Reader Paige needs our help — she and her husband Dustin recently bought a 1960 ranch house, and they are struggling to decide what paint color would help liven up the brown, brown and more brown found throughout the kitchen and connected dining room. She isn’t a fan of the brown backsplash, flooring and countertops, but they will have to stay for now. Can we give Paige a few paint and decorating ideas to help add some color her kitchen?
Paige writes:
I’ve been a follower of Retro Renovation for a long time and have seen you help fellow readers with paint! My husband and I just bought a 1960 ranch, and I am really struggling with what color to paint the kitchen/dining room.
Our kitchen is open to the dining room, and unfortunately the brown back splash and brown floor will have to stay for a while.
That, paired with the blonde woodwork and a wheat Heywood Wakefield table and chairs are really giving me some issues! I’m not attached to the upholstery on the chairs so that can be changed if need be! I definitely want to go with color in the kitchen but everything I pick seems to clash with the floor. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
So, what can we do to help liven up all of that brown? We think there are a few key changes that can make a huge difference and up the happy factor in Paige’s kitchen:
- Light: Adding additional sources of bright light — like new, brighter ceiling lights — will help the space feel more cheery right away.
- Color: Between the brown wood cabinets and trim, brown tile floor, brown tile backsplash, brown countertop and beige walls, there is sure a lot of brown in Paige’s kitchen. The quick, easy and inexpensive way to fix this problem is to choose a cheery paint color for the walls, or maybe even a wallpaper accent wall.
- Rug: To further up the happy in Paige’s kitchen, we suggest getting a large area rug to place under the table in the dining area. This will not only add color and pattern to the space, but also help break up the large expanse of brown flooring.
Now, let’s see four options we came up with to help brighten up Paige’s brown kitchen.
Kate’s option 1: A happy aqua
In this option, I found a light colored cheery flower print indoor/outdoor rug that will contrast with the medium brown floor tiles and inject some life into the room. Next, I pulled the aqua blue flower color found in the rug and used that shade to paint the walls. This instantly refreshes the space! Playing off Paige’s Jere inspired starburst wall hanging, I also added a coordinating sputnik light fixture that will not only add interest but also more light to the space. Finally, a medium toned vintage wood starburst clock helps repeat just a little bit of the wood up on the walls. Paige could recover her dining chairs with a solid coral, green or aqua fabric and also use that fabric to make coordinating valences for above the sink and dining room window.
- Aqua walls — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Spa’
- Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
- Paige’s Jere inspired wall art
- Sputnik light from Practical Props
- Rug from Overstock.com
- Vintage starburst clock from Ebay
Kate’s option 2: Cheerful coral
This option — similar to option 1 but a good choice if Paige likes warm colors more than cool colors — I used the same light colored cheery flower print indoor/outdoor rug that will contrast with the medium brown floor tiles and inject some life into the room. Next, I pulled the coral flower color found in the rug and used that shade to paint the walls. This instantly refreshes the space! Playing off Paige’s Jere inspired starburst wall hanging, I also added a coordinating sputnik light fixture that will not only add interest but also more light to the space. Finally, a medium toned vintage wood starburst clock helps repeat just a little bit of the wood up on the walls. Paige could recover her dining chairs with a solid coral, green or aqua fabric and also use that fabric to make coordinating valences for above the sink and dining room window.
- Coral walls — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Persimmon’
- Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
- Paige’s Jere inspired wall art
- Sputnik light from Practical Props
- Rug from Overstock.com
- Vintage starburst clock from Ebay
Kate’s option 3: Kitschy kitchen wallpaper
In this option, I started with some fabulous vintage 1970s wallpaper with a kitschy kitchen themed print. So as not to overwhelm the space and save on cost, I would wallpaper just one wall as an accent wall. The remainder of the walls would be painted a cheery aqua, pulled from the wallpaper pattern. Next, I’d add a yellow area rug — another color pulled from the wallpaper pattern — to help brighten up the floor and add even more color. A classic globe ceiling light over the table would not compete for attention with the wallpaper, and would provide a nice amount of light in the space. A grouping of vintage wall plaques in coordinating colors to the wallpaper helps repeat the color scheme and ads a bit more kitsch to this kitchen. Finally, a medium toned vintage wood starburst clock helps repeat just a little bit of the wood up on the walls. Paige could recover her dining chairs with a yellow, green or aqua fabric matched to the wallpaper pattern and also use that fabric to make coordinating valences for above the sink and dining room window.
