San Francisco Bay Area - Need help with kitchen in my new house

by traiaberg

Need help with kitchen in my new house

My dilemma is the kitchen of the house we will be moving into. We are on a tight budget since we will be replacing the mica counters with granite and adding a tile backsplash. My style is Traditional with earth tones. Here is the current kitchen I'm thinking of a light granite with brown marbling like the Ice Brown Polished. My question is should I leave the cabinets the color they currently are and what kind of back splash would work I was thinking of a Travertine with some accent tiles. The next thing is the current lighting in the kitchen. There are five basic canned lights and one ugly recessed fluorescent with a cloudy plastic cover. Also the ceiling is at a angle since it is vaulted in the kitchen. I'm not sure if or how we can remove that fluorescent light and what should go in its place I would like to have pendent lights in place of the canned lights I just don't remember where the placement of them is. We won't be in the house for another four weeks. These are the only photos I currently have. The floor tile is pretty neutral and in great condition. Oh and I would like to remove the panels from one set of cabinets and put in some kind of glass. I just can't visualize all this to know if it will all work or would I be making things worse? Any help is greatly appreciated. If it helps its a open concept on the other side of the breakfast bar is the family room.

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Overland Remodeling & Builders Your kitchen does look a bit dark. I would add pendent lights above the bar if possible, task lighting under the cabinets, paint the cabinets in a dark color (espresso/chocolate) - to bring drama into the kitchen and to create contrast between the floor and your countertop. As for the backsplash - I'm assuming your countertop will have a pattern to it, then you should stick to a solid color tile backsplash - I would go for glass tile installed in a brick pattern with a color that will complement the countertop and floor

3 months ago · Like ·

Dytecture I agree with changing the fluorescent to pendant lighting. The cabinets looks fine and I wouldn't do anything with them at the moment. Also consider painting the walls a lighter shade to brighten the room up a bit.

3 months ago · Like

towanda53 Your "neutral" tile floor has an undertone--green? yellow? pink? Can't tell from the photo. Whatever it is, don't ignore it when choosing your countertop, or it will scream at you later. Agree with everything Overland said.

3 months ago · Like

EnvironmentalLights.com We just launched a new line of ultra thin LED under cabinet lighting that would really help to upgrade your space as well. All of the lights have built in diffusers too so you won't get a glare on the tiles or countertops. And best of all, it's very user friendly to install so you might not even need an electrician's help if you wanted to install the lighting yourself.

It has interchangeable LED light bars and LED puck lights that you can choose from, in two colors of white (soft or neutral). Soft white is definitely preferred in kitchen lighting - and since they're dimmable too you can create a any atmosphere you want.

Complimentary design advice from our lighting specialists at (888) 880-1880 if you need any help!

http://www.environmentallights.com/led-under-cabinet-lighting/environmentallights-premium-modular-led-under-cabinet-lighting/led-under-cabinet-lights.html

3 months ago · Like

Carolina Photo To Go LLC I think the granite will look great with a travertine backsplash and your floor tile.
There are so many beautiful pendant lights. I like the ones that are a little more substantial than the bullet style. There are many pictures of some on HOUZZ. I did find one on Lowes sight that might work so I will attempt to post a link. Lowes usually has nice things that won't break a budget.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_339227-28059-CH-13_0__?productId=3378902&Ntt=pendant+lighting&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dpendant%2Blighting&facetInfo=

I will think hardware would enhance the look of your cabinets too. What you choose will depend on if there is metal on your lighting. Since you have stainless appliances you might want stainless lighting too which would be a great look in a pendant and stainless hardware.

3 months ago · Like

carolannr I think the cabinets are fine with your choice of countertop and travertine backsplash. I do like the idea of pendants over the sink counter area with undercabinet lighting on the other side. Opening that last cabinet with glass doors will work if the things you put in there will look good being seen from the family room - thats an essential consideration unless you use textured glass - and light them from the inside.

3 months ago · Like

Pauline P Like your idea of glass in the cupboard.
An observation. Travertine needs to be sealed so before you commit to,it, spray it with water to see the exact color. Some granite shops will send,you to a HUGE WAREHOUSE that is NOT ON SITE for you to select your stone...they are incredibly helpful in pulling the color together to the floor and cupboard.

How much natural light does the kitchen receive?
I am wondering about this given the current dark color scheme.

3 months ago · Like

traiaberg There is a big picture window with a window seat that these photos were taken from. I know this does look extremely dark but it usiually isn't. Sine the kitchen opens to the family room that has a triple sling glass door to the patio plus the large window. I know I absolulety will be adding hardware to the cabinets so with that and all that I want to do I am not certain all the right choices to make a cohesive kitchen. I love the ideas posted her and those under counter lights are amazing. So I should take into consideration my hardware after choosing my lighting? Good to know. Oh and besides travertine backsplash what would be another option to look at Glass or tile?
Thanks everyone

3 months ago · Like