Studio Cabinet Color Options
I’ve been working on the electrical stuff in the studio, which isn’t pretty, but it’s definitely necessary. So while I’m working on the non-pretty stuff, I’ve been dreaming of what the studio will look like when it’s actually finished.
I’ve been envisioning green cabinets, which I shared the other day. I knew the green paint colors in those inspiration pics weren’t exactly what I’d need to go with my wallpaper, but I figured I could pick a green from the wallpaper that would be pretty close.
Well, I was wrong. There’s no green in that wallpaper that comes even close to those inspiration green paint colors.
So I started pulling out other colors directly from the wallpaper to see if any struck me as a potential cabinet color. As a reminder, here’s the wallpaper…
And here is the sample that I ordered from Spoonflower…
I did try the greens first, but none were even close to those bright kelly green inspiration pictures. Here’s a sampling of the greens I pulled right out of this wallpaper…
And here they are with the wallpaper. Here’s the first green…
That’s just such a blah color. It does nothing for the wallpaper. Or me, for that matter.
Here’s the second green…
Yeah. That’s a hard no. And here’s the third green…
Of the greens, that’s the best option, in my opinion. The boldness of the green matches the boldness of the wallpaper, but it’s still not what I want. It’s too dark and blah compared to what I was envisioning and hoping for.
I’m thinking the green just won’t work. Or I’d have to start over on the wallpaper, and I really don’t want to do that. I LOVE that wallpaper, and it took a long time to get it just like I wanted it. So I don’t exactly want to start over just so I can use a kelly green, especially when there are plenty of other colors to choose from.
So I pulled a few other colors out just to see what they looked like. First, I tried the pinks…
Okay, that bold pink makes me smile.
I mean, I think I might love it. And since the walls will all be white, that pink would sing in the room. And the room is so big (approximately 20′ x 20′) that I think it could handle the boldness of pink cabinets.
Here’s the light pink…
It’s pretty, and I keep seeing people using light pink and blush in so many ways, and I always love it. But I think it might be like when I see other people’s rooms filled with white cabinets. I always love it in other people’s homes, but I just don’t think it’s me.
And of course, I also tried the purple and blue. I didn’t try the teal, because my house has enough teal. Maybe that means I should steer clear of the dark blue as well, but I wanted to try it.
I do love a navy blue. My one concern is that the studio and the pantry are very close to each other, and both can be seen from the kitchen. I’m just not sure if the navy blue will look “off” in the line of sight with the lighter teal on my kitchen cabinets and the dark teal in the pantry.
I also love purple. My issue with purple is that when you’re dealing with the medium purple tones, there’s a super fine line between pretty and Barney purple. I find it so difficult to find just the right purple. My favorites are actually the really dark eggplant colors, but those just come off looking black or off black some of the time. So the idea of going back to the drawing board to find just the right purple (and reliving the pantry planning days) doesn’t really excited me.
And then there are the oranges and corals…
That one reminds me a lot of the one I just used in my hallway bathroom makeover, so I know I really like that color on cabinets.
And that one’s just a little darker and bolder, with a little less orange and more red.
So at this point, I can probably rule out a few right off the bat. I really don’t think any of the greens will work. That’s disappointing, since I’ve been envisioning green cabinets for a few months now. But if I have to choose, I choose the wallpaper over kelly green cabinets.
I can also rule out the light pink. That’s just not me. And I question the navy blue in the line of sight with my teals, so that’s probably out. And purple is just too hard to get right, so I don’t want to go there again.
So that leaves me with these…
Of course, I could probably pick out 100 different shades of these colors in the wallpaper, but these are the jumping off points.
I love all three of them, but if I were forced to pick a color today, I would go with the bold pink. It’s a color that Matt has asked me not to use in the main parts of the house, so if I’m going to use pink, this is my one chance.
What do you think? Is that crazy? 😀
And please just note that white cabinets aren’t going to happen. Every time I talk about cabinet colors, people suggest white to me. Y’all should know me better than that by now. 😀
EDIT:
Several people have suggested two other colors: (1) the front door color (Bird Of Paradise), and (2) the cranberry color in the wallpaper. I tried those out, and both look great! Here’s the Bird of Paradise. It looks brighter on my front and studio doors.
And here’s a look at the cranberry color:
I’m not really a red kind of person, but I do really like how that one looks. I’m not sure if I could live with it on my cabinets, though.
The Bird of Paradise is a strong contender, though!
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.
the three you chose at the end were my favorite too! beautiful and very girly. i think it will inspire lots of creativity…
I’m partial to the pink and orange and as a matter of fact, I am currently doing my new laundry room/craft center in that palette, along with touches of black. I have cream colored cabinets (not finished yet) glazed with a little orange coral. Have to go out next week and
look at countertops. I love your space – so large, compared to my 11 x 18 room! Also, I love your wall paper. Enjoy your blog very much – you are so talented! P.S. I think touches of sage would do well along with the pink and orange coral as well.
I think kelly green would work. Think of the wallpaper as your garden and the cabinets as your field of grass!
I totally agree with you Veronica. Grass green immediately sprung to mind because of the beautiful garden of flowers. However, of the three choices you want, I would go with that bright pink. It’s definately a happy, bold color to go with that wallpaper.
I agree. The greens of grass and fields don’t exactly match the leaves and stems of flowers but they always look perfect together. Did you try the greens you love and already rule them out or did you only try the greens you showed us? I’m probably just biased in my love for the green in your inspiration photos but I would like to see them together. If a green just won’t work I would vote for coral. I love it and think it would look great! I really like the place it holds between the bold pink (which looks a little “Barbie” to me) and the coral orange which is a close second. As always, I’m sure whatever you choose will be stunning!
I think you’re right- the bold pink is fantastic! Go for it!
yes she is right the bold pink looks fantastic an I like the purple a color I don’t really care for
I agree with the grass green. I don’t think things match in nature. I noticed right away it was a nice complement. I think I would also be a more neutral pallet for your creative studio. I feel these bright colors might cast a different color in the room.
the green sucks the life out of the wallpaper
I love pink, but I think I have to vote for coral. I think pink is tougher to get right- looking at inspiration photos I feel like pink wants to be the standout, whereas coral plays a bit more nicely? I also don’t know how you feel about yellow, but there is a pretty yellow in that bottom left flower on the wallpaper that might be pretty! Sorry to throw in another option, ha!