- 1970s wallpaper from Hannah’s Treasures
- Bright aqua walls that coordinate with the aqua in the vintage wallpaper — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Tantalizing Teal’
- Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
- Globe pendant light from Practical Props
- Rug from Overstock.com
- Vintage starburst clock from Ebay
- Vintage tree of life wall hanging from Ebay
- Vintage yellow flower and butterfly wall hanging from Ebay
Pam’s option 4: Warm and woodsy like Grandma’s kitchen
Pam here. The first thing I thought of when I saw Paige’s kitchen was to start with a braided rug, because this whole space has old-fashioned feel, like a knotty pine kitchen. In addition, that DELICIOUS Heywood Wakefield Dogbone set can skew old-timey or mid mod. So I went for a kitchen like my Grandma Agnes had. I found a Capel rug that would look good with the brown — kinda foresty. I looked for a cheery barkcloth that would add more pattern via matching valances for the two windows — hey, you could also do a cafe curtain on the bottom half of the dining room window, which would add even more cheer. Kate chose a dusty blue paint color taken the rug and the barkcloth. In this concept, I skipped a light for over the table thinking you may want to keep the existing fan with light, for function. And I found forest green fabric for the chair pads.
- Aqua blue wall paint — like Sherwin-Williams ‘Raindrop’
- Paige’s Heywood Wakefield dinette set
- Braided oval American Legacy rug in Pine Forest from Capel Rugs
- Maharam Messenger ‘Turf’ fabric from Modern Fabrics to recover the chair seats
- Martha’s Vineyard vintage barkcloth fabric from Ebay seller floridabungalow for window treatments
- Vintage starburst clock from Ebay
- Paige’s Jere inspired wall art
Ok, readers — here’s your chance to chime in. Which of these options do you like best for Paige’s kitchen? And: Feel free to add your own ideas to the comments, too!
Kay says
My new flooring looks almost identical to that. I went with cucumber from Benjamin Moore. It almost perfectly matches the original light green color of the kitchen. It looks great with the brown floor and I set off with splashes of red.
I would be happy to share my photos. Which are during construction and a little messy, but you can get the idea.
Diana Cowden says
I think a nice aqua blue/green color. Take a look at Porter Paints Niagra Mist. I think some of the colors above are too blue. I think the blue needs some green in it. Sort of a robins egg blue.
maria says
This isn’t a decor problem, it’s a light problem.
If you don’t want to paint the cabinets (was the only decor thing that made a huge difference in my also low light kitchen) then I say don’t spend a penny on decor till you fix the light issue, because everything will look different once that’s fixed. A skylight is the ideal solution, but if that’s too expensive look into getting a sun tunnel. Those go between the studs, aren’t very expensive and will add lots of light changing the entire mood of the space. I know several people who put them in and it’s a huge change. It will cost about the same amount as a rug, but pack a whole lot more punch.
maria says
However, if you want to start with decor I’d do an aqua wall color as it goes so great with that wood tone and get a light colored carpet remnant that covers the dining area wall to wall. I use to do that when I rented to completely cover flooring I didn’t like. You can get the edges sewn, but I never bothered with the extra cost of that. Once furniture is in you don’t notice anything. In fact, I covered a yucky brown vinyl floor with cream berber carpet and it upgraded the entire space.
