Hi, and welcome to my first “One Room, Three Ways” (ORTW) post!
Here’s a shot of what our kitchen looks like right now:
We just recently painted the walls Benjamin Moore’s “Gray Owl” (lightened by 50%), and we’re hoping to paint the cabinets sometime this Summer or Fall. We still haven’t painted the wall that leads upstairs, so you can still see some “Algonquin Trail” on the right in the photo above.
This is just one of the kajillion looks I’ve been having fun dreaming about lately:
White cabinets, carrera countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, and a coordinating gray-painted island. It’s definitely a lot of white and gray, but if we went with a look like this, there’s always an opportunity to bring in color through art, kitchen stuff, and accessories…and dirty dishes in the sink- ha! I left the hardware and faucet alone for this pic because my eyeballs were achin’ by the time I got done with the rest of it, but those could also be switched out for something else, too. (Note: The photos I post this week are just-for-fun ideas. Nothing is set in stone, and I’m sure I’ll think of a kajillion more ideas before we actually start changing anything in there- LOL!)
I’ll be back tomorrow with Way #2, and if you’d like to see what the other ORTW hostesses did for their Way #1’s, just click on their buttons below!
And don’t forget, we’re hosting a ORTW link party on Friday if you’d like to link up a ORTW post, too!
PS- Kevin and I are working on putting together a “Presto Change-o” class for ShootFlyShoot.com, so if you’re interested in learning how to use Photoshop to create inspiration photos like the one above, stay tuned for details about when that will launch! 🙂
For more pics between posts, join us over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!
Jennifer Rizzo
I love the subway tile, they grey walls and the marble. My dream materials! 🙂 Thanks for joining in. It’s amazing how those little changes make a huge difference!
Tara Bird
Hi Layla and Kevin! I love this look — we did something similar in our kitchen when we remodeled this spring. Light gray walls, white cabinets and we went with a white/black/gray swirly granite becaues I was told carrera wasn’t as durable (marble is more finicky than granite?) and we have two very busy little girls and I could just see red food coloring ruining the carrera. I can send you a picture if you’d like. I can’t remember the name of our granite…;)
gertie @ The Old Block House
I love the white cabinets with the gray walls. Our walls are a gray that I like, but am not completely over the moon about, but now I’m thinking if my brown cabinets were lighter, brighter w/white, our gray would look cleaner & fresh.
Brooke
Gertie, you are correct. Light gray didn’t look great with my cabinets which are cream. I want to paint them a whiter white (not pure white of course) but it will be a lot of work! So if you paint your cabinets and want to use gray perhaps you should copy L and K’s trim color. 🙂
Love view 1, looking forward to view 2.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh
Wow, I love the inspiration pic for your kitchen! I’m excited about the presto class you’re working on! YAY!
Courtnie
LOVE! Do your island lights give off lots of light? I’m about to replace our over head light in the kitchen. I’m afraid to commit because I want to be sure there is enough light!
Melanie Ritchie
Classic white kitchen, love it 🙂 a pop of turquoise accessories or my personal fav RED!!
Thistle
Love the white cabinets! So pretty and such a clean look! I know whatever you pick will be amazing!!!!! And that’s me over there…..frantically waving my hand for the Presto-Chango class! Sign me up!
Have a great day rock star!
karianne
Kristin S
Layla, this has nothing to do with the post, but one of my favorite things about your blog is to watch it load. The plank wall background loads first and it just makes me happy.
On the task at hand… my mom wants me to trade out my laminate countertops for granite similar to what you have and I so want marble. It looks so clean. Can’t wait to follow your journey of making your beautiful home “yours”.
And… what a joy to pray for you guys in the adoption process and happy anniversary!
Mary | lemongroveblog
LOVE this! Crisp white cabinets and marble counters are my all time favorite look 🙂
Kelly - Talk of the House
Happy anniversary to you guys! I love the look you have planned for the kitchen, and yes, I know you will change your mind a zillion times. That’s the fun of it! My husband would LOVE for me learn to do the presto-chango thing in photoshop, and then perhaps, I wouldn’t redecorate so much! LOL
jodi
I’d love to see some rooms with wood trim, not painted!!
