apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wow! What an incredible space. I could see this in some Martha Stewart-y color scheme. Maybe painting the ceiling would enhance the light and you'd be able to appreciate the height more too.

Open storage is not the friend of someone with that much stuff. You could use some kind of basket/galvanized pail/etc.. to store all your stuff in on the open shelves.

I suggest painting the wood walls and cleaning up the clutter. After that, see if it is still too dark. I'd hate to paint that ceiling unneccessarily.

I love it, and I usually don't go for the country kitchen look. It looks like such a fun, eclectic space.

If I had to lighten it up, I would use a semi-transparent white stain on the walls. I like that there are no traditional cabinetry in the space.

Clean with TSP before you stain, let dry and you should be covered with the grease stains.

Yeah, lots of white paint. I don't know how much you have to spend, but in your shoes, I would do the following:

1. Put drywall over the wood cladding on the walls. Don't know whether this room needs insulation, but this would be the time to add it.

2. Paint the area *between* the ceiling beams a nice, studio gallery white.

3. Paint the walls white. Consider painting the brick,though if you lighten everything else, you may not need to.

4. Can you put cabinet doors on your under-counter area?? Much of the darkness in the space comes from the fact that these are entirely black.

5. And, uhh, yeah. Declutter. You really only need, at max, four of everything (unless we're talking every-day dishes and cutlery). You have, like, 97 bowls on that shelf. Pull out your favorites, give the rest to Goodwill, and take the tax write-off. Ditto the mason jars.

6. Consider replacing the mantle with something a little more structural, and in a lighter color. I do love the bakery-type openings in the fireplace, though. I might even consider putting a big stone bench all the way around the fireplace and getting rid of the mantle entirely. Assess this area once you deal with the other problem areas.

7. Add more overhead lighting! There are lots of options for track lighting that are not icky.

Good luck! It really is a lovely space, and will look great once you're done!

Ruthlessly declutter and then re-assess before making the next decision.

I wouldn't paint the room itself - the dark wood and brick is part of its charm.

I'd clear alot of the "stuff" and paint the kitchen cabinets white. I'd use white and/or pastel painted furniture, a white patterned rug, white/pastel upholstered furniture and white/pastel dishes in the room instead: Think "French Country".

you have an amazing kitchen! i reckon you should get some cupboard doors, especially under the counters.

Declutter and white paint. Paint the ceiling, walls and floor.
You might have some great antiques but as there is so much going on you can not really see them, which is a shame. Also I would get lighter cabinets, how about steel? I think that would go nicely with the white wood and the great stone fireplace.
Also, clear the surfaces, especially around the stove. For cooking you need space and now your kitchen seems cramped even though it is a great big open space.

That is one fabulous space. I don't know what you think about painting the ceiling white, but that is just what I would do to emphasize the amazing height that you have. I think you can also play up the metal references (your husband did a swell job on the hood!) with cabinetry. But please leave the brick alone.

Ditto white paint for the walls and ceiling leave the beams at first to see what you think. Then you may find you don't need to paint the brick. I second enclosing the under counter storage, although i do like your bookshelf of bowls.

I would replace and increase the overhead lighting with something less mod. The tracklighting suggestion was a good one. With perhaps something in country style a milk-glass shade for accent pendants, or a ultilitarian stainless?

paint the ceilings white, and/or bleach the floors (use wood bleach paste, not a bottle of clorox ;).

Pickle or whitewash your paneling. The grooves give it a nice texture. I agree about not painting the brick--it's beautiful!

I think de-cluttering and de-accessorizing are your first priorities. I wouldn't touch the brick, it's perfect. Whitewashed walls and leave the ceiling. Get rid of the mantle for a nice clean look.

For the wall, try painting it first. I wouldn't do white as it will be too stark with all the lovely rich browns and reds from the brick and the furniture. I would go with a warm leathery yellow. you may have to drywall over the wall if the wood is damaged or rough to take paint. Also bring the same colour to the ceiling between the beams. do not paint the beams.

you are clearly going for a relaxed french/english country farm look and you are a professional chef so ignore the comments about the style or having so many dishes.


Ignore most of the comments as if it's not mid century modern or organized by a person with OCD, they think it's crap. It's just tacky to offer advice about something people didn't such as your organizing.

I think whitewashing the wood is a good idea, not painting it! White stain would let the wood grain and the rustic charm shine through, yet lighten up the space at the same time. I also agree that paring down would be a great idea. Good luck!

