Three Options For Adding Gold Leaf To The Kitchen Drawers
Now that I’m pretty much finished with the wall of cabinets, the other two sections should go faster. However, there’s one thing about the wall of cabinets that made things easy on me — everything was symmetrical and all of the cabinets had doors. Having all doors and everything symmetrical really made the gold leaf accents work out just perfectly. But on the other two sections, I have drawers to contend with, and the drawers currently have no trim on them. Plus, the peninsula really isn’t symmetrical at all because of the dishwasher.
Welcome to my mess. I really should take a day and get everything cleaned up and organized before I continue on with the other sections. Things have gotten just a bit out of hand, and I feel like I spend most of my time looking for tools in all of the mess. 🙂
But back to the drawers. The peninsula isn’t symmetrical at all, and consists mostly of drawers. The other section has mostly doors but two drawers.
So in order to have something to gold leaf on the drawers, I bought the smallest trim I could find, which is actually called cabinet and door trim at Home Depot. It’s from the section where you buy the trim in 8-foot sections and they’re sold by the piece rather than by the linear foot.
So now I have to decide where to attach the trim to the drawers. Obviously, no matter where I place the trim, the drawers are going to look different than the doors because they don’t have recessed panels like the doors. I’m okay with them looking different. It’s a very common thing for doors and drawers to look different. After all, they look different on the plain stock cabinets as is, and nobody would think anything of that.
So I thought if they’re going to look different anyway, why not make the difference look very intentional by attaching the trim just inside the routed edge of the drawers.
Of course, I’d miter the corners and attach it all the way around and make everything look very neat and precise.
The second option is to attach the trim at the same distance from the edge as the doors. This shows approximately where that would be.
So I’m kind of torn between making it look intentionally different, or making it look more similar to the doors.
A third option (which literally just dawned on me as I was writing that last option and looking at the pictures) would be to leave the trim off altogether and just gold leaf a thin border around the face of the drawer. So it could look something like this…
Sorry…I’m not good at the photoshoppy stuff, so I only had the patience to do three drawers, and those look pretty awful. But you get the idea, right? No trim, just a flat gold leafed border on all of the drawers.
And actually, now that I’ve typed all of these options out, this last one might be my favorite. I think I’ve been trying to force the whole “adding trim” idea, but if I left off the trim and just did gold leaf flat onto the face of the drawers, I would be able to not only decide the exact position of the gold leaf border, but I could also determine the exact width I want rather than be bound by the width of the smallest trim I could find (which still seems a bit too wide to me).
I knew this would be an issue I’d eventually have to deal with if I went with the gold leaf design, but I buried my head in the sand on this and pressed on with the wall of cabinets. Now I’m at the point where I need to make a decision on these drawers, because if I need to add trim, it needs to be done before I can prime everything.
Any thoughts on those options? Or can any you think of other options I’m missing? I’d love to hear them!
One thing…leaving the gold leaf off of the drawers is not an option. If the peninsula were more symmetrical, or had a more even mix of drawers and doors (like the range wall opposite the peninsula), leaving it off might be an option. But with the peninsula only having three doors, and the rest of the space filled up with drawers, and nothing symmetrical, the doors absolutely have to have gold leaf added to them somehow. It would look completely ridiculous to have just the three doors gold leafed, and nothing else on the peninsula. Know what I mean?
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Why not consider doing corners instead? You could gold leaf corner brackets (braces?).
Dang… I meant to add, “like the kind on expensive trunks/luggage.”
Oops, another idea- is a corner stencil. I googled and a whole bunch of beautiful images showed up.
Photoshopped picture using trim for the design and goldleafing the trim.
leave off the trim and just do the gold leaf, trim on the drawers I think would be too much. Love what you have done on this amazing project, again I think you are a magician and believe you should have your own diy show 🙂 keep up the great work we all depend on you and we are addicted 🙂
Ohh the third option for sure. I think adding the trim would make the drawers look off, like an after thought. The third option will allow you to dress up your handles/knobs when you get to them.