I’m with you, Claire. I love the coral!
What about trying a more yellow green? Like a Bartlett pear green? And I’m 100% with you on the no white cabinet decision. This is your creative space, so you should be happy with what you choose. The way I read your blog post, it doesn’t sound like you’d be happy with the pink.
But I moved into a house that had so much pink and old wallpaper in it I shudder to think of anyone using pink and wallpaper! Keep doing you!
I agree! I think a yellower green would also look great! I also really like the bold pink and the coral orange.
You could do 3-5 different colors and color code your different work stations 😊
I agree! I’d use all 3 in the same room together. They all work together and with the wallpaper as well, you’ll have a bright colourful workspace – be bold!
I love the bright pink! But I think you’re missing another great option! What about the bright cranberry color of the flower on the top right corner (and also the pistils of the blush pink lily)? That would be bold, bright, and make that wallpaper sing!
That cranberry would be really pretty. If anyone can pull it off, it would be Kristi. But after years of reading this blog, I’m guessing none of these are going to make the final cut. Some new genius idea will pop into Kristi’s head and she will know it’s exactly the solution she was looking for!
Oooo! I love the idea of the cranberry! As always, you will make the right decision for you and you may change your mind right up to the time you start painting. It is your house after all! The wallpaper is inspiring and I can’t wait to see you bring this room to life.
Yes! That’s the color I immediately honed in on. Cranberry, raspberry, something like an overripe strawberry color. Still pink but a rich and deep hue. Yummy!
I’d go with the bolder coral but like all three!
I was going to vote for coral UNTIL I saw Bird Of Paradise! Love that one the best!! 😄
I loved the navy blue, but of the ones you selected to choose from, I like the pink!
Definitely the bold pink!! It will be gorgeous!!
Same. It was my favorite.
Before seeing your favorites I picked the bold pink and the orange. How fun it will be! You will smile every time you walk into that room. I once painted my small laundry room hot pink!
Kristi, I like the bright pink a lot but I’m leaning towards that bright reddish/burgundy color. I don’t know why. I adore the wallpaper you made and I know that whatever you decide it will look fabulous.
I’m sure whatever you pick will be amazing, what will the countertops be on like? concrete like kitchen or flooring like pantry or wood like bathroom?
I’d really like the countertops to be a clean, bright white. But I haven’t decided on the material just yet.
I love the wallpaper and the bold pink together. My question is, have you placed the wallpaper next to the color of your front door? I love your front door and I think that color should also be an option. Plus, how close is the bold pink color to the color of the front door?
I just held the wallpaper to the front door, and it looks perfect!
I had the same thought about the door color! Walking into the studio from outside would be a fun surprise! But how would it look against the pantry colors?
I was wondering about the door color as well.
It looks amazing! Just about any bright, warm color looks amazing with that deep, dark teal.
Bird of paradise color is my favorite with the wallpaper
Bold pink!
That bold pink is so perfect you just can’t not use it! In fact, it makes me want to paint something in my own house pink and that has never ever happened! 🙂 The studio is a creative space where you can and should go bold. I think the pink will be excellent for keeping the creative juices flowing; it’s just so energizing! Please don’t be tempted to play it safe with a color you are already using.
Seconding!
I quite like the coral orange and the coral. Coral would probably be my first pick.
Are the corals/bold pink similar to the coral on the door into the studio?
They’re all a bit bolder than the door color, but I just held the wallpaper up to the door, and the wallpaper and Bird Of Paradise paint color look so good together!
Go for It!
Don’t give up on the greens yet! Someone earlier talked about grass green and it sounds so pretty! Do you think you would have a better perspective when you have large swatches of the wall paper? You could try large panels with different colors (including green!) then. 🙂
Of your current three choices, I’m loving the coral orange. So pretty!
Good luck with the wiring!
I’ll definitely try a few big panels after the room is drywalled and I have some cabinets built and ready for paint.
I love the way coral orange makes the paper look, and it’s a nice compliment to the front door.
It doesn’t matter what I think, pick which ever one you want, if you want pink, pick pink. If I was choosing it would be the green., probably #1. With that wallpaper my eyes would need somewhere to rest, and the green is more restful. Whatever you decide will be great I am sure. Your bathroom looks sooo much better with the new cabinet color!
I like all three you’ve picked out. As pretty as the bold pink is in a small sample, I’m not sure it would be as pretty on cabinets. My favorite of the three is the coral. I really love the idea someone else had about the cranberry red. Teal and red are so pretty together.
Seeing your edit using the cranberry, I think it’s overpowering the paper. The birds of paradise looks awesome with the paper!
LOVE LOVE LOVE these options! Bold pink is definitely my favorite as well. I think it will be such a nice contrast with the teals of the kitchen and pantry cabinets. You also have the purples in the breakfast room. So that wallpaper will totally tie all the rooms together.
Why does it absolutely have to be an exact color from the wallpaper? Doesn’t the wallpaper look good with kelly green anyways? More coordinating than matchy matchy?
It doesn’t have to be a color exactly from the wallpaper, but I do want it to coordinate. Kelly green clashes to my eye.
A few suggestions from wikipedia (as I thought the same thing about matching!):
Asparagus green
Fern green
Jungle green
And maybe play with the value/tone/brightness/whatchamacallit of those greens you took directly, see if you like it. Have fun with your colors, whatever you choose!! 🙂
I suggested light coral on your Instagram, but I have to say I love all three of these bolder options! The pink would make the room feel so joyful and corals always make me smile too. I really don’t think you can go wrong in terms of lighting up a room with these 🙂
What about white cabinets with fun hardware? I love the wallpaper you designed and I think that should be the star in the room.
reeeeaddd the blog! 🙂
Kristi abhors white cabinets, too boring!
