If you have any ******** design talent...

[texanangel]

This is coming from an experienced ******** designer, so be aware, I have all sorts of likes and disliskes, and this is just my taste:
1. Avoid themes at all costs, unless it's a media room or a child's
2. Don't over-decorate, a good idea can run away from you in no time
3. It's a kitchen, so be sure you do colors that look good with food
4. What ever you like, you will enjoy
5. Keep everything that's expensive neutral, you can always change the accessories to suit your mood/style
6. No trends, you'll regret it sooner than you think
7. It's your money, so do what you want
8. Don't just copy someone else's work, it won't feel like home
Question: what style are you going with? Traditional? Modern? That will help you determine your colors. And stick to your budget, whatever it is, that way you won't get mad at yourself.

 

[tizzo]

Ummmm.... Traditional or modern... Not sure how to answer that. I know what they mean, but if I go with the wine theme, where would that fall.
It works for me... The hubby is Italian. I love wine. Actually drinking a glass right now. And "everything" Italian catches my eye, so I think I'm gonna go with that one...
1.Is that considered a theme or more of a taste preference? .
2. I already have bottles of wine there. I don't like nik-naks and such so I will not "accessorize" (sp?) much. I won't overdecorate, I don't have enough room.
3.Colors that look good with food!?? :scared: You tell me, does burgandy work for that?
4. I like Italians... I mean...er...Italy. LOL
5. Ok, but I have no style, so I don't see it changing. But I like the advice...Just in case.
6. Is THIS a trend?
7. I don't know WHAT I want...that's why I got all this advice from you all.
8. If you had some idea of my skills, you would encourage me to copy someone else's work, LOL... But I get what your saying...

 

[lovethesea]

uh oh.......Tizzo's on overload............
BABY STEPS!!!
stick with fairly traditional. You can't go wrong.

yummy wine.......why didn't I think of having a glass tonight :notsure:

 

[lovethesea]

Originally Posted by Tizzo
4. I like Italians... ...

ME too.........dark and handsome :joy:

 

[tizzo]

Originally Posted by lovethesea
ME too.........dark and handsome :joy:
And tall.
It's not to late for the wine though.
Yeah, I'm on overload, but luckily texanangel actually made it easier. They said put the expensive stuff neutral. Neutral, I can do!!
Hey, OT, you got a PM from me. Check your box!
So, in conclusion, I think if I find a nice burgandy, after I learn how to spell it, I will paint the one wall with the window. The other walls will be a taupish, type of color. It'll match the floor. Eventually, I will change the counter tops. But from there is where I gotta google some more ideas.
My brother is an artist and I may have him paint where it looks like the paint pealed away revealing the brick underneath.

 

[lovethesea]

TALL....oh yes.I forgot. :joy:
PM?? I have your email addy, do you want me email ya??

 

[texanangel]

As far as a wine/Italy/Tuscan 'style' (not theme) it kinda went out of style about 5-6 years ago. However, as long as you keep it pretty traditional, it will still add value to your home.
Here are some don'ts:
-clutter
-tile counter-tops (really, just a pain to clean and you can't roll out bread on them...though I guess it doesn't matter if you don't cook, but they are quite dated)
-fruit wallpaper (very dated)
-restaurant/commercial looking
-anything that looks fake
Some dos for your wine style:
-a mural/painted (or mosaic) tile backsplash behind the stove
-venetian (I know I spelled that wrong) plaster, even on the ceiling, gives wonderful lighting; or glaze over your wall/ceiling paint
-iron accents, lighting, hardware, etc.
-rich fabrics, especially for drapes
-dark or painted wood (painted/glazed wood is a nice touch)
-carry the style through to your eating area (is it a breakfast nook, or a dining room?)
Just some ideas, and just for your info, dark walls in a kitchen tend to lower your resale value. But you can do dark walls in a dining room with no problem.

 

[reefreak29]

It works for me... The hubby is Italian. I love wine. Actually drinking a glass right now. And "everything" Italian catches my eye, so I think I'm gonna go with that one...
this is why my wife did the italian theme shes from bari

 

[tizzo]

Thanx texan, I will use that info...
Now Love, if I were a PM, where would I be... :thinking:

 

[lovethesea]

bigger than a bread box????

:thinking:
YGM

 

[beth]

You should throw up some pictures of the kitchen and the immediate rooms surrounding the kitchen so that we can see the style of kitchen and how the other rooms are decorated. I'm pretty contemporary with my tastes and like the stainless steal look with clean lines, minimal decor and splashes of color that provides accents in the room, not become the focal points. Comfort and functionality is always number 1 for me.

 

[tizzo]

The very first pic, is the kitchen in question and the last 2 are the attached dining room.
Or did you mean larger more detailed photos?
I love the stainless look and as appliances fail, I replace them with stainless. My over the range microwave and my dishwasher are stainless. Still waiting on the oven and fridge. Those are still white.

 

[texanangel]

Have you considered copper accents? They look wonderful with stainless steel as well as wrought iron. Even an oil-rubbed bronze (personal fav) would go wonderfully with your theme.
And if you could provide more detailed pics, from several angles we could provide more individual suggestions. Such as what type of hood for your range and such.
Oh, and what style and how old is your home? That will help determine whether or not you're over-improving your property (something you really don't want to do). Also, how long are you planning on staying there? If over 5 years, you can do whatever you want, but if under, you need to look towards making it sell-able.