I think I would place the trim just inside the edge of the drawer to make it proportional with the doors. Either that or leave it off and just gold leaf a border.
I prefer the trim spaced the same distance as on the doors, however, I really don’t like how wide the trim is. Did you check Home Depot or even online. You’re not going to need that much trim.
I know this means delay, but it will be important in the end.
The easiest and fastest answer is to use just the gold leafing without any trim, but it wouldn’t have that extra, finished look.
Could you get Lowes or Home Depot to split some trip for you, so it would be more narrow?
Or what about asking a cabinet maker to make you some trim the right width?
Even before I clicked over here to read the rest of your post, I read the first part and was already imagining the gold trim #3 option, just going with the gold. My next favorite would be #2, that would look nice too and add a little extra dimension. Or instead of trim for dimension, maybe router out a thin channel where you would have put the trim instead and either gold leaf inside the channel or just in or outside of the routed out line. Can’t wait to see what you do!
That’s what I was going to suggest, to router out a channel if possible. Otherwise options 2 and 3 will look great. Heck, whatever you do will look great! 🙂
I really like the idea of using a router and gold leaf that! I think that would look better than just the gold leaf by itself 🙂
i like the router out channel idea too or ust do the routed edge of the drawers in gold.
This gets my vote too. Your cabinets look beautiful (wall of cabinets) so far. Love your ideals and all the help you give us on your posts everyday. You give great detailed info every time you do a project. Thanks sweetheart for taking time out of your super busy days to help us all. Love everything you do!!!!
I was thinking to route out a channel too. In the shape of the last photo. I’m afraid that just doing the leaf on a flat surface won’t be sharp enough and will look gimmicky.
Oh this is a great idea!
Router a channel is also my vote!
That was exactly what i was thinking! Kristy is momumentally talented with power tools, why not take the time to router out the drawer facing and then gold leaf that?!?!? It would look more cutom than the others..and less rushed, in my opinion!
On a lighter side note: did you know that Alan Harper’s girlfriend (Lindsay, I think) on Two and a Half men had green cabinets in her house before it was burnt down? I saw part of a rerun last night and her kitchen cabinets were green, but then that kitchen also had wallpaper and no personality – which is so far from what Kristy’s kitchen is going to look like (in my mind!)!!!
This was my idea, too!
I found an example of what I meant by routing a channel. This is not your style kitchen at all but the channel that is on the drawer fronts is what I was picturing with gold inside. https://s3.amazonaws.com/eldorado-media/products%2F2014%2F04%2F11%2Fimagine_photos-2014-04-11-ES_OA2-display.jpg .
Look at all the cooks in your kitchen, haha! I love how many comments and suggestions you are getting with this kitchen. It’s like we are all rooting you on and invested in it too! You better have a big coffee pot because when that kitchen is done, we’re all going to want to come over for a coffee chat in there! 🙂
Yup!! Totally my vote too ! I think it will match up the cabinet doors to the drawers as well! They will seem much more cohesive together!
good luck we know its going to look great no matter what you choose!!!
I vote for no trim, the trim looks out of place.
I wouldn’t add any extra trim, but just gold around the outer edge of the drawers, where they are routered (sp?) – adding the shine, without being too busy.
If the edge is too wide, and there would be too much gold, do just half.
I am leaning toward the look of the third option but have you thought of routing the fronts of the drawers with the same principle of option three? Then add the gold leaf to the routed portion…..
These are my thoughts. The fronts of my kitchen cabinet doors and drawers are routed out and a contrast color (after seeing yours I am changing to a gold leaf) is painted in the routed area. Otherwise, #3 is the best.
No trim on the drawers. Drawers wouldn’t necessarily need to be exactly as the doors though… Someone else suggested a corner stencil… I was thinking the same thing. My reasoning? Your hands are touching drawers more than doors, even with handles. Maybe the gold leaf will never come off, but maybe it would with a lot of touching, I don’t know. You could stencil small corners on all drawers – I think it would look great.