I would try whitewashing "the wall" and see what you think. If it sucks, (which it might, because it could just end up looking dirty) prime then paint white or another brighter color.
I'm not so on board with painting the ceiling like everyone is saying. I think the wood ceiling is what gives the space a lot of it's charm. And while I am SO not a clutter person, your kitchen definitely has charm. Enough that I am not even going to tell you to declutter. I love it, bowl bookcase and all.
Maybe you just need to add some better lighting? I'm seeing halogen cable lights strung parallel to the wall in the ceiling peak, then you can have some of the lamps for general lighting and some as uplights or wall washers.
I would KILL to have a fireplace in my kitchen. It's one of my as yet unfulfilled dreams. Maybe we can trade for some of my acre of pantry.

I would paint out the wood cladding in a light colour and leave the brick and beams exposed. Sometimes painted brick is a good thing, but it adds so much warmth in your room that I think once you paint the wood, it would appear a lot lighter and therefore the brick wouldn't be so doom-like.

It's a fabulous kitchen. Don't listen to what they say about the clutter. If your life is in the kitchen, then live it. Sometimes clutter just means that you love being in that room.

Beautiful!

I would recommend painting the wood walls, and the ceiling between the beams. I am in the process of renovating a 50's house that has an open ceiling with beams, and previously had dark dark dark knotty pine paneling. The ceiling was already painted white in between the beams, and we painted the walls a buttery yellow (though we had to prime it heavily first), which I'd recommend over just white. But I'd try just painting the wall first. I also like the idea of adding some lighter or white furniture as well.

TheoJ, thanks for saying it -- for god's sake, don't paint your ceiling or brick white! Someday, people are going to wake up and realize that all these supposedly "eclectic" white-painted midcentury decors all look the same, and then you won't be able to get the unique beauty of your natural wood and brick back.

I second a yellow (or maybe green) wall, with more enclosed storage, or at least some shelving (but keep a sense of your glorious clutter; again, it's what makes it *your* kitchen and not a page out of DWR!). And I'd switch out that light fixture for something more vintage-industrial. That's it.

Too much stuff. Too much.
Thin out something. All I see are cobwebs and dusty glassware.
My eyes don't know where to look. There is just so much stuff.

Like the bookcase for bowls (needs thinning)

Paint the walls or whitewash. Look again after less clutter and lighter walls. Oh, new lights - choose from techno stainless to cozy antique/country french.

I would love that stove and all those knives.......

can you take the wood off that triangle shaped wall behind the stove? Then you could drywall that and paint it a nice bight color. I think that would help immensely.

Think long and hard before painting ANYTHING in this space. I think the wood and brick add so much character to this space. Why do something so permanent as painting over it? I definitely agree with decluttering. I'd love to see the walls with artwork and maybe a light colored area rug. If you want light, then add it the artificial way or add some painted cabinet doors. Good luck!

It really seems like a shame to paint any of this wood - I think if you're going for a more casual, rustic kind of look, leave all the wood as is. The only thing about the walls that I'd change is the one triangle wall you don't like - since it doesn't seem like the quality of the wood or anything is particularly great / 'indoor' quality, see if you can tear it out or cover it with drywall.

Also, I think if you just swapped out the glass doors on your pantry & bookcase with frosted glass and popped frosted/solid cabinet doors on the undercounter space, the room would look a lot more streamlined. The only thing is that undercounter space doesn't seem to have room to put up doors...

I'd say paint it white!

Massive clear out, you might find that is all you need. It looks great though.

wow you have a great kitchen, i like the pitch roof and the bricks wall and the windows.

may be just need some tidying that's all . :)

I have no real advice. I just love that room.

Wow, you have a GORGEOUS kitchen!

I wholeheartedly agree with TheoJ, but I would think about a transparent wash/stain rather than paint on that wall. It would brighten the room without changing the character of it.

I love your storage cabinet, but if you could somehow add something to the glass to block the very busy view inside, it's the outside you want your attention drawn to -- it looks like an antique, so I would be careful not to do anything permanent to it... but your beautiful bowl collection should remain on display.

Will you please post after pictures so we can see the change?

I like the bookcase of bowls! It looks like a lot of bowls, rather than a bookcase of clutter.

Since you're not happy with the wall behind the hood, I'd start on that. Paint it a light color and I think you'll be much happier. The rest of kitchen is unique and it looks like a great place for cooking.

I think all the dark wood, the brick, and the antiques in your kitchen give it its character, and I would happily chain myself to something in it to keep you from running amok with white/light paints. I would first try the aforesaid white paint between the ceiling beams---better yet, you might try skylights, and even better: there are polycarbonate panels that are transparent/translucent, architectural, and insulating that could replace parts of the roof. After I got all the overhead light working by one or more of these choices---only then would I look around and see what else to do.

In general, I'd recommend some judicious paring rather than wholesale decluttering, because the antique shop feel (homage to grandmother) is part of the charm of your wonderful kitchen, and is a proud declaration of what you do. Love the warmth of the wood & brick.