Layla
Hi Jodi! Do you mean a presto change-o of a room with wood trim? Just making sure I understand what you’re huntin’ for! 😀
jodi
In general – a presto chango would be great!
Gloria
I agree with Jodi. I would love to see some inspiration with unpainted wood trim. It doesn’t have to be a Presto-change-o. Anything you come up with will be awesome I’m sure! My house is full of medium/dark wood trim which I don’t want to paint but it is hard to find unpainted trim in any of my inspiration blogs. Thanks Layla!
Layla
Hi Gloria! Here’s a link to a post I did about natural wood a few years ago: https://theletteredcottage.net/working-with-natural-wood-walls-ceilings/ 😀
Layla
Ohhhh, gotcha! Here’s a whole post full of ’em:
https://theletteredcottage.net/working-with-natural-wood-walls-ceilings/
Hope that helps! 😀
Violet
Love the gray & white. I’ve been trying it in my kitchen. What gray would you use on the island? I’d planned on using blue (my fav) as an accent until yesterday when I put down a heavy stack of yellow LuRay dishes on the counter looking for a place to store them. When I went back into the kitchen, the yellow really warmed up the cool tones. What do you think of using yellow with the gray & white?
Layla
Hi Violet!
I’m not sure about the gray paint color on our island yet, but I love a great yellow/gray/white combo- that sounds so pretty! 😀
Christie
I love the look of the white cabinets! I painted ours white last year but now they are chipping where water/heat–whatever has met the molding detail on the cabinets. 🙁 !! A whole lot of work and now I need to redo it! I used a brush….thinking I should use a paint sprayer next time for more even, light coats? Whaaaa! :'(
Linda
Can you tell me what color white are the cabinets? Mine are a creamy white now and thinking about going brighter white. Love the gray walls!
Layla
Hi Linda!
That white is just Photoshopped in there, but if we paint our cabinets white to match our trim, it will be Simply White by Benjamin Moore. 🙂
Lauri McIntosh
I love the new concept. Whatever you do, it will be amazing!
Annie
Love the gray & white. I also really like your bar stools. Could you tell me where you purchased them? Thanks 🙂
Layla
Thanks, Annie! They came from World Market a while back. 🙂
Annie
Thanks and Happy Anniversary!!
Kay
Kudos!
We, too, are re-doing a kitchen.
It’s gutted now, + we selected our cabs this past weekend.
I’m blogging about it . . . http://redbirdv.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/my-frenemy-painters-remorse/ . . .
Good luck on your project + all the other girls!
Looking good!
Layla
Thanks, Kay! Gutting and re-doing is so much fun, isn’t it!? 😀
Erin @ Dwell & Tell
You do such an incredible job with these.
We’re considering similar options but I reallllllly wish I had your photoshop skills to help us decide. Unfortunately painting ll 2400-ish square feet of walls and trim will keep us busy for awhile (I’m kind of overwhelmed by the thought), then we’ll move onto the kitchen (?).
Hugs from Bham.
Erin @ Dwell & Tell
[email protected]
Your photoshop skills amaze me. I’m just mesmerized that you could get that marble countertop to look so perfect! 🙂
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage
I love the clean look of white kitchens with marble counters (that’s what I have in my kitchen)! Love the idea of a gray island too – classic look you will never tire of (and my dirty dishes really do add lots of color)!
Kelly
Clay
Love this look!
Kris
I love the concept of One Room Three Ways. Most people I know (myself included) can’t afford to bust out a lot of money to completely re-do an area and these are great examples of big changes on a small budget. Thanks!
Mary@athomeonthebay
This look is so clean. I love it! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for look #2.
Sarah | The Cyclist's Wife
Loving the subway tile and white right now. We just re-did our kitchen with it and it is such a classic clean look. http://www.thecyclistswife.blogspot.com/2013/05/kitchen-remodel-phase-2-bye-bye-betty.html
Mitzi
Love love the white cabinets and subway tile. I would be very careful with marble counter tops in a kitchen. We have honed marble in our bathroom. While they are gorgeous, water marks are everywhere. Maybe there are new products to help prevent that?