Whether you decide to stencil or use trim, it probably needs to line up with where the trim is that will be gold leafed on the cabinet doors below the sink. The drawer just to the left of those bottom cabinets would probably drive me crazy if the gold trim was placed at the top edge of that drawer and then your eye would see the gold trim on the doors just below. But thats just me picturing gold horizontal lines not lining up all the way across.
Kristi, I would go with your last option. It looks great in the mock up and I think it would be awesome! Everything looks SO amazing! Before you wrote that last idea I was reading and thinking to myself why not gold leaf the outside area of the drawers. I can’t wait to see this completed! You are incredibly talented!
I think you should take a day to ponder your drawer options while you clean up the mess and get organized for the rest of the painting. 🙂 You’ll be able to think better and function better, and everything else moving forward will go more smoothly. And it will give you time to decide what you really want to do with those drawer fronts.
I agree with MarySue. Plus I would want to have my hardware before I decided. So I would know exactly how it is placed in relation to the gold finish.
I prefer option three. Leave off the trim. Less is more.
3rd option! Definitely.
What if you were to do the gold leafing on the edges of the drawers that are already routered? Then you don’t have to worry about trying to line the leafing up with where it will be on the doors and it won’t be in the way or get covered at all by whatever hardware you end up using. For me, I’d hate to go through and leaf everything and then find the perfect hardward only to have it cover up the leafing.
As for the options you gave, number three for sure!
I would go with option number 3, I think it will be the most symmetrical and lack of symmetry is a horror!!
i see your indecision. the flat drawer fronts are so different than doors so what to do??? instead of trying to make them the ‘SAME’ as doors, i would make them unique. hmmmmmmmm HOW?
PERHAPS with handles special unto themselves
or
reverse panel…..instead of indented center, build it out
just ideas
good luck
Maybe mill a frame and goldleaf that line? Like in that kitchen (3 lines, seen in picture 7 & 8). Sorry for my english hope you understand what I mean and I hope “mill” was the right word 😉
http://www.archiproducts.com/de/produkte/117489/lackierte-kuche-aus-blattgold-im-venezianischen-stil-fortuna-gold-ca-d-oro-by-ged-arredamenti.html
I just thought of another option. Why not make a new edging for the drawers that is the same width, etc, as the doors, which would make the drawers recessed just like the doors? The drawers would stick out about a quart of an inch more. Would that matter?
This is exactly what I was thinking. A wide, thin border the mirrors the look of the doors to make the drawers look recessed as well. Kind of like the small cabinets above where the stove will be.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Dittoing this! Thought that was what you were going to say you were going to do! I also like the idea of routing a channel to leaf.
You need to simplify and match as best a possible.
These would be my suggestions in descending order of preference:
1) Add a new edging for the drawers that is the same width as the doors.
2) Option 3.
3) Gold leaf the existing routed edge of the drawers.
Options I don’t like:
1) Routing a channel into the drawer fronts because the center section will still stick out and that won’t match
the doors.
2) Adding the trim you bought because it’ll stick up rather than be recessed like the doors; you’d have too much going on.
I would use trim (attach it like in your last photoshop photo) maybe rip it down to a smaller size so that it matches the other wall you’ve already completed. But it doesn’t look too large in the photos either. The completed side is raised slightly off the cabinets, I think it would look more cohesive with the gold being raised off the drawers. Can’t wait to see what you choose!
Hiya,
I absolutely love everything that you’ve done so far! I’m like you and feel time isn’t a factor if it means it will be ‘right right’ (which drives my man crazy because he wants everything done NOW).
If these are the only options I’d say option 3 but depending on the thickness of the drawer fronts have you thought about routing out the lines you did on option 3? Doesn’t have to be deep and you can choose your thickness then rather than being stuck with the thickness of the trim. I think it would just give that bit of 3D to tie it in with the cupboards more, and it’ll protect the gold leaf even longer.
Keep up the good work lovely, I adore reading your posts and seeing the pics, its going to be fabulous!
I’ve been following your blog forever and am simply in awe of your new kitchen – and the many other projects you’ve generously shared with us. You are one super-talented lady! Option 3 gets my vote.
