Friday 4 March 2011

Modern Country Kitchen Colour Scheme


We chose Farrow & Ball Blue Gray as the main colour for our Modern Country Kitchen colour scheme but knew that, although it was the perfect colour for the room, there just wasn't enough natural light coming in to stop the room looking gloomy if we used that colour alone.

I wanted a paler colour too.

{Mr Modern Country laughed at me choosing between Cream or Ivory or Off White or Alabaster or Chalk or Almond or ..or...a million others.

What a cheek that man has.}

This is what I chose.


Details to follow soon....


Here's a reminder of how oppressive the colour was before.


It makes such an enormous difference using the paler paint as well as the Gray Blue. It gives the impression of a much lighter, airier room.


The remaining pictures were the images that I used to help me narrow down my final colour choice for our kitchen. I think the creamy-white works so beautifully with the gentle sea tones of the soft greys.

Looking at them now, you'd definitely be excused for thinking that these images were all from one kitchen.

But no.

I just scour and search and look and read and devour and scratch about and hunt and rummage and seek out until I see exactly what I love.


I'm completely obsessed with narrowing down what I want to nth degree. I think it's one of the best way of being sure about what you want to achieve in a room.


Some days, ideas come to me out of nowhere. But on the days when they seem to have dried up a bit, returning to pictures that inspire me really helps get me back on track.

I'm betting that you have some pictures that you return to again and again for finding your va-va-voom again.

{Have a lovely Friday.}



Images: Decodir, Our Kitchen, Our Kitche, Our old kitchen, Our Kitchen, Period House, Kitchen-Paint, Cheverellwood Kitchens

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61 comments :

Michelle said...

Like you I do a LOT of research as well. It doesn't always turn out like I want though......like the entry hall *sigh* But I'll keep looking and thinking and one day, one fine day, I'll get it right ;)

Love your kitchen!

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

A lovely choice of colours.
You have inspired me!
Susan x

Gwen @ Gwenny Penny said...

I love the colors you chose! You really captured your inspiration photos in your own kitchen. Can't wait to check out the link party next week!

Anonymous said...

The color you chose is one of my all time favorites...it's so calm and relaxing. It looks so beautiful in your kitchen...what a change you made!

I was looking through all my saved insp. folders and it's so interesting that all the rooms have the same color, look and feel to them. I can't wait to see what gets shown at your party ~ glad to have found your blog. :)

Have a wonderful day!
Sarah xo

Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors said...

Yippee!! My file will finally be put to good use! I found some good ones just today....

René said...

Sarah, I could just use your narrowed down inspiration images as my own. I love them all. What a nice change of color that will be.

Brandi said...

I really love the painted cabinets in your inspiration photos. I would love to try and change it up a bit and do something neat like that! Your kitchen reminds me a lot of the first photo!

American in Bath said...

Oh, it is all so so pretty. I so want to have your eye for detail, or even a place that I'm allowed to decorate:).

The Farrow and Ball here just put in a new window display. I've been looking at it longingly. Is buying small tins of paint bad?

Young Adventures... said...

Love the colors Sarah! After I long day, the room just calls you to make dinner is such a serene setting.

Meera @ firstsense said...

You're a girl after my heart, Sarah! Your foraging skills are brilliant, as these images show!! I too am one who needs to ferret out exactly what I am looking for.

And of course it's a HUGE deal when you have to pick a colour from the various creams, off-whites and ivories out there. C laughs at me about it too.

I adore this colour scheme and how well it works in your kitchen. You are a creative genius, you are.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if you chose the other colour but, that is the colour that people sometimes want to be mixed up at the store and I always wonder WHY?

What a difference colour can make!

michele said...

'gentle sea tones' YES YES YES. our house has the colors of sand, sea, and sky even though we see forest out our windows. i need gentle around me, nurturing me and hushing me. lovely post, Sarah.

michele

Viv said...

i'd love to have a kitchen that looked like these





myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

You know I love the choice you made!
I love the blue gray ... it is elegant and refined
Have a nice weekend
Mari

Jaimie said...

I absolutely love the colours in your kitchen! So gorgeous!! My sister just bought a house and I'm helping her pick out colours for her kitchen and this definitely helps (we're painting her cabinets)! Love it!!

Daydream Living said...

