borah's Profile

It's twee, yes. But I do appreciate the handwork involved in the duvet cover and bedskirt - it looks lovely in the pictures. I like the contrast with the dark wood headboard and the new wall paint color.

More suited to a young single woman or teen girls bedroom, though. This is not a look that will appeal to men (and a lot of women who prefer a more sophisticated vibe), so if you are sharing the bed with your husband, this probably won't work.

I don't care for the wall hangings over the bed - too jarring and cluttered (a single item, preferably with strong graphic interest, would be better), nor the strong hues on the accent pillows (with such a frilly bedcover, the eye needs a rest with softer colors and fewer ruffled and petalled flower pillows). I would also suggest painting the bedside tables a tan hue several shades darker than the walls, or a much softer blue color (cream and honey oak aren't working for this look at all). I think the windows need some full-length sheer panels to finish the look.

I agree with Terry and most of the other commenters - that honey oak IS country, and there isn't much you can do short of painting/refinishing or replacement of the cabinets to change that. The red walls, heavy dark wood furniture, and countertop accessories just emphasize that country feel. Assuming that a total redo isn't in the budget, and that the rest of your home also has more traditional elements (I don't care for the "funhouse" effect of a totally sleek modern kitchen in a traditional home), I suggest the following, which echoes much of what others have said:

-Paint the cabinets a dove grey (not too dark), making sure to properly prep the surfaces and use high-quality paints for the best wear. Stay away from a too-shiny finish (which won't work with the cabinet style).

- Replace the hardware with black iron, slightly hammered (but not too heavy or large) fixtures. Don't forget the hinges (and make sure that the replacement hinges have the same number of screw holes as the existing ones - I ran into this problem with my similar cabinets several years ago, and just finished my kitchen remodel as a result).

- Replace the lighting - the two fixtures don't work together at all. You might want to consider recessed ceiling or undercabinet lighting for the work areas. Wrought iron ceiling fixtures could be used over the eating area and/or as general ambient lighting in the prep area.

- Keep the white appliances and countertops if they are in decent condition (they won't contrast too much with the grey cabinets).

- The red walls are too intense for this room (which looks from the photos like it is open to an adjacent room). Perhaps a not-too-dark French blue?

- Backsplash could be pressed tin tiles or white/cream background tiles with a few handpainted tiles in blues/greys/yellows as accents.

- Flooring - avoid linoleum tiles that are "faux" anything. I would go with a random checkerboard pattern if using real linoleum (perhaps a grey tone a bit darker than the cabinets, a cream, and blue-grey) or with terra cotta tiles.

- If keeping the wood table and china hutch, I would consider painting them a cream color, and replace the chairs. The contrast between the French blue walls and light-painted furniture would look fresh and crisp. I also like some of the earlier suggestions to do a banquette seating/table arrangement in the corner which the hutch dominates now.

- For window treatments, consider 2-inch white/cream wood plantation blinds. These can be quite reasonable at your typical home store, and aren't that much of a commitment. And, yes, I vote for removing the pelmet!

So, my two cents. Good luck, Laureen, and let us know what you decide (and please post pictures of the after)!