After staring at your picture, I think, whatever you decide to do, do all the top drawers and the sink panel the same way. Then treat the bottom two drawers as one…three sides of trim (or whatever) on top and bottom drawer . (If that makes any sense at all…lol) That way, the eye is fooled into thinking it’s more symmetrical than it is because the bottom drawers now look like “doors”.
That’s an awesome idea!
I haven’t come up with this idea when looking at the pictures, but find it instantly attractive!
the other option appealing to me is the idea of a stenciled corner design in order to acentuate the drawers as an already different looking part of the kitchen. That has to work with your handles though, and I fear you haven’t yet found the right ones? Poor you, instead of just going ahead and finishing your kitchen quickly, there’s all this new decision making coming your way…
That IS a great idea!
Our minds work in such wonderful ways. Had you been bowled over by choice #1, there would have been no serious study of #2. Out pops #3; I have a feeling that I know which one you’ll go with, but I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
I like the 3rd option. I think it will add that little bit of pop you need but not to much to overpower.!! Good luck with your decision, I love watching the progress.
no trim and gold leaf will be classy and beautiful. I agree the trim is a bit too wide.
The wall of cabinets is AMAZING. And perfect. If you want to gold leaf the island, you need to take the drawers to someone who can router the faces to match the door panels. Otherwise, no. The other “solutions” will not appease your perfectionist (and I say that with love & respect) tendencies.
I like the photoshopped option a lot!!!!!
Don’t add new trim, and you’re right you can’t just do without.
I know you’ll do setting amazing either way.
Looking awesome
I like #3 out of those options… how about #4? Kristie, I don’t know if this will make sense or not…..I don’t know what kind of drawer pulls you are using but what if you gold leafed a “template” of sorts just on the drawers under where the pulls would go. Then the pulls would be surrounded with a small area of gold leaf? It would be deliberate and each drawer would still have the look? Just a thought… or even just the corners. The corners done slightly like this one is beautiful! This one is even green like your cabs!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzhtqrQ6ew/UvgDI-ks3uI/AAAAAAAAJmc/TNI77lf24bU/s1600/IMG_8228.jpg
I was thinking the same thing! A gold leaf “shape” of some sort would look neat stenciled onto the center of the drawer with a knob placed in the center 🙂 great job as always Kristie!
I like the router idea – and the inset gold leaf. Otherwise, I think I’d do the trim (second option). My main reasoning is that if the gold leaf is just ‘flat’ it might be easier to chip or peel. Drawers get even more usage than doors …. at least in my house!
You always work it out ….. so I feel funny even putting my two cents in! Rock on, girl!
Agree with all the no-trim comments. I like your third option the best. I’m concerned with the trim that it will get knocked into more often and really scrape off. I wonder how it would look if you did nothing on any of the drawers and just had the gold leaf on the cabinets? I would do that before doing anything with the drawers and see if you like it.
As far as having drawers routed, I think it would look good, but collect dust and dirt potentially, but that’s also an option.
I’m all for option number three. I think it will give you the symmetry that you want without adding too much detail that could detract from the gold leave. I think adding the trim would kind of stick out and say “I was added later and I’m totally different from the doors,” and I don’t think you would be happy with that. I love the kitchen so far though and the green is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it all together. You’re awesome!!
I HATE symmetry. But even I know that whatever you put on the drawers needs to line up with the gold leaf on the cabinet doors.
I think option 2 for sure. You’ve got a million-dollar kitchen, don’t skimp out at this point by faking it.
or the routering option. Or building panels around the edges to match the cabinets. If you do go with option 1 or 2 then you need to decide whether to only gold leaf the inside so that it matches the cupboards, or gold leaf the trim on all sides
I was wondering if you could add a wider trim all around the drawers that would make them match the doors recessed look? (I hope my question makes sense)
You said think outside the box…router the middle of each door front out, using the width of the trim that was added to the drawer fronts. Use the same router profile also. They would know look like your doors with glass.
Add glass, brass grill, or thin wood panels to the center. I would do this to all of my large drawers. The thin drawers on top need fabulous brass pulls with maybe a brass backplate.
