More than a splash of colors. More like a 50 ft. wave.

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More than a splash of colors. More like a 50 ft. wave.

A riot of colors

A riot of colors that I can't connect.

I loved the backsplash tiles and loved the floor tiles but the two just do not match and looks terrible.

Any way you can suggest I can connect these two patterns and the combination of colors?

My husband thinks that paiting the walls a color that plays off of the 3 colors of the floor tiles can work.

I think it's beyond repair.

Anything you can suggest would be most appreciated.

Thank you,
CPG

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More than a splash of colors. More like a 50 ft. wave.

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Oct 26, 2009
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May I see another picture of the wall tiles?
by: M.J.Smith

Difficult to see your backsplash in this photo.

Oct 27, 2009
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Photos
by: Anonymous

Oct 27, 2009
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Don't Panic!! ...some ideas...
by: Charlotte

Hello Charlene

Just to say I do love your tiles (especially the splashback tiles) and I can see why you chose them. They are very striking.

I still think your kitchen can look good - so don't panic too soon.

I think the main problem with your floor tiles (against the splashback tiles, not in themselves, as they are very handsome tiles) is that they are a little pale, and the diagonal pattern does sit a little awkwardly against the strong pattern of the wall tiles.

Don't worry though, as the fact that they are pale, can work in their favour. As they are not a strong color, and as they are very neutral in tone, we can allow them to fade into the background, and put the attention and focus back onto other parts of the room.

As your splashback tiles are very striking, in color and pattern, these will naturally become a focal point of your room. This means that we should pick out the colors of these tiles and use on the walls to accentuate and draw attention to these parts, and to allow them to work with the rest of the room as a whole.

The splashback tiles have some really lovely deep, rich orange tones in them, so I feel that picking out similar orangey tones for the walls could work. I don't think you need to go as deep as this with the walls, just look for a mid-toned paint in a rust, russet, orange or gold tone that will work with both the orange of the tiles and the color of the cupboards. Choose something that is rich, warm and muted, rather than 'scarily bright'!

I do feel that a mid-toned color would work best, but if you are someone that likes their walls to be kept pale, lighter tones of the same colors can work, with some deeper or brighter accessories (kettle, tea towel, blinds, curtains, plates, table cloth etc) or artwork/photos around the room.

Continued below...

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Oct 27, 2009
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Submitted by: Charlotte

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Hello Charlene Just to say I do love your tiles (especially the splashback tiles) and I can see why you chose them. They are very striking. I still think your kitchen can look good - so don't panic too soon. I think the main problem with your floor tiles (against the splashback tiles, not in themselves, as they are very handsome tiles) is that they are a little pale, and the diagonal pattern does sit a little awkwardly against the strong pattern of the wall tiles. Don't worry though, as the fact that they are pale, can work in their favour. As they are not a strong color, and as they are very neutral in tone, we can allow them to fade into the background, and put the attention and focus back onto other parts of the room. As your splashback tiles are very striking, in color and pattern, these will naturally become a focal point of your room. This means that we should pick out the colors of these tiles and use on the walls to accentuate and draw attention to these parts, and to allow them to work with the rest of the room as a whole. The splashback tiles have some really lovely deep, rich orange tones in them, so I feel that picking out similar orangey tones for the walls could work. I don't think you need to go as deep as this with the walls, just look for a mid-toned paint in a rust, russet, orange or gold tone that will work with both the orange of the tiles and the color of the cupboards. Choose something that is rich, warm and muted, rather than 'scarily bright'! I do feel that a mid-toned color would work best, but if you are someone that likes their walls to be kept pale, lighter tones of the same colors can work, with some deeper or brighter accessories (kettle, tea towel, blinds, curtains, plates, table cloth etc) or artwork/photos around the room. Continued below...

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Oct 27, 2009
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Continued from above...
by: Charlotte

Continued from above...

Other options that you could consider, and which I think would also work well, could be rich shades of brown - you can go for a very deep color, or for mid or pale tones as described above. Orange accessories again would work with this.

Another color which I think could work very well, and which I often find looks stunning against orange is green. I think a mid-tone would work well, and a color with similar strength and richness to the orange (aim to find a color that when you squint at both the green and orange could both appear the same tone of grey, if you were looking at it in black and white - I hope that makes sense!) You could add accessories in the orange tones, to make the most of this as a focal or accent color, contrasting against the walls.