I am going to agree with Nikki here and was on my way to writing a similar post. I understand Kristi hates white, but that wallpaper is the superstar. I feel like everything else competes with it – whether it is a good match or not. The only one I thought might work would be the navy, but I see Kristi’s point about the kitchen cabinets. That wallpaper is gorgeous. Let it shine.
I love and hope you choose the bold pink. I think, combined with the white walls and maybe counters and that beautiful wallpaper, it’s a total winner.
You know, there’s something wonderful about that bold pink. I just looked at it and thought, “oh! so much creative energy!”
which feels perfect for a studio.
the corals were stunning too. but there’s something about that pink….
All three of your picks look fantastic. I am also jealous of your big big big space!
Not the pink! Very 1980s and like the room of an 8 year old girl.
All greens go with green so I would choose a green I liked. I think the sage is beautiful. It’s not as in your face as the pink, but your wallpaper is bold enough and the cabinets would be complemented instead of competing. But the question of your studio depends on how you’ll use it. Will you ever bring clients in there? In that case the pink would scare me away as a potential client…but if it’s just for a place that makes you happy, then just be happy. I think you’ll repaint the pink within a year, but that also seems to make you happy!
I think any green would work with that wallpaper. It’s not necessary to have an exact match. I consider green a neutral…
First choice for me would be the navy. I’m just not a pink girl. I’d be afraid it would look like a Peto Bismol explosion. I honestly think the pink color would distract from the wallpaper rather than compliment it. A darker color (navy) would ground the space and the ‘pretty’ colors would pop. Second color choice would be the what you have on your doors.
A question…has any thought been given to the use and abuse these cabinets might take? (I’m a mom to 3 sons, so that’s always been a consideration to me) Would 1 color, over another be easier to touch up if necessary? I agree with the front door color but also like the navy. Can’t wait to see where you end up.
Hi Kristy:
Looking at your wallpaper beside the color choices, I sat back and asked myself what I felt when viewing each of the three. Those are beautiful colors and very hard to choose between so I went with an opinion on each.
When looking at the Bold Pink with the wall paper my first impression is harmony. The pink is bold however no one color in the paper pops out and says look at me. I imagined myself working in the area with clients who may have differing color pallets and could see other colors such as browns or blues not being influenced by the surrounding decor.
The Coral Orange is another harmony but with and edge to it. The colors stepping forward are in the pinks and corals however the darker purples, teals and navy are working with each other instead of seeking attention. Again, thinking of clients and proposing decor that might differ from bright colors, this one is another hit.
Lastly, the Coral is striking but all the darker colors of the wallpaper pop right out and say look at me! Personally, if not working with clients, I would pick this one because you can change accent colors and refresh the room a million different ways. If I were a client who has a problem imagining my space the bold colors might influence my choices.
There you go – I hope this gives you food for thought
I actually like the middle green a lot, as something similar (called “Sage”) is in my house in various places. But for oyur studio, I would go with the bold pink as it is so wonderful together with the wallpaper! And the argument that this might be the only place in your house where you are “allowed” this colour seems to be a very strong one, too 🙂 Whatever you choose, I’m pretty sure it’ll be YOU – and if it’s not right, then you are going to make it right, is what I’ve learned here!
I like any of the 3 that you have chosen and I do like the idea of bringing in the door color. For other options, my eye went to the cranberry color in the upper right hand corner of the swatch. I really love that color. My eye also went to that REALLY deep purple (almost black) in the flowers in the center of the swatch. That purple reminds me of that shadow color that you tested out a while ago that was one of the colors of the year. Whatever you pick, you will make it sing.
I was sold on the bold pink option until I saw the comment about the cranberry color of the top flower. If that’s an option, I think it would be amazing! Otherwise, my vote is pink with the coral a close 2nd.
Coral
I love the bright pink.
It just made me smile when it scrolled onto my screen. It looks, clean, crisp, feminine, and HAPPY!!! What a great environment to create and find some “me” time.
I do love the bold pink. Also, if you haven’t ruled out green altogether, try Alexandrite by Sherwin Williams. I’ve used that color on a dresser before and I always get compliments. It has a touch of blue and I think it would go great with your wallpaper. I know you’ll choose something amazing!
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but you could edit the green in the wallpaper if you haven’t ordered it yet. Tweak it to work with the Kelly green. No matter what you decide to do, it will be great.
This is what I was thinking! If she wants the green, that would be a great way to make it work with the wallpaper. Even just change one of the leaf bunches (I’d say the round yellow/brown ones in the bottom left because that is the furthest from the kelly green – change it to something more like the pretty green in the bathroom shower curtain fabric).
I could, but it took me so much time to get that wallpaper just right, so I’m not really wanting to start editing it. 🙂 And I’m not so married to the idea of green cabinets that I want to go to the trouble of changing the wallpaper. Since the initial disappointment has worn off, I’m actually pretty excited about going in a different direction.
Bold pink is the best; However, after a few years it may be tiresome. The navy blue is super elegant. Tha t would be my more conservative look choice.
Bold pink!!!!!!! I fell in love with that one as soon as I scrolled down and looked at your choices!!! It popped right off the page.
The wallpaper is amazing! With that said, I have looked at the paint samples next to the paper a number of times. What I find is that by putting the paint sample next to the paper, all I can see is that color in the paper, everything else disappears for me. Now, when I look at the wallpaper by itself I see all the colors! Kristi, this will not be an easy task…
Kristi can you possibly post a picture of the cranberry color next to your floral? It just popped out at me as a probable perfect choice but not sure until we actually see it. That said, there are several strong contenders…including Bird of Paradise.
Years ago on TV I heard a famous designer say that when choosing paint to go with a pattern you should choose the least used color in the pattern. I was leaning towards the orange coral and from the wallpaper sample in the pic it might be the least used color. I see it mainly in the group of berries. Anyway I like the orange coral and think the front door paint would be great as well. If the color is visible from the kitchen and breakfast room doesn’t that make it sort of in the main part of the house if you used pink?
You’ll really have to be standing directly in line with the studio door on order to see it from the music room, kitchen or breakfast room. So you’ll get a glimpse of the cabinet color, which is why I want it to look nice with my teals, but it won’t really be visible from various angles, like my pantry is.
