I love toile and have so much of it around my home. Sometimes I wonder if I've overdone it. I bought the toile pillow above at the flea market. This would be really easy to make. It's like a little slipcover with ties on the side. The toile throw next to it is from Marshalls.
I also bought this toile table runner from Marshalls. I love the look of toile and transferware together.
Yep, you guessed it, this pillow is from Marshalls too! I have 3 of these. They are nice heavy feather stuffed pillows. 
I even have toile in my kitchen. I made the little valance when I moved in this place over 3 years ago. I usually don't show pictures of my kitchen on my blog because it needs so much work but I'm going to start this project next. I'm going to repaint the cabinets white (they are a bland off white now) and paint the walls. What color do you think I should paint them? I'm thinking a gray-blue but I'm undecided. There is a soffit that runs above the cabinets (where I have the plates hanging) ~ should I paint that the same color as the walls or should it match the ceiling? Or, should I paint the ceiling the same color as the walls too? What would you do? Remember I just rent so don't tell me to rip it all down. Edited to add: The other rooms downstairs (living & dining room) are painted yellow.
Here is the other side of the kitchen (it's an L shape). I've thought about putting plates all along the soffit, do you think that would be too much?
A note to the anonymous person who left a comment on my "Painting Furniture Step by Step" post: I'm sorry that you think painting wood is a "crime" and that I "screwed them up good". I, along with many others like painted furniture. People have different tastes and the world would be really boring if we all thought the same way.
49 comments:
Morning Cindy,
I don't think it would be too much to add more plates, in fact I think it would be very cute and it would add more character. I love the idea of a soft blue grey or even a light yellow would be pretty. I think it's going to come out beautiful, you have such a talent for redos!
Hugs,
Dena
I think you should trust your instincts... you have a great eye for putting wonderful vignettes all through your house..... you can NEVER have too many plates hanging or too much toile.. in my opinion. I just wish you had a cute little cottage of your own... so you wouldn't have to worry about renting issues..... I have been there....
I, too, was thinking that a light shade of yellow would be very complimentary. You've got a great sense of style so I think whatever you end up doing is going to look wonderful!
I didn't chose yellow because the rest of my downstairs (dining room and living room) is yellow. Do you think that would be too much yellow?
Cindy your kitchen is so pretty ( beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thank-you for commenting on my kitchen cabinets. But when we did our kitchen I did not follow my heart. I truly wish I would of went with white cabinets I may end up painting them but my husband may divorce. I have one suggestion but then again I am not real good at decorating. You said that you love to collect dishes whould it be in your budget to buy just 2 new doors with glass. ( save the old ones to but back on just in case you move then your landlore should be okay with it. Also you mention that your dad has made a couple of wood work in your home, maybe he can make a couple of doors. I am sure your dishes would look so pretty showing threw the glass.P.s I have seen that sign above your stove have you posted it somewhere before it is beautiful.
Hi Cindy,
I have been checking your blog daily and have left a couple anonymous comments. Today I decided I needed a user name since I visit your blog every day. I truly love all your creative decorating. I think the soft glue grey would be a great color, with the soffit a slightly darker version of the wall color. The plates on the soffit is a great idea. I would mix in plates with other colors along with the blue and white ones. I remember those gorgeous plates you've been finding at the thrift store. Can't wait to see the final product.
What a tactful way to handle such rudeness.
Heather
Hi Cindy,
I don't think you have too much toile. To me toile is so classic and it adds such a warm soft touch.
OK this is just an idea about your kitchen. I'm guessing it's not huge. There's a very soft creamy white color I love. It's called Easter Lily white Ben. Moore. I was thinking..(I always like to brain storm the unusual) if you painted the room and cabinets a very soft white and painted your ceiling very soft grey blue. It would be unexpected and then your eye would take in from top to bottom. Oh and an other idea! If you found fabric to blend with you colors or maybe a dash of a different color you could take the doors under the sink off and have it covered with a little curtain.
Best,
Kathy
You know what color I love with blue and white? The "new" green color..the "fresh" green. I have my guest bedroom painted that color... its a apple green, kinda. I have that room decorated in blue and white and this "fresh" and wonderful green! Looks so good mixed with yellows too!
