My Closet Island And A Battle Of Wills (Mom vs. Daughter)
As I mentioned on Tuesday, I have a friend in town this this week, so I haven’t been focusing on work these last of days. But that hasn’t stopped me from thinking about my projects, and it hasn’t stopped us from talking about the options. And my mom and I have come to a (very friendly) battle of wills over my walk-in closet island. 😀
When I said I wanted to paint it an accent color, I’m sure most of you knew that the color I wanted is pink. I didn’t know which pink, though. And the only pink I had on hand was a very dark reddish pink. But that’s the one I tried just to see what a pink (or pink-ish) island would look like in the room. For the record, I know for sure that this isn’t the one I would choose, so I’m not looking for input on this particular color.
But that color at least gave me an idea of what an accent color would look like on the island. And I love the idea! So I went back to this post where I shared various colors that I pulled from the wallpaper and tried out on the island, and I decided that this one is the one I liked the most.
But I also really love the white countertop in that mockup. So I’ve decided that regardless of the color I paint the base, I’m definitely going back to having a white top. I like the lightness and brightness it adds to the room.
So that brings me back to the base color. I love the pink, but my mom hates it. Now those of you who have been around a while know that my mom has a very artistic eye. She is an artist, and while she and I have very different decorating styles, I do trust her artistic eye. And because I know she has an artistic eye, and I trust that she understands scale, balance, etc., I tend to listen when she gives me input. That doesn’t mean that I let her decorate my house. 😀 But I do value her opinion and give her opinions and input some weight in my decisions.
But y’all, we definitely do not agree on this island. When I say that she hates the idea of a pink island, I mean that she is vehemently opposed to a pink island. Don’t worry…we laugh and have a good time when we talk about it. And she knows it’s my house and I’ll make my own decision, but she hates the idea of a pink island.
So yesterday, as my mom, my friend Lori, and I were talking about the island color, my mom randomly said, “I think you just should paint it in stripes with lots of colors pulled from the wallpaper.”
What? Stripes? I mean, I LOVE stripes. Flowers and stripes are my favorites. I’d put stripes and flowers on everything if I could get away with it! But I totally thought she was kidding. I thought she was poking fun at me and my love of lots and lots of colors.
But she wasn’t kidding. Her thought is that if I paint the island in a solid accent color, the island, and not the wallpaper, will be the thing that draws the eye. It will become the focal point. It will basically be the only thing that people see when they look at the room. But if I paint those end panels in stripes using lots of colors from the wallpaper, the two will complement each other and keep the wallpaper as the focal point.
I should have made her do the mock up of her idea because (1) only she can see what’s in her mind, (2) she’s much better at Photoshop than I am, and (3) this is HER idea. We didn’t even talk about the details. Would the stripes all be the same width or random widths? Would they be arranged in an ombre order, or just random a order? We didn’t even get that far in our discussion.
So I have no idea if this is what she’s actually envisioning, but I did do a little mockup of stripes last night after they left my house. Don’t get too fixated on these exact colors. If I were to move forward with this idea, I’d take the wallpaper in and actually have the paint color matched to the actual wallpaper. This is just a very quick idea to demonstrate the general idea of stripes.
If I do stripes in those panels on the ends, the only color I can imagine the rest of the island being painted is the dark blue from the background of the wallpaper. Any other color would be wrong to my eye. All of those colors need a dark frame to ground them.
I’ve resisted the idea of doing dark blue on the island, not because I don’t like the dark blue. I actually love it, and when I did the mockups, it was one of my favorites.
But my issue with the dark blue is that I didn’t want the dark blue being that close to the doorway because there will be dark teal grasscloth just outside this room on the foyer walls. But I got the roll of grasscloth and put it against the closet wallpaper and dryer.
It actually doesn’t look bad! I mean, I don’t want a big blob of dark blue that close to the grasscloth. In other words, I don’t want to paint the island a solid dark blue. But if I do stripes on those end panels, the dark blue will only be on the frame around the stripes. I can live with that.
So here we are. A battle of wills. Mother vs. daughter. Solid pink vs. dark blue with stripes (or perhaps another pattern in similar colors) on the end panels.
Who will win? I’m not sure at this point. Honestly, since we’re talking about stripes, I kind of think I win either way. But stripes aren’t even a thing I had considered until yesterday when she brought it up. I do think it’s an intriguing idea, but it’s a completely different look from what I had been envisioning all along.
The only thing I know for sure at this point is that the island will not be light blue. I just can’t do any more light blue in here. I need color, variation, and something different on the island.
My friend leaves this afternoon, and I’ll be getting back to work after she leaves. So hopefully by Monday, we’ll know who won this (very friendly) battle of wills. 😀
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.
I vote for the blue with stripes on the ends. The mock up is amazing looking.
I love the stripes and dark blue idea. As long as they are wider with less white between them so it’s not busy. Oh, I’m excited to see what you do!!