I love the actual Coral and the purple…it pulls those colors out from the wallpaper…
I absolutely agree with the Hot Pink option! And, for all the reasons Kristi gave: it makes her smile, it is the only place in the house where pink might be permissible, it goes so well with the paper, and she is already using a coral color in another room. That having been said, I would love to see the wallpaper with a cranberry/burgundy red. Just to be sure. 😊
I get the logic you used in eliminating some perfectly beautiful colors and I agree with your reasoning 100%. As for the remaining candidates, loving all three! But. The bold pink might look a little too girlish, not girly, if you get the difference. The corals are more grown up. And gorgeous. I agree, with the size of that room, you can do anything!
Coral is one of my favorite accent colors. Love it on your doors and on the vanity. Just not sure if I would want it on a wall full of cabinets. I am still stuck on the green. I love staring at your old Kelly green cabinets. (noticed that I am using a lot of “I”). Can you try mixing up a custom green?
I’d be open to a custom green, but unfortunately, I think any green that looks good with that wallpaper would either have to lean to the yellow-green side, or would have to be in the sage range. Neither of those appeal to me. A bright kelly green is really the only one I would want in such a large quantity, and it clashes with the wallpaper to my eye.
I like the bold pink the best out of the 3. I also love purple and wondered if you’ve thought of periwinkle (in the small leaves at bottom of wallpaper?)
I did try the periwinkle, and was actually very excited about the possibility. I love periwinkle! But just looked way too “weak” to stand up to such a bold wallpaper. 🙁
I think I changed my mind about the orange coral. I don’t think it stands up well enough to the bold wallpaper. And it could end up looking a little like a basketball. That happened to me once with orange. I would go with coral or the front door color.
I think all the greens tone down the paper. I like them but I’m pretty sure that isn’t what you want.
Kristi, I say trust your gut! Go with what makes you happy. You’ve got a great track record with your choices so far and your home just sings with beautiful color.
Bold Pink makes me swoon and if you can find one just like it with a name and formula I would love to know it because it is exactly what I have been looking for to use on my bathroom vanity, so please share 🙂
Coral is the color I would choose. Like the cranberry color idea too. I enjoy how you ask for our input and then ultimately choose what you like best, Kristi. Thank you.
Pretty colors, beautiful paper. I have no opinion because I always feel like I need to be in the space, observe the natural light, etc etc. Expressing yourself is star in whatever choice you make.
I really chuckled when reading this as it reminds me that I am still so incredibly timid in decor, working earnestly to evolve. I am working up the courage to paint my solid oak front door a gorgeous cadet blue, hardly bright, lol. Overcoming covering perfectly good wood is my obstacle, silly, SILLY!!!! I also get bogged down in rules like how colors are just right versus too many as the permanent window finish is one color, other trim is white, the siding another color yet want a fun accent color. I enjoy your colors immensely. Kristi you live life with zest. Yeah you. Lucky for us we grow in appreciation and are challenged to do the same. I see a pretty door in my future!!!!
Oh, that bold pink sings! It’s not bright and neon, but bold and stately. The look, with the wallpaper, can go so many ways with the rest of your decisions. It can be girly or stately home, contemporary or vintage, professional decorator or whimsical. In all cases it is delightful and I smiles when I saw it. I can only imagine how happy it would make me stepping into that room, every day. I also loved the navy and liked the corals. I do think greens could work, but having experienced your blog through many greens, I think you understand yourself better than to go with green. And to change the wallpaper to a different green seems so wrong when you love this so much”. You can always use green accents, chair pads, frames, accessories, sewing table, where changing it if it’s not right, is no big deal.
BRIGHT PINK! Go for it! 👍🏻
I didn’t read the other comments because I didn’t want to be influenced! No. 1 green or orange coral would be gorgeous and very flattering to the rest of your home. P U L E E E A Z E DO NOT PAINT THEM PINK!!!!!
Ha. What fun choices. Did you try periwinkle blue? Also think that emerald green would still work with the paper – but hey, if you have the chance to do bright pink, go for it! That’s the color I’m using for my desk in my sewing craft space. . . I’m pulling the color out of my curtain fabric because it’s my space and I can. 😁
I did try the periwinkle. I was hopeful that it would work, but the wallpaper seemed way too overpowering next to periwinkle.
I love the three you chose to go with your wallpaper! Can you do all three somehow – kind of a tone-on-tone look? It would be spectacular! And I would love to hear singing as you walked in that room!
Kristi:
I rarely comment but BOLD PINK is the way to go on this makeover …. it is going to be spectacular!!
You know I’m right!!
I love the bold pink and also the coral. But this is YOUR space and if you like the pink…go for it!
As a side question….what is the wood filler you use? I believe it is purple in color.
I use the DAP Plastic Wood from Home Depot. There were a couple of months there where I preferred the solvent-based one (it comes in an upside-down can), but I’ve gone back to using the regular water-based one that comes in a little plastic square tub. You can get the one that goes on pink an turns tan when it’s dry, but I’ve only used that one once because I picked it up by accident. I generally use the non-pink one.
Thank you very much!! 🙂
I did notice another color in the wallpaper. The form looked like a closed flower and the color appeared to be a blue green. Have you tried to match that? Maybe the color just looks that way on the screen but when on the sample it isn’t that way at all
I did try that one. I was drawn to it immediately because it’s more in the teal family. But I also ruled it out pretty quickly because it’s in the teal family. My house is full of teal, and my studio is my one opportunity to do something really bold that I probably wouldn’t do in the main part of the house. 🙂
Too bad, I was going to say the teal for sure. As for the cranberry, I think it may be too stimulating. The pink, you may get tire of.
I like the the blues and purples. Fun, timeless and age/gender neutral.
I’ve admired your work and inspirations for a long time. The way you process things to come to a decision, reminds me of myself. I love your fearless, bold looks. While I love color- not sure I could pull it off that well. That said, I’m wondering how black cabinets would look with gold hardware? Photos in houzz.
A few months ago, I was actually planning on black or really dark charcoal. But I’m thinking that I want something more colorful for a creative space.