Do test the colors you are considering out in the kitchen itself, and imagine the feel in the whole room, and look at the effect against both the sets of tiles and the cupboard doors. You needn't get an exact color match, it is the warmth and richness of color and the general color tones and hues that are more important here.

I do think adding an extra focus in the room, some more color, and some beautiful and striking accessories and furnishings can allow yours and your visitors' attention to be drawn towards the striking wall tiles and other parts of the room, and although your floor tiles will always remain a smart and attractive item, they will somewhat fade into the background, and won't immediately be the focus of attention any more!

I do hope that these ideas can help you rescue your kitchen without spending too much extra money. And I hope it won't put you off interior design in the future, I still think you have made some solid and sensible design decisions in your kitchen. You have a lovely room and I hope you will get to love it yourself again soon!

GOOD LUCK! :o)

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Oct 27, 2009
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Submitted by: Charlotte

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Continued from above... Other options that you could consider, and which I think would also work well, could be rich shades of brown - you can go for a very deep color, or for mid or pale tones as described above. Orange accessories again would work with this. Another color which I think could work very well, and which I often find looks stunning against orange is green. I think a mid-tone would work well, and a color with similar strength and richness to the orange (aim to find a color that when you squint at both the green and orange could both appear the same tone of grey, if you were looking at it in black and white - I hope that makes sense!) You could add accessories in the orange tones, to make the most of this as a focal or accent color, contrasting against the walls. Do test the colors you are considering out in the kitchen itself, and imagine the feel in the whole room, and look at the effect against both the sets of tiles and the cupboard doors. You needn't get an exact color match, it is the warmth and richness of color and the general color tones and hues that are more important here. I do think adding an extra focus in the room, some more color, and some beautiful and striking accessories and furnishings can allow yours and your visitors' attention to be drawn towards the striking wall tiles and other parts of the room, and although your floor tiles will always remain a smart and attractive item, they will somewhat fade into the background, and won't immediately be the focus of attention any more! I do hope that these ideas can help you rescue your kitchen without spending too much extra money. And I hope it won't put you off interior design in the future, I still think you have made some solid and sensible design decisions in your kitchen. You have a lovely room and I hope you will get to love it yourself again soon! GOOD LUCK! :o)

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throbber Updating Comments page...

Oct 27, 2009
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Much better
by: Anonymous

I also like your tiles in the backsplash.

I agree you should choose a color such as the brown for your walls.

The floor will not be as noticeable with all the color you have, but you could place a brown runner on the floor which will hide some of the flooring.

Oct 28, 2009
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Damage Control
by: Anonymous

I like the ideas.

I considered painting the walls a color in the orange family but the idea of having orange walls any day other than Halloween gives me pause.

Something in the brown family might do the trick but I'm afraid of going too dark which is the direction I wanted to avoid.

I wanted to go bright and a bit bold. Things obviously went awry.

The brown runner is a possibility as it will result in hiding some of the floor tiles. I do believe that my decision to place the tiles on the diagonal is part of the problem.

Spending money on something only to have to hide it though seems a shame. As Tim Gunn on Project Runway says..."it's make it work time". I am going to see this through.

I will send along another photo when it's all pulled together.

In the meantime, please feel free to keep those suggestions coming!

Oct 28, 2009
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Orange is not just for Halloween
by: Anonymous

Try to think wider than just Halloween orange - orange can mean anything from golds and orange-tinged yellows, right through to russet reds, and paler shades can work almost as well as the deeper shades.

If you have concerns for browns feeling too dark, pale or mid tones are an option here too.

Blues are opposite orange on the interior design color wheel, (which means it is it's 'complementary color')so you might like to consider blue walls for a bold and striking look, where orange would be the accent rather than the main theme.

Oct 28, 2009
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Better pics!
by: M.J.Smith

A medium chocolate brown on the walls with a brown runner on the floor...Perfect!

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More than a splash of colors. More like a 50 ft. wave.

Comments for More than a splash of colors. More like a 50 ft. wave.

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More than a splash of colors. More like a 50 ft. wave.