If you want different, why not a decorative gold leafed stencil, like a scrolled type, that the drawer knob sits in the centre of…?
Option 1….is a good option,
Option 2…..nah. By the time you put the trim around the whole drawer, it would look like a narrow rectangle with a knob or pull in the middle.
Option 3….sounds good….
Routing out a thin channel and gold leafing that sounds like a Solution!
Good luck in whatever direction you go…..
How about instead of adding trim you just routered a groove (where the photoshopped lines are) into the drawers, and added gold leaf into the groove.
OK, now my turn. I say take the largest drawers (on the bottom) and make contrasting trim pieces the same as on the finished doors and gold leaf those. Leave ALL the small drawers with no gold leaf, and just place some awesome handles on them, perhaps with a fancy plate behind them to make them stand out. That will be the gold on the little drawers. First, tho, clean house and unclutter your brain! You will make the right choice, or you’ll change it.
I’m in love with the idea of routering out an area – right where you would gold leaf in option #3, and then gold leaf THAT!
I was actually thinking you could pin stripe around the drawers with metallic gold paint. They have gold leaf paint that you can use instead of the paper gold leaf. You should also take into consideration what type of hardware you want to use on the drawers. Knobs, handles, pulls? I would think the size of the hardware would also determine how wide a gold design you do on the drawers.
#3 is my fave. I agree with you- you have to do something. Mess or no, it looks great.
How about just having the gold trim thing on the wall of cabinets and have the other two sections just painted in your lovely shade of green and with pretty gold handles. There’s no law saying you have to add the gold trim to absolutely all of the cabinets. Anyway, I just thought I would give my thoughts on it. It’s looking really good.
I think so too!
Option # 3 is my Favorite as well. I think it will be simple and beautiful
Personally I would prefer no gold leafing on drawers. I think you will find any way you go they will look too busy. I would pick a really nice wide brass pull to bring in the gold on the drawers. You will find everything will balance out in the end. Gold trim plus a wide knob is too much gold. You are an inspiration to is all!
I agree. Especially on the top drawers there would be too much gold/green ratio especially if you use gold hardware. Leave this side without gold leaf and add your hardware and then live with it for a few days. You’ll know pretty quickly whether it looks good. You can always add gold leaf later if you think it needs it but why go to all that trouble only to hate it and have to remove it and repaint.
I agree. I think leaving the beautiful green drawers plain and using a brass bar pull will be just the perfect amount of detail and won’t distract from the overall look. I just like the simple elegance of the drawers with a simple brass pull to accent the cabinetry.
Although I’m not a fan of routering the drawers, if routering the drawers faces is a consideration, I would try it on a sample board before doing it on the actual drawer front. I think a routered groove would be difficult to keep straight (for me) and collect dust and debris over time, and would be a bother to keep clean.
Krisit – I have to say, it made me really happy inside when I saw your stunning cabinets. I just starred at them…I was so inspired to use color in a new way. You are terrific and truly my favorite celebrity. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!
No trim. No matter how you add it it won’t really match doors. Actually, I think I’d skip the gold leaf altogether on the drawers. If you use gold hardware that will pick up the gold color. But if you want the leaf on the drawers, I think #3 would be A-OK.
After thinking about it some more, i like the idea of just adding the gold leaf to the drawers flat. Sometimes, simpler is better!
At first, I was all about option3- no tiny fragile trim to get heavily abused on the drawers.
But routering a similar design to the doors onto the drawer fronts is even more appealing. That would get you the correct size for leafing the edges and offer an area to showcase the drawer pulls. The inset surface could further protect your leafing job.
Campaign hardware- the angle brackets, is not as appealing as the other two options- something about the aesthetics you already have in there.
I agree with the modified option 3: router out a small groove on the drawers and put the gold leaf in the groove.
You’re doing great! Love being able to give input too. Whatever you decide, I know it will be beautiful.
Are you good with a router? Then the drawers would be flush with the doors.
Love what you are doing!