I just love the bold pink even though I know you are not a pink person. Scrolling down the post it’s just Pow! Wow! the perfect color with the paper at least in photos.
Just read through some comments and noticed that some pointed out that your door color would probably work with you then found that it would. After looking back at your door posts and as much as I love the bold pink, I’ll change my vote to Bird of Paradise to coordinate with the studio entry door. (Unless of course I can convince you to repaint the door bold pink since it can’t been seen from the front.)
I love all three! How close are the corals to your door color? Is it possible to play off of that color?
I actually added a picture with the door color at the end of the post after several people suggested it. I really like it!
Coral or Navy. I’m afraid Bold Pink might start looking too young (Barbie style) when there are many cabinets. However, I did like the idea of a few different cabinet colors for “color zones” depending on how the studio is arranged.
I like any of those color options. But I even like the idea of a glossy (SUPER high shine) cabinet, even in a black. Something to modernize the floral. I LOVE the wallpaper but anything too matte seems like it would get fussy and musty with paired with it.
I love the bold pink and the coral.
Of all the options shown, the Coral is my favorite. It just seems to coordinate better than the others, and while definitely not Kelly Green, it does seem to have the same intensity level. With that said, if you have put it next to the Birds of Paradise on your front and side doors and it looks great there, I would definitely go with that. While not a huge difference, keeping that continuity throughout the house is much more pleasing to our eyes and brains (even though we don’t always cognizantly realize it.) And the Birds of Paradise is such a bright, happy and energizing color!
I’m sure whatever you choose, it will look great!
I love, love, love that bold pink and I think it is perfect, just the way it is. You haven’t been able to use pink in the main house, so this is the perfect opportunity. It is such a bright, happy color too. The corals are good too, but you have used those around other areas, I just think this room should be different from all of the rest. Let it be completely you! Go pink.
Hi Kristi! I’m a huge fan of your door color so I’m sold…but if you go with bold pink of the coral I’m also a big fan! The chances of having my Hubby buy in on any shade of pink/coral are zero so I’m rooting for it all the way!!! So excited to see the studio coming to life!!!! I think it will be my favorite room!
I like any of the last three, but I choose the front door color—it’s such a beautiful color, and would give such a nice continuity going from the outside door into the studio! I was looking back at your layout for this room, and I agree you need a cork board somewhere for tear sheets, paint chips, or other things that strike your fancy.
I have to agree with Leslie who mentioned a more blue green. I was thinking more of a “jade” green. Something more intense, like the blue-greens you often see in Hostas. Orange and blue are opposites, so the right jade should blend in well and there are some lighter jade tones in some of the leaves.
My second choice would be the cranberry color others have mentioned. I think it would ground the cabinets nicely in that space.
The pink you showed is also a good choice and could be your chance to use pink, since Matt isn’t excited about it. A big room like that needs bolder colors so it would fit in well. Pink, blue pink anyway, is one of my favorite colors, after the jades and teals, so I might be a bit prejudiced.
Those are my personal preferences because I love colors that have blue in them vs. colors that have yellow.
Bottom line, you have to live with it and it should make you happy, so go with your heart, Kristi. Whatever you do, it will be beautiful!
My eye went to the pink first as well! Love it. But I also really like other’s suggestions for the cranberry color. That would just be gorgeous with some brass hardware!
Am I remembering correctly- did you EVER have a piece of furniture that you painted a raspberry color? Maybe I’m dreaming it up, but I’ve always loved a raspberry pink, it’s such a rich color.
Anywho, hasn’t pink been outlawed in the rest of your house? This is your chance to embrace your love for pink and go all out. Do it girl!
I think I’ve tried a raspberry color a couple of times, but I’ve never actually painted anything that color. I do love it, though! But yeah, this will be my only chance to use pink. Unless, of course, I paint my future workshop (i.e., where my saws and other tools will be — a separate building from the house) pink inside. That would be different. A feminine pink workshop! 😀
I think a pink workshop would be fabulous 🙂
Go with your heart.
Is that coral close in color to the coral on your front door and side door into studio? That might tie things nicely.
I’m not a fan of orange, so my personal preference is steering me away from the orange coral. I like the pink a lot, but it doesn’t really seem to flow with the colors through out the rest of the house which are more “spring” (teal and coral) rather than “summer” (pink and periwinkle)–did you ever have your “colors” done for what to wear? if not this may make no sense…
I think you narrowed it to the best three. Cranberry or yellow as suggested above might be nice, too.
I’m voting for the coral on the doors for cabinets. But the darker green in a cotton velvet for upholstery or seating. I can’t wait to see how this all comes together!
I love the coral! It’s bright, cheerful, refreshing, and a great complement to the other colors in your home. It looks GREAT with your wallpaper, too!
I also love color. I have a navy, pink and green living room all the furnishings pop against the navy walls. Go navy or bold pink you won’t regret it both colors are easy to live with and I do indeed smile every time I walk into my living room.
I love all of the colors. But I somehow feel none of them are the right “Kristi Shade”. I predict that you will concoct a shade that is perfect for your studio! I can’t wait to see what color you come up with!
Sheila F.
Pink! Pink! Pink!
Off topic – Kristi, for some reason I don’t receive newsletters from you anymore. I thought you might have a vacation and haven’t checked the web site until now. Do I have to subscribe again?
Going to read the older posts now.
Val, I’m so sorry about that! I switched from one newsletter company to a new one, and it looks like some people somehow got “lost” in the transfer. I’ve had a few people say they’re not getting them anymore. If you sign up again, you should start receiving them again. So sorry!
No problems, it is just a technical glitch, I’ll subscribe again right now.
I also vote for the coral…..or as others have mentioned, cranberry. I’m not a pink girl. But I also know whatever you end up with will be perfect! Go for it!!
