Going Gray in the Kitchen
Happy Monday! Yesterday it was so gray, wet and windy and I was soooooo worried I wouldn’t be able to get any good photos of our newly gray kitchen. Guess what? I did! Phew!
I’m bursting at the seams to show you photos with our gray walls!
You may remember that we were thinking of painting the kitchen gray. Here’s the photo from Instagram:
I don’t know why it took me almost three years to paint the yellow walls. Well, yes, I do know. At some point we want to do the kitchen over. BUT we may want to bump it out a little and make it bigger. So I was waiting.
A year went by.
Then two years went by. I updated the light, I added a clock. You may remember this photo from our two year home tour (click here for that post):
Then a bit more time went by and it’s nearly three years (well, it will be in May). I decided THIS year I would paint the walls because yellow is just not my color.
Thank you all so much for all your guesses on Facebook and all the color recommendations.
In the end we went with Benjamin Moore Gray Owl. It is the perfect gray for our space!
I’ll tell you why we chose this color. I really wanted a cool (not blue gray). The cabinets are an off white and the trim is white and since we’re going to be doing our kitchen over at some point, I just wanted something that would go with all of that rather than repainting everything now. I will say I painted the entire kitchen twice. I painted it with what I thought was Gray Owl and then I said to Luke, “Hmm, I’m really not sure I picked the right color.” When he came home we looked at the two coats against the swatch and it wasn’t Gray Owl. I went back to my friends at Hingham Lumber and told them I didn’t think I had the right paint and they sorted it out. I tested the color on a card at the shop (which I guess I should have done in the beginning but I always just want to get things done). So I painted two more coats on the wall and ta da! The right gray.
Here’s the kitchen before the day I started painting.
The light makes it look like the yellow is glowing and here it is now:
This color looks perfect with the white trim and the off white cabinets. I decided to take down the clock (perhaps moving it to the office) and I’m keeping my eye out for something industrial to go on the wall behind the counter.
Our switches and plugs were cream and while we were at it we decided to replace them. Luke replaced the counter backsplash sockets with GFCI compliant ones and white switches. They just look so much cleaner, don’t you think?
If you look closely you can see our gray hutch in the dining room and I was also thinking about this when picking a color.
You probably want to see the other side of the kitchen too, huh?
Well, this got a little more of a makeover and a tidy up. I really love the built ins in our home and our kitchen has a fabulous built in china cabinet. The cabinet was actually in the dining room (its twin is in there still) but was moved by the previous owner to create space for a half bath off the kitchen.
Here’s the cabinet before:
So messy filled with all our stuff! I cleaned it out and thought about color.
I definitely wanted to cover the yellow for something more neutral and something that would make a statement.
You all know blue is my “go to” color but I wanted something different. I opted to paint it Soap Stone by Fusion Mineral Paint. Luke took this while I was painting the cabinet and alcove next two it Friday night:
Here’s how it came out:
The color makes such a statement, especially with all the white.
Now all our plates and bowls are in easy reach and I put everything else in the yard sale pile or in closed cupboards.
The coffee maker is in the alcove and our collection of cookbooks with easy access on top.
See that little pestle and mortar? That is from Bristol, England. I gave that to Luke 16 years ago. I loved marble even back then. It is from Bristol Guild on Park Street if your familiar with that area. These cookbooks we use ALL the time and I think you can even see some of Conor’s up there too.
I know I say this often, but a can of paint is like a can of magic. You really get so much for your money if you’re on a tight budget.
Let me give you one last look at the entire space:
We’re planning on taking out the stainless steel backsplash tiles and replacing them with more traditional subway tiles this spring. Trying to decide between the peel and stick tiles and subway tiles. Hope to do this in the spring.
I thought I’d give you guys a detailed source list for this room even though it isn’t completely done. Here are some affiliate links for your convenience, please see my full disclosure policy here.
