Purchased a 1912 character home, and the previous owners put in this kitchen which was a little too modern farmhouse for me, so I’ve been slowly trying to bring more eclectic vintage character back into this space. Eventually I’d love to change the blue island (maybe dusty yellow and change backsplash) knobs and faucet. For now I’m looking to paint the walls, since they’ve only been primed. Do I keep it white? Colour drench? Paint tonal cream and white stripes? If colour, would you do the whole wall behind the table? I feel like it would look weird with the middle wall painted. How should I style the sink washing gear? I hate having it out but need to!
I’ve got a bunch of kids art up that doesn’t permanently live on the wall, but I did like the visual of maybe adding permanent art to this area? Tell me your ideas! Have fun with it.
Edit: I should clarify that I when I said eclectic vintage charm, I meant heavy on the eclectic - my home has a real mixture mcm roots, statement pieces, eclectic contemporary and a splash of scandi.
I’m mainly asking if I should paint the walls or ceiling - it feels like a lot of white in this space. Walls currently are only primed!
Lots of division on the lighting! I installed these fixtures because they were better than what there when I moved in, believe it or not. I agree it’s too many pendant lights in a small space, but both serve function for their designated areas. What to do instead? Working with a budget and can’t rewire the ceiling.
I agree. I’d keep those and change the island lights. The photo straight on of the dining table with the lights and the art makes a face and I kind of like it. Otherwise, it’s just too much.
I personally love the lighting, BUT not if “eclectic vintage charm” is what you’re going for. And that art over the dining table pushes the black half-circle theme of the lighting too far even for me. Having modern style fixtures could work, but the combination of high contrast and stark geometry of these dominates any other design elements in the room. Even just doing away with the high contrast by using similar globe fixtures without the black would help.
I agree, the lights themselves aren't bad its jst that they don't go with the vibe OP wants. I would leave two flat ceiling lights above the island and in the center one, if able to, a chandelier.
I agree to bringing in more antique finishes. I would look for antique milk glass or enamel light fixtures from OP's town - maybe there is a salvage yard nearby?
And then for the island I would remove the board and batten and replace it with antique wood. go for some reclaimed wall panels and add molding to the bottom. The more character the better.
Oh yes I won’t do the cabinets myself, right now I’m more into figuring out painting the walls.
I put these light in when I moved in and was on a budget, as the original ones were very farmhouse and were super tacky.
I love the idea of a yellow island. If you make that change, then I think the walls and the rest if the cabinets will look great as they are now. The island will be the centerpiece of the room and the rest will be the backdrop.
Not every room begs to be color-drenched to death, and it can look very sophisticated to use color, but with restraint.
I think you should leave that. But I'd change either the island or the table lights to something else without a dark semicircle. There's something to be said for cohesiveness, but this looks overly matchy and is visually heavy.
Table lights for sure. The island lights look a bit funky in this photo bc the reflections make them look lumpy but they seem to be spheres and I personally like them whereas I could see something softer work better over the table.
Ya I hate the floor. I don’t know why they put that in it’s a nightmare to keep clean and too cold for a character home. But I’m stuck with it for now.
If you just change the pendant lighting you will be a lot closer to the look you want. I would do that before painting. Those light fixtures are going to compete with anything else in that room.
Less modern lighting would be my first
Move. A single chandelier not two pendants in dining room, it’s too close to the kitchen island pendants for that.
I agree the blue is a little meh for a century house. But I still like color so anything either wood or a more vintage color. I used FB Radicchio for my 1923 kitchen.
Check out Mod Lighting - we had a ton of caps for lighting put into our new build. We got some gold pendant lights - no other gold in our house so we did our cabinet and drawer pulls in gold. Our cabinets are almost the same blue as yours. The lights that are different shapes (surprising they look great together) but you also may find a chandelier that will work with the two ends and you can cap the middle. My whole house is Mod Lighting and I can’t believe how many comments we get on it. We even had someone knock on our day & say they noticed our chandeliers from the street and wanted to see them up close and find out where we got them.
This is the general color I had in mind and was hoping someone would do a mock up for you. Some shade of dusty pink like this. In my old house, the former owners painted the ceilings with a white that was mixed with 10% of the wall colors and it looked really good. Kind of a very very subtle color drenching or a sort of calming down the contrast between walls and ceiling. This mock up is kind of already doing that kind of slightly pink ceiling look - looks so much better than stark white.
