Need help with log cabin kitchen/dining room
My husband and I recently purchased a lakeside log cabin for a family retreat. It was built in 1980. It is extremely dark inside. The room is a fairly large (13X 35) combination kitchen and dining room.The walls are dark stained logs. The ceiling is tongue and groove with log beams in a medium brown stain. The floor is brick tile. The countertops are real butcher block that we have refinished in a light yellowish stain. We have removed the fluorescent lights in the kitchen. There is a small brass chandelier over the breakfast bar that could definitely go and a larger brass chandelier over the rustic table in the dining area that could also be replaced. The appliances are almond color and will have to stay awhile, but I would like to have suggestions for the eventual change. They are still in excellent condition and don't look bad. (Could have been avocado or gold!) The pictures I have were not taken for this discussion, but I hope they will help. There are dark stained shutters on all the windows. I have removed the 2 over the sink and replaced them with a Roman shade. I keep all of the others open to let in light. I am planning to paint the cabinets and I am tryng to decide between a nice gray (BM's new Metropolitan) or a rustic faux finish that I have a picture of. I will replace the hardware on the cabinets and the sink faucet. I am thinking either brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. The furniture that you see came with the cabin and can eventually be replaced. I would like to have a completed plan, even though I will have to work in stages. My decorating style has always been traditional and fairly formal, so this is a real change for me, but I think we need to embrace the rustic style. Please give me your suggestions.
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Take your time with your decorating and remodeling. We are 10 years into our lake house and are constantly working on something (which we love). I do, however, have to remind myself that we go there to relax and it doesn't have to be perfect. "Lake living"! Have fun.
PS: my cabin is in Annandale I grew up in St. Cloud.
DO NOT do grays though. Keep it clean with cream, white, etc. Then accent with touches of blue.
A hand hooked rug in the DR with brighter colors would be great. Even though I'm suggesting paint colors, the actual color should be chosen last, after you replace furniture & rug. You'll choose the actual paint color from your furniture palette. So this is a long term plan with the accent color. Start with painting the cabinets & replacing the hardware, then paint your trim. Next will be your furniture & rug choices, then move onto your accent colors.
Changing your flooring would be last, & your best investment, believe me.
A cream paint with color taken from your shade would be attractive on the cabinets. You can reuse the hinges if you don't paint them. I can't quite see what the finish on the door pulls is, but you can probably find something you like if you don't want to reuse them after painting.
When you change out the appliances, I suggest you get a good vent to the outside over the gas range. It will improve air quality and keep the cabin walls and ceiling from getting dirty.
Although the brick vinyl flooring is quite practical, in this case I'd go with something much lighter because you say the whole cabin is dark. The color of toast or bread crust would be about as light as practical (basically, the color of dropped crumbs).
If you can buy extra fabric in the shade pattern, you might consider having it laminated (Calico Corner will do this for a fee per yard). Then cut foamcore board to fit in front of the logs between the top countertop edge and bottom of the cabinets, wrap the board in the laminated fabric and wedge it tightly into place. The laminate finish will be easy to wipe down and the foamcore can be removed when you redo the kitchen.