I'll see if I make it in time to your party, what to wear? what to bring? who will come? do I need the babysitter? btw, your kitchen is really pretty, mine can fit in it twice, or four times...

And I wanted to ask you, what'a "having a natter"? like having a tea together? you wrote that a couple of weeks ago...still thinking about it. Hope to make it on Friday, enjoy the weekend Sarah!
Maureen

chris said...

LOVE the two colors together! It's coming so nicely. Have a splendid weekend.

Cindy said...

I really love the colors that you have chosen for your kitchen. I wish I had chosen them for mine, but I hadn't met you three years ago! Oh well...perhaps I can repaint next summer.
I will link up next Friday!!! I'm very excited about it!
Hugs, Cindy

It's me said...

Have a nice weekend darling....love love Ria...xxx...

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

I love your party idea. I've never linked up before...maybe I'll actually try it next Friday. I do love your inspiration pics. Have a spendid weekend.

LindyLouMac said...

Great results and of course includes a large than life clock :)

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Sarah,

Thank you so much for your comment today! I feel so grateful for having you as my blogging friend. Truly.

I'm feeling really confused with all my inspirations lately!!! LOL It seems that I LOVE TOO MANY STUFF! :-) So, I really need to analyze my taste lately... before I decide to change anything around my house. :-)

Have a peaceful weekend, my friend!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

charl said...

love that colour .. it looks cool and warm at the same time if that makes sense!!..
im wanting to paint the dresser in my kitchen, infact i want to paint all the kitchen .. but keep to similar colours that ive used!!
your kitchen is gorgeous.. i could imagine sitting in there with a cuppa!!

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen reminds me of the first photo. The style of cabinets and hardware are very similar! Cute cute cute! Keep the inspirational photos coming... I need ideas for our kitchen. I know for sure that we will be painting the cabinets in a soft/creamy white.
Looking forward to your link party!

Have a nice weekend, Sarah Sarah!
xxx ~M

On Crooked Creek said...

Sarah,
Your kitchen colors are so very beautiful! In "the dream house" I had a lot of blue. .. especially in the Country kitchen. Here, I chose more Old World and French Country colors. This side of the prairie is more arid. Things are brown most of the year and I need vibriant, warm colors! Love what you're doing with your home. He may not admit it. . .but I'm sure DH loves coming home to those colors and you!
Fondly,
Pat

Divine Theatre said...

I am certain that if the photos I have collected for inspiration were dollar bills we would have paid off the national debt by now!
Your kitchen is lovely!

Hyphen Interiors said...

Love that first inspiration photo. Good choice!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

The new color/colour is lovely, just like you.

Fondly,
Glenda

Travel With Lulu said...

This whole Farrow & Ball is new to me - and I'm loving it ;) Your sneak-peek of your kitchen is so warm and cozy. Have a great weekend, Mrs S
XOL

alison said...

Hello gorgeous Sarah! As always you are providing lots of wonderful inspiration for my kitchen file...love those gentle sea tones...Love it!

Those men folk of ours can be so funny can't they, I had a similar experience when choosing an off white for my walls in one home...funny things indeed..because off white is very serious stuff!

I can't wait to get back home and get stuck into our kitchen reno - thanks again for providing lots of great ideas.

Wishing you a fabulous weekend. Hope you get some lovely springish weather.
Alison xx

Signe said...

It looks great! And what a difference!
Wish you a happy weekend and enjoy your new kitchen :)

Privet and Holly said...

When added a mud
room to our home
and repurposed our
old laundry, I had
a folder of images
that I'd been collecting
for over six years
that I was able to
sift through and show
to the contractor
who we worked with
in order for him to
"get" the mood and
style we wanted. It
worked out beautifully!
If I still have those
stashed somewhere, I
will scan and share on
Friday. Otherwise, I
will find something else....
And believe me, there is
plenty! Funny, I just
repainted a BRIGHT blue
powder room "ionic ivory"
and am painting stencils
in "wheat grass." Love
those paint names!!
xx Suzanne

High Street Cottage said...