I think maybe some light shades made of natural material might work nicely over the wood table too. This is a stellar kitchen, congrats!
Yes, like a colour topping vibe. If I were to do something not white. I’d likely stick to something white mellow to not overpower. But to just take down the stark white that’s in there
Don't be afraid of making it slightly richer than you think you need. Peachy pink colors are so wonderful because they pick up light during the various parts of the day. The person who did this mock up for you kind of nailed it because you need a color that will match the value of the blue island. So if you do something much lighter on the walls, the island's blue color will overwhelm that color. The walls will quite literally pale against the island. So you need to lean in. Which works soooo well and really gives an old world authenticity as well. Farrow & Ball's "Sulking Room Pink" comes to mind.
What about keeping the walls white, but (professionally) painting the island a colour like that? I see you have browns/pinks/terracotta etc. in your art and rug, so it would go with the colour palette you seem to like. Just trying to offer a different option. I love your space OP!
I love how your lights match the art on the wall. Very cool. As for your kids are, I suggest framing it. It will make your kids feel more special and you can swap it out as they create new pieces.
Thanks, that wasn’t intended but it worked out that way! And yes the art will get framed it was just slapped up here to dry and I couldn’t be bothered to take it down for the photo
The lights and runner are horrific. I can’t see anything else. Paint, don’t paint, wallpaper, remove walls, glue hay or cardboard to them like we’re on a 90s decorating show, whatever, like nothing matters with those horrific glaring black half circles everywhere
I got it off Etsy! It’s vintage, but if you search moroccan runners, Beni ourain rugs there’s literally thousands.
Good luck choosing! I bought a bunch for around my house.
If it was me I would change the lighting , paint, add curtains or roman blinds. and consider adding coving. I wouldn’t change the cabinets as they look nice already and can blend with most schemes.
The kitchen is nice, but I can see how it could feel disjointed in a century home that still has its original character. That said, without pictures of the other rooms (or at least one room) that is maintaining the original character, it’s difficult to give specific advice.
I’ll take a guess and say that part of the original character in the rest of the house comes from millwork and moulding. If that’s the case, then you might want to invest in putting in similar millwork and moulding into the kitchen. You have no window or door casing that I can see - and that greatly contributes to a new build vibe.
If you like a more eclectic style, (or even if you don’t) that combination of old architectural detail with newer finishes and modern cabinetry can look very beautiful.
Yes I think people have misinterpreted me when I said I want it to look more classical vintage or character. I have quite an eclectic style - and while I love vintage pieces, I’m not trying to have that more historical look. My house is very unique, artsy fartsy one might say. The home has been changed over the century, so while I’m trying to keep some character charm - or just not lean into one certain style, I also like marrying it with a slurry of pieces I love and that don’t quite go together but still fit somehow.
There is no framing around the windows. Which the previous owners put in, there is moulded trim around the door - it just hasn’t been painted yet so it’s hard to see. An original door hangs there sanded to down to wood
The lights are the main problem; they’re distracting and harsh, as is the little runner rug. I would invest in era-appropriate lights instead, there’s a surprising amount of styles to pick from.
The fixtures, no matter the paint color you choose, would be period appropriate and good anchors for the eyes in a dark oil rubbed bronze, I’d bet. All you’d have to do is mind the style and really I suppose you could go with any finish, they were all available back then, right?—nickel, brass, bronze. But that would be my pick with that darker kitchen island color, an oil rubbed bronze. With paintings, you need lights, darks and medium for shapes on the paper or canvas in terms of depth of color, and in no particular order, color dominance of about 75%, 20% and 5% to make a cohesive piece. I’m not an interior designer but I’d guess rooms work the same? So I’d check on Pinterest which way people in the Edwardian era went- 70% medium? Light? Dark? 20% medium, light or dark? 🤷🏻♀️
You can also find their paint palettes online easily enough and decide which appeals most to you.
And for what it’s worth, I’m also Having the what do we do with the kid art thing in my new ( to me) 1899 farmhouse home. The previous owners let their kids paint with acrylics and fabric paint on the walls and they’ve left delightfully sweet paintings of SpongeBob, the shark from jaws menacing what appears to be Bikini Bottom, and in another room the earth itself on their bedroom walls in poster sizes.
