Chooosing Kitchen Colors: Tips from Five Top Designers

The following post is brought to you by Silestone by Cosentino and Benjamin Moore. 

To kick off their 25th anniversary celebration this year, Silestone partnered with five leading designers and trendsetters from around the country to develop new Silestone quartz surfaces that they’re calling their Influencer Series. When I was at KBIS, I was able to talk to some of the designers about their surfaces and we struck up a conversation about colors and trends in the kitchen. I thought it would be fun and helpful to share with you a bit more about the inspiration behind their surface designs and offer some great tips on choosing colors in the kitchen as well as a top tip on selecting color for any room of your home. Here’s what they each had to say:

Kerrie Kelly, ASID, IIDA, CAPS – Albedo

What was your design inspiration when you created your surface?

The inspiration for Albedo was the moon. Albedo is a measure of the moon’s reflectivity, so its contrast, craters, texture and movement contributed to the pattern and coloration of the surface. I love how the moon ties people from all over the world together, especially since the product development process occurred with much coordination between Cosentino’s headquarters in Spain and my Design Lab in California.

What kitchen color trends do you see for 2015?

At Kerrie Kelly Design Lab we feel navy blue is the color of the decade. You can dress it up—like a navy blue blazer with metallic buttons—or you can dress it down like your favorite pair of blue jeans. It’s a classic that coordinates with all metals, the sea of gray we have specified again and again, not to mention many wood tones. It also integrates well into many styles. So whether you incorporate navy on your countertops, lacquer your cabinets or paint your walls, it is a timeless aesthetic.

What’s your best tip for selecting color in the home?

When selecting color in a home we don’t only brush out samples to marinate on during the morning, noon and night time hours, we also bring the primary colors of red, yellow and blue with us to truly check out undertone and the effect it may have in the space.

What three paint colors from Benjamin Moore do you recommend homeowners pairing with your surface?

– Deep Royal 2061-10 in Advance would provide the perfect finish for a lacquered yet classic look.
– Gray Owl 2137-60 in Aura’s eggshell finish would create a timeless backdrop for wall finishes paired with the countertop.
– Silver Satin OC-26 provides a nice warm white in Natura’s semi-gloss finish for trim and moldings.

Courtney Cachet – Lusso

What was your design inspiration when you created your surface?

My inspiration always comes through my travels (and I travel quite a bit!), whether it’s the south of France where my family is from, our yearly trip to Italy for Thanksgiving, or our time spent at our home in Miami. Travel inspires me on every level. Between all of these places, one is never at a loss for modern and classic ideas in natural beauty, home, art, food and fashion. The look of marble is so timeless and elegant that it works in pretty much any space. My signature look is always about these elegant looks coupled with chic and glamorous details. Adding just a hint of gold to my color is how I brought that in.

What kitchen color trends do you see for 2015?

White, of course! Seven of the top ten color countertops are white because people like them. The numbers don’t lie. Also, metallic details like brass, gold and copper are strong for hardware, plumbing and lighting. Dark woods and neutral grey shades are also maintaining their popularity, which also work fabulously with white and metallic.

What’s your best tip for selecting color in the home?

Never pick a color from your computer, that’s for sure. Look at it in the space where it will be used; the variations in a room’s light, mood and functionality can create huge variances on whether you love or loathe a color. For example, you may love navy blue for your dining room, but the tone it sets in your home office could be completely different.

What three paint colors from Benjamin Moore do you recommend homeowners pairing with your surface?

– Blue Danube high gloss 2062-30
– Light Quartz 2011-70 eggshell (I used this in my apartment in Miami!)
– Decorators White semi gloss for moldings and all wood trims

Julia Buckingham – Copper Mist

What was your design inspiration when you created your surface?

I was inspired by the combination of the urban sophistication of the city and my interior design work in Chicago, along with the elements of the Southwest that speak to a natural and elemental mysticism. I have a second home in Phoenix, AZ, and the colors of this desert paradise are incredibly inspiring. The mineral-rich shades found in the Camelback Mountains highlighted when the sun rises over them really served as the catalyst for Copper Mist. It offers mineral-rich shades that highlight the resurging popularity of copper, a color that provides a sophisticated, yet earthy look with strong movement.

What kitchen color trends do you see for 2015?