Step back and wait till you find hardware you like. Maybe it will be large and ornate enough for the drawers? Just a thought. If not, I vote for option 3.
I like the last one the best. I think if you put trim on the drawer there will be more of a chance of hitting it – accidentally – and ruining it.
Option 3!
Here’s another option: when you add the feet to the peninsula, add a set just under the sink cabinet, and another set under the bank of drawers. Don’t add any gold leaf to the drawers (will you add it to the panel above the doors right under the sink?) The beautiful gold hardware will tie everything together. Try this first, and then if it’s not what you want, you can add the gold leaf to the drawers.
You could consider using Doll House Moulding available at craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby to give you the affect you were originally looking at with the quarter round.
Router a channel is also my vote! I think the gold leaf alone would look kind of fake.
I like Ashley W.’s idea of gold leafing the outer edges of the drawers. I am looking at my kitchen drawers right now (they are like yours) and I think that would be a logical choice. I definitely think that the drawers need gold leafing to keep everything similar, they would look odd without it. I love that you added the gold leaf because it really makes your cabinets look especially lovely with the green. I can’t wait to see your hardware choice.
This area is going to recieve alot more wear and tear. Not only will you be touching it more, but you will be standing in front of it and rubbing up against it more.So perhaps a routed edge would be a good idea.However you do already have a routed edge on the drawers that is indented. ( the very outside edge ) could you gold leaf that? it won’t be in the direct touch area as much and it is different than the others and would look “intentional”.
Why not route a narrow groove where you have drawn the lines for gold leaf in the third option and put the gold leaf in the groove? It would give some architectural detail to the drawers and I think it would blend in nicely with the doors.
I was thinking the same thing a s Mary. I like the look of option 3 but keeping in mind the wear so a router detail the same width as the detail on the cabinets, not deep at all, set in from the edge would look great.
I’m not agreeing with any of the 3 options, sorry. If this were my kitchen, I would not put any gold leaf at all on the peninsula. I think it will look like you are forcing the issue. You can always add later if you feel you can’t live without the gold leaf. Otherwise I like all your choices. Good Luck!
I agree with Paula. I think the part you’ve finished is very pretty but I would just paint the other cabinets.
You are doing such a FABULOUS job. I absolutely love the green and wouldn’t mind doing my cabs in that color!! We have cabinet makers around here and this is our input and suggestions. Once the cabinets and doors are gold-leafed and painted the fact that they aren’t symmetrical won’t be nearly so noticeable. Remember how the legs on the other side melded into the final look? Put the trim on to look as similar to the existing doors as possible. That will also blend in better, giving the asymmetrical cabinets the most symmetry as possible. You really don’t want to introduce another assymetrical element won’t bring you as much visual pleasure!! I’m like that too….
I like what Sheila E has to say at the top of these comments. A little gold leaf design at each corner of the drawers might be interesting as well as break up the straight lines of the door gold leafing. Something to think about. Design doesn’t have to be a flower…it could be a graphic. Just large enough to give the drawer some punch without being overpowering.
Allrighty then….you askedfor opinions, here’s mine. Don’tlike “1”, so “2” or “3” would be the choices. Why waste the time and effort on the trim, when the effect is basically the same, so if you have to have it, just do the goldleaf. Personally, I think you should just get them painted, gold leaf the doors, find your pulls and then decide. What is hysterically funny to me is that my kitchen, which is all custom, does not match and I never noticed it! 24 years and if someone had asked me before today if the drawers and doors matched I would have said I think so. My kichen is white which is about to change, the doors are a board on board look with the boards varying in width. The drawers are plain flat fronts. 10 drawers and 2 false fronts, 27 doors, 1 false front, plus the long flat front under thecooktop. I will never make that mistake again, thanks to you! I can’t wait to quiz my husband tonight to see if he gets it right! Bottomline kiddo….go with your gut, ithasn’t steared you wrong yet. Blessings~
I vote for option #1.