Your mom is right! As soon as I saw your pink island mock up, while the color is lovely, the wallpaper faded into the background and lost its emphasis. Stripes are a nice compromise.
I’m a dark blue fan. The other two aren’t even in the running for me BUT it’s not my house. As always, whatever you choose, it’s always beautiful.
I agree. The stripes are just too distracting for my eye.
This! I too like the dark blue. The other two not so much, but definitely not the stripes. However, this is your home. You do you.
I agree that I like the dark blue, but could you wait to decide until your clothes and shoes and bags, etc. are back in the closet? It’s going to change the feel of the room a lot to have it filled, and with how much you love color, there might be enough of it in your clothes and accessories to influence a decision.
I totally agree! Wait until everything is in place. I’m not a fan of the stripes but love the dark blue. How about the wall paper on the ends?
Sooo agree w/Beth… in fact was thinking the exact same thing… your clothes …etc. I too, also feel will certainly add another…”Dimension”…..
If you do stripes, I think you should keep it to shades of pink and I agree with the rest dark blue. Then everyone wins, lol.
I was thinking the exact same thing! Dark blue for the body, and wider stripes in just two of the pinks from the wallpaper (possibly with thin white stripes in between). In the mockup, stripes in too many of the wallpaper colors was hurting my eyes! 🤣
I am not often this strong in stating my opinion here, but…
I despise the stripes mockup. It looks jarring to me, distracts entirely from the wallpaper, and turns your beautiful closet into a clownshow. Hate it, hate it, hate it with the fiery passion of ten thousand explosing suns. Yes, that much.
If you need a decorative element on the bedroom-facing end of the island, how about painting the island the dark blue and using it as a frame around a section of wallpaper on that end? You really would not even need to match the pattern repeat to the far wall since they would be geographically removed from each other.
exploding suns. Hated it so much I left in a typo!
I hate it too, but think it could be nice if the stripes are only shades of pink and the rest is dark blue. The hate the multicolored stripes, but also think Kristi would make it look a lot better than that quick mock up.
I was also thinking of the wallpaper on the ends of the island because alas I am not a stripe loving gal. Reminds me of a circus tent, but it’s not my closet. Also, once the clothing is hung will the room feel too busy?
Agree
Exploding suns-I feel the same. There is another blue in your wallpaper that is darker than your cabinets but not midnight navy. It’s lighter than your grasscloth and my eye goes to it right away. Actually when you painted the washer cabinet top the other day with the Bear paint I liked the color (even though the quality wasn’t there the color was right-you picked it without any samples because you instinctively went there)
I went back and looked at your post from June 10th when you were trying to figure out if you should change the color of the appliance cabinets and that Behr paint color matches perfectly to the blue I see when I look at your wallpaper-I don’t immediately see the dark dark background at all, and I hope you have another look and consider that blue.
Ditto
I agree! No pink, no stripes. Dark blue, white top, wallpaper on the end facing the doorway. I don’t even think the end by the w/d would need wallpaper but it would keep it symmetrical.
Perfect!
Yes! This gets my vote!
Agree!
I agree 100%…
Love your idea and agree with your comment about ‘jarring’
This is exactly what I was thinking as well. Wallpaper on the end of the island with the island a dark blue or even painted the same color as the cabinets. I really, really don’t like the stripes.
Agree 😔
This!👆👆👆
No stripes!!!!!!
Is this you, Kristi’s Mum? 🙂
I like this idea also!
I like this idea also except the exploding suns.
Yes, wallpaper on the island end!! That’s exactly what I was thinking!! My brain also went into ick mode when I saw the stripes! I love stripes, but not on the end of the island. Island end…Wallpaper!!
Exactly my thoughts!
I feel the same way:)
A color swatch of something on top of the island in the post from yesterday got me imagining your island in a completely different color than what you had shown us so far. I don’t know what the item was, but it was in the first comparison photos of your post. It was a pinky-lavender color, and while it didn’t match, exactly, I felt it did coordinate with what you have going on in there. Once you have all of your clothes in there, I think if you chose something that wasn’t quite in the wallpaper, it wouldn’t look too out of place since it is supposed to be a standalone piece of furniture anyway.
The stripes are an interesting look and grow on me the more I look at them. Even if you don’t do stripes, doing something interesting on the end panels would help to avoid a giant-block-of-a-single-color look that might happen if it is all one solid color.
Your closet progress is very exciting! I am so happy for you to have a working washer and dryer again, and I am waiting on pins and needles for you to be able to move your clothes in! Thank you also for sharing your processes and failures and changes because it encourages me to take more risks in my own home and to dream bigger. God bless you and Matt!
I think the stripes will look too busy, especially once all your clothes are in the closet. I love the pink but would go with one that’s slightly lighter in value. One similar in lightness/darkness to the blue cabinetry.
