Concrete Countertops: Design, Form, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath Reviews
Concrete Countertops
- ISBN13: 9781561584840
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Leave a commentCoordinating Finishes With White Kitchen Cabinets
White kitchen cabinets are a popular choice in many kitchen because it is classic, bright and relatively inexpensive. However, many people do not know how to coordinate the other finishes in their kitchen to work with white cabinets. Many times, white on white with a little bit of tan is the end result and it rarely looks good. So if you are having problems with coordinating finishes, use this guide to create a beautiful kitchen that is almost fool proof.
Hardware and Lighting: Brushed Nickel or Oil Rubbed Bronze
When you are considering what finish of hardware and lighting to use with your white kitchen cabinets, there are two that stand out: brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze. If you want the hardware to be soft and blend in with it’s surroundings, brushed nickel is the perfect choice because it will be light like your cabinetry. However, if you would like your hardware to sand out, oil rubbed bronze will be a beautiful contrast to the white which will make the hardware pop. Whatever finish you choose, just make sure your hardware and lighting have the same finish so your kitchen has a cohesive feeling.
Counters: Contrast
Your countertop color choice can really be any color or style that you wish, so long as the color will contrast the cabinets. If you choose a counter color that is too similar to the cabinets, the look of your kitchen will be cold and lifeless. So, hold up samples of different countertop color options you are considering to your cabinets to make sure that there is enough of a difference between the two colors. Then just choose the countertop material and color that you like the best.
Flooring: Look to the Counters
The easiest way to choose a coordinating flooring material is look at your countertop choice. Look at the predominate color in your counter and find a flooring that has this same hue somewhere in the design. If you choose a counter that is primarily green or blue, look for flooring that has green or blue undertones but is not primarily that color as it can be overwhelming. If you still are not sure what to choose, a neutral tan flooring or even a medium tone wood that will work with virtually any color scheme.
Appliances: Stainless Steel or Black
When it comes to picking an appliance color, you are going to want to follow the same color scheme you used for your hardware. If you choose brushed nickel hardware, stainless steel appliances will coordinate the best. Oil rubbed bronze hardware? Black appliances are the best color choice. Avoid white or almond color appliances that will blend in too much with the cabinetry and leave your kitchen feeling bland.
Once you have your appliances picked out all you have to do is accessorize your kitchen in a color that complements your countertops. A few small pictures, dish towels and curtains and you are done. You can now sit back and enjoy your perfectly coordinated kitchen. Just be prepared to help your friends when they ask for help on how to make their kitchens look as good as yours.
Painting kitchen cabinets is an easy and inexpensive way to bring old cabinets back to life. AsktheDecorator.com host Meghan Carter shows you how to paint kitchen cabinets and offers a few inspirational decorating ideas for really dressing up your kitchen cabinets.
Coordinating Finishes With Black Kitchen Cabinets
Black kitchen cabinets have become an increasingly popular trend over the last few years. It can be a very sleek and sophisticated look, but only if you do it right. Too many people decide they want black kitchen cabinets with no plan on how to coordinate finishes so the kitchen does not become too dark. However, with some simple finish choices, you can keep your black cabinet from overwhelming your space without it seeming too cookie cutter.
Hardware: Contrast the Cabinets
When you are working with black kitchen cabinets, avoid choosing black hardware as it will only blend in. Instead, choose a hardware finish that will stand out from the cabinets and complement them. Brushed nickel, copper and even brass can look beautiful next to sleek black cabinets. Simply choose the hardware finish that best fits your personality and the kitchen style you are going for.
Lighting: Choose What to Match
When it comes to lighting in a kitchen with black cabinets you have two choices of what to match: the cabinets or the hardware. When you want the lighting to feel subtle, it is best to choose a black finish so it blends in with cabinets. If you would prefer your lighting to make more of a statement, choose light fixtures in the same finish as your hardware. This will allow them to standout by contrasting the cabinetry while still feeling part of the design because it is a color that will be repeated.
