AboutRebecca 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.
Question Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my question! We are in the process of buying a new house and I need some kitchen advice. The cabinets are an orange-ish oak and the current wall color is a warm beige. I don't mind it...but it appears very boring. There is a lot of cabinetry, cream colored tile floor and a cream colored counter. There is also an island which the current owner has accented (by painting the side)with burgundy. (I dislike burgundy.) The kitchen and living room are open concept with vaulted ceilings...and the warm beige paint color is also used in the living room. I don't particularly like oak, but the house is only a few years old so we probably won't be changing it anytime soon. (I'm not "allowed" to paint it!) ;) Any paint/color suggestions to liven up this space? I enjoy oranges/greens/browns. I'm not really into reds or blues. Thanks so much!
Answer Hi Amber
If you dislike oak (orange-ish oak) and like orange-greens-browns, stay away from oranges. Greens are a good choice but the wrong green can make the orange tones in the oak more "orangy". So stick to soft sagey greens or olives but look at bunches of types of greens to see what works best. Browns can be great in kitchens....look for browns that are chocolate, espresso, or even have a bit of violet in them....like a deep brown-eggplant color. That might be a great way to add some brown without accentuating the oranges in the oak. Also look at a fun patterned area rug and or table runner and used that as inspiration for a paint color. Good luck!
reb