I agree, I think Kristi is looking at the island without all the other colors that will be in the room eventually. I still feel the island should be a quiet color not a riot of color
The stripes seem distracting and pull my eye from the wallpaper, as others have said. My thought is wait until you have your clothes, bags, etc in the room and then see if you want more patterns. Personally I like the dark blue, keeping the wallpaper the star element.
I agree completely with Deb
I think the stripes are jarring and take away from the beauty of the wallpaper – painting the island all dark blue (even the top) would “anchor” it in the room and be a beautiful accent to go with your wallpaper
I also agree with Deb. When you hang your clothes, the clothes will act as stripes.
My favourite is the pink! Stripes compete with the flowers in the wallpaper a little too much! Also, how many people will be walking into your closest?
White and light colors automatically draw the eye. So I agree with your Mom about not doing the pink island — it is brighter and draws the eye away from the serene blue and wonderful wallpaper and completely changes the vibe of the closet. Well, maybe that is what you want, but I don’t think so — the blue and wallpaper and gorgeous W/D have set the tone for the room very intentionally. If you do stripes, don’t use white — it again draws the eye away from the gorgeous wallpaper. The white counter is fine because it is horizontal, so it does not catch the eye the way a vertical plane does. I think navy or dark teal to echo the grasscloth would both be beautiful as well. What an interesting discussion!
Pink!!!! I love it!! I voted for that before and I think it’s beautiful!! And the white countertop ties in the mirror and lights!
Please, no stripes! Way too busy! Takes away from all your beautiful work. Too much going on.
Love the pink!
I don’t care for the pink. On my computer it almost glows, like florescent and has that vibrating effect. Of the two ideas, I like the dark blue with stripes. I think it’s the less “dominating” visually, also, IMHO.
I’m with your mom…..nooo to pink, but also noooooooo to stripes, they distract so much from the wallpaper. If you must have an accent -all dark blue 10000% or if you must have pink please go lighter. I know you love color but I don’t think you are really visualizing how colorful and busy it will already be with your clothes, shoes and handbags.
Is the focal point of the room going to be the wallpaper, or the island? I LOVE the dark blue on the island, with the white top. It anchors the room without competing with the wallpaper. What about painting the island dark blue with a white top, and then painting the sides of the drawers in various colors so that when they are opened, you see a pop of accent color?
I’m with Alta. Blue island, white top.
Your house to be sure, but I think the stripes say “ you’re trying too hard to put every color in here. “. For my money, I’d go with the white top (love) and a soft blush pink, maybe with a touch of yellow ochre to get a coral color you love. Or just use the coral from your exterior door, though I’d lighten it up for a softer look. I think the island should whisper rather than shout I’M PINK EVERYBODY! ( you sure are, bless yer heart).
You’ve got to love moms and their opinions, even if it kills us to say they were right in the end. I love her idea. I love the dark blue island, stripes are good, you had to give those up in the master bedroom, so I could see them making a comeback. But what about that gorgeous wallpaper that is hanging up in this glam closet??? A few white and gold accents and I am pretty sure this baby is ready to have a fork stuck in it. I am 8 years older than you, and I sometimes like the easy exit ramp at my age. I love the white top to the island, but since I do stencils and faux painting, I’d have to give it a small bit of “marbling” just because I could and remember the word “marbling” also has the word bling in it. It can also hide a multitude of “sins” when it comes time to scratching and wear and tear. I can’t wait to see what you come up with and enjoy the weekend.
Cheers to you and Matt, Mom & Lori,
Hmmm, I don’t like the type of stripes in the mockup, but your mom is definitely right about the focal point. And she’s right about the mix of colours bringing the attention back to your wallpaper.
But that would probably apply to lots of other designs that would be using the background of the wallpaper + the colours of the wallpaper. So can your mom be more specific about designs (stripes or otherwise)?
Also, I sort of pre-rejected a couple of ideas before commenting, but maybe you can make them work, or get other ideas from them. Idea 1 is making a framed panel around the side of the island and having a wallpaper piece in it (or part of its’ design) – but it feels too matchy-matchy and unimaginative (or, in the same vein, you could do some sort of stenciling, something similar to the wall you previously had here). Idea 2 is using the colours on the drawers. I have a little chest of drawers I adore – each drawer is a different colour, and it has a different metal panel covering most of its’ face. The main area (which is basically the sides) is plain white, and it serves as a frame for the colours. This doesn’t really match what you have here, but if you did something LIKE this with different parts of the island, then you could have your colourful island when using it, but without ruining the focal point from the main view (door).
This is an interesting idea. I like it!
I agree with your mom. Surprisingly, it keeps the island from being the star of the show.
I love the stripes! Stripes and floral are my favorite! Or floral and gingham. (I just do not see you as a gingham girlie, lol) I say go for it. It is just paint……and time. Well, anyway you will not be happy until you try. I am so happy for you to have your friend visit. A break from work is always nice. Especially when meeting up with an old friend.
Sheila F.