As a fabric dyer, I tend to look at color differently. You have a large range of color to play with. The one color I would eliminate is the navy. Next to the wallpaper, it looks like a purple wannabe that failed. My family room is 20 x 20 and I cannot imagine using just one color for the cabinets along with the wallpaper. I would feel overwhelmed by that color. I like the idea of using different colors on the different cabinets. I would pick 3 colors from the wallpaper that play well together and then go to a more pastel version so the cabinets don’t compete with the wallpaper. You could play with this by using sample paints of pastels and deep color. Make paper “frames” to lay over your wallpaper sample. Take pictures, print out and live with them for awhile. Meanwhile, do the necessary non-decorative boring stuff to get the room ready. As you are doing this, some of those pictures will grate on your last decorator’s nerve. Snatch those down immediately! LOL What you are left with will be your options. One of those will speak to you.
The front door coral, would be my pick! I think that is a color you love, and your watercolor picks that you made your paper with, proves it!
Don’t think I’m crazy…. but what about a bright and lively pistachio…. granted it’s more on the yellow side…. but I did see some hints of it in the stems/leaves of a few of the flowers…. just a thought…. but no mater what finally you decide….I know it will be “All Wonderful You…! 😁
The headline of the blog showed the Bold Pink and I immediately thought “Wow! That’s gorgeous!” Then I looked at the rest of your choices and they all looked fine except the greens in my opinion. But each one of them there seemed to be a visual line between the wallpaper and the paint . I went back to the start of the post and they just seemed to be part of each other, no visible line. I don’t really know how else to describe it. Just perfection
Coral & bold pink are the top 2 for me. The greens are all boring. The navy is too dark. The purple would need to be darker, thus eliminating the pop you’re craving. The light pink looks like a child’s bedroom. I read that you held the swatch next to your front door. Could you post a photo of that please? And the reds people are suggesting may be worth exploring. Good luck! Looking forward for your final decision!
I added two additional pictures at the bottom of the post — one with the front door color, and one with the darker cranberry red. I really love the door color!
Ok, that’s it. Bird of Paradise! I still love the bold pink & the Carol, but the Bird does look best against your wallpaper!
Kristy. Had you thought about the teal in the pic. Especially since you love teal. M 😊
Oh, believe me, that’s the first color I gravitated towards. 😀 But I ruled it out simply because I’ve already used so much teal in my house, and this studio is my one chance to do something really bold and crazy that I would probably never do in the main part of the house.
Yes I do agree with you. The teal would then be an extension of your house and this is your special space. I love the bold pink. But it’s YOUR space. M.
I really love the bold pink and the coral. I think either would be beautiful with the wallpaper. I wish I had a craft room and could make it either of those colors, especially the coral.
I think I might go out of the box and use 2 different colors, one warm, one cool. Unless you have lots of natural lighting, large banks of warm-colored cabinets might throw off your photography and colors in projects. I have a hideous orange oak floor and whenever I take flash photographs in that room, the tones are very odd even when the floor isn’t visible… We’re planning a move, so I’m not bothering to redo, but just a thought.
If I remember correctly you have a lot of cabinets, therefore a lot of colour. How do you feel about that? Will it overwhelm the space or the wallpaper? What do you want the hero to be? You will be in the studio a lot and you want it to be a creative space. I think the orange spectrum is good for creating. How do you want it to feel? So many questions 🙂 You could (if you wanted) paint some large samples of your favourites on big boards and leave one at a time sitting in sight of kitchen and pantry while you do the other tasks. See which combo brings you the most joy 🙂
Bold pink, no question!
I love the three you picked, especially the bold pink.
But I like all three. It is bright and happy, the dark colors look good, but not as happy and that is your happy place.
Beautiful wallpaper, pink with white counters. Yes, please
Love the pink and coral. Whatever you choose will be amazing!
Kristi, did I miss the post where you explained that YOU designed the wallpaper? I do remember the different wallpapers you were choosing from WAY BACK… but I did not pick up that YOU… artistic YOU… designed the paper. AND today, I just noticed that your new floral design on your blog banners is the SAME… or actually flowers from the design. How cool is that?!!! I LOVE it!!
And I LOVE the BOLD PINK!! It has the perfect feel with the paper. It harmonizes with the paper perfectly. The corals are very nice… but they don’t harmonize in the same way. It’s subtle, but the pink would prove to make your space feel more calm… or at least that’s how it makes me feel. It’s like having the whole garden in your studio, with the garden being the star of the studio show and not the window box containers or in this case the cabinets.
I’m so excited for you! This is going to be such a fun project and I think you’ll get to let your creativity soar even more than in the “house.”
Well, I did design the wallpaper, but I didn’t actually paint the flowers myself. A very talented artist did that, and I bought one of her flower packages to create the wallpaper (and the new blog design). 🙂
You can see those details here: https://www.addicted2decorating.com/how-to-create-your-own-custom-wallpaper-pattern-with-virtually-no-artistic-ability-required.html
I love all three! Whichever you choose will make you feel GREAT every time you work in your studio!
I think your best option might be to just get some samples and try them out in the space.
But if it were me, I’d go with the Coral Orange. There is so much orange-yellow within the pink flowers that it makes them ‘pop’ much more than the straight pink, which I think competes too much.
It’s really going to come down to the light in the room, and paint samples are pretty cheap!
The bold pink just sings with the wall paper. Love IT!
I vote for the bold pink!!
I DON’T love pink.
I DON’T love coral.
I DON’T love peach.
I DON’T love orange.
I DO LOVE, LOVE, LOVE navy blue.
I DO like that purple.
I still can’t get over losing the Kelly green.
Did I mention I LOVE navy blue?
Having said all that, against my will, I have to say that coral you posted just somehow looks like it was made for this project. I can’t believe I’m saying it. Coral? Really? Me? Coral?
It’s a complete surprise. Of course, who knows what these look like in real life. My monitor probably makes it look completely different from everyone else’s.
Love the bold pink!
I love the coral best, I think. Have you consider making up samples? And have you considered a colored glaze? Layering a lightly tinted glaze over a second color can do some gorgeous effects. (Personally, I would pick out the really deep pink from the stamen of the lily and the rose next to it, but that’s because it is one of my favorite colors.) And did you actually try the kelly green you were envisioning? Not the ones in the wallpaper, but the ones in your head.
I did actually try the kelly green. I think it doesn’t work for me because the greens in the wallpaper all lean more yellow-green, or a slightly blue-green. So next to those, the bright kelly green seems out of place.
