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by Nicole Goodwin
5 months ago in Design Dilemma
Red Kitchen and Empty Wall Space
My husband and I just recently painted our kitchen red. We have white cabinets and black appliances. Our dilemma is this wall...it's BIG and empty. We thought about a picture but because the wall is so big, we are afraid it would be swallowed. Any ideas?
(Picture looks orange, but I promise it's red)
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jccbaker If you have children, buy a 4x5' canvas and small cans of primary colors of paint. Give the kids small paintbrushes and tell them to go to town. You will have an original piece of artwork in the colors you like that fits your wall. Good luck.
5 months ago · ·
Nicole Goodwin Thats a great idea! We have an 8 year old girl, she's somewhat out of that stage. Wish I had that idea a few years ago.
5 months ago · ·
Alaina D A large black and white print (either cityscape, outdoors or...??) would look good! It would draw on the table colors and, depending on your lighting in there, lighten up the wall a bit if it has a lot of white in it or darken the room a bit if it has lots of darker greys.
5 months ago ·
Interiors International, Inc. A vivid colored painting will look good against that wall. Something like the one I attached.
5 months ago · ·
Danielle B How about making this wall an everchanging display, by painting a large rectangle with blackboard paint? Your daughter can have fun with it, again and again. Check out the latest issue of BHG-Do it Yourself magazine, see what they did - an entire wall covone in chalkeered with blackboard paint and decorate with a wallpaper pattern done in chalk. I see a blank slate an opportunity...
5 months ago · ·
Committed Photography, Inc. Hi Nicole, a nice trick to cover a lot of wall space is to group 3-5 smaller art pieces together. It costs a lot less then a huge custom piece and the end results look great.

I would consider probably 3 images 18"x12" (portrait orientation with simple black frames and white matting.

http://www.committedphotography.ca/photos/frame/677

http://www.committedphotography.ca/photos/frame/456

http://www.committedphotography.ca/photos/frame/970
5 months ago · ·
lauriels If you dont want one large piece of artwork, you could get many different pieces all different sizes and hang them all over the wall. or blow up pics of your family 3 or 4 large ones in black and white and hang them, or pics of your city. I would love to see it when your done. good luck. love the red. what color is it if you dont mind me asking. I did red in my living room but its a little too dark. thanks
5 months ago ·
Juniper River Home Design I suggest a large mirror framed in black. Not only will this break up the wall but it will also reflect the white and black on the other side of the room - not to mention make the space feel larger. This is a relatively low cost / low risk (since you can always use it else where in the house if you don't like it) feature.
If you want to have a little more fun and add some "risk" to the project ... buy a flat, inexpensive mirror, measure it, and paint a frame directly onto the wall in black larger than the mirror and add a little silver pattern or swirl or sponge etc. Once it dries simply apply the mirror to the wall.
I have done this before but sorry to say I didn't take a photo. What's the worse that can happen? You can always paint over it.
Have fun!
5 months ago ·
Gabberts Design Studio I would suggest large artwork in a series of 3 to consume most of the wall and bring in some interest.
5 months ago · ·
Nicole Goodwin Great ideas! Thanks Guys...

The color is Olympic Burnt Red from Lowes. It definitely had to grow on me. It's definitely fire engine red. We also have my office painted candy apple red and its more of a burgundy. Some of the names can be misleading.
5 months ago ·
Rebecca Barath Our kitchen is red, red, red - same setup with table - I have a buffet for extra storage & 4 black/white pictures (silhouettes from Ballard Design)...we're selling & I'm curious to see reactions to the red, realtor loved it :-)
5 months ago · ·
Elise How about 3 large pictures in bold black and white prints, side by side with black framing?
5 months ago · ·
Judit A large black and white photo? Let there be motion on that wall!
5 months ago · ·
Judit Rebecca are you of Hungarian origin?
5 months ago · ·
Nicole Goodwin Should we try to find b and w prints that are "kitchen-related"?
5 months ago ·
Kerstin Dieterich Designs Be careful not to add to many additional colors.
5 months ago · ·
Tamara B I like what you've done. I would add a large mirror (perhaps a used one if budget is tight) with a black frame (you can paint the frame). However, if budget is an issue I like Juniper's idea of painting a Black frame on the wall....however, I would add another thinner line inside the Black painted frame in either silver or gold paint. The mirror will reflect light into the area and with an inside silver/gold line will add a little bling. Could'nt hurt.

At the right side a small blackboard with a little black table underneath it can be used for little one's artwork OR you can write your menu on it for a dinner party. Oh such fun to decorate!!
5 months ago · ·
Nicole Goodwin Yeah, I kinda want to stick with the black, white and red theme.
5 months ago ·
Cancork Floor Inc. I have a vision of a large "abstract": cream paper/background with large black or "charcoal" brush strokes. Simple black frame. The cream will "soften" the red and the black boldness will complement and not compete with the wall. The simple black frame will allow it to stand alone on the wall. This would have to be at least 3/4 the size of the table.

Just a thought.
5 months ago · ·
ZAN Co. Small but different size pic frames of family or events. Maybe black in white. And stager them around.. Not a straight line. Spread them out, mix it up , and have fun with them..
5 months ago ·
Nicole Goodwin Wow! ALL great ideas! There's actually another blank wall on the right in this picture, it's just not as big. We have black diner style curtains to put up. Thanks a million guys!!
5 months ago ·
Judit Nicole, why kitchen theme? Fruits or cutlery? So dull. You have a cool dining area there with exciting colors and modern seats and that wall belongs to that area rather then to the kitchen. I would go on with this idea. Add the black and white wall art and a new lamp perhaps? I'd love this lamp over your dining table.
5 months ago ·
ds design studio What came to mind first was a large framed mirror too. On the other wall, you could place colorful art.
5 months ago ·
Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design When I look at your photo I think photography.
5 months ago · ·
maggiemae0552 Get pictures you've taken enlarged and printed on canvas and have them done in black and white. Lots of places online will do this. Make sure the size of your photographs is substantial - nothing worse than tiny art on a large wall. you could also look for something architectural....an old wrought iron gate, an old arched window, etc. have fun, you picked out a really pretty shade of red so make that wall a wow!
5 months ago ·
MirrorWindows.com Mirror windows would give the appearance of added architecture and create a very unique look.
5 months ago ·
MirrorWindows.com White mirror windows would match the trim. Mahogany mirror windows would add warmth and accentuate the dining set.
5 months ago ·
groveraxle BIG painting.
5 months ago ·
eoakes maybe a big mirror?
5 months ago ·
Kevin Wild - IBB Designer A nice row of mirrors would look great!:
5 months ago ·
Rebecca Barath Judit - hubby is :-)
5 months ago · ·
ArtHaus Gallery One large painting or a series would be ideal.
5 months ago ·
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