Both the pink and blue go nicely. The white top gives your eye a rest and gives the room a nice flow. The white from the mirror down to the top is elegant. Two different colors give two different feels. Neither is wrong. Everyone has an eye for what clicks with their brain. Like taste bus tasting cilantro good or bad like soap. I love cilantro. No stripes! They are not necessary.
I’m sure your stripes will look like a beautiful invitation to your closet masterpiece!
I love the stripes with the dark blue and would be eager to see what your mom envisioned it to be as well! So unexpected and fun!
What about using the *actual wallpaper* on just the end panel of the island? You could still have your white top and pink (or whatever) front, and the island would add to rather than detract from the lovely walls.
Oh myyyyy……the stripes make it look like a circus tent. Love the white top. Why not just dark blue for the rest of it…or, if you must….wallpaper the ends and frame with dark blue.
The pink definitely steals the eye focus! I think the stripes are fun but they could be more subtle – like the ones in the artwork you’re adding over the W/D. I also agree that a white top, maybe with glass over it, would give a calm and elegant feel while not detracting from the wallpaper. I might suggest waiting for the color choice to be made after the closet is loaded up with clothing and accessories! 🙂
Why not cover the end panel of the island with the wallpaper? Keep the white top and paint the sides the light blue. I think this room should a backdrop for your wardrobe. The stripes would detract from that.
When you said stipes, I was picturing wide stipes that went around the whole dresser vertically. Maybe in an ombre.
What if you put the wallpaper on the end of the island?!
The stripes are a definite no for me.
The pink you love, or the dark blue, both look great in the room. Personally, I think the pink helps draw out the flowers in the wallpaper, and doesn’t detract from the wallpaper. That’s my humble opinion.
I love where this is going! Could you do a mock up with horizontal stripes? Diagonal stripes? Maybe use the wallpaper on the end? So many possibilities….Have fun with it!
I think the dark blue island with a light color top. No stripes on the ends like you showed, but maybe some small gold pin stripe design around the perimeter of the ends and the drawers would give it a little sparkle, with some gold pulls for the drawers. But the end decision is yours of course because you have to see it everyday. You do such awesome work I must say.
I usually agree with your mom’s input, but in this case, I couldn’t be more turned off by the look of your mock-up interpretation of her idea. To put it plainly, I think that the stripes absolutely ruin what you’ve created with this gorgeous room. 🙁 Of the ideas you’ve presented, I think the dark blue with white counter top works the best. The combination of stripes with all the other color and pattern in the room (and this is BEFORE you add all your clothing and accessories!) is just so discordant and over the top to me (though, obviously, there are plenty of others who don’t share my opinion.)
This ☝🏼
You will decide and it will be beautiful.
Dark blue that coordinates with both blue in wall paper and the grass cloth on body of island. White on top and gold accents on drawer edges and handles. Stripes or bringing another color into the room on such a large piece will detract from beautiful wallpaper.
There’s a saying, if everything is important, nothing is. I think adding yet another “accent” is a distraction and doesn’t provide anywhere for the eye to rest. I would think you’d want the chandelier to be the focus vs. the island. I see the focus (eye candy) of your closet being your accent lighting, mirror and wallpaper. I don’t think you need something else.
YES!!
Totally my opinion – I love the solid navy blue island.
To my eye, the pink island and the blue with the stripes just take away all the focus from your gorgeous wallpaper.
Not a fan of the stripes. The vibe, to me, is elegant and classy,
Stripes don’t fit. Love the white top. Don’t really have a color preference. Several that would work nicely.
I’m usually a “solid color with busy wallpaper*” girl, but I really like the multicolored end of the island. Could you paint a picture/abstract using the colors from the wallpaper and possibly bringing in the teal from the hallway? You do amazing things so I’m sure you’ll come up with something incredible!
*I love the wallpaper btw!
I love the dark blue, but I wonder if waiting until you get all your clothes, bags and shoes loaded into the room will change what you need for color. Is there anyway to just prime it, and then finish up the paint job after the clothes are in?
I love the dark blue, and am with your mom on the pink. But how about wallpaper panels in the ends? Or a big blow up of a few flowers from the wallpaper, hand painted?
How polarizing! I also do not like the pink. But I also don’t like the stripes! For me, the stripes fight with the elegance you’ve created.
Maybe….what about painting the island the dark blue and then creating stripes by using a clear urethane in different sheens? It would give interest and texture without being distracting.
Or, maybe do stripes in the Navy and then find a teal that could bridge the colours of the foyer and the navy?
Great idea with the different sheens! I absolutely do not like the pink! Nor the colored stripes! Both draw the eye away from the elegant wallpaper, which I thought was to be the focus. My opinion only! I like the idea of the dark blue island, maybe a marbleized top with a little pinkish and gold veins and touches of gold on the trim. Whatever you decide I’m sure it will be fantastic! It always is!