Cindy, EVERYTHING that you touch is beautiful - seriously. Whatever your natural, instinctive vision is for your kitchen will be perfect! There is no such thing as "overdoing" if YOU love it and "see" what you were wanting. Keep up the fantastic job that you are doing - ((hugs))
xo,
Kim
Hi Cindy,
I enjoy your blog so much and the pics of your home are beautiful!
My friend has blue and white toile in her kitchen and she painted her walls a beautiful shade of periwinkle. It is so cheerful and that wonderful fresh green shade looks great as an accent with some cobalt splashed here and there. Whatever you do will be great I can't wait to see it.
p.s. You can never have too much toile! and Long live painted furniture!!
Cindy -- you already know what I'm going to say: Never enough plates! :) I think a soft gray/blue would look wonderful! I love all your toile, and the blackboard/tray above your stove!
xoxo,
Mary
I liked the suggestion of a soft green. I have a yellow den w/a lot of blue and white and my kitchen is a very soft green. I for one like painted furniture. My sweet husband stripped, sanded and painted our old kitchen table/chairs and then distressed it. Poor fellow almost sanded his fingerprints off but I really treasure it because of his efforts and it turned out great.
I think what ever you decide on will end up looking great! You have a knack for putting the right things together.
And I just wanted to add, I LOVE all of your painted furniture!!! I happen to love white woodwork, white painted furniture, etc... I don't care if it's brand new or very old,everything looks better painted! IMO :)
Cindy~
I had no idea what a toile was (my childhood was strange) until I started to visit your blog. Let me clarify by saying, I recognize the designs of a toile and always loved them, but never knew the proper name for it.
I plan to paint just my kitchen ceiling blue, and then decorate around it (I rent too), with toiles everywhere. That's just my amateur advice.
I also agree with what you said. Everyone's taste is different but being entitled to your own opinion should not hinder one from respecting everyone else's especially if you are visiting their house. You addressed that very gracefully.
Don't forget to post before and after pictures. I'm following your blog everyday for more decorating ideas.
I just love it!
Hello Cindy - I've been reading your blog for a while and really enjoy it! I think the kitchen looks very nice and your ideas will only make it better - the only thing I can add to everyone else's comments is to change out some (or all) of the cabinet knobs to glass/crystal ones. You could always put back the old ones if you move.
Hmmm...paint color... the blue grey would give you a nice change from the pretty yellow you have in your LR/DR. At first, I was thinking green too but, since you can see into your kitchen from the LR/DR, you'd probably want to keep all the colors somewhat cohesive by staying with blues or yellows. I do strongly believe the soffit should be painted to match the wall color, not the ceiling.
Since wallpaper borders are supposedly now considered "out", it's hard to know what to do to jazz up those darn soffits. I have soffits in my kitchen too (but I'm still using wallpaper border-for now, until the next remodel). Is stenciling considered "out" too, I wonder?
As for the negative person who left the RUDE comment on painting furniture and then was too cowardly to even sign their name...I hope you don't take it personally, Cindy. I highly doubt that person has any rooms on the "Most Viewed" pages of Rate My Space! What an opinionated snob! I'm sure her/his mother must be soooo proud--NOT! Very sad. I'm truly sorry you had to be on the receiving end of that ugliness.
More plates would be so pretty! All your decorating is wonderful! I'd go with your instincts on color. I have learned the hard way to choose what I like for color on my projects . Can't wait to see the finished project:) Love the toile !
crystal
Cindy I was just looking at some of my favorit blogs and came across this one http://pinkcottage.blogspot.com/ Look at her wall color it is so pretty with her light blue accents.
I love the toile adn I am a firm believer that no one can have too much of it,ever!
I like the paltes along the soffit idea. if you don't like it, you can just take them down.
You have great taste...go with your gut.
Oh, and as for painting wood- it's all a matter of taste. I love painted wood pieces (you probably already knew that)Even most wood that is not painted is...STAINED...right?
Tracey
I think whatever you choose will be really pretty. I think more plates would be good--another reason to shop for more.
Your landlord must be very happy to have a tenant like you who takes such good care of her place.
As for your painting furniture, I think it all looks great and IT'S YOUR FURNITURE!!!
