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.

[Donatellalymanmoss]

If you were expecting white and got grey go back to whoever supplied and point out the error surely?

[KickAssAngel]

I actually think that they look good together, and a paler color would be too bland looking. You do need to get the paint color right, though.

I had Karndean in a bathroom and loved it - really good quality that made the whole room come together once it was put down.

What kind of look do you want? A dark grey will give it a monochrome look. A bright color will be more modern but also more obvious/in your face. A muted color is more kind of classical. So decide what look you want and play around with paint colors.

The good news is that paint color is easy to change, and you can change it every few years as fashion changes.

btw - quartz is SO hard wearing and you can put anything on it, much better than laminate. I hope to never have laminate again after having a marble counter top. It was in the house and definitely not what I'd have chosen, but it's so practical that I would never want to get rid of it.

[Themoleandcrew]

I hated the colour of the units, the worktop was lighter than I'd wanted, and the layout wasn't right. So basically everything. I'd
Still change some cupboards if I had the money but the rest I love

[crayfish]

The second picture BoomKapow posted is very similar to how my kitchen looks, it's really quite bland in real life.

I think a blue or green in the way to go for you, a denim blue could work really well.

[JassyRadlett]

We have white cupboards and (fucking ugly - previous owners) grey laminate countertops. The only reason I haven't taken a chainsaw to the kitchen yet is that the sage green splashback actually makes it work. It's amazing the difference colour can make.

[Freesia2013]

The dark grey paint in your updated picture accentuates the difference in colour, lighter paint more sensible.
For those suggesting colour, add with accessories not paint.

[TheRedWoman]

Boom, its a very warm kardean smoked oak colour. I think a cooler tone would work better...flooring has to be ordered tomorrow in order to arrive on time....and I am in a meeting all day at work. Flooring guy knows orginal choice is on hold, I just don't know if I can get to him tomorrow.

DH has just worked at a customer's house with the exact same flooring as we had originally chosen and still thinks it will work. I told him to take pics but he forgot.

Re the units, they really are an ivory in rl, no hint of yellow. I wish my dad had done the lighting this week, the lack of lights really alters the colour of the units.

I will buy numerous paints tomorrow and try them all out.

Thank you all for your input, you have helped me to calm down and armed me with some colour knowledge!

[NoMilkNoSugar]

My first thought was that duck egg would look nice on those walls. At the moment the only colour in there is the work surface so you're eyes are automatically drawn to it. Get something bright on the walls to detract away.

[pourmeanotherglass]

I quite like the darker grey. Then adding some colour with accessories. It will look completely different once you're using it.

[CocktailQueen]

The units are lovely, and I agree with others - a teal blue would look great. I like the pink an op posted above too. You want a warm colour I think.

[Deux]

I think your kitchen just looks unfinished right now.

I'd be tempted to wait until your lights are done, the kick boards on and the flooring down. And then sort out colour. I think a mustardy/ochre yellow would be good.

In your last photo, the doors on either side of your range look white and not cream at all. I'm guessing this is because those doors are facing the light from the extension?

I understand why you're having a wobble.

Do you have a sample of the flooring, work top and door? If so maybe out them together and create your own mood board.

Try to think of the end result and it'll be lovely.

[tootsietoo]

I love it! I would NOT put a bright colour on the walls, will all start to be a bit distracting with cream cupboards, grey worktop and coloured walls. I think the original paint was good, I think a very similar colour on the walls as the worktops will help them recede a bit rather than stand out. I do like the idea of a black splash back though, or something like F&B down pipe on the walls. As everyone else has said, lighting can completely change how everything looks.

Don't panic, I know the feeling but it is great and you will learn to live with and love it!

[TheRedWoman]

Yes Deux, that run of units faces the French doors so is probably a truer reflection of the colour. I checked the Howden's order and they definitely describe it as painted white (we discounted cream a while ago).

DH and I have discussed it all at length at we are going to hold fire until the lighting in in early next week. We have plenty to do elsewhere until then. He is upset that I am having a wobble over it all, this has been a huge commitment for him time wise and he wants me to love it, not cry over a work top.

In my defence I am 13 weeks pregnant with DC2 so a tad sensitive too.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

if i was you I would try laying out one worktop as it will look in reality when in use, so kettle, toaster, etc and you might then get an idea of what your eye is drawn to. I like the dark grey paint myself and if you had a few "interesting" coloured items on the worktop I think it would start to look more intentional. at the moment all you can see is that it isn't what you imagined but honestly it is perfectly possible to make it all tone in and grow to love it, there is nothing wrong with it, it just isn't what you were expecting.

[TheRedWoman]

That's a good idea no.

[MargotLovedTom]

I think you should go for a heather colour. Just going to see if I can find something.
Definitely not grey though!

[MargotLovedTom]

Dusted Damson by Dulux (I know this is not a kitchen in the photo but I think the soft muted tones of grey, off white a heathery colour would look great and the paint would 'pop' as they say).

[ChishandFips33]

Dusted Damson looks lovely!

[MargotLovedTom]

Chis I agree . My post was garbled but I meant 'grey, off white AND a heathery colour.

Look here how good colours in this group look together...

[MargotLovedTom]

I think light colours on the walls would look insipid and the black splashback is a bit... I don't know, modernistic or something. I think it's crying out for a good bit of colour to pull it together. Clever lighting will just enhance it.

[MargotLovedTom]

Enhance the lovely colour that should be. I need to go to bed!

[Peasandsweetcorn]

1. Check the worktop against the sample. If it is different, get them to replace it with what you actually ordered
   
2. If it is what you ordered, just sit & wait until the elecrics are finished & whilst you put your kettle, toaster etc out & see what it looks like.
   

I has a massive wobble about our very expensive (for us) kitchen at one point. I had forgotten about it until this thread. I now can't remember what part my wobble was about!

[Sleepybeanbump]

Op what's your style and what kind of 'look' were you dreaming of?

Personally it's not exactly my taste but I think it looks really nice. Really light and elegant. I'd avoid dark grey walls. I'd go for the same colour walls I currently have (with wooden work tops and green-grey cabinets) which is F&B Slipper Satin. It's a perfect grey/cream/grey and would tie in the cream of the cabinets and the grey kf the worktop perfectly.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

If it's a monochrome look you are after then IMO you need to get the units painted pure white rather than this 'pale Ivory' take on white.
These people www.prospraylondon.com/
Might be able to help ?