apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Oh come on!

Pete hahah.. was that to the entrant or the contest administrators?

i think this entry has lots of potential-- it does remind me of great stationary in a way. With a different curtain, some thought to what is placed on the countertops (maybe even a different countertop color and flor?) this could be really something.

stationEry.
sorry.

While I like the color choices, the kitchen just doesn't feel cohesive to me. Maybe wider curtains and a long colorful rug on the old floor (I assume the floor is old. On my screen it looks like linoleum.)? It's hard to tell what else to suggest with such a narrow view of the space.

Switch out the existing accessories for vintage pottery that picks up the color scheme and themes, and you'd really have something here.

The only salvation is that you like it. That's what really matters.

Oh dear

Might I suggest a tiki/martini/swank party? Bamboo countertops would be rad. It could use a blue mixer near the corner to make some schnazzy drinks.

hmmm. I hate that I don't like this more - because the colors really are vibrant and if it makes you happy that's really all that matters.

BUT...I think what's killing it for me here is the little fall shapes stuck everywhere. I can't tell if they're painted on but it reminds me of dorm living. I think they would be beautiful maybe clustered somewhere, or even better, I'd LOVE to see those cabinets solid orange for the most part, and maybe on 4 of them or so paint/stick on a really big stylized fall shape - maybe more like an outline that's subtle and breathes more.

Also, the blue with these yellows feels a little too primary and expected for me - I think a more torquoise blue would look fresher.

BUT...I think if I did see it in person I probably would smile anyway. So, mission accomplished. :)

Yes! Primary, that's what bugs me about this one. It feels like a preschool with the leaf pattern and very primary colors. Needs some subtlety.

I wish you had given us a close up of the tiki knobs that inspired your design.

I have to admit I don't understand the blue curtain as there is no other blue shown in the pictures. I would go with another color perhaps and add some accessories in that color to complete the design. But the cabinets and your embellishments are a great start.

I love the colors including the bold blue curtains. The knobs are really fun and they pull the look together in an artistic fashion. Its daring & it works!

RE:PETE

I don't think you could have done a better job, and you should leave your neg comments to yourself, and as for the person who says this looks like a preschool, obviously you didnt attend because in preschool that is where they teach you if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all! Overall I think this kitchen is very homey and fun!

It reminds me of being on a relaxing tropical beach at sunset. The colors work great with a beachy tiki theme, and the bamboo curtain rods are a fantastic compliment to the deep blue ocean color, still staying true to the tropical theme. All it needs is a cool breeze and some greens...hey..maybe work in a ceiling fan with big palm leaf-style blades? The stencils rock, too.

oh...and you could open a small tiki bar out the nook (is it?) in the corner for parties.

Pete said it best.

I looooooooved the colors! They are so bright and cheery! A necessity for Portland-dreary-gloomy weather! Cheers for sharing this!

I didn't get much out of his response because of zero elaboration, but I'm guessing that Pete has no sense of fun. Lighten up big boy! Interior design does not have to be so serious. Their kitchen is very cute, lively, and cozy!

Yes! Finally a room that doesn't look like it's out of an Ikea catalog! Many kudos for originality and true self-expression!

I agree with Steven O. I like the cabinets - just not with the royal blue curtains.

The curtain needs to be tied into the color scheme. Maybe add some blue accessories on the counter.

I love it when people break out and do something outrageous to an old, funky kitchen or bathroom. I smiled when I first saw this, but after looking closer, I had to vote no.

My biggest problem isn't that you went too far; it's that you haven't gone far enough. The overall look just isn't cohesive. The vivid orange and yellow of the cabinets are great, but they have the unfortunate effect of making the countertop and floor look even more tired and drab. And while blue and orange are complementary colors, the intense royal blue of the curtain at eye level is jarring. There also isn't anything else blue in the room, so it's like one big walloping dose of OMG BLUE!!1!

If this were my kitchen, I'd paint the walls (maybe in an aqua). Then I'd paint the floor. You can use some pretty intense color on floors, and that's where I'd use the blues, maybe in stripes, also incorporating the orange, yellow, aqua, and maybe a deeper coral. I'd also bring more color in with dish towels and accessories.

Yeah, I know--I have weird taste. But I do think that if you're going to do something wild and kitschy like this, you need to go all-out.

Baby Strange I see your point about not going far enough once you're already out there. Color on the floor and/or countertops *would* be nice.

What I think I'd personally like to see is those cabinets painted either yellow OR orange completely, then the walls painted whichever color the cabinets aren't, and then if detailing needs to be added to the cabinets after the fact I'd use the wall color for that to pull it all together. I think that would be nice with a large, simple detail painted on a few of the cabinet doors, because I like the stencil idea in theory but the execution could be done more stylishly.

Also, as a side note, I absolutely do not see "Tiki" in this space whatsoever. Tiki makes me thing of richer more organic colors, like the colors of lush trees and volcanos and lava on Polynesian islands, kitsch bamboo details, lots of greenery, etc.

i don't like the stencils.

and for all those over-sensitive people who can't handle any negative comments, please note the voting section where it says "explain" next to "no way, jose".

i agree that some people are rude and inconsiderate when they comment but this IS a contest and therefore there will be some value judgements. after preschool you learn that we can't always win, and we can't get everybody to like us (or is that politics...)

i think this kitchen would look great if you worked with the floor tiles, even though you might hate them, you can make it look like you chose them. paint over the stencils so that the cabs are solid orange, choose a red or yellow curtain, add some red & brown or terracotta accessories and you'll really have some skillful use of color. oh, and add a plant or two, especially since you have that nice window.

i like the exuberance and am puzzled that it doesn't seem to be carried through to counters, floors, trims, accessories.

I just threw up in my mouth a little.