Man, I know you won’t do this, but I truly think that the yellow from the wallpaper would be perfection. Contrast with the light blue, still anchoring, and accenting the wallpaper nicely.
I really don’t think the stripes look good. A solid color is better.
As much as you want to be done with this, I would almost hold off on the paint for the island. Sand, caulk, prep and prime but hold off on paint until you bring all your clothing, purses, shoes into the space. I think you will have a lot more of the color you crave there and won’t need such a bold island piece. Honestly I kind of had hoped you’d make it a wood tone for a touch more warmth like the blind provided. Can’t wait to see what you do, it’s always fascinating to see your process.
Perhaps wait to make the decision till you get the clothes and other accessories in the closet which will each add color and texture. You may find that they add just enough that a solid island will be better.
i agree that with the pink, that is where my eye goes instead of the wallpaper. the stripes actually work, but maybe less of them. i look forward to seeing what you choose. if all the messy stuff (apart from painting this) is done, is it worth moving some of your clothing in so that you can make your decision with a fuller picture of how the room will look once being used?
Definitely not a fan of so many colors and so many stripes. I do like the idea of more muted colors in varying widths. Maybe just the pinks and the blues and some white in between.
I vote for horizontal stripes. The vertical ones hurt my eyes with all the other horizontal lines already in there! And maybe wider stripes. 🤩
Have you considered wider, horizontal stripes?
I’m in the dark blue group. It looks very rich and not clownish (pink and/or strips).
I am team pink but I would gold leaf the frame trim on the ends. I absolutely hate the stripes and usually I am like you the more color the better. In this instance it completely takes away from the beautiful wallpaper and the lovely, serene space you have created. It feels juvenile and not elegant and beautiful like it is now.
In MHO I think that busy stripes would distract from the wallpaper. What about an ombre fade of different shades in wide stripes?
Dear Kristi,
I think if it were me, I’d put my clothes, shoes and handbags on the shelves and then make a decision on the island.
It’s looking really great in there!
YHWH Bless You : )
Mom knows best here!
i love the idea of the stripes but I wouldn’t use any white. I would use the dark colors in the wallpaper plus the pink of the base as one of the colors. I could also see thr wallpaper on the end of the island.
Perhaps wallpaper on the endpanel facing the door? Or the grasscloth?
Not a fan of any of the pinks with your beautiful floor. You’re correct in seeing that a dark blue grounds the piece. It would be my only choice if not staying with the light blue, and I think it helps to balance the color in the room. My suggestion would be to paint it all dark blue, then use colored tapes to play with the stripe color. It would save you a lot of work if you decide against it. In the meantime you could ponder what a totally blue island does for you. And I’d certainly wait until the closet was filled to commit to painting stripes.
It’s all looking beautiful and a place to enjoy and smile whenever you enter.
Why not wallpaper the ends…if you had enough wallpaper. Personally, I don’t like the stripes in this case, but your house, your call!
I would say a big no to stripes. I actually liked the dark navy.
I think the dark blue with the white top and gold hardware put the “cherry on top” of a beautiful closet!!
Normally, I don’t like to weigh in on stuff like this; it’s your house, your closet, and you should do what you want. However, imo, fwiw, the pink island with the blue cabinets ventures into baby twin boy and girl nursery, regardless of what shade of pink you pick.
Stripes–please, noooooo. My eyes immediately focused on the stripes, not the wallpaper and, while I realize this likely wouldn’t be the final stripe design you would end up with, I feel like the stripes take the closet from classy, elegant, and high-end right into tacky territory.
When everything is designed to be a focal point and make “a statement,” nothing ends up being a focal point or making a statement. I don’t feel like the island should be another focal point, especially if you are able to pull off creating the embellished chandelier design you envision to hang over it. Also, you are going to have plenty of color and pattern (possibly bordering on color and pattern overload) when your clothes, purses and shoes are in there. I vote to keep the island simple and cohesive with the rest of the cabinets. However, if you just “can’t do” any more light blue, perhaps repeating the wallpaper on the end of the island and a navy top but again, I would wait until your all your clothing items are in before making that decision because I predict things are going to look and feel a lot different when your clothes are in there.
I love everything you’ve done so far but the idea of stripes makes me sad as I think it will take away all the beauty and class that you have created so far. I love the idea of a dark blue island….what if you accented the gold you have in the room and paint the ends a beautiful gold color, or even gold leaf them. With the blue, I think, imho, it would be beautiful.
Please re-consider the dark blue for the island. The gold handles will look great with the blue, plus it blends in nicely with the wallpaper instead of competing with it for attention. Really NOT a fan of the pink or the stripes for the island. Let the wallpaper along with your clothes, shoes, handbags bring the color and excitement to the room!!
The stripes COMPLETELY pull the focus away from the wallpaper and dominate the room, which I don’t like at all. I’m a pink girly, so of course I got for pink, but I also think the solid dark blue is quite nice. Just please not the stripes!!!!