1. First thing for me is that having the triangle thingie right under the hood chokes the space. Is it essential to the functioning of the stove? Can it be moved? That would also reduce your open shelving by two rows.

2. I assume there are times when the kitchen gets hectic with complex projects and/or several people in the kitchen, hence the appeal of open shelves. For the long counter under the stove in the first photo, instead of cabinet doors, think about a white fabric with hooks that would cover the shelves most of the time, but that you could remove easily if things got busy and you didn't want to bother with a lot of opening & closing of doors.

3. Love the fireplace exactly as it is, with the stuff there as it is. That seems the best expression of what you're going for - lots of wonderful stuff, pared down just enough to let the eye roam and discover piece after piece.

4. As for the bowl shelves - the bowls actually look fine, neatly stacked. There's too much stuff ON TOP of the shelving that distracts from the bowls. Take off most of the stuff there, including the too tall plant, and the bowls will have the right proportion of "stuffness", like the fireplace.

5. Am not in favor of painting, esp. the brick, at least not yet, until you've pared & covered a little, and worked on lighting. The mod hanging lights seem out of place. I like the idea of track lighting up into the beams, or heck, string lights. See how it looks after that before deciding if further fixes are needed.

6. Lastly, those two little plates on that large triangular section of blank wall look lost and out of proportion, strays from the herd. How about one of those oversize clocks from Ballard Designs?

Good luck, and may you have many delightful culinary adventures in your wonderful space!

GARAGE SALE.

I think the only thing that needs to be done in this space is some serious decluttering. It would look completely different if half of the items were removed. Consider bowls and plates in one color, stacked neatly, some uniform and simple jars for all the spices...remove the following: plates and baskets from the walls, multiple candles, topiaries, vases, crystal, dried flowers, on and on. The hood over the stove is phenomenal as is the light fixture.

If all else fails (and you must have so much clutter) ADD DOORS! Who can look at this and feel relaxed every day. yikes!

Just put doors on your cabinets.

If it's in a kitchen, and you USE it, t doesn't count as clutter...

Keep the functional stuff and get rid of the decorative (at least in this room) like the plates on the wall and other knick knacks, candles and even the flowers and bowls of fruit. Keep it to one bunch for colour. I agree with the notes above about first lightening up the wall you don't like, putting some doors on some cupboards, and then see how it looks. It is a lovely big space but visual overload.

As a fellow cook, the "clutter" really is par for the course. I would suggest investing another large, non-wood colored storage cabinet that does NOT have glass windows to put more stuff away. Or you could frost the glass windows of one of your cabinets and paint it a bright/pastel color of your choice. I would invest in another one-- just because I know I could fill it up with cooking stuff if I had your kitchen. I would also remove all of the decor from your fireplace and see if that helps.

The other suggestion for "brightening" the room is to get a pastel rug for the floor. Your floors are pretty dark and will absorb a lot of the light from your windows, sucking the light from your walls. This is an instantaneous, non-permanent fix that you can try, but it needs to be a pretty large rug that can be washed. Try FLOR rugs-- You can arrange them any way you like and the color and pattern range is fantastic.

Don't paint your walls white. You cook in that room and if you cook as often as I do, you and I both know that grease is hard to get off and WHITE shows it. Try the rug thing first. If you still need more light, paint a wall a bright color of your choice.

Whoa people... she's a cooking instructor, she needs extra stuff. Sheesh.

That said, i had an idea re: lining the inside of the glass hutch/cabinet doors. I've seen in several vintage/country/french kitchens with the inside of glass like that lined with fabric, something light voile or eyelet.

Can't find a photo but in the movie Amelie the land lady?/super's appt has this done. You see it when she goes to get the drinks. The effect is more sheer than frou frou.

I love this space, its super cool, it really looks like a homey and happy place.

I do agree with the people who say dont paint the brick or the wood. You could swap out a few of the darker accesories (the mantel clock?, paint the dark shelf its on?) and art for other areas of the house. Perhaps a mirror to reflect the light back into the space. Perhaps some nice big colourful art? nothing expensive as it will likely get greasy over time. but you could acquire simple colourful pieces cheap and switch em out over time.
In my kitchen I took a cheap canvas from utrect and painted it one solid colour, its been up for at least 2 years, and shows no damage (I cook maybe 2 times a week...) Its a bright shot of colour, and probably cost me under $12.

If you can declutter a little do, if not P(too) is right, if you love it, leave it. Perhaps some bright dishtowels etc hung openly could also put in colour...

OOoh if you line the shelves where the martini glasses are in colourful paper (see january jumpstarts for idea) that glass would pop infront of it instead of blending into the steel...

