Expert: Kirk Ryan - 7/10/2009

Question
Hi Kirk,
Hope to explore your thoughts.  I just has a new counter
installed (coral roca laminate by Wilsonart.  I didn't see
all the orange in it from the little tile they gave me.The
tile I had was a lighter part of the overall pattern and
looked more yellow than orange to me.  My old cabinets are
stained and leaned more towards brown with some orange
highlights.  I thought the counter would blend in with the
cabinets, but instead it has picked up the orange more than
the brown, and this make the counter more orange then the I
originally saw in the small tile.  This has changed the
whole color of the kitchen to me. My eye now sees more
orange in the counter and the cabinets than I ever saw
before.  I have stainless steel appliance and a new ceramic
tile floor light with a little beige.  Still in the process
of having a ceramic back splash that blends with floor and
appliances installed.  I want to tone down the orange in the
room what color should I paint on the one wall left?  Please
help.  I am bad with colors.  I never thought the cabinets
would go from the brown I saw to the orange they now appear.  
Is it possible to laminate over top of this new counter just
installed?  I don't like the color scheme at all.  Will
painting the wall a soft beige tone it down?  I feel so bad
because we have spent over $10K in the kitchen and I am not
excited since the counter is in.  I need something to
distract me from seeing only orange and compliment the
counter and cabinets.
Thank you so much for your ideas.

Peg

Answer
I like the idea of going with a light beige, but I also think a darker beige or khaki may be good here. If you aren't afraid to paint and try a few colors, you may also try a light or dark brown. This may help to bring back some browns that are now missing and have started to mesh orange.

I would grab a few small cans from the hardware store, sample size if they have it. Paint a few colors and see what helps.

Not sure about laminating over the counters, but I would suggest getting an estimate on refinishing the cabinets. You may be able to get a decent price there. Maybe there is a finish that would work better with the new counters. Unfortunately, this does happen often, and people have to change one or the other. But try painting first.

Also, my mother had this happen to her, she was shocked when her granite came in "salmon pink". She thought she was getting "sand." So she also needed to distract away from the pink, so she decorated very neutral around it.

Good luck, i wish you the best.