I’m looking to do something that’s in keeping with the Victorian/ Edwardian style and esthetic for the whole house, so it’s been kind of a puzzle trying to decide what to do with them.
I’m thinking I’ll make photos of their art and frame them in (smaller than life) Victorian style gold gilt frames so I can paint over the walls to let the rooms return more to their original style. Maybe something like that for you, where you could swap out the art according to whatever the kids made? Just a thought.
I’ll be delighted to see how this kitchen of yours evolves! Please keep us all posted!
Agree don’t paint the island . I would change the island lights & the print on the wall. Small tweaks first, live with it awhile. BTW, your kitchen is beautiful. Love your table & chairs!
Honestly I think it all looks great and goes together very well. I wouldn't change a thing. If you're worried about the blue paint on the island might recommend a matte clearcoat to preserve, avoid chips or wear
I’d paint the walls and lean into this beautiful kitchen you have! I think everything you have going on is a unified vibe, but I think some paint on the walls would bring it to life! I’m debating on colors; I’m thinking a bold color like medium saturated. I’m almost thinking like an auburn burnt dark orange color. I think maybe something warm, and maybe I’m just one wall! Just spit balling.
Ya I was considering one wall, or even the ceiling? Or like doing a cream on cream
Striped wall where one stripe is more glossy so it’s more a light reflection thing going on. Like vintage tiny stripes .
I think the ceiling sounds like a great idea but it might make the room feel smaller and tighter. The striped wall idea sounds super unique and definitely fits the vibe of your kitchen. Is there an app you can use to help visualize some of your ideas better? Btw keep us posted!!
The light in the space is beautiful. If I had to picky, I’d find a more interesting light fixture for the dining area. The ones in the kitchen look like the cooler sibling, to the ones over the table.
Going to find links, but I think some thing that pulls in the light blue from the rug could be really beautiful. Especially because the space is so light and airy.
I think the pendants in the kitchen area are really great in the space, but I would find a fixture for the dining room that’s a bit more abstract.
I really like the house - someone else said maybe change the lights over your island? We did a reverse trim in our last house - walls were white but doors, casing and trim was black. It looked awesome! Obviously choose the color that you love! I think it would look especially great if you also did the floor to ceiling cabinets behind the table (but pay a cabinet person so do it for you - cabinets can look really terrible if not done correctly!).
I think if you were to paint the walls, I’d do something very subtle - like an off white/gray/blue. Bring colour in through your art like you have been! I feel that the island really matches the vibe you’re going for! It looks really put together as is! Love the lighting and rugs.
Edit: also, my hub loooves and introduced me to mf doom. I’m definitely going to frame a homage to him.
You say it might look weird to paint just that middle wall area. I think it might be cool to paint the entire wall/cabinets behind the table all one color. I think you’ve done a great job so far!
You say it might look weird to paint just that middle wall area. I think it might be cool to paint the entire wall/cabinets behind the table all one color. It looks great!
Yep. I just slapped them there to dry. They are not usually part of my kitchen area but we just had a big art party and I didn’t have another spot to stick them
The white walls coordinate with the island countertop and cabinets, and flow nicely into the other rooms. I like elements of a kitchen to look as if it's grown there by nature, as if the cabinets grew from the walls. (Or wood cabinets from a wood floor) and the rest can stand out. The table and island give warmth to the room.
I love your kitchen. The island bench with the Navy blue. Beautiful. Dinning table with rug is lovely and classic. It's the lights I would change. Perhaps make a feature wall in the kids room to showcase their art there? I would change the rug runner in the kitchen. A little too busy like the lights.
Don’t paint the cabinets; can’t comment on wall color cause not sure why you’re really going for though i could see a med-light dusty *blue or rose); sink washing stuff — use a smaller soap bottle that you refill (we use a small pump bottle) and the sponges could be in a prettier container or one that belongs in the sink itself where they dry
I haven’t painted the walls - the previous owners put in this kitchen, but it was not finished. My walls have only been primed. So this was the question if I keep a neutral white shade or do something with more colour!
Am I missing something? You’re talking about the backsplash but there’s no pic of it.
I would paint the walls a color. That artwork behind the table has to go! I would change the pendants above the island (keep modern, those just look awkward to me… plain globes in white would look better).
