Straw poll on my paint please...

[thenewaveragebear1983]

We're doing our kitchen- cream, gloss, handleless units (magnet) base units only. Reclaimed wood shelves with black brackets, at eye level and above. Black brushed Matt extractor. We're keeping our cream tiles and range cooker. Shiny black speckled worktop. (This is something of a makeover rather than a complete new kitchen). We have two big windows and a half glass door.

I have lots of lovely bright coloured and brassy/metallic retro 'bits' to accessorise, and a solid wood 1950s table and chairs, so I want a really dark colour on the walls. I get on well with valspar paints so I'm thinking of having one mixed in their K&B paint. But having (minor) doubts-

What about this? It's called 'under the eaves' and it's a really dark greeny /inky/bluey colour. But is it too dark? It would be for all 4 walls although none of them are whole walls (ie. window, door, etc all take up space on each wall). I estimate 50% of the wall space is to be painted.

[RiverTam]

I'm afraid I absolutely hate dark colours in kitchens, so your entire scheme is pretty much a no from me. It sounds incredibly gloomy, like you'll cooking in the Bat Cave.

[HotpotLawyer]

I love it! ( as in prefer the dark Ollie to the grey).
But would prefer it with a stainless steel worktop to black.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Thanks hotpot. Fancy worktop is out of the question due to funds I'm afraid! We are trading in a 1980's monstrosity and it's all we can do (plus builder is getting a cracking deal from magnet!)

The green is dark, but it lifts so beautifully with the natural wood and the bright accessories. I don't think the room will be dark per se, as the floor is light, we have two windows, white ceiling and gloss units and tiles, but the paint itself is dark. River I don't think it will be gloomy- I prefer 'atmospheric!', although 4 out of the 5 of us would probably love a bat cave kitchen anyway. The top grey in the 2nd picture is actually called 'Gotham city'

[QuietlyQuaffing]

Well it's your choice of colour scheme, not mine. You want very dark, and it certainly is that.

Personally I wouldn't be going so dark with black worktop, and a black extractor, and no wall cupboards. It looks like a chalkboard to me. Something like a dark green would quite moody enough for the effect you're after IMO. Maybe I'm just not brave enough.

[Bluntness100]

On all walls it would also be too dark for me when coupled with black work surfaces and cooker hood.

However it might be nice and just hard to imagine, and ultimately all that matters is you like it.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Hmmmmm food for thought, thank you. I'm a bit in two minds because it is a dark colour, although I think the look I want will only work with such a dark colour. I've tried so many samples now my head is spinning!

quietly We have dark green in our bathroom and it works really well, this is maybe slightly darker overall, but in a brighter room, if that makes sense, and on different sides of the house so gets more of the daytime light.

Hmmmmm. Your advice is all helpful thank you. Dh wants to paint it magnolia so you can imagine how discussions have gone so far.....

What other colours could I try, to get that retro look (though please not grey, or mustard yellow), that would go with my black/cream kitchen and wooden furniture? I also have to be mindful of the fact my range is 'cream' but that actually means 'very pale yellow' and depending what goes next to it, it can look either colour!

[RiverTam]

well, if your DH wants it magnolia he is going to hate that colour so I really don't think you can go for that.

Personally I would always go for light walls and bring colour in elsewhere. I find dark rooms very oppressive.

[QuietlyQuaffing]

For me, something like F&B Calke Green would get a bit of a retro vibe, work with your table, and give a nice foil for your shiny bits without being overly dark. It might also be a bit more palatable for your DH. However if one wants light and one wants dark, compromising in the middle is likely to leave you both unhappy. Your concept is to go really dark, and the paint you've chosen fits that brief perfectly.

I'd be looking for something with a bit of yellow in it (so first thoughts green, but not a very grey-ish one, or orangey red) to avoid bringing out the yellow of the cabinets.

I'm quite partial to F&B Brinjal and it looks stunning with the right cream, but it might bring out the yellow too much.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

The Calke green is a bit too green if that makes sense? I love the brinjal but I think you're right, it will make my oven (and even units) look yellow I think.

I don't want to play it safe, I want something dramatic. It's hard though isn't it? I suppose in the worst case senario if it does look too dark I can always paint over it!

[QuietlyQuaffing]

I think you need to sort out with DH about the magnolia! The best shade for you is a bit of a moot point if he wants a fundamentally different scheme. (I wouldn't mix cream with magnolia though.)

[bobstersmum]

I would rethink about the dark colour. We went for a dark colour for our chimney breasts in our living area, with light colour on the other walls. It made it so gloomy, and felt claustrophobic. I put up with it for almost 2 years then repainted the dark bits in a lighter colour and it's absolutely massively brighter and more cheery!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Quietly it's not so much that he wants magnolia, just that he's of that type that just doesn't care really, very functional and doesn't really think creatively. He's pretty much given me free rein over the decor of the entire house, so he'll go along with whatever I choose. The problem I have is that because I can't choose, he's no help whatsoever!!

I'm erring on the side of being brave and going for it- every single other colour I've considered just doesn't quite capture my heart in the same way. I've fallen for the green and there's no going back.....
I think because we're playing very safe with the units I'm inclined to go big or go home with the decor!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Me again.... what about something still dark but maybe slightly more 'conventional', maybe a dark teal colour, something that had an overall brighter tone to it? The overwhelming 'it's too dark' comments are making me doubt....!!

I'll get a sample tomorrow!

[ApolloandDaphne]

Are the units in yet? Can you post a picture of the room?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

No units aren't in yet but here's the plan from magnet. We actually have two windows not one as shown in the pic.

And here's the real life kitchen!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

And the floor is natural stone colour and the oven is cream not silver.

I can't post a RL pic as I've used my quota for the day!

[Arnoldthecat]

I'm a big fan of light colours...

[ApolloandDaphne]

Isn't there scope to do one or two walls the dark colour and the others a lighter one. I think a dark colour all over will overwhelm the room.

[Itscoldouthere]

I like the dark colour, but on the wall elevation with the ceiling fan you have a tall cupboard in the corner that doesn’t quite go to the ceiling, it may look like a big white block especially with a small bit of dark above it. Your window will stand out as well. I have several dark wall/rooms in my house black/dark grey and I love them, it makes a bold strong statement.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I suppose there is, but I'd prefer not to, I'm not a big fan of the feature wall trend. I think the key will be to find the right colour to do the whole wall.

The magnet spec picture is literally my worst nightmare- it's so bland! But I do take on board that it could be too dark. Perhaps just a lighter shade of the colour I'd found, as all the valspar colours are on a spectrum/scale.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Itscold yes I see what you mean- in the real kitchen I have cream metro tiles all round, x5 high, so that wall will have cream units, cream tiles, then the dark colour.

What colour/room did you do?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Can't find a kitchen but this is I suppose the kind of look I want

pin.it/hptrrq6w6aosxk

[Charlieiscool]

Trust yourself. It will look dramatic and in a bright room with a picture or two will be really effective. In the end if the worst comes to the worst it is only a coat of paint and can easily be changed. Don’t be boring, unleash your creativity. What’s the worst that could happen?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Charlie you are talking my language!

[MotherOfTheNoise]

@thenewaveragebear1983 DO IT!! We did similar in our living room and it makes such an impact and actually makes the room feel bigger than it is. Lots of bright accessories and you'll have a beautiful kitchen