I blame Erika’s Instagram feed.
Especially these two pictures:
(ErikaMPowell on Instagram)
That’s Martha Stewart’s “Gabardine” on the trim and cabinetry in her bathroom, and Sherwin-William’s “Rosemary” on the cabinets in her kitchen. (And those are her adorable (and clearly very talented) kiddos!)
Seeing those insta-pics triggered a spontaneous run to Home Depot for paint samples yesterday. I just had to see what her colors would look like on our (currently mustard-colored) kitchen island!  (Even though we’re not exactly ready to make over the rest of the island yet because, technically, it would be smarter to replace the countertop first). #ButHey #AtLeastIDidn’tPrematurelyStartTearingApartAWallAgain 😉
And of course, I had to try out a few other samples too:
Visitors you’ve been warned, the back side of our kitchen island is reeeeally colorful right now- LOL! 😀
I laid some of my favorite countertop/backsplash tile samples on the counter above each paint sample- just to get a feel for how each color would look in the future:
I kind of keep flip-flopping from minute to minute, but as of this minute, and out of these colors, I *think* I’m leaning Rosemary, and Kevin’s *thinks* he’s leaning Gray’s Harbor.
Rosemary:
Gray’s Harbor:
Do you have a favorite?
I’m sort of leaning Gray’s Harbor right now. 😉
Keep in mind, we’d like to paint the cabinets on the other side of the kitchen Simply White. Here’s a link to post that shows how our kitchen is set up, if you’d like to take a gander: Our Kitchen.
I’m thinking once we choose a color, I’ll just go ahead and paint that one color on top of all of those other colors and we’ll just live with a two-toned island for a while.
Hey! It’s better than an 8-toned island, right?
Like I said, I blame Erika’s Instagram feed. 😉
PS- Just in case anybody’s curious: the countertop sample is Frosty Carrina by Caesarstone, and the backsplash tile is available at Home Depot.
…and for more pics between posts, join me over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!
Maria from Oz
The Rosemary has a subtle warmth in the green tone about it. Gray’s Harbor has a coolness, with the blue tone. So really depends on what else you are putting in the kitchen and what ‘feel’ you are after. Me, I like warm tones. I feel the Gray’s Harbor will be too dark once you get it all on there. Depends on the light too, afternoon light can look so much different on paint than morning light. Flip a coin, I say! 😉
Susie
Grey Harbor!
caroline [the diy nurse]
Hmmm I think I’m team Kevin but with the right accessories I could totally be swayed! I’m weak though, both are gorgeous!
Layla
You must have missed the end of my post, Caroline- I was Team Kevin at that point, too- LOL! 😀 I’m thinking about mixing the two greens tomorrow now though. Who knows, right? 😀
Rachel
I LOVE Gray’s Harbor. Navy blue is the perfect blend of being a neutral and at the same time not. If that even makes sense. It’s like denim. It’ls definitely a color, but you can wear it with anything. I feel like you would have so many more decorating options when opting for blue over green.
Julie
If my computer screen is giving me honest to goodness colors, I like the Rosemary. I like the green undertones. It feels warmer to me. But, the Gray’s Harbor looks better with the hardware and counter color you selected.
Kay B
For some reason Rosemary is just screaming at me, I would totally go with Rosemary.
Ginger
Lovin the Rosemary..
Jeni
I loved the rosemary until I saw the Gray’s Harbor…..I think I might tire of the rosemary but I could live with the Gray’s Harbor and easily change other colors around it.
Laurie
The adorable baby peeking around the corner made my day!! : ) Both colors have charm, but I love gray’s harbor the best … it seems a bit crisper and cheerier for a kitchen. Love the countertop and backsplash!! Whatever you choose will be beautiful… you have impeccable taste : )
Jenny Ballard
I love the Rosemary. On my monitor the Harbour Grey looks very blue.
I am wondering why you want to change the bench tops. They seem to have a nice streak of grey and white in them, again on my monitor LOL With white on the back cupboards, and the grey on the kitchen island, your existing benches would look amazing. But then I can be a little too practical. I look for how to work with what I have instead of changing something that still fine. (sorry I’m being bold, assuming here that they are fine)
Crystal
Grays harbor hands down, no contest, all the way!
Jenny B.
I’m leaning paint-them-all-different-colors!! I think it looks fun with the whole lot! 🙂 What a neat little surprise that would be to walk behind the white island and be greeted by all those fun colors.
Jenny B.
Oh, woops! You meant the cabinets on the back wall of the kitchen would be painted white, not the other side of the island. Still… one of those colors on the whole island and then all different colors on the drawer fronts would be fun. 🙂
Jenny B.
OK, so looking back again… I’m not necessarily leaning toward Grey’s Harbor, but I’m leaning away from Rosemary. It’s a nice color, but it makes me think 90’s hunter green. Put some pine wood knobs on there, and you’re back in time. 🙂 OK, I’m done hogging the comment section. Ha!
Susan
Gray’s Harbor…it’s stunning!
jerri c. TN
Rosemary is the key spice to chicken noodle soup (which makes everyone feel better) …. so I’m thinking, it is the perfect ingredient for a beautiful kitchen island. I wonder what you would get if you mixed the two colors?
Stacy
Rosemary caught my eye right away and I like it best of all the samples. Funny, because I’m not usually a green type person. But it’s a great color.
Patti
My vote is for Gray’s Harbor, but either one would look great!
Maryjane from Manitoba
Good morning Team Palmer!
Lynelle took the words right out of my mouth (or mind), in that, you tend to pick cooler colours often so it’s nice to see an earth tone in the running (Rosemary).