I love stripes probably as much as you do, but my vote is a no on the island. If you choose to paint stripes, how about wider stripes or a color blend on the ends of the island? Have you ever done paint blending on furniture? It is addicting and I know you would be an expert.
I’m team exploding suns on the stripes in the picture. But I do like the dark blue and the idea of adding another pattern. To me, right now your closet has a soft elegant feel but the bold skinny stripes would detract from that. I think wider more refined stripes with softer edges might be nice and more in keeping with everything else that’s going on. Maybe think about doingvsomething similar to the art over the washers with the glittery ombre effect. That’d be stunning. Skinny stripes might be fun on the sides of the drawers so when you open them you see that pop.
How bout adding the wallpaper to the ends of the island?
Please no pink or stripes
Love the solid blue with white top and gold hardware
Stripes – your Mom is right. Pink will make the island a focal point and you don’t want that.
If you do stripes what if you do them on a dark blue field, perhaps 3 colors , light blue, pink, and a teeny white stripe (think ink line) or metallic gold line? Maybe the pink is the biggest stripe but none of them would be huge. The teeny white stripe would unite it with the top, the dark blue background would ground it making it less pow, animated, more classy. The light blue ties to the rest of the room and the pink….. well it gives you your pink. I like color but I’m concerned once the clothes/accessories, some in progress laundry are in there that it might feel pretty high energy,,,,, thinking ricochet of colors.
Hate the stripes! Your design for closet and bedroom (and bath) feels elegant, serene and the stripes compete with that. It feels juvenile to me :/
If it were me i would put your clothes in and then make a decision.
For what it is worth – I hate the stripes on the end panel. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I think they are disconnected from everything else in the room and add unnecessary busyness. I love a good stripe too, but if I were going that route I would do a pale blue and white stripe on the whole base of the island – wide, like an awning stripe. Like the one in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPKoGbiO7c
I think when you were initially asking about island colours I went with the dark blue, with a pink or coral coming in second. Either way, I prefer the white or faux marble top.
Just an additional two cents – I know you like an accent and that’s why you seem to be struggling with the island colour. Ultimately I think you should let the wallpaper be your accent and that the island should be the same colour as the rest of your cabinetry with a white or faux marbled top. You are going to have a lot of colour in there when your clothing, bags and shoes are in place and a quiet island will give your space a break and keep the focus on the wonderful job you’ve done with the cabinetry and wallpaper.
If it were me, I would put some of that grass cloth on the end of the island with the dark blue. I really like it against the wallpaper. That’s what I would do. I would vote against both the pink and the stripes. Sorry ladies
I loved the pink!
But for me, with every color debate, I always think, “but putting in all the clothes is going to change everything.” Sure wish you could go ahead and load the perimeter with your clothes and shoes and then decide.
I’m sticking with the pink like in the first round of voting!
Team Mom. I love the stripes. In fact, with the wallpaper being what it is, I think an organic edge to the colors with white peeking through like your mock-up really coordinates with the wallpaper and keeps the strips from being so rigid.
When I was silkscreening with thickened Procion dyes, I would carefully tear a 1″ wide strip of masking tape length-wise and add it to the back of my screen to give that “live edge” look to my piece. I’ve even used newspaper when I didn’t want as much variation. Damp, it sticks to anything. FYI, I had dozens of screens made from 2 x 2s and nylon sheer curtains that I cut to fit. Can be made any size you want. Kerr Grabowski uses wood screendoor frames to make her large pieces. In class, I showed her how to get the screen fabric really taut without wrinkles. Surface Design is my big “rabbit-hole”.
Can’t wait to see the island finished!
I did have another thought about the end of the island. Put a mirror in place of stripes so you can see how your shoes look wearing them. Also, good if you need to hem pants. And see where skirt/dress hemlines hit your leg for best look.
I don’t have design ideas, because I am technical not artistic BUT I do prefer either the teal of the grasscloth or the navy, definitely not the stripes. (they were nice for the gym). Speaking of exploding suns, if you really wanted to jeuje it up, you could gold leaf the whole thing….just saying
Okay, just thought of something else. Veneer the whole thing and stain it the same tone as the blind . A piece of wooden furniture like a dresser.
I don’t like the stripes or the pink, I thought it would look great in a wood tone similar to the shades. I love color, loved your gym but for some reason it’s not working for me in the closet.
Ok, I’m going to give my honest opinion despite being afraid to go against you and your mom. You both have oodles more experience than me. But here goes- I hate every option you have here. Especially the stripes (sorry Mom!) and the Pepto Bismal pink. The dark blue looks like a whale in the middle of your room. What I do like is the white top. Too bad the grasscloth doesn’t match, that would be subtle and interesting on the ends. Maybe the pink would be good if it was toned down somewhat. But I’m no expert and I’m sure whatever you do will turn out great. Can’t wait to see.