Source List
- Wall Color – Gray Owl in Eggshell by Benjamin Moore
- Cabinet Color – Bone White in Semi Gloss by Benjamin Moore
- Trim Color – White Dove in Semi Gloss by Benjamin Moore
- Interior China Cabinet – Soap Stone by Fusion Mineral Paint
- Pendant Light – Ikea
- Beaded White Plates and Bowls – Wayfair
- Plain White Plates and Bowl – Ikea
- Bread Bin – Bits of Vintage
- Kitchen Cart – Ikea
- Tea Towel – Ikea
- Striped Bowls and Coffee Pots – Vintage
- Butterflies – Vintage
- Mason Jar – Vintage
- Pewter Pitcher – my grandmothers
- Throw Rug – Dash & Albert (our rug is smaller than the link)
- Kitchen Aid Mixer – Amazon
- Cook Books we love (from Amazon) – Plenty, Everyday Italian, Giada’s Feel Good Foods, Jamie’s Dinners, Happy Days with the Naked Chef, Soup Bible, The Silver Spoon Cookbook, The Joy of Cooking
- Stools – Ballard Design
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WOW! what a difference! it looks so light and fresh!
How about some gray baskets or pottery? Check out http://www.longaberger.com/cookiesheldon
Love the new look because I am truly loving pewter…you have attained a beautiful look. One of our beautiful pewter baskets or a piece of pewter pottery could add another dimension. Gorgeous….
Oh, Danielle, what a difference! I love it!! That dark blue inside the cabinet is gorgeous too. I feel the same way about that dark yellow – just not my color. And I’ve been living with it in the mudroom for two years now. Soon… 🙂
It looks very nice and more like you. Does that make sense?
Looks great Danielle! We had Gray Owl in our last kitchen and it really is a beautiful gray. It’s perfect paired with Soap Stone.
I’m such a color blue person so that blue in the cabinets looks wonderful
I love how the grey looks with the blue and white.
SO pretty Danielle –
Looks like so many blog friends were painting this weekend.
Enjoy your new space.
Rose
What a difference a can of paint makes! This looks so good with the lighter walls and the dark inside the cabinets. I want to make some small changes in my kitchen this year as well and love seeing how paint can make a difference. It looks great!
I was just showing your kitchen to the husband, and we both like your backsplash tiles. I was wondering if you would share the source?
Gray paint colors are my favorite—it’s such a versatile color that is both classic and modern at the same time. I think your kitchen looks fab! My own kitchen was ivory before I painted it BM Edgecomb Gray. Best decision ever!
I LOVE THE CHANGE TOO-IT LOOKS SO CHEERFUL AND BRIGHTER! PERFECT BACKGROUND COLOR IN YOUR CABINET TOO!
So pretty!! And the soapstone paint color on the back of the cabinet? Swoon! Great choice! 🙂
Wow! It looks great! What a way to freshen up your kitchen. It makes such a difference. You hit the ground running this year 🙂
Love Love Love!
Hi, Danielle! Happy New Year! Oh wow, such an awesome change!!! It all looks so fresh and clean and bright…paint is amazing, isn’t it?! I’ve lived with the most hideous wall color in our guest bath for the 9 years we’ve lived here…kicking myself seeing this that I haven’t painted it before!! Love those sweet little butterfly prints and the new built in color with all that white is gorgeous!
Beautiful! I love the soap stone color in the cabinet.
What a difference a can of paint makes ?. Love all of your styling in here. It looks beautiful.
It looks beautiful Danielle! It’s amazing what a little paint can do, it looks like a new kitchen! I love how the darker blue inside the cabinet pairs with the Gray Owl. When we moved into our home the entire house was yellow, I’ve painted every room but two and most are in Gray Owl, love that color!
I am a yellow person, but I have to say I love your grey walls. They look great. I can’t imagine why you want to replace your backsplash however. it has such character and texture. Plain white boring subway tile is well,.. so boring. I hope you reconsider! Marie
The inside of the cupboards look amazing!! I think winter is a great time to paint.. I usually use low or no VOC paint so it’s not a problem if I have to keep the windows closed. You are inspiring me to head up to Factory Paint and pick up a gallon or 2 of some fabulous color!
Oh, it looks gorgeous! Love the new look.
So bright and clean.
Your kitchen is just perfect now, and I love your color choice. Yellow was not good. Everything is so bright and crispy now. Your accessories look so much lovelier now too.
We had a white kitchen before, but the cabinets got yellowish so we remodeled it four years ago in wood.
Thank you for hosting.
FABBY
I love it! You made some great color choices.
Wow! I love your new look. You’ve inspired me to switch my cupboards around so our more used items are closer at hand, too. Thanks!
Picking the right shade of gray can be tricky but we LOVE Benjamin Moore Gray Owl. It’s the perfect balance between a beige gray and ones that can look too blue. The inside of the cabinets really pop with a rich colour that sets off your tableware. Great job!