Shades of copper have already shown up on the runways for spring/summer 2015 fashions, so I predict we will be seeing it in all varieties, accents and patterns in the stores this coming season. It’s ALL the rage currently as it is a signature melding of shiny gold and silver. It also works well with wood and ceramic and is quite versatile as an accent in kitchens. I see copper and gold metallic shining throughout the faucets, sinks and on cabinet pulls and knobs, creating a warm and slightly glam new age aesthetic within the kitchen. Copper Mist can easily being used in counter tops and backsplashes, and can transform small bars and powder rooms into metallic jewel boxes.

What’s your best tip for selecting color in the home?

I like to assign a color scheme well in advance of selecting the colors within a home. That process begins by using helpful tools available, such as Benjamin Moore’s apps, along with other resources offered on their website, in-store and in their showrooms. Once your color scheme is determined, play around to see how many colors create the vibe you want. No one wants to see too many colors within a home, but a nice bit of drama can pull all of the surrounding rooms together. For me, taping up small colors on the wall can be distracting and overwhelming. Instead, select one or two favorites and build from there by painting each on a larger space. Also keep the trim color in mind when making your final selections—make sure to try them together!

What three paint colors from Benjamin Moore do you recommend homeowners pairing with your surface?

– Stone Harbor 2111-50 in an eggshell finish
– Silver Fox 2108-50 in an eggshell finish
– Sterling Silver 1461
– And one more for good measure Ashley Gray HC-87

Mark Williams – Nimbus

What was your design inspiration when you created your surface?

I am frequently asked to design beautiful, light and bright kitchens and baths utilizing veined white and grey marble for the hard surface tops. Marble by its nature is quite soft and porous, which requires regular, diligent sealing and maintenance. There is a certain casual elegance to marbles such as Carerra, Statuary, and Venantino, and I wanted to create something with that same beautiful, yet casual sensibility.

What kitchen color trends do you see for 2015?

Painted cabinetry is big right now, and I think whites, greys, and taupes will capture most of the market. However, I also see more saturated tones like jadite, coral, navy, and persimmon bringing a sense of individuality and adventure.

What’s your best tip for selecting color in the home?

Use color powerfully and with intention. Choose your focal point and utilize color to accentuate that emphasis. Color draws the eye, so use strong color to establish attention and mood exactly where you want it, then compliment those focal ideas with supportive, quiet neutrals.

What three paint colors from Benjamin Moore do you recommend homeowners pairing with your surface?

– Silver Fox 2108-50 in Aura Eggshell
– Cement Grey 2112-60 in Aura Eggshell
– American White 2112-70 in Aura Eggshell

Kim Lewis – “Olivia”

What was your design inspiration when you created your surface?

“Olivia” is inspired by the nature around us, and the desire to bring the outdoors in. I wanted to provide a new neutral that pushed the color envelope in an unexpected way. The olive green/caper tone is like a good pair of khaki pants…it goes with everything from pale to jewel tone colors, and all metal finishes including brass, copper, iron and polished nickel. Green hues found in nature bring a sense of life and warmth to our interior spaces. Known as the Vagabond Designer, I travel quite a bit. One thing I have found to be true is we all relate to the beauty and inspiration found in nature.

What kitchen color trends do you see for 2015?

I see the industry taking an interest in cabinetry beyond the mainstay of white. People still want light and bright, but they are growing more open to cabinets in different finish colors. I’m really excited about the soft, pale palettes emerging on the runways of home design; rose pink, sky blue, mint green are refreshing and fun! Pale colors paired with deeper jewel tones like plum, almost black and peacock teal are creating eclectic mixes for the kitchen. Brass is still a front-runner for metal finishes in the kitchen.

What’s your best tip for selecting color in the home?

Always use the sun to select a paint color. Natural light is everything. Look at the paint chip in the space and outside at different times of the day to see the true reflection of color.

What three paint colors from Benjamin Moore do you recommend homeowners pairing with your surface?

I’m excited to see Olivia paired with the following colors:
– For a bold, sexy, sophisticated look: 
Universal Black 2118-10 in Aura Eggshell
– For a soft, romantic space, more on the airy side: 
Soft Sand 2106-60 in Natura Eggshell
– For a mid-century inspired space: 
Smoke 2122-40 in Aura Eggshell

Article and photos sourced from:  http://design-milk.com/choosing-kitchen-colors-tips-5-top-designers/ by Jaime Derringer