At first I was gonna suggest just leaving it off altogether…too much of a good thing is too much some time. However, after looking at the pictures closely, I see what you mean and now see your vision for the drawers. I would try the router approach as I am concerned about wear and tear if you just put the gold leaf directly on the front of the drawer….especially the lower drawers since they will be knocked up against. Whatever you decide to do will look great though, I am sure!!
How about doing the routed edge already on drawers. I assume you are going to use gold nobs and pulls on the cabinets. If you used long pulls on the drawers that will add a lot of gold to them.
I vote the last option. You could also do a single line of trim (rather than trying to make a square with the trim) to make that look intentional and somewhat modern, but it might interfere/conflict with your drawer hardware.
How about gold leafing a handle for the drawers & forget outlining them?
In my mind the cleanest look would be the following:
– don’t do anything with the shallow top drawers. Just find nice pulls with a back-plate.
– attach a wider trim on deep drawers so they look like the doors.
That way you’ll have uninterrupted horizontal golden lines at the top and the bottom of the doors, plus a nice green surface of shallow top drawers wrapping everything around similar to the molding the top (and approximately the same size).
I’ve read every one of these comments and finally Claire has the best solution. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. If everything is gold leafed it will just make your beautiful wall look junky.
I had my mom and brother come over and give their opinion after seeing it in person, and my mom suggested this very thing. Leave the gold leaf off of all of the top shallow drawers. But she also suggested on the big drawers to basically remake the drawer fronts so that they have recessed panels like the doors, and then gold leaf the trim around the recessed panel. I think that’s the winning idea!
Perfect plan! 🙂
I like option 3 the best. I think it would show off whatever kitchen hardware you decide on. Good luck with your options! Kitchen looks great!
I personally would not put any gold leaf trim on the drawers but that is me. Since that is not an option you want, I will choose option #3. I liked the idea of just gold leafing a box around the inside of the drawer face the best of your choices. Good luck and I KNOW you will know what to do when you get to that point.
As for cleaning up the mess, I just know that when I’m trying to get anything creative done in my craft area, I am calmer if I take a few minutes and straighten up the room before I begin. All my tools and supplies are where I know they are supposed to be and the creativity flows better. Its easy to keep working and just pile up stuff ‘for later’ and before you know it you can’t find your hammer, pliers etc and its frustrating. Just a few minutes to straighten up the mess and put tools where you know to find them will probably help out a bit. : )
I think gold drawer pulls, no gold leaf trim. But I do love it on the doors. 🙂
You could always get your router and router out a small channel in the draw and put the gold leaf in it.
I think you may be over thinking this one..wait to see how it looks without the gold leaf on the drawers…your fabulous knobs or hardware may be enough to balance out the lack of gold leaf. If not, then go your Mom’s route.
Definitely no additional trim. I’d put the gold leaf on just the doors first and install the hardware so you can get the full effect and determine if the leafing on the drawers is needed (it would also help determine placement).
This idea struck me when looking at your photos. The full wall of cabinets is so beautiful and commands such a presence, did you ever give any thought to making it a focal wall by doing a different color or stain/poly on the others?
Talking about trim caused me to go back to March 2013 and your review of your condo master bath (hope everything’s going well with the condo btw). Your use of trim there was terrific, but imagining it being a shiny gold rather than the same color as the face of the drawer seems like the gold leafed trim would look huge. So I’m with you with Option 3. Besides, it will be easier to maintain.
Unsolicited advice: Stop running yourself down! You will clean when you want, when it suits you. You take on your remodeling tasks when you have the motivation for them, cleaning is just another one of those tasks.
Replying to myself, I like Cathy’s idea of routing a channel above!
Have you picked out which hardware you are going with? Such as drawer pulls or cups? Before you add the goldleaf trim you might want to consider hardware placement etc?
Wow, what a lot of replies this time! You have quite the fan base and well deserved.
I personally would not do the router idea. One small slip and that drawer is “kaput”.
The idea of adding trim the same width as the doors would be the ideal way to bring the balance “we” need visually. I think the effect would be like the Diaz kitchen look, expensive and classy but simple and subtle.
