the ceiling and maybe some pendants over the island, but you could also just keep it open. Under cabinet lighting is also a nice luxury.

Have fun!

—搁别驳补苍

On Jan 14, 2022, at 2:54 AM, jacqui whittemore <jackiechris.is@...> wrote:

That is SO helpful! I was going to try the Room and Board online design service as I really like their furniture, but things have gotten away from me due to more pressing issues. However, I think we really would be best served by having someone see the actual space toward arranging and knowing what to buy as the new house is positively enormous for us.?

jacqueline?

On Jan 11, 2022, at 9:40 AM, Ann McManus <mcmanusab@...> wrote:

?

Jacqui, furniture stores sometimes have a designer/decorator on staff (or might have a referral list). That was my first career out of college back in the 70s. Sometimes it's fee-based, sometimes it's value added with purchase.

I worked with builders of vacation homes on placement of things like outlets and baseboard heat units, paneling color, and with clients on furniture selection and placement. The last couple years before Brendan was born, I specialized in high end window treatments. All based in a furniture store in the Poconos. I was salaried, so no incentive to up sell.

Ann in PA

On January 11, 2022, at 9:10 AM, Jaya Srikrishnan <ermabom@...> wrote:

Jacqui

My physical therapist mentioned that he had hired a decorator when I was having treatments. So I asked him who he had hired and he gave me her name. She does mostly commercial properties, very few homes. But she was willing to both give us ideas via consultation and do the entire thing - including replacing all our furniture and re-doing the kitchen. Which we didn't want to do so we just had her give us ideas. We then went back to her a year or two later for the master bath when we remodeled that. She didn't give us any ideas on color and stuff there, just discussed layout with us and gave us the idea about hiding the door.?

I think you have to ask around. My son and DIL have just hired a decorator to help them with their master bath and I think they asked around for recommendations. You could also check Yelp I guess.?

On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 8:26 PM jacqui whittemore <jackiechris.is@...> wrote:

Jaya-

how did you go about finding a decorator? I would desperately love to hire someone to come in and tell me where our things should go!

jacqueline?

On Jan 10, 2022, at 9:40 AM, Jaya Srikrishnan <ermabom@...> wrote:

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Congrats on closing Laura! Which town will you be looking in? I think you are moving further out from Boston iirc, right?

On Mon, Jan 10, 2022 at 8:50 AM Laura Need <lrneed@...> wrote:

I like strong colors myself - and they will pop next to all that honey colored oak and the black appliances,?

Laura

BTW, just closed on my house in Arlington ?Now to house hunt...

On Sun, Jan 9, 2022 at 10:42 PM?Connie@...?<connie@...> wrote:

Hey guys!
Happy New year to one and all.? We’ve been so busy trying to get stuff done at the new house that I’ve not had time to even think.??

Anybody here good at decorating?? I have a huge kitchen full of honey oak cabinets that are in excellent condition and too costly to replace.? It needs help to look updated.??

We are getting new counter tops for sure, but I can’t decide what color to paint the walls that will help minimize all that honey color.? I’m not thrilled with the black appliances, but they’re staying for now.? Too much else to pay for—carpet, paint, etc.??


Here’s the pics from the real estate listing.? It’s currently lavender and plum at the bottom below the chair rail.? Does nothing for the room. The border with grapes is already outta there!?

The tile is in good shape but hate the black grout lines so we are having the grout redone.??



This is the countertop color I’m thinking of.?


And ideas are greatly appreciated!
Connie

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Jaya

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Jaya