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About Rebecca Bushner
Expertise
Specifying paint/coating colors or materials for interior or exterior of buildings including residential and commercial spaces. I also do graphic design & color marketing. I'm the current immediate-past-president of the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers North America (IACC-NA), a former Color Marketing Group chairholder, and an award-winning fine artist.

Experience
I've been officially a color consultant for 7 years, a designer and researcher (tableware design) for about 10 years. I have my own color consulting/graphic design business in Arizona.

Organizations
IACC-NA: International Association of Color Consultants/Designers, North America.

Publications
NAFEM (North American Association of Food Eguipment Manufacturers, Ceramics organizations.

Education/Credentials
BA in fine art, MBA, and have taken the full International Association of Color Consultants/Designers seminar course and oral exam.

Awards and Honors
Past-President of the IACC-NA

You are here: Experts > Style > Interior Decorating > Painting & Wallpapering > Need Advice on Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Painting & Wallpapering - Need Advice on Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Expert: Rebecca Bushner - 10/19/2009

Question
I have a 1930's ranch style home. Most of my decor I would describe as "modern craftsman". I love clean simple lines but also love 'uncluttered' antiques. I also love color. The more the better. I just painted my kitchen a color called "Chaps" from Menards. It is kind of a terra cotta or spiced pumpkin. And now I want to paint my kitchen cabinets. They are currently painted white and look very dingy. The kitchen is 12'x15' with 8' ceilings and with 1 small North facing window and 1 large East facing window. It has medium oak laminate wood flooring and all of the window trim and baseboards are also white. My appliances are all stainless and small appliances and accessories are black. The countertops are very light; creamy whites with swirls of the terra cotta color (but I can't afford to change them out right now).

I am thinking of painting the cabinets black. I want a dramatic, modern look, but I don't want to make the room seem too dark or small. Is there some other color that would look better? I am afraid to go with something creamy or white because I don't want it to look too "cottagey or country". Also, if I change the cabinet color what do I do with the woodwork and window trim? Do they stay white or do I paint them also?

Thank you

Answer
Hi Mari
Black will probably look great...however, if you are concerned about lighting- add more or go a bit lighter shade- some suggestions. (These are general colors since I'm not familiar with Menards).
1. Espresso brown
2. Rust red (Must complement your "Chaps" color)
3. Ultramarine Blue
4. Taupe
5. Rich gingery-gold
Your trim color can probably stay the same...it depends on what color you pick for the cabinets. Neutral is usually best: if not white, then taupe, tan, black, cream, etc. Or match the window trim to the walls: 'Chaps'.
I hope this helps!
~Rebecca

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