HomeGoods came through again! I wanted to add an accent color to my black and white kitchen.
I’ve seen lots of stuff like this at other stores but I did’nt want to pay the high prices. So I was able to get these and a few more things for alot less. ( FYI, I did the tile work myself. It was easy and I saved $. I’m all about saving $.)
1. I love the red, black and white! It all looks so expensive. You did a great job with the tile.
by Betty — 3/16/07 at 9:38 am #
2. You did the tile….wow is there nothing you can’t do…so good…red is perfect accent…
by Julie — 4/21/07 at 6:05 pm #
3. Betty and Julie,
Theres a lot of decorating jobs you can do just by reading or taking a class. Cheaper than hiring someone and you’ve learned something new.
by Cathy — 6/10/07 at 2:47 am #
4. I love these colors! I’m working on doing my dining room with the same exact color scheme but am having a hard time finding the true black, red and white!
You did awesome! Wanna come to my house?? LOL!
by Nichole — 9/6/07 at 3:52 pm #
5. Thanks Nichole,
Sometimes the true colors are a little hard to find, especially the red. Good luck with your dining room, you’ll do a great job.
by Cathy — 9/9/07 at 8:15 pm #
6. Cathy, I, too, love a black, white and red color scheme. In fact, I want to tie together all the rooms in my little house, using these colors. My kitchen has red walls and the same black and white backsplash, that you have. The master bedroom is visible from my kitchen via French doors. How can I “transfer” these colors into this room, to give a unified look? I like white bedding, and have an iron bed, neutral walls and flooring. Also, the living room is visible from the kitchen. I have a camel-colored microsuede couch and chair, and the focal wall is red, and has an ebony mantle on it. All other walls are beige, and the flooring is wood laminate. How would you accessorize these spaces, to have one cohesive look? Thanks a lot, Cathy.
by Janice — 2/27/08 at 4:17 pm #
7. Hello Janice,
Its a fun color scheme…never boring. Your house sounds darling. I know I’d love it. You want to tie the bedroom and living room to the kitchen colors. That would look great, especially in a smaller space.
I like your white bedding and iron bed…white and black. Add in a little red.
red throw pillows, some artwork above the bed with reds, black and white etc. A red throw in chair or over the bed. Not too much, keep it as an accent color. Same with the Living room. Pull some red pillows onto the sofa, line up 5 simple vases with a red flower in each one on your ebony mantle. Add white full length drapery with black banding down the edges. Repeat the colors in some art, area rug, etc. I like your camel and beigh color in the mix. It keeps the strong colors grounded and not too stark. I think you’re doing really well, just take it to the next level. Add a few red and black accents and it will look sharp.
Enjoy your cute house and write back soon.
by Cathy — 2/27/08 at 11:01 pm #
8. Thanks for the great advice, Cathy. You paint a wonderful mental picture and, in my mind, I could see each element you were describing. Just wanted to ask one other thing. When you said to line up 5 simple vases with a red flower in each one, on my ebony mantle, did you mean white vases? I have two, narrow windows in the living area — one on each side of the room. Right now, I have bamboo blinds, because I didn’t know what else to use. I really like your idea about the white drapery panels with black banding down the edges. I failed to mention that I have a zebra area rug that I use sometimes in the living room. Could I still use this, with the other things you suggested for this room? And, one final question — how would you decorate a small bathroom, to tie in with the rest of the house? All fixtures are neutral (white) and the walls have a very sublte tan & cream stripe, that is very neutral also. In fact, the walls appear to be cream when you enter the room. The vanity is in a medium-tone wood and the floors are off-white vinyl tiles. I have considered painting the vanity ebony. Could you give me your ideas for accessorizing and decorating this room. Again, thanks a bunch!
by Janice — 2/28/08 at 11:14 am #
9. Hello again Janice,
Your welcome. I’m glad you could see the mental picture of my suggestions. We’re on the same wave-length! The vases on the mantle can be white or clear…something simple and sculptural and all the same.
I love your bamboo blinds, keep those and add the white drapery panels to them, hang them out on the wall space to make the windows look wider. They can be stationary, because you already have the light control. Also, I love that zebra rug!!! That would look great.
As for your bathroom. I like your idea about painting the vanity cabinet the black color. Are the tan and cream stripes vertical or horizontal? If you can paint the stripes in a wide 18″ horizontal stripe all around the small room, that would update the look. Use the tone on tone, beigh/cream paint. Add in some red towels or art to pull all the spaces together.
Again, you have some great things to work with. Move ahead with a little more color and updates and it will look great.
What do you think?
by Cathy — 2/28/08 at 2:14 pm #
10. I think that sounds wonderful!, Cathy, and I appreciate your helping me. I’m happy that I’m able to keep the zebra rug. I do love it. Also have an antique black trunk that I once used as a coffee table in the living room, but removed it, thinking it didn’t work. That’s the reason I took away the zebra rug, because I thought it didn’t work. Right now, I am using red throw pillows, so I’m happy to know that I’m on the right track.
The desire to color coordinate my entire house came about when I decided to paint the kitchen red. I have the popular Pates Baroni poster on one wall, which is in the colors of red, black and white. Then I decided the backsplash needed to be black and white. I have a round oak table in the kitchen, surrounded with black chairs. I’m debating on what color fabric to use to cover the seats, and also what color to paint my bland wood-tone cabinets — white or black???
You asked about the bathroom. The stripes are vertical in tan and cream, and very narrow. You said red towels would be nice — but what do you suggest for the shower curtain?
