Expensive mistake

[TheRedWoman]

I've come on here to cry as DH isn't sympathetic at all. Dream extension / kitchen almost complete, work top installed today and it isn't what I was expecting.

It's quartz so an expensive mistake. It's much greyer in RL than the sample and just doesn't work with the units colour wise. The wall colour doesn't help, DH is currently painting various samples to find a better colour.

I am gutted. Was very nervous about getting the quartz wrong so said to DH on numerous occasions 'shall we just go for laminate, then we can change it in the future'. Apparently he thought I was joking.

Without sounding dramatic, it's ruined the kitchen. At the minute I can't see the change of wall colour helping much. I'm so cross DH didn't take my concern seriously and really consider a laminate.

Sorry, I know this is a first world problem but I just need to get it off my chest.

How much different is your worktop from the sample? As RaeSkywalker said if it's very noticeably different I wouldn't be happy, yes it's a natural material but they surely have a system for identifying as close a match as possible - especially at that price. Do they have and t&c you can read through?

What about getting black Perspex splash backs on your wall like these pics. It would look stunning an you won't need to paint and much easier to clean.

I'd repaint the cabinets. If you've had such a visceral reaction to it then I don't think it's likely a different wall colour will change things that drastically, and you should love it. Might as well repaint the cabinets before you start living in it and whilst the place is still in a state of upheaval. With a new 'cooler' off-white on the units it'll look mint.

Or these?

If try a strong purple or even a deep turquoise but the kitchen it's self is stunning. Things on a bigger scale often look vastly different to what you are expecting from a small sample square. What handles are you having and what lighting? If you wanted the mirror flecks maybe add high chrome handles

I actually love it! I would just add some colour with the accessories or a coloured splashback and it would look a lot like my kitchen lovely

My kitchen is my haven. MY space. I get that fear about wanting to get it right.

I have to say I absolutely love yours. Like others have said, I would go with black splash backs. We have these and they are the best thing ever. Everything looks so clean.

Agree with other posters. I looks awfully bland with the walls the colour they are. Something bright and bold on the walls will make the worktop look cooler and not disappear into it as it does now.
Don't panic as it's only half done!

Ok just had a quick look at housetohome website. If you're worried about using a dark colour how about these? They are still earthy enough to work with both the cream/grey but they'll need black accents like in all the photos to pull it all together.

That looks lovely to me! Once you've got all your stuff in there you won't even see most of it anyway

Get your appliances in before you change any colours. I was astonished to discover a soft grey door I was considering looked very different against stainless steel appliances. Once your appliances, hob and sink are in, you can then take a view. Have to say, that quartz does look gorgeous so I can see why you chose it.

Don't paint the cabinets. I quite like it - I'm not a fan of darker work tops.
Looks like room will be nice and bright and once all your bits and pieces are in I think you'll appreciate it more.
My kitchen's a mess and I'd love yours.

It looks absolutely fine. The reason you are panicking is just because it's not what you envisioned in your head. You will get used to it, you may even learn to love it. In the mean time brazen it out and tell yourself that's what you wanted it to look like

It's lovely!! If you wanted to add colour then you could try some olive green tiles or paint. Once you have your accessories in and pictures on the wall, it'll look very different. Your kitchen is gorgeous, don't stress

Thanks all, just quickly reading through all your replies before I walk up to the house to look at the pain.
Handles are on (chrome). Appliances are all built in except a stainless steal and glass range. I will take some more pics later.

Splashback might not be a bad idea. Would we remove the upstands? I guess so.

I will re-read all your suggestions once I have been up to the house. We spent hours choosing the colour, even asked a knowledgeable friend to help and all agreed that was the best fit. I will definitely look at the samples again to compare colour.

Ps I didn't like the wall colour from the off, DH said it would look fine once work top in place. First thing he said today was I need to repaint the walls! X

Oh sorry just seen the up stands. No don't get rid of them they are the same expensive quartz I guess? They are lovely.

You need colour. Dark purple, bright blue, pale fresh green, sunny yellow, bold red - all will work. If you can't bear to paint the walls in colour, how about a colourful kettle / toaster combo? And you can get colourful knife blocks too. I wonder if you don't like it because you feel there's not enough of a contrast - but to be honest grey on off-white rarely delivers a punchy contrast.

I don't think the grey surface goes with the cream cupboards. A bit like wearing a grey blouse with a cream skirt. I'd repaint the units white/grey or change the counter top for something more definite. Think I like the sound of the black splash backs as it looks a bit insipid in your admittedly tiny photo.

I would go for a deep raspberry color or bright auberginey colour paint.

Personally I wouldn't fork out for repainting the cupboards until I'd tried the cheaper option of trying some colour on the walls.

You can make changes with different types of lighting too - try a blue white lamp and then a warm white and see which works best !

Fluffi, the cupboards aren't really cream, they're painted white. Admittedly the photo / lighting does not do them justice. The kitchen is in the rear of the extension, with no natural light and electrician is still to do second fix on Monday.

I have taken more pics, with different paint on the walls (what we have in the garage). A light grey, white and dark grey. DH has just quickly put this on so it's rather slapdash but should give you an idea.

The white does not work, as PP have said we need contrast. DH thinks dark grey, I am just confused!

I am really trying to put this in perspective, it's a kitchen after all. But I can't help but feel gutted.

We just had our kitchen extension done and I was so disappointed when it was all finished. It just wasn't how I wanted it. Fast forward two months and I love my new kitchen. Agree with trying another colour on the walls but also give it time. You might grow to love it.

There's definitely a way to make it look amazing with the right paint colour. It's different to what you envisioned but that doesn't mean it's irredeemable. You just need to work with what you have now and change the paint.

Can you take some more photos in different lights?

My friend has similar colours in her kitchen and her accent colour is a French navy blue and it looks amazing.