Style Book - Kitchen
Painted backsplash: You may be a bit of a commitment-phobe when it comes to selecting your kitchen backsplash, and that’s OK. Painted backsplashes are a terrific option for those on a supertight budget, or who want to easily change their backsplash often. Just be sure to use paint with at least a satin sheen, so it’s more durable and easy to wipe clean. Other options to consider are chalkboard paint, which you can now have tinted in any color you like. If you go this route, you’ll need a really good countertop installation, since you won’t have a separate backsplash to conceal any gaps or uneven edges where the countertop meets the back wall. A quart of high-quality paint will run you about $25.
Surprisingly, there are even more options for kitchen backsplashes than there are for countertops, which can make homing in on the right material a challenge. One strategy to make the selection easier is to first pick your kitchen countertop material. This should help narrow down your options for the backsplash considerably, as you will have to limit your search to materials that will partner well with your chosen countertop.
You can also create a similar effect by choosing tiles that have a chunky, high-contrast grain or color variance. When the tiles are put together in a complex pattern (like herringbone), their geometry gives way to a sense of organic rippling that has the energy of a slab with a subtle layer of extra sophistication.
In a kitchen renovation project of my own, I needed only one slab of material to dress this galley kitchen, making the compact size an advantage in creating a big look. Because the backsplash reaches the upper cabinets, it feels like a full-impact effect, even though the actual material square footage is low. I then backed the stove and fridge niche in a subdued material (sheets of smoky gray mirror) to let the stone speak for itself.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the budget spectrum, pullout systems integrated into a standard door cabinet can turn any underused space into a garbage pullout with room for multiple bins without a total renovation. Plus, for dexterous chefs, they can be pulled and pushed by foot to facilitate disposal even when hands are full.
It’s also part of a small drawer for keeping towels, so not an inch of space is wasted — charming and extremely practical all at once.
Seamless Integration Because a waste pullout is essentially just a very deep drawer, it can easily be integrated into the look of your cabinetry, bringing some great contemporary functionality to very traditional or transitional style.
When your kitchen needs a little something special. If you have classic white cabinets, demure hardware, subtle sophisticated tile and hidden, perfectly functional lighting, you may have everything you need — except a little oomph. A fiery red oven or a cheerful blue fridge can add a lot of pizazz to an otherwise humble kitchen. To keep it classic, try an Italian kitchen-inspired red oven in a bold firetruck-approved shade. While trends may change, this look will stand the test of time — and always be a great conversation starter.
When you’re ahead of the curve. While stainless steel appliances have been the top of the trends for quite some time, some experts are predicting that colored-metallic “black stainless steel” will be the next big thing. This finish is almost as neutral as the classic silvery stainless, but tinted to a soft charcoal black for more drama and better smudge-proofing. If you have a busy family kitchen, or simply like to be ahead of the curve on trends, black stainless might be just the right option for you.
When to Choose Paneled Panel-ready appliances are designed to accommodate a custom door front that matches your surrounding cabinetry, rather than having their own front finish. This essentially camouflages the appliances.
When your cabinetry is a moody gray. Your cabinets don’t need to be equally dark to work smoothly with black appliances. Black will also complement a rich smoky gray. Top off the cabinetry with a dark stone feature counter, and you’ll have a deeply sophisticated palette. Just be sure to include some undercabinet LEDs to make up for all the light being absorbed by the surfaces.
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