You know, you COULD split the difference and do the frames in that bold pink and the door and drawer fronts in the coral (or vice versa). I’m looking at that wallpaper you made and there’s something transcendentally beautiful about that one flower that is pink on the outside and orange in the middle (the one above the flowers that look like a bunch of blueberries). Two tone might mimic that?
Since the main color of the wallpaper is “pink”, I think it would be a tad too much pink in the end. I would definitely use those pinks as jumping points for accents and other decorations in the room, but I personally would go with a more contrasting color. I loved the navy blue, but I can see that it would be too close to your kitchen cabinets. I also think if those greens are too blah for you, you could try to punch up your greens. It doesn’t have to be a color that you can grab with the dropper tool in Photoshop!
Light pink is literally my favorite color. 😀 But it definitely doesn’t fit with your look. Does it necessarily have to match exactly? Why not just go with kelly green if it goes with the rest of the color scheme?
To my eye, kelly green actually clashes with the wallpaper. I think it’s because the wallpaper has so much yellow-green in it. I don’t need it to match, but I do want the cabinet color to coordinate.
I vote for The Bird of Paradise! Bold but doesn’t overpower the wallpaper and makes all the colors pop!
Vote #1 – Bird of Paradise, Vote #2 – Coral Orange. I think either one is very complimentary to the wallpaper, and I think they will be cheery and stand the test of time. But that’s me, not you! I’m glad you eliminated the green, I just knew it wasn’t going to work.
The wallpaper is fabulous! And I think the bold pink would look awesome with it, as well as work with the other colors you have through your home.
Have you thought about adding the kelly green Colour to the wallpaper? I live the kelly green like you. Is there anyway you can modify that to have your cake and eat it too haha!
That wallpaper took so long to get “just right” that I can’t bear the thought of having to edit it. 🙂 I’m okay with changing the cabinet color.
I really liked the coral orange until I scrolled down to where you put it in a swatch near other colors and realized that alone, without the wallpaper right next to it, it can come-off as traffic cone orange. So that’s something to consider. Will it always be next to the wallpaper?
Otherwise, I like the birds of paradise.
I’m no color expert, but my elementary school knowledge of the color wheel tells me it’s okay to choose an “opposite color” when matching as well as an “adjacent color.” I’m wondering if you can find a green that’s “opposite” one of the red or pink flowers (on the color wheel) and “adjacent” to the greens in the wallpaper rather than trying to actually match one of the greens in the wallpaper.
In other words, it doesn’t have to match the paper in order to look good with it. But it’s a fine line, I think…
Bird of Paradise
Love all your options but I am also leaning towards the pink! The coral is a close contender, though. I did not like pink in my younger years (maybe because my mom kept putting me in it?! Ha!) but I love it now.
So many comments and ideas! I guess Missouri girls think alike. I love the wallpaper with the Bird of Paradise color. I like the idea of bringing that color into the house and it goes so well with all your other house colors. What a fun and interesting challenge. I know you will make whatever you choose look amazing!
You are not afraid of bold colors and it makes you happy. I would go with the bold pink or the bird of paradise. I am not a pink person but it looks great next to your wallpaper. Your wallpaper is beautiful and I don’t think you could go wrong with any color you choose. My personal favorite are greens (all shades).
Another thought I had: I’m seeing more and more super shiny cabinets lately, and have to say I love it! Reminds me of a finish on a brand new car, and seems to give an extra depth to the color used – almost like a glass tile does. Want to see what I mean – check Young House Love’s latest post of their blue cabinets in the duplex.
Tempting as it was, I did not read the other comments. So, I’ll weigh in with this: I like your three possibilities the best. I love pink, but to my eye, not the best for this project. It would work but would offer less continuity in your house. And, a tad too Pepto B you know what. (To my eye, too many disparate colors choices look like a patchwork quilt.)
I would like the feel of carrying your front door color and studio door color (at least close to that color) into your workroom. So, I like the clarity and intensity of the coral because it does justice to the wallpaper colors. It just sings.
I will wait with bated breath…
You will get over that wallpaper sooner than you thought. I used something similar 45 yrs ago. Loved it for about 1 yr. eyes tired of it sooner but, could not afford to change.
I’m curious why you didn’t try the blue/green color that is in there. There is much less of it but is seems as though it would go in your house. I love the corals but would love to see that bluish color that is not navy.
That was the first color I tried. 🙂 I decide against it pretty quickly because I have so much teal in my house already, and my studio is my one chance to really do something fun an bold that I would probably never do in the main part of the house.
I love the bird of paradise the best! It is very pretty!
Ignore all the pink haters. Big girls love pink.
why not ombre them-use the coral, the pink, and the cranberry ( although I like the purple too) in like a gradient progression from top to bottom ( if you will have three drawers in a spot, if you have cabinet doors then PFFFT….LOL
That’s a nice idea ! I was also thinking bluebonnet blues would be nice (Kristi does live in TX after all) .
I picked the hot pink and corals before I saw your choice. As far as green, I think your choices have too much blue. How would a yellow green work? On my iPad some leaves seem yellow green. I love BM pale avocado.
Whatever you choose, it will be inspiring!
I’m a green person so I’m no use. But the coral looks nice
What about the lighting that will actually be in the studio, daylight, warm white, etc? That can really change how colors look, and not always for the better (ask me how I know, lol).
I’ll be using the same recessed lights that I used in the pantry that have the five different settings, so I can choose from really warm to daylight an in between.
Wow what a choice. My first instinct was the bold pink but since you have used the bold coral I also love that. Good luck. Don’t go light I’ve seen to much of what you do and you won’t like it. I’m going for the bold pink!
I want to say bold pink seeing as it is the one space where Matt won’t mind it but I can’t go past that bird of paradise. It’s perfect. I don’t know how you ever manage to decide on a colour. I wouldn’t be able to.
I like the Bird of Paradise, Coral Orange, and Bold Pink, in that order. The Bird of Paradise would link the studio door and studio cabinets, the Coral Orange would link to your hall bath cabinets, and the Bold Pink is just because it’s so pretty! But if Matt objects to pink, the Bird of Paradise would be a nice middle ground.
