One of my favourite ways to make a huge impact in a room is with custom cabinetry, and I double the effect by adding a luxurious (and sometimes unique) hue of paint to the woodwork. Choosing a shade that so drastically impacts a room's design can be scary at first, which is why I take great care to consider several factors before making the final call. Here are the questions I reflect on when I am reviewing cabinetry colour choices:
Does the hue lean warm or yellow?
Does it show cool blue undertones?
What does the colour look like in a well-lit room vs. a darker area with little or no natural light?
And how does it work with the paint colour chosen for the walls?
The overall design of a space is one giant puzzle after all, with many different pieces which need to fit with one another effortlessly in order to look cohesive and complete.
Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams
This dark and moody shade makes an impact wherever it lands. It’s a very saturated, inky charcoal colour and that works well on accent walls, exterior features, or custom cabinetry. Cool jewel tones play nicely with it, as seen in this space, and the brass accents on the scones and side tables pop off the dark wall while adding a note of warmth.
Ken Bishop Way Project | Photo by James C Lee Photography
Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore
This is an absolute classic colour and one of the most popular shades of navy on the market. It’s a deep, rich blue, extremely saturated and a great neutral with a bit of pizazz. Great for washroom vanities, cottages, accent walls and anything nautical. We love it paired with a crisp white and warm wood tones.
Sherwood Glen Project | Photo by James C Lee Photography
Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore
This shade can be a bit of a chameleon in different lighting, so be sure to test it in your own space. Revere Pewter is what we call a true ‘greige’ meaning that it has warmth like a beige colour but is balanced with the coolness of a grey. It is technically classified as a light grey with warm undertones, and can be used in a variety of different locations if the light is right. In this kitchen, the walls are Simply White and the island is painted Wrought Iron, both also by Benjamin Moore.
Design by Amber Interiors | Photo by Tessa Neustadt
Wind's Breath by Benjamin Moore
As part of Benjamin Moore’s-off white collection, it is a wonderful neutral and matches well with other colours, making it perfect for cabinetry and layering. Here, it is used on the walls and paired with soft grey and cerused oak cabinetry and a backsplash that ties the tones together.
Design by Katie Roos Design
Perfect Storm by Valspar (5001)
This bold, rich and luxurious colour is part teal, part jade with a depth that gives it a maturity. It's a striking choice, for sure, and we love it when our clients will take the plunge with such a daring shade.
Brammar Project |Photo by James Lee Photography
Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
This crisp and clean white rarely shows undertones, which cannot be said for most whites. Benjamin Moore describes it as "delicate and refined as the lace it was named after, this crisp, clean white evokes images of pure silk, soft linen and simpler times.” We use Chantilly Lace anywhere and on anything, but we especially love it for the cabinetry in a classic white kitchen.
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