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family
I like all the white and grey tones and love your finish selections. We just recently redid our kitchen using using white subway tile and grey cabinets. I love it but definitely want to add lots of color using artwork and accessories on the counters.
http://www.colortransformedfamily.com/?p=3641
Lynn
I love the granite and tumbled travertine backsplash you have now. Why replace them?
Layla
Hi Lynn! The granite and travertine were chosen by the builder of this house, and they don’t reflect our style at all. We plan to live here for a long time, so we’d love to choose ones that do at some point. 😀
Lisa Mende Design
Layla please let me know when you start the classes would love to learn!!!
Beth
I love the look of my white kitchen cabinets, but I HATE the fact that they show everything and are constantly dirty. If you like cleaning, white is fabulous!
Mandy
I’d love to see a light blue island!
Heather
I am a fan of gray but wonder if I might like to see the top cabinets kept their current wood tone, the bottom cabinets and breakfast bar a slightly darker gray perhaps than the walls… and love your granite… vs. the hard to maintain marble. Would love to see what this combination would look like. The barstools might look nicer with the same granite(there is gray in the granite too?) or upper cabinets repeating their color. They are good looking. This based on the family living area beyond the kitchen being all the light gray too. Seems a tad of contrast might be interesting. I am sure whatever you decide on will come out beautifully!
Kristine
I LOVE your blog- so many ideas and so much inspiration! I wanted to ask you what version of Photoshop I would need to take the class?
Jane
I love the plans for your kitchen, It will look much more bright and modern. I noticed your granite and it looks like we might have the same thing. Ours is called Summer Wheat. Any chance it’s the same?
XO,
Jane
Layla
I’m not sure, Jane. It was already here when we moved in last Fall! 🙂
Lisa
That is exactly what I would do, Layla! Love the white cabs, backsplash, counters! Especially with the warmth from the wood floor and chairs!! So pretty (as is what you are currently living with – even if it’s not your style! )
Lisa
Hi Layla,
I was wondering if you might have any information on where the corbels could be purchased. I really like the shape of them. I have corbels now that are a little too old world looking. I would love to replace them with something like yours!
Layla
I’m not sure, Lisa. They were here when we moved in last Fall. I’m sorry! 🙁
Danielle
Ooooh, love this kitchen idea, Layla! Beautiful!
Cheri
Love it! Our new kitchen is being installed this week! White cabinets and a silestone top on our island that looks like Carrera but holds up better and is cheaper. Going with black formica on perimeter. I’ll send you pics when we are done .. hopefully everything will be picture ready by next Monday! (fingers crossed)
Janny
Sign me up for the presto class. Love view 1 and looking forward to the others. Also love the bar stools!
Kathy
I love your website and all of your ideas!! Do you or anyone have a great granite option for Carrera? We are updating our kitchen and are using the white cabinets, pine floors, but prefer a granite that’s light and airy like Carrera…but not Carrera. 🙂
Layla
Thanks, Kathy! I don’t know of a granite that looks like carrera, but maybe someone else will chime in here with their thoughts? Good luck with your updating! That’s fun stuff! 😀
Carrie - Curate | by Carrie Corson
Love this look it’s a cottage classic. I would love to learn the presto change o in Photoshop too:-)
Susie Harris
I think you just created my dream kitchen!
Jennier
So far I like #1 the most! It looks so cozy and welcoming! Can’t wait to see it finished!
BTW- What software do you use to create these?
Tiffini
oh we would LOVE that class guys…can’t wait for the deets we will definitely be there:)
xo
Marian (Sweetopia)
Lovely! Similar to what I’m doing… lotsa white (no grey), and add color with accessories. That way I can change it up with the seasons… Can’t wait to start with baby blue accessories, and then red ones for Christmas time!
Hard to pick a fave of yours though… Love all the ideas in these posts, but am tied on option #1 and #3.
Have fun playing with your options!
Jennifer @ Dear Lillie
Hey Layla! I FINALLY got on my computer tonight. I read all of the posts last week on my phone but wasn’t able to comment. It looks fabulous! Love this look!