Coral orange, 100%! It feels like ‘you’, ties in nicely with the other colours in your place, and feels more liveable than something super dominating (like the ones that veer towards red).
That book pink is just yummy. Second choice is coral. What a wonderful dilemma. The wallpaper is just wonderful.
I meant bold pink
I love, love, love the bold pink! It is unexpected and a nice surprise. My second favorite is the Coral, and then the Bird of Paradise. Good Luck! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
1st choice – Bird of Paradise (your front & studio door color)
2nd – Coral
3rd – Bold Pink
But I know whatever you choose, will look absolutely fabulous, as always!!!!
That pink is Barbie Pink!
Of COURSE you respond to it positively!
Three generations of girls playing Barbie can’t be wrong.👍🏻😂💗💗💗
And, in a way, you are making your own Barbie Dream House, aren’t you?
After all, Barbie’s house was the first 🏠 many of us owned and one that allowed us complete designer freedom!😉
I never thought I would see the end of the comments! I’m adding mine which I know come late and way at the bottom but when I saw ur cranberry, it made me gasp. It hugged ur paper giving it support pushing her forward saying this is the star and I am the mother. Red can be a neutral to all other designs and colors. It doesn’t need to match or blend or get ‘along’ with anyone. It is secure on it’s on. LIKE YOU
I’d still go with a green. Any green would work with that paper. I actually like green #1, seeings that is my favorite color. But you do YOU. You might need sunglasses to work in there, but, if it makes you happy, go for it.
I would do either of the corals, the others are good but on my screen the corals look the best! The bold colors are in keeping with all the other bold colors in your home.
I think that you have already picked your color. You said that the bold pink makes you smile. That’s the one you should use. Always go with what makes you smile. 🙂
My first reaction was the bold pink, but I LOVE the idea of the cranberry with that wallpaper! Cranberry just makes people happy. Who doesn’t smile when they see cranberry glass? I did my guest bathroom in my last condo in cranberry ~ with great reviews!!
I LOVE the BOLD Pink, and second choice, your door color. Both are beautiful with your gorgeous wallpaper. Can not wait to see it all come together. Just beautiful!! Love your home!
Wow, we all have different monitors! That bold pink is not pepto bismol or childish at all. It’s a very sophisticated pink and stands up well with the paper. So does the coral. Bird of Paradise seems more muddy than I remember your door being. If it’s not muddy, then it’s truly a great contender also. This is so fun!
All of the ones you have picked are very beautiful, my favs are the bold pink, birds of paradise and the coral! I would really have a hard time choosing one of those three because they are all so pretty, in looking hard at the wall paper I think the coral or bird’s of paradise are a little more of a neutral, in terms of adding some of the other colors somewhere else in the room! I find that if I don’t use the correct base color that it is harder to bring in other colors but I think if you us either of those 2 colors that you could bring in any of the other colors in your room, if your adding furniture like a sofa or love seat in the bold pink would be beautiful but if you use the bold pink on the cabinets it might be harder to bring in the other 2 colors! Hope this makes sense! You should go with your heart and what will make you feel the best inside, that is the most important thing of all!
Bold pink and bird of paradise are both PHENOMENAL!!! I can’t frickin wait to see progress on this room. (I’m very much a navy and white person so I love living vicariously through you and your colourful home!) xx
Love,love the purple sample. It’s not too dark. Like eggplant.
It’s bright without being Barney! You do have a lot of green thru the house. The purple would be outstanding coming in the coral door for customers. Color is your signature so I’m sure you’ll pick the best. The pink is good but it has to be a hot pink so as to not Barbie the space. But I think the purple sample next to the wallpaper is the way to go. It will be grounding and be a good base for the wallpaper. Are you going to have hanging cabinets as well? If so then a bright lemon yellow on wall cabinets with the purple base cabinets. I can’t wait to see this finished!!!!
The Birds of Paradise seems like a happy blend of both the bright pink and the coral. I think it would be beautiful, and you already know you like that color.
Agreed! I love the Bird of Paradise, Kristi. Thanks for adding the visual of that and the cranberry. (Liked Cranberry a lot, too, just didn’t seem as “you” to me as the Bird of Paradise 🙂
How will you ever choose?!? They are all so pretty!!
The bright pink would work and if you went that way I’m sure would look fabulous. I myself am partial to coral colors and I like the first “coral” you put up but once you put the “Bird of Paradise” color up next to the wallpaper, I just went……. Ahhhhhh YES, that is the one! I can’t wait to find out what you decide. Giddy with anticipation!
Why not a color to go with the few teal blue “bulbs” in the wallpaper. It would be a complimentary color to the corals. Just my 2cents. 🙂
Pink pink pink!!! 😀
Do you have an actual paint color for green no. 2? I would love that for my kitchen.
I vote for red or pink.
Oh Kristi, I’m glad I don’t have to decide what colour…I’ve changed my mind many times in the last half hour! I like the darker colours…they seem to let the wallpaper pop. Which colour? Only Kristi knows for sure.
I LOVE the Bird of Paradise color but any color that makes you smile should be the winner! Can’t wait to see what color you choose because I know it will look great!
Here’s my vote for the front door color. It’s perfect!
I just read this and by the end, while I love the coral the best out of the colors you’ve chosen, how about BLACK?
I also love black cabinets but the amount of dust they show could make you crazy. I know because I have some black furniture that could be dusted every day-not that I do! I think the bird of paradise color is beautiful but I have always been a green girl and would probably keep looking for a green that works. Nature colors are what inspire me but everybody is different. The bright pink will always make me think of barbie dolls. I will admit I have seen it used before and been pleasantly surprised though. I wouldn’t totally rule out white however-a few white cabinets thrown in with all the color may actually make it all flow together. I have been reading your blog for many years now and I know that it will be a process and will probably be a surprise to us all as well as to yourself and it will all end up lovely like usual!
What is the name of this wallpaper? I love it!
Thank you! You can find it here: https://www.spoonflower.com/en/wallpaper/15204728