When I see your kitchen, Sarah, I'm reminded of what I love about England. The cozy cottage style I have always loved. And you add a certain modern touch which reflects your youthful style. Is that a wine rack at the bottom of the cabinets? And to have a washer/dryer in the kitchen is a dream. Such a beautiful wall color. I love that you share the process with us all. As you know, I'm a fan, xoxo tami

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Great color selection. We had that same yellow in our kitchen when we bought it. I am sure it was thought to be cheery at one time, right? I have TONS of inspiration photos...but I probably can't source them anymore and isn't that considered a faux pas?
Mary Ann

Robynne's Nest said...

Sarah, your kitchen looks fantastic...what an improvement. The Farrow and Ball colours are terrific...it's a product that's available in Australia, but is quite expensive...so everyone simply tries to colour match their colours to Dulux or Wattyl paints. I'm going to do a blog about my new kitchen back home that I had to leave...my kids have re-decorated...Robx

p.s. Yes I'm sort of settling back in...still very homesick...some sunshine would definitely help!

junkermidge said...

What a gorgeous "new" kitchen. The color is beautiful!
Midge

designchic said...

My new favorite kitchen color...gorgeous!!

Lila said...

I love it and wow the shelves you put in near your sink are fabulous. Great idea.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Sarah, it is a beautiful kitchen. It shows thought, care and great attention to detail. This is my first visit to your blog but it will not be my last. You've created a beautiful spot for your readers to visit. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

lisaroy said...

It's looking lovely! I adore the colour- it really freshens it up and makes it look much less dated- funny how just a paint colour can do so much! You approach is very smart especially when it's easy to go off-track with all the beautiful pics out there! :)

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

You've surpassed yourself this time with these photos of lovely kitchens. I do like to see a bit of natural wood plus the colour of some of those cabinets are gorgeous.

How's the oboe practice? My daughter has just started the clarinet. Lordy, Sarah, I thought the recorder and ocarina were bad enough..... It'll get better, I know. I'll be strong.

Byeeeeee xx

Le said...

a delight - as always - I think that loat group of kitchen pics I put up will be a nice link up - see you Friday - le xox

Lauren @ The Semi Rural Mum said...

What a beautiful kitchen redo! Makes me warm and fuzzy..just gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!

the cape on the corner said...

that color is fab! definitely lighter and airier for sure.

Life love, clutter and other beautiful things. said...

Wow!!!! Your kitchen is gorgeous!!! I love teh softness you have created the colour scheme is relaxing.

I had to laugh re the choice of 'whites' comment. I have been doing a similar thing at home; painting in shades of whites to get the 'white' I wanted for the walls xox

Tricia said...

Whenever I see photos of your kitchen, I remember that that was when I first discovered your blog...when you had just started fixing your kitchen up.

I love that blue gray too...such a pretty color. I just bought a pillow in that shade :)

Betsy Brock said...

Lovely! Grey is my favorite!

Erin said...

Gorgeous kitchen! We are in the middle of painting our kitchen right now, too! I found your blog at the DIY Showoff. You have such great ideas and I'm your newest follower! I'd love it if you'd follow me back: http://stillwaterstory.blogspot.com/
Again, you did a fantastic job with this!! :-)

Natasha in Oz said...

Well, I am sure you would already know that I love those colours! I just love the grey/green tones.

Divine in every way!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Holly Lefevre said...

Your kitchen makeover is amazing. We did ours and I love it, but some of those photos make me swoon - oh what I coudl have done with a major remodel. My heart goes pitter-patter.

Decor To Adore said...

What a lovely vignette! I adore the colors~so soothing.

Have a wonderful Fat Tuesday!

Courtney said...

So calming and beautiful!

Kirsty Girl said...

Love the inspiration"! So gorgeous.

My Dream Canvas said...

How lovely. Really like your blog. I am a follower. Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Lovely choice of colours! What a transformation.

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

Your kitchen looks beautiful!!
I love the color!

Unknown said...

Hello from your newest follower! I just love you site and cant wait to dig around a bit.
This kitchen is lovely!!!!!!

Sue said...

Love your kitchen and the color choice!!
Sue

Mimi said...

Lovely choice of paints. It's right up my alley.

Yes, my hubby does not understand the anxiety that strikes me over choosing just the right white or off-white...or any other shade, tint, or tone of any other color for that matter.

Anonymous said...

I know this is an older blog but LOVING the colours in the first photo. Very very tempted to ask my landlord can I "freshen up" the kitchen hehe x

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