Thank you again for being so helpful. Our little home is located on the river, and I want it to be just as happy and cheery as the surroundings.
by Janice — 2/28/08 at 2:30 pm #
11. Hi Again Janice,
You might want to remove the black trunk as a coffee table and add a simple glass top coffee table. Iron frame. You will be able to see the zebra rug better.
If you have enough light coming into your kitchen, paint the cabinets black. light color counter tops. Or, paint the upper cabinets white and the lower cabinets black…sharp. Recover your chair seats with a red fabric and welt it in black. Put a big white bowl of red apples on your table or red flowers.
Keep the shower curtain white, maybe black banding on the leading edge like your L.R.draperies. ..Just a few suggestions for you that you might want to use…some or all.
Your river location sounds wonderful. With these colors, it will be cheerful and fun and stylish.
Good luck with everything…it’ll look great.
by Cathy — 2/29/08 at 12:47 am #
12. THANKS! I don’t mean to “hog” the message board, but just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your advice. Living in a space, it’s difficult to know which direction to go. It’s always helpful to hear ideas from someone who can be objective. I will definitely get a glass top coffee table, as you suggested. Why didn’t I think of that! LOL I wasn’t sure that a white shower curtain would be appropriate because I thought the white would be too stark for the beige (ivory) walls. But when I paint the vanity ebony, and use red towels, I can see a white shower curtain with black banding looking pretty darn sharp. As for the kitchen, it does get a lot of light. My lay-out is very similar to your kitchen, as the table sits in front of a patio door, which lets in abundant light. I couldn’t decide whether to paint the cabinet black or white. But, as you said, I could do both. Before I go, I hope you will post more outdoor ideas since spring is just around the corner. Being in a rustic setting with lots of trees, I’m always looking for ideas to brighten up our porch and deck. Since the house is beige with brown trim, everything tends to blend with the surroundings. Your entry was very inspirational for me. Thanks again so much, and I hope you’ll keep us posted on any new ideas you have.
by Janice — 2/29/08 at 2:16 pm #
13. Hi Janice,
You’re always welcome to the blog.
Thank you so much, I’m glad I could help a little. You have a good eye…sometimes you need another “eye” just to fine tune a little.
Yes, I’m sure we will be posting ideas for outdoor settings…porch, deck, yards, etc. Check back often…There will be some great new changes coming up soon. Stay tuned!
Have fun decorating your home…a rewarding experience.
Take Care.
by Cathy — 2/29/08 at 3:07 pm #
14. Cathy, I have a small window above my kitchen sink., and cabinets on either side As you know, my backsplash is black and white checked, and my walls are red. The black and white checks end at the window’s ledge. In other words, the wall below the window is black and white, and the space above and beside it, is red. I’m not using a valance now, but have wooden words that say “INDULGE” above the window. You suggested that I cover my black kitchen chairs in red with a black welt. If I do that, what color fabric should the valance be?
by Janice — 3/3/08 at 6:42 pm #
15. Hi Janice,
I would say keep it very simple because of all the other pattern and color going on. How about a window topper or cornice in white with a black welt or border, or all white. Maybe cut some wood to the width of the window, paint it white, and mount your word “Indulge”, in black, on the topper.
…a few ideas, let me know what you come up with.
by Cathy — 3/5/08 at 12:41 pm #
16. As always, you come up with the neatest ideas! And, your suggestion sounds so doable. Thanks a lot, Cathy, and I’ll certainly let you know how this project progresses. Didn’t know if you noticed my response on your post about your Small but Comfortable Bedroom but, hopefully, you’ll get a minute to let me know your thoughts about my dilemma concerning the “bed under a window” question I presented a few days ago. I know you’re a busy gal, and I certainly don’t want to over stay my welcome. Thanks again!
by Janice — 3/5/08 at 3:17 pm #
17. Cathy,
I have been enjoying your pictures especially your kitchen. i have attached a photo of my kitchen and am thinking about doing the white and black tile backsplash, black counter and leaving my cabinets off white and adding handles to my cabinets. I would like to leave my walls red. what would you suggest for my kitchen?
Thank you,
Dawn
by Dawn — 3/11/08 at 11:37 pm #
18. Hi Janice,
I did see your comment about your guest bedroom and commented there.
by Cathy — 3/12/08 at 7:01 pm #
19. Hi Dawn,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the site. I did not get your kitchen picture. Could you resend it through the “Customer Finds” at the top right side bar. Just follow the upload directions after you click on “Submit Yours”. I’m anxious to see it. It sounds like you’re doing a great job. Similar to mine but no red wall. The only other thing I could add is, add in a few red accents… cannisters, red bowl or vase on the counter, floral, tea pot, not too many, it’s an accent. I’ll wait to respond any more until I see your kitchen. It sounds great the way it is.
by Cathy — 3/12/08 at 7:12 pm #
20. Hi Cathy,
I just finished renovating a small home and staging it for showing. Do you think the red wall and the red stools are ok together? The accent wall is rather dark red, and the stools have a more “orangy” look, but I tried to put other items on the counter across the room that would blend the two. Whatcha think?
Thanks,
Charlene
by Charlene — 5/28/08 at 2:30 pm #
21. Hey Charlene,
I think you did a great job!!! Lots of reds can go together. Nothing worse than everything matching exactly. Visually your eye sees a “red’ color and other reds will blend in. It sounds like you’re doing a nice job of staging. Even though “neutral” is the word for staging, I like adding accent color to jazz it up a bit like you.
Good luck selling. If it shows well…it will sell!
by Cathy — 5/28/08 at 5:55 pm #