First of all remove clutter - for example - YOU HAVE ELEVEN CANDLES over the fireplace.

I'd add more stainless steel. Line the shelves with it, put it in the back of the open shelves etc. It will reflect light and it's easy to clean and a professional cook will understand the hygiene advantages of steel.

I vote against paint.

It's like saying, "This hunting lodge is too dark and woody."

I'd reconsider your lighting plan before I dipped a brush in paint.

I am on the "do not paint" side. I agree that swapping out an open storage piece for one with doors would simplify the look of the space. Display mostly lighter-colored items. Get a white rug. And consider adding more ambient lighting fixtures. I'm a video producer, and use washes of light in sets to give them a sense of space. You could bounce light off the ceiling and walls, even during daylight hours. Get low wattage fixtures on dimmers and you can even position them to dramatically light several of your lovely ceramic bowls.

Lovely kitchen. I've been living in tract homes and apartments most of my life and would love something with character like this.

Your husband built the range hood? Does he do this for a living? If he doesn't, maybe he should!

Declutter. Very strategically. For example, the shelves full of bowls is a beautiful display. Very Martha Stewart. (That's a compliment.) But remove all the stuff from the top and hang the picture at the right height.

That's a lovely pantry. Could it be painted a light color? That would provide one fairly large place for light to reflect off.

Although you really don't want to replace a perfectly good refrigerator with something stainless steel or even white, as appliances go out replace with lighter colors.

If necessary, the wood paneling could be heavily primed and painted in a color that compliments the brickwork. I imagine you want to preserve the quirky, comfy, eclectic, homey appeal of this space, not try and convert it into some modern stark white loft in NYC. In the last photo there is an out of focus (Granny Smith?) apple. That would be an interesting color for the wood wall. But only if you love it.

- a little editing is good, but don't get rid of too much stuff like most people suggested. i love your collection and the little vignettes and groupings. very sweet.
- paint all the exposed walls a nice soft warm white or a really pale color. not stark white though. with the big stainless steel in the middle of the room, it'll make your kitchen look like a hospital.
- leave your fireplace natural bricks or paint it black or something.
- make glass cabinet doors for all exposed shelves. i think that would hide the stuff in the shelves a bit without closing them off, and add some sparkle from the reflections too. but if it's still too busy, maybe do some cool paper or fabric behind the glass to hid them a little.

Don't paint the brick. The mortar needs to breathe and the paint will kill it.

Think about an aniline dye stain on the wood in a cheerful color. The texture of the wood will show through, but it won't be as lifeless as if you'd painted.

Clutter, schmutter. People who think you "need" only 4 bowls or whatever don't live your life.

Having said that, consider rotating what's on display. Six indifferent candlesticks aren't a collection, they're just visual noise.

Cabinet doors are your friends, but not glass ones! Too much trouble to clean, and still does nothing to hide massive amounts of stuff.

A white rug in a working kitchen is a recipe for disaster.

I can't thank you enough for all of your great advice.
Already today I can report that the candlesticks on the mantle are now down to 2 pairs.
All of the stuff on top of the bookcase of bowls is gone, ready to be photographed and hit ebay. They were all grandma handme downs of crystal and pressed glass, that I really don't use.
The shelves with the cooking items are not deep cupboards, but just bookshelf depth. I think for now I may get a cable stringing system and get some fabric to cover it all up until I can rebuild that side of the unit.
I know that many of you wanted me to pare down the bowls, but believe it or not, they all get used.
I do like the idea of lighter rugs, the ones I have now are very dark. White of course as Palmetto mentioned is just not possible in a kitchen used 7 days a week.
Several of you mentioned covering the glass doors of the pantry. I'll hit a fabric store and see if I can find something that might work.
Painting that wall is going to be the biggest task. I like the idea of aniline dye stain as well, I am going to see if anything would change the dark colour I have, if not a good sand and paint is going to happen.
Don't worry all, the brick will never EVER be painted. I grew up with mid century modern parents in the 70's and it included a full fireplace and hearth painted bright white. Not happening.
Keep all the ideas coming!

thanks jo-amuse for your update. Would be great to see pictures of the after once you are finished.

Glad you found the comments helpful. Please do post pix - and a couple of favorite recipes :-)

Is there any possibility of adding more skylights?
What you have right now is nice, too nice to whitewash.
You just need to be able to see it all.

Paint or stain the side wall was a light gray, and possibly paint the ceiling red.

Adding another skylight or 2 would be splendid! However, since money is hardly ever, not an object, I agree that paint would go a long way in your beautiful kitchen. A light color on the ceiling & back wall but NOT white! This is not the kitchen for white. Or should I say white is not the color for this kitchen. Not earthy enough. And far too plain.
Best of luck.
Please post sfter pix!