The touch of ‘gold’ on each separate component with the distances being visually complimentary will give
you the look your eye desires and needs.
Hope you take the time to do your cleanup and organizing of equipment as it will give you the boost and
clarity required to continue. Best wishes for success.
I think you should first gold leaf all the doors. Look at how everything looks painted green, then you might discover the drawers don’t need any gold leaf.
If you are considering thinner trim take a look at doll house trim. You can find much smaller trim, in wood to gold leaf.
I’m too busy with my grand daughter to read all the comments tonight so please forgive if this idea has already been mentioned. I would make a frame out of luan plywood, it comes in different thicknesses, and apply it over the top of the drawer facings. Then I’d find some quarter round to mimic the the curves of the door that you gold leafed it and lay inside the new luan frame to make the drawers look as close as possible to the look of the doors. You are great with tools so I know you could do this. However if you don’t want to mess with it you could take a finished door and your drawers to a cabinet maker and have them remove the drawer facing (I’m pretty sure they are just facings) and just have them make new facings to match the doors. It’s not that much wood so it shouldn’t cost that much to have them made over. Otherwise I’d go with option three but somehow I just don’t think you are going to be happy with any of the options you posted. LOL! If you do go with one of the three options I think you should get your hardware before making the final decision. Those drawers are pretty small and you don’t want the hardware to interfere with the pretty gold leaf. JMHO.
Kristi you’re rocking this kitchen already everything is looking amazing. I love the gold leaf on the ‘focal’ point display section of the kitchen. After reading the bulk of the comments on your blog I need to add my 2 cents worth of design / construction thoughts – I would call it a day on the gold leaf and stop there, keeping it only on the center main wall of focal cabinetry and just paint the two sections of the utilitarian sections of cabinets on sink and dishwasher side and the stove and refrigerator side and use all matching knobs (same product line; pulls and handles etc) thought out the kitchen. You have so much over the top details going on already; cabinet paint, color and finish details, countertops, flooring etc., that I’m not sure that the labor intense time and sweat equity is really necessary here. And most important don’t even consider using a router to add a groove detail, the router is an extremely dangerous tool and most stock cabinet are only made with a veneer on face panels and not solid wood. Keep up the good work!
I agree with TKraft……don’t over do. Everything is looking great!
First time comenter althought I’ve been following you for soooooo long 🙂
Our styles are so different that I’ve never have the guts to comment, but you amaze me to no end.
I understand the problem with simmetry but I don’t see any of the options with any kind of trim working. To add some balance, have you thought of leaving the drawers without any gold but doing something with the panel on the left instead? I mean the left wall of the island.
Kristi wrote:
I do know what you mean but I’m not sure that I agree. It depends on your knob/pull choice, I think. If you are toying with gold knobs, I think the smatterings of gold everywhere would balance out the lack of gold leaf on the drawers. And even if you have something else in mind for the hardware, I would think the few gold leafed doors will not look odd because they will relate to all the other doors in the kitchen, just as solid, non-leafed drawer fronts on the island would then relate to all the other solid, non-leafed drawer fronts in the rest of the kitchen. So, looking at the kitchen and cabinets as a whole and not section by section.
Trim or no trim, if you gold leaf the drawers the same distance in as the doors, I think it could look cluttery and maybe even silly to have such small “boxes” on the smaller drawers. I wonder how it would look to gold leaf the very edges of the perimeter of the most raised part of the drawer (without the added trim)?
Option 3, then Option 1. Not a fan of Option 2 for some reason. I think Option 3 will almost look like any inlay since it will lay flush. Tres chic!
Why not find skinny picture frames and deconstruct them to use as trim.its just a thought. I’m sure which ever you choose will be beautiful.
Loved your shared views,As a newbie in home decor i really got some ideas for implementation …Thanks a ton
I like food pantry’s but I don’t understand the need for one in your case. You say you don’t cook and you really have a good amount of cabinets now. I am so loving the green and gold. Is your utility room for you washer and dryer? I prefer to have those closer to the bedrooms since that is where the bulk of laundry comes from. Keep up the good work.