Counters: Keep them Light
Black kitchen cabinets can be very overpowering in a room if you do not balance them with lighter finishes elsewhere. That is why when you are choosing kitchen counters, it is best to keep them light. That does not necessarily mean you have to go with white or tan unless you want to. Other color options can be light blue, green or even a stainless steel depending on the look you are going for. So long as the counters do not further darken the room and you like the way it looks, it is a good choice.
Flooring: Don’t Go Dark
Whatever you do when you are choosing flooring, do not go dark. Like countertops, the flooring needs to be used to lighten up the room. Stick with colors that are significantly lighter than the cabinetry and preferably stay neutral so you do not take away from the drama of the black cabinets. As for the material, you can use ceramic, granite or even wood can be beautiful with black cabinets.
Appliances: Stainless Steel
Your final finish to choose with your black kitchen cabinets is your appliance color. If your budget can afford it, stainless steel appliances are stunning with black kitchen cabinets and almost any other colors you have to go with them. If you cannot afford stainless steel, cover a less expensive finished appliance with a peel-and-stick stainless steel film that costs around a roll. The end look will be the same but for significantly less.
So when you are remodeling your kitchen with black kitchen cabinets, there is no reason to fear it looking too dark if you follow these steps. Just remember to add accessories to your kitchen that will put your personal touch on it. The end result should be a sleek design that is as unique as you are but still visually pleasing to those you entertain.
Posted in Kitchen Cabinet Hardware | Black, Cabinets, Coordinating, Finishes, Kitchen | Leave a commentKitchen Cabinet Hardware – Putting The Finishes Touches On Your Kitchen Remodel
Article by Jesse Akre
We all know that remodeling anything is a big task that requires a lot of attention to detail because if you are going to do it, you might as well do it right. In your kitchen, changing everything about it can be a long process, but when you are finally at the end, do not try to cut corners by using the same kitchen cabinet hardware after refinishing your kitchen cabinets. Instead, invest in some new ones and there are plenty available to match your style and tastes.
With your refinished cabinets, it is important to know in advance what you need because you do not want to end up purchasing something that you cannot use. So, look over your cabinetry and figure out exactly what you need and want, now this can get a little tricky, so here is a quick guide to help you. Typically, on a cabinet you will grab a knob, which is usually circular in shape, to open and close it as it pivots on a hinge. On drawers, you will find what is called a pull that can be of any length and will normally be installed by two screws. Inside the drawer, there is a track or a slide that it runs on so you can open and shut it.
Basically, these are the fixtures that you will find in your kitchen and once you know how many you need of each, then it is time to decide what kind of look you are going for. You should decide this in advance because there are a lot of kitchen cabinet hardware selections to choose from since they are available in so many styles, designs, sizes, and shapes. For example, maybe you want to go for a trendy look in your kitchen that has a very modern feel to it. So, you would want to get something that matches what you want, one great option would be ones made out of aluminum that have smooth, brushed finished surfaces, which is extremely pleasing to the eye. Or, maybe you really want like an antique look in your kitchen. Then, a great option for you would be selections made out of glass or those made out of metal that have an antique finish, creating a very elegant look to your kitchen. The classic look is also a nice choice too and any brass or metal option would be a fabulous way to go.
Kitchen cabinet hardware can be crafted from a number of different materials, including those mentioned above of aluminum, glass, and brass options along with those that can be made from stone, wood, iron, ceramic, steel, stainless steel, zinc, pewter, crystal, plastic, even porcelain and granite. What is great is that all of these materials are very sturdy and, they are also offered in a number of lovely colors finishes. Like, black, white, gold, the brushed and antique finish along with satin, polished, dull, and rubbed.
When it comes to remodeling, it can be a long and drawn out process. Do not be tempted to cut corners, especially when it comes to refinishing your kitchen cabinets. Using your old kitchen cabinet hardware on your revamped kitchen cabinets looks pretty tacky, so, make sure to invest in some new ones. There are many options available and through online shopping, you will easily be able to find exactly what you want to match the look that you are going for.
Posted in Kitchen Cabinet Hardware | Cabinet, Finishes, Hardware, Kitchen, Putting, Remodel, Touches | Leave a comment