Would the blue look like a blob of blue from the foyer with the ends painted in stripes? It’s hard without being in the rooms but it seems like the end is the vast majority of what one would see.
I was one of those suggesting you make your entry credenza wood-toned. What about making your island a wood-tone. It would definitely look like a nice piece of furniture! You’re so close to the end! It’s going to be a knockout room!
Pink and white top.
I think it would look great to add picture molding to the ends, paint the whole thing dark blue and the gold leaf the picture molding to pick up the closet rod color. I feel like that would add enough interest to make the piece noticeable but not distract from the other things in the room. Just a thought but I know that what ever you decide to do will be beautiful.
I was thinking similarly with the picture frame. It can mock the fancy corners of the closets. Though I do think the pink would still work with gold leaf trim, gold bundt feet (or whatever style she has planned) and gold handles or knobs.
I agree with others, no pink. No stripes (I thought clown show also). Maybe wallpaper on sides.
However it’s your closet and although I dont always agree with you..I end up liking your final decision. A decorator I am not.
The stripes are awful and so jarring that your eyes don’t see any of the other beautiful things in the closet!
Perhaps you could bring in all of your colorful clothes and accessories BEFORE you make a final decision on the island.
If you hang your clothes by color, you’ll already have stripes of sorts.
Love the stripes! It’s also a way to homage to the stripes that were part of your home gym! I do think the pink is a little to glaring and the stripes give a little fun to the room. No matter what you do I know it will be beautiful.
Yes! Another vote for dark blue with wallpaper on the end.
Oooh! I love the colorful stripes framed by the dark blue! I can’t wait to see what you show us on Monday morning. 😊
Mom’s got the vision.
I’m another fan of a deep blue island with the wallpaper on the end (and I love a pop of pink normally!)- as others have said, your clothes, shoes and bags will add a lot of colour and I also think the stripes will just add busyness that will hit you in the face as you enter.
However, if you go with the stripes and find that they don’t work, you can always paint or wallpaper over them in a heartbeat because it is such a small area.
Hi Kristi, agree with those who say No to pink, and Noooo to stripes. I’m team darkish blue (maybe not the darkest blue from the walllpaper but softer med/dk teal to tie into both the wallpaper and the dark teal grasscloth in the other room(s)).
Look at it this way – the floral wallpaper, lt teal cabinetry, white floral sconces, unique white mirror already tell a story and have a certain vibe.
Introducing a different design element (like stripes) will change that vibe and literally draw attention to the island first BEFORE looking at the other design elements.
I would keep the island in a dark teal that pulls from the wallpaper and relates to the lt teal cabinetry color. If there were any leftover grasscloth then it could work on the end of the island.
Suggestion: play around with some gold accents on the trimwork possibly, or better yet, use striping or a piece of the floral wallpaper on a tray that lives on the top of the island.
If you use the stripes it will take away from the beautiful wallpaper. The wallpaper should be the main focus of the room.
If you’re considering having a pattern, I would love to see your wallpaper repeated on the island. I know that your closet is going to fill up eventually with so many beautiful colors and textures to catch your eye, and that gorgeous wallpaper repeated on the island could make it even more cohesive.
NO to the pepto-bismal pink. I love the stripes, but maybe wider with less colors. Jmho 😁😁
I’m with Mom, and really like these stripes idea. My preference would be various width stripes, as opposed to all the same width. I do like the idea of the Navy frame. Something like this: https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/7354857-greenery-stripe-by-melissahyattfabrics But in your colors.
It’s funny, when I read your post about which color to pick for the island, I thought just one solid color was too much, but I was thinking plaid. (I’m a quilter and plaid is my favorite go to. 😋) I too like lots of color.
I like the dark blue base, and I also like the idea of stripes, but the rendition of the stripes is not quite right. Too bright? Thinner stripes? Pin stripes? Even just pin stripes in white and navy blue? Not sure what. Your mom is artistic so maybe ask her what popped in her head when she said stripes.
I think one of the darker blues you have shown us is what color the base of the island should be. Here is my vision for the end that faces the door. A great vintage mirror with a gold frame, I think that is the metal color you are using in your closet. You can see what your shoes look like with your outfit as you leave the “closet”. It would not take up any visual space or fight any of the beauty you already have. The other end can be the blue and get your mom to do a simple floral bouquet you can highlight with some gold leaf.
Anything but pink of any shade! The dark blue looks the best, it is continuous with the washer and dryer. The stripes would be my second choice.
I’m with your mom on the island color – the idea of the intense pink over the entire island except for white on the top feels like an assault on the sublime elegance you have with the blue cabinetry – again, the clothes and accessories loaded on the hangers and open shelves will bring plenty of color action.
The idea of striped end panels on a dark blue island
could be fun – I’d include that dark blue as a stripe among the other colors -and, a random stripe width and, NOT ombre – would keep it a sophistcated work of art rather than a cliche.
