We're getting ready to paint, and I'm having the hardest time trying to figure out what to do with our kitchen. We live in a rental, so we can basically paint the walls, the cupboards, everything - but we can't reno/remove things without the LL's permission (although, they are pretty lax as long as you are improving the value of the suite).


That said, we have those 1950's style tiles in the kitchen - you know, the aqua blue ones with the black trim. The colour is a bit lighter than this:


I don't know what to paint the rest of the kitchen to go with them! It's currently white, and awful. It's a small galley kitchen to boot.


The rest of the apartment is going to be done in chocolate brown, cream, turquoise blue, and hints of orange (not all paint, but the overall colour palate).


Thanks in advance for ideas!

A light sandy brown would go beautifully with that

 

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Hot pink.

 

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Mepha, what I'd do is do the walls in an off white or eggshell, it's light enough to maximize the light displacement of the windows, but not so light that it's a glaring white, and leave the ceiling white (for light displacement), and maybe do a moulding around the ceiling that matches the tiles or one of the other colors you're using to tie it in with the rest of the house. Natural wood would be another option, in a darker color, depending on the color of the cupboards.


Dark colors in small rooms make them look smaller, so I'd keep the walls a light color, and accent it with darker ones, but definitely leave that ceiling white. Also, if you can, check with your landlords about completely taking off the cupboard doors, to help give the appearance of space.


Also, if you have windows, if you have blinds, always keep them open, and do a light gauzy curtain/valance that matches whatever color you paint the walls, that way you can have some privacy, but still have tons of natural light to work with.


Let me know if that helps, that's just what I came up with in about 3 minutes of thinking

 

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I suggest you take that wayward "u" out of "color"...


In the kitchen, if it is small you will really want to stick with white or a light color and make sure that you keep CLUTTER to a minimum. That means maximizing counter space and keeping appliances and nonsense off the counters and in storage.


That color tile with the black trim can make a FANTASTIC retro kitchen design. Maybe google some retro (50's) kicthens to get some ideas. Spice things up by painting the cabinets and adding really cool new hardware....

This site has some really great stuff....and you can put the old crap back on before you leave

Cool Pulls


And I like your palate for the rest of the apartment - just be careful you do not get too dark and cave-like!

 

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I agree with nooberness I think that color would make an awesome retro kitchen. pick up a few pieces of fiesta ware for accent pieces. I think the sea foam green color will just about perfectly match those tiles.

 

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You gals are great! That really gives me some ideas to work with.


ShalisR, you are teh colour master!


Flutter, I definitely don't want to get into chocolate brown in the kitchen, but I can't stand looking at the white that it is now. And I know that it's okay to take the cupboard doors off, I just haven't committed to it yet, hehe.


In the living room, I'm painting one small accent wall with the chocolate brown, and the rest a lighter shade. Furniture and fabrics will all (eventually) be cream, brown, with bits of turq blue and orange to mix it up. We've already ditched the awful old venitian blinds (well, they're in storage till we move) and I'm working on some nice light curtains.


N00ber you rock my socks! I like the hardware idea, if we don't remove the doors...


Mmmm, Fiestaware. Ayla read my mind!

50s were also the age of the black and white square floor tiles i think.

 

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Sounds like a lot possiblities.

 

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I'd say yellow.


no lie, a bright butter yellow type color... it brightens things up tremendously in smaller areas and modernizes your current style with a little shock value.


but I've never been a normal gal lol

 

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