I agree with those who say everyone’s doing grey tones, go for something different. (rosemary)
However I’m ready to dash out to a paint store thanks to Jen 🙂 to locate Silvermist to see what that looks like.
Honestly I was stunned to see you go with such a dark colour -either Rosemary or Gray’s Harbour- but I will also be waiting (somewhat im)patiently to see what you do go with.
I was also admiring your kitchen rug and think both colours work with it.
I think I’m in the Rosemary camp.
On a slightly unrelated topic, did your interior-decorator-friend renovating the really old house ever get finished by her deadline? (Ashley I think her name is) I’d LOVE to see how it all turned out. All the additions and upgrades looked amazing. I’m totally curious to see the colours and such.
Happy paint-picking!
Maryjane
from Manitoba, Canada
Tammy @ the colored door
I love the backsplash you picked out and also like the gray’s harbor. I can’t wait to see it all put together. I love painted cabinets, wish I could paint mine. Well not actually paint mine I just wish they were painted, ha ha.
Marianne in Mo.
I love the Rosemary, it warms up the counter and tile choices. The Gray Harbor makes me think of colonial blue from the 70’s. Having said that, they both are nice with the rest of your home colors.
Pamela
Why wait to paint. You might not change out the countertop for a while. Who knows once you paint the kitchen the way you want it you might even like your counter. You could also paint out your tile backsplash in simply white as well to give you that cleaner look you are craving without having to change it right away. The other change you could make inexpensively would be to remove the counter on the bar part and replace with butcher block
Layla
Well, considering our current countertop is a mixed array of mustard, rust, black, and metallic gold, I doubt we’ll like it after we paint the island- LOL! 😀 We did get some exciting news about partnering up with a countertop company though, so maybe it won’t be too much longer before we can get to swappin’! 😀
Kris Mays
DEFINITELY Gray’s Harbor!
Monica
I’m a sucker for blues, I would pick the gray’s harbor 🙂
Stacy
I don’t usually comment on blogs, but I have to recommend you try just one more color: Benjamin Moore “Mountain Laurel”. We painted our kitchen cabinets this color and they are gorgeous. It is similar to the “Rosemary”. Check it out before you decide…:)
Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House
I’m digging the Gray’s Harbor too.
Jennifer
I agree with you, I think the Gray’s Harbor is the way to go, and I think it will go with a lot more then some the other colors. But I would pick Rosemary second
Kateri
Of the two, definitely Gray Harbor but I painted my son’s nursery Garbardine and I love, love it. Looks so different in my house than in your pictures. Looks closest to the last picture next to gray harbor… Everytime I feed my son, Lincoln, in his room I fall in love with the color all over again. I always think about painting our bathroom the same color. Is that weird to have a nursery and bathroom the same bold color!? Anything you pick will look great!
Paula W.
Lovely! Tough choice. Call me crazy, but I’d mix equal amounts (sample size, maybe 1/4 cup of each) of Gray’s Harbor & Rosemary and paint a sample board. Just for kicks ; )
Paula W.
LOVE that you loved this idea!!
Lisa
I LOVE the Rosemary! Such a gorgeous color 🙂
erica
ROSEMARY!!!!!!!
Kim
The rosemary is nice, but I am partial to the Gray’s Harbor. I like the rug too!
Lisa
Layla, I think both of those colors are beautiful, but I really like the Rosemary, and I think it just looks like you. (But really, you can’t go wrong with either one.)
– Also wanted to send you some encouragement during your “waiting” process. We adopted our son from Japan. He was born 7 years ago and we knew about him from the day he was born. We expected to wait 3 months from the time we knew he was ours, but the US changed some procedures for immigrant Visa’s during that time, so we had to file a whole bunch of paperwork all over again, and basically start from square one. It wound up being a 6 month wait, which was so hard…I did plenty of flea-ing myself! Hang in there! Soon that sweet boy will be in your arms and this part will all be a memory. I love hearing about your process, and I often feel called to adopt again. I would do it in a heart beat!!!
I found out I had cancer when our son was just 2 and a half, so I went through surgery and chemo, and am coming up on my 5 year mark in May. (Thanks to God!) We would have at least one more by now if not for that unplanned life event, but we are a very content family of three! Honestly, the BEST thing we ever did was travel half way around the world to bring our boy home! He is the light of our lives!!!
I KNOW that you and Kevin will feel exactly the same, and I’m so excited for you to be parents to your little one! God knows what he is doing, and he makes perfect matches for these amazing kids and their parents!
-My son has been asking lately why we chose him, and I always say, “We didn’t chose you, God chose for us to be your parents, and for you to be our boy, and we are the luckiest Mommy and Daddy in the world, because we have the BEST boy!” He usually ends this conversation with “I love you for my mom! You are the best mommy in the world! And I love that my Dad is my Dad too!”… With that, I am putty in his hands! 😉
I will have been praying for you all along the way, and will continue to do so! Good news is coming soon! Sorry about the long rambling comment, but I’m so excited for you!
xo-Lisa
Angie
I vote Rosemary too. 🙂
Sharon
I love the rosemary! Haven’t seen that color. Need to check it out for a sideboard project I’m planning. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Julie
I love the Rosemary.
Laura
Gray Harbor or Dutch Tile Blue. 🙂
Mary
I like them both too but each one has it’s own feel. The Gray’s Harbor has a cool “beachy” feel, while the Rosemary has a warm “country” feel. Both go with the rug too! I happen to like the Rosemary 🙂