After reading some of the other comments, I can envision the island being styled as a treasured heirloom…
It could be all mirrored with
satin brass pulls/knobs;
It could be the dark blue with a bouquet of the flowers in the wallpaper on the ends and floral flourishes centered where the pulls/knobs are – either decoupaged flowers of the wallpaper or your artist mother could paint these on the island…
Love the idea of a gold framed mirror at the ends as well…
I really don’t like the stripe idea. It looks cheap, like a circus or a kids room. I love the dark blue with brass knobs. Not wild about the pink.
I just thought of something else. What about a mirror on that end, that way you can check your shoes and pants after you get dressed. Like a full mirror, but half, for the bottom half of your outfit.
I think you are missing a key decision making item. The mockups need to have the closets full of clothes and items. The current mock up shows a relatively neutral and calm impact of solid light blue cabinets – which is not really what you will be seeing when the closet is in use.
My opinion is that with the closets full of clothing and items on the shelves the addition of stripes will be pattern overload with no real place to rest your eye when looking from the doorway.
A solid color on the island gives you that resting place for the eye
My suggestion would be blue (vs pink) only because it doesn’t seem to compete with the wall paper as much as the pink but this is your closet and what makes you happy.
I like the dark blue for the island with the white top…but the stripes were a big no…I actually hated them. Maybe something a little less jarring…softer colors, or the framed wallpaper would look lovely. There a couple colors in those strips that I barely see in the wallpaper, and they are not pretty in the stripes. I know you will work this out, and make YOU happy…which is what you should do. We won’t be looking at it everyday. I’d rather see an accent color than those stripes.
The stripes clash with the beautiful wallpaper – please don’t! The all over pink island looks better, but that dark blue is striking and just so classy!
I don’t have definitive opinion on the color of the island but the stripes are a definite no for me. I like stripes but these stripes distract from your lovely wallpaper and draw your eye away from it and all I can focus on are the stripes
I think you’re putting too much emphasis on the teal foyer looking into your closet. You wanted them different! There isn’t any teal in the room so why does just the island have to “go” with it. The wallpaper (which is amazing) doesn’t “go” with teal either but I think it will look just fine! Perfection to me is a dark blue island, gold accents and the white top with subtle marbling. (The real thing would look STUNNING but I know you’re not going there.) To me that spells classy!
I think you’re letting the unfilled light blue shelves and hanging spaces distract you. You should put your purses and shoes on the shelf and hang some clothes then take a picture. Use it to do some more mockups because it’s just seems to me that it’s all going to be too much and there will be no place to rest the eyes.
If you have any wallpaper left, why not put that on the island ends?
I think the stripes draw attention away from the wallpaper. JMO. I would paint each drawer a different color from wall paper. The ends of the island either dark blue or the light blue. The stripes and dark blue would be the eye catcher when walking into the room and that’s not a good thing. Like l said that’s just my opinion. I am also an artist and art teacher. Ombre in the light to dark blue may work. Haven’t tried it in my program. Just some ideas.
I know you like the herringbone pattern, or used to…, and other than the coffee table you don’t have it anywhere else anymore. What if you did the herringbone pattern using the colors in the stripes for the end panels?
Apologies if this is already mentioned, this post is POPULAR! I like the idea of a darker blue, but maybe not as dark as the wallpaper; more like that at 80%. If you do go with the stripes I would definitely go with more random widths & color variations. I’m emailing you an AI/photo shop edit I hope you check out.
I love your Mom’s idea. The quick mock up you did looks great and is a compliment to the wallpaper. I also love that it is a little nod to your beautiful striped wall you did in the home gym.
Don’t go with stripes. That’s too large scale patterns competing with each other. I love the pink! Team Pink!!
Do you have enough of the wallpaper to put that on the ends of the dresser? Or even on the drawer fronts? I like the stripes idea, but maybe just abstract swirls on the ends that match the room. No pink.
I tried a mockup (using chat gpt) with a peachy pink that might work well, thinking about the teal grasscloth wallpaper in the hallway and your future bedroom.
https://imgur.com/a/9cG3FwJ
Beautiful colour – not sure if it “sits” well against the floor (though I think the floor is different in its’ final colour anyway???), but it’s pretty and it doesn’t steal attention from the wallpaper… nice!
Dark blue on the island, and if you need an accent on it, why not more wallpaper on the end of the cabinet? Not a fan of the circus stripes, at all!
Sorry, but I do not like the pink island
How about wider stripes, fewer colors, and run them horizontally? The vertical stripes are competing with the direction of the floorboards.
I’m curious, why can’t you paint the island teal like the grasscloth? It works with your wallpaper and could tie the rooms together. What about gold stripes or a stencil? Or a pink stencil? As soon as you break up the dark blue with another pattern or color, it won’t read as the same dark blue. I like the dark to give the eye a place to rest, but I also love cool jewel tones and greens. Whatever you do will be lovely and interesting, I’m sure!