Paige M says
Yeah that’s definitely not in the cards but we have a Sputnik light we’re hanging over the dining table and exchanging the kitchen light for a simple globe pendant! I agree the current lighting needs to go!
maria says
You know, just for now you might take the top upper doors off the cabinet section across the sink. Paint the inside an accent color and put some lights in there (or even flameless candles with timers for now) and make it a feature. Then use at least one uplight on the floor to wash a wall corner(s) with light for drama (stick it behind a plant or something-they are very inexpensive and offset harsh overhead only lighting). If you can, put a dimmer switch on the dining room light – you’ll come to love it.
Deb says
Grandma’s kitchen~ loved & please do not paint the cupboards!
Paige M says
Not a chance! The cabinets are staying! The wood is gorgeous and in excellent condition!
Cindy says
I really like the first option, with the aqua and the golden brown .
We’ve got almost the same kitchen in the 60’s ranch we are in the process of buying, except the countertops are black fake granite laminate.
Our dining room is painted red. I’m a fan of kitschy 50’s style, so my first project is going to be painting my cabinets a creamy white. In the actual kitchen, the walls are going to be aqua. I’m planning to paint the dining area white. The laundry is in an open closet off the dining area, so we are going to install louvered folding doors, painted aqua. My accent color will be red. Eventually, the counter tops will be replaced with white laminate. The wood parquet floor tiles are a dilemma. For now, rugs will be the solution.
Teresa in STL says
I vote for the wallpaper and turquoise walls!
Emily Baumann says
Don’t be scared to paint the cabinetry! I would go with white. It reflects light and makes a space instantly feel bigger. The hardware is fabulous! I’d leave it, except for maybe a fresh coat of paint. The door in the dining room could use a splash of bright color and some upholstery tacks to trim it out, but I’d leave the walls white to match the kitchen, and let my mid century decor do the talking. The ceiling fan would definitely have to go! You can turn just about anything you want into a pendant light, or a swag which is period. Make the hardware store your second home! Have fun!
LJ says
Noooo, don’t paint that beautiful wood!
Christa says
I love the aqua paint and sputnik light options that Kate put together, but I think I would use a lighter aqua color – Pensive Blue from Sherwin Williams is a good one for balancing between retro and fresh/modern. I would do without a window treatment over the sink, it’s blocking too much natural light. And for a rug, how about one like this?
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/aldo-blue-indoor-outdoor-rug/f62724
Eileen says
How about a soft yellow? It will surely brighten the room and go well with the wood tones. I personally do not like the coral, but that’s me. Paint is cheap, go buy a couple of quarts in the colors you are considering and try them on the walls. It’s amazing what natural light, ceiling lights, time of day etc. do to paint colors. I always like to live with it for a little while to see how it changes through the day. DO NOT paint your cabinets if you can help it. They are only original once.
Paige M says
We’re still undecided on color but I assure you we won’t be painting the cabinets. They were a huge selling point for us! And yes, we’re putting up all new light fixtures!
Marilyn says
Wonderful that you are keeping the Cabinets …and I hope the whole look. Have you considered going with the colors popular at the time? There are a lot of magazines from that time frame and the colonial look was popular as well as wallpaper That is what your kitchen looks like to me…Colonial… I recently saw a designer do hers over with a red, green and wallpaper look that would have gone over with the wood…just imagine this with a red china cabinet or piece of furniture and green walls with the knotty pine kitchen and patterned curtains or wallpaper either way…
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PlZN4MWvkq0/TJkk48hSo9I/AAAAAAAAEtY/K4jKSBoJghM/knottypinekitchen_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800
lynda says
This rug might tie the room together. Lots of colors to work with.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Aria-Collection-Nik-Nak-Gemstone-Olefin-Area-Rug-78-x-1010/11750296/product.html?refccid=D2VNLXMMFRILIQKLDVMPUP526E&searchidx=100
indoor/outdoor rug for cleaning.
pam kueber says
Nice one!
Ginene Nagel says
I think the overstock rug would be interesting and I love the braided rug best but it is too expensive. For the price, they could replace the floor. I like Pam’s upholstery choice, too. One good thing about the old floor…I bet dirt won’t show at all. I would use New Life Furniture Masque on the cabinets which would bring them back to life.
Dana says
Love it!