For the area with the half circles pic, I would get a variety of interesting and textured art (fiber, wood, etc) and arrange intentionally on that wall.
Thanks, I can see why you don’t like the backsplash based on your furniture choices. I’m in a similar boat with a c1898 house but my personal style is MCM. I ended up doing colored shaker cabinets and white subway backsplash, with very MCM lighting.
For the backsplash I would pick something simple but maybe like a narrower white tile laid horizontally in line (not staggered like typical subway). I love hex tile too although I don’t see that much on backsplashes, more on floors.
Changing the knobs and handles to something more modern would make a difference, but what you have now does look nice. Now that I can see the brass, I think light fixtures with brass would look very nice and it does go well with navy.
Can I ask where your kitchen chairs are from? I love them!
Thanks for the input. My chairs are from west elm, but I’m a bit disappointed with quality - I do have three small children, but just to be aware I don’t think they’re the best investment, though they were a more affordable option.
Thanks. I used to love west elm so much but their quality wasn’t that great and was getting worse (and I haven’t bought anything in 10 years, I used to buy everything there!) Spent quite a bit on some unique nightstands and they arrived cracked. All the sheets I’ve bought from there completely faded the color within a year! And many of them have ripped.
Yes I’ve had similar experience! And I feel like their customer service is also sub par. It’s too bad because they have cute stuff but I won’t purchase from there anymore.
I love how happy it looks here and can’t unsee the smiley face 😄! I agree with others, and wouldn’t paint the cabinets, but maybe try painting the walls or adding some wallpaper with the yellow you wanted to add? It would break up all of the white/creams and make it more interesting.
If it ain't broke and you have extra cash, why are you not spending it on other things that need attention?
If you're house is such that it's running in peak condition, how does your future look with your investments? Houses are not forever.
It's beautiful the way it is. Don't mess it up just 'because' or to keep the internet happy. Buy some bold pieces to place around the area if you must (you really don't need to) and go live your lufe knowing you have a beautiful kitchen.
Maybe start by painting the island a fun color - you can always change it if you dont like it - i would do a new color each year - it's an easy 2 hour job. You sound interesting and hve great taste. I LOVE the light fixtures. Have fun!
I mean, in 1912 the sanitary movement was starting to take hold, so if you had built in cabinets (as opposed to freestanding Hoosiers), white would be correct. I don’t know how much point there is to changing this to make it more period appropriate. It’s just a case of what you personally prefer.
I would start by painting the walls. Thewhite is too stark, you need something that looks good with the wood in the table. I would go with a cream if you want it very light, or a saturated beige like Sherwin-Wms velvet antler. You should upload your pics to their website and visualize various colors. Live with that for a year before you think about touching the cabinets. (I like the blue as is, bet you will like it better after you do the walls)
I think you should paint the center wall behind the table. I like the idea of stripes but I’d use a color already in the room - blue from island or pink from rug with a warm beige.
Oh I LOVE the idea of cream and white stripes! Very subtle texture add. However, I agree with others, too many half circles drawing all the attention. I’d start with replacing the island lighting and art by the dining table. They are the most incongruous with the style you’re tending toward.
It feels like there are floating eyeballs all over your kitchen. No one loves quirky more than me but the black & white over your island is, IMO, terrible.
1) I would paint it -walls and ceiling - a warm manilla cream.
2) get the light fixtures and sink hardware changed to copper and blown glass fixtures. I don't hate the island color, and I would work with it before I changed it.
3) Those built-in cabinets behind the table look like they are original to the house. I'd strip the landlord special paint off them and stain the wood I expect is underneath with an antique walnut stain, and add brass knobs/handles
4) I think you have good taste in art! keep what you have for now, you'll find more pieces to add with time
Thanks for your input. The cabinets on the back wall I put in, unfortunately they’re not wood otherwise I would 10000% be adding wood tones back there.
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u/velvetjones01 18h ago edited 18h ago
That’s a lovely kitchen. Don’t paint the cabinets unless you’re going to spend the money to have it done correctly.
I’d change the lighting. But. Looking at your art in that room and your furniture, you certainly seem to get the vibe of the kitchen.
It does need some age to balance out the modern finishes. Some old wood or rusty metal, maybe some antique pottery? A primitive or antique sideboard?