Keep up the good work.
Sounds like you have received some great advice today...I know you will choose wisely...you have great taste...and if you go with your gut and heart...then you've followed the right path! I DID like the curtain idea for the cabinet below your sink (which if you go w/the gray/blue paint color would be a great place to introduce that color and more)...I liked the new knob idea...however, they can get expensive...BUT, you know how to find the bargains...and there is nothing wrong w/mixing and matching door handles/knobs. The glass door fronts sound fab, too...you may even have the type of cabinets that can allow you to "pop" out the center panel and add glass for a temporary change...your dad can probably figure that one out for you...that really opens up a room!
As for the yellow...I kind of get the impression that you think having yellow in the other rooms and having yellow in the kitchen may be too much. Well, you could just tone the yellow down a few shades...take the paint swatch to your paint store and have them reduce the yellow by 25, 50 or 75%...when I was painting my daughters home...the former owners painted all the trim in a very bright white (which is beautiful don't get me wrong) but my daughter was wanting something a little warmer to go along with her new painting...so we took the main color she used in the house and had it reduced by 75%, had them mix it in both a matte (for the ceilings) and a semi-gloss for the trim (when it stands alone it looks like a very creamy soft white...but putting it up against the bright white...it does seem much warmer)...so what I am saying basically is you can use yellow but in a lighter or for that matter a darker/brighter version of your current yellow...Have I lost you yet...Then you can take the white you use and have it done in semi-gloss for the cabinets and a matte for the ceillings....you can do the very same thing with any color you choose...the grey/blue for instance...could be darker on the walls and ligther on the ceilings...w/your white cabinets...just remember...if the room is not a stand alone room...being separted by walls from other rooms...once you paint that ceiling you will want to paint them all...trust me...we just went through this at my daughters new home...thought we were just going to paint the living room ceiling due to a repair...but we ended up doing all of the ceilings b/c it was so much cleaner looking!
Good luck...you have great taste, energy and style...so I guarantee you...it will look great!
blessings...
"T"
I think soft blue walls and white cabinets would be a beautiful background for your toile and plates. You could use some yellow flowers and accents to tie it in with your other rooms. Love your blog!
Hello Cindy,
I have been checking in almost daily also since I discovered your blog. I'm loving the toile also. Not it isn't too much. I'm sure the blue/gray or light blue would look lovely in the kitchen. You've got a great eye. I would also paint the soffet in the same color as the walls. I'd go with a white ceiling also. Like someone else mentioned, you could also bring in touches of yellow. The plates look perfect on the soffet. Ignore the "rude" comments. The furniture came out beautiful!!!
Debbie from NJ
Cindy - to echo the others here, anything you decide will be gorgeous. I can't believe that you would paint the kitchen magenta or lime green or some other putrid color so I'm assuming it's just opinions that you're looking for. I am in the process of finishing my kitchen right now. My husband has finally finished the trim and we're going to paint that white. The ceiling and walls will be a pale yellow. So, I'm all about the yellow. The walls are green right now. Actually that was the name of it. Normally interior paint has some weird name like Rain or something like that. This was simply called Green. So I like that color too. But, since the rest of your walls are yellow - a muted charcoal gray would be beautiful. Or a colonial blue of sorts would be good as well.
The plates are gorgeous and too much is never enough. I say go with the variation of the accent color in your toile.
Love,
Julie
Never enough toile, never enough plates and never enough painted furniture....of course, that's how I make a living....but when someone says I'll give ya 400.00 to make this piece look like it came from Europe...I'll take the painted furniture challenge any day..
stop on over~~
I could move right in to your little cottage
I think you have to go with your heart. I have done things on the safe side and ended up sorry later. I want to thank-you for the step by step painting of furniture. I have printed it up and kept it for future projects. So exciting to see your pic`s on RMS!
I think I would go with your gut instinct for your kitchen. Deep down you know what you want and you know what you like. You go with it!! Look at your fabulous decorating ablity. . . YOU can't make a mistake.
Now about that painted furniture. . . you are right. . . it's a matter of opinion. I love painted furniture - - it's better to re-do something than to take an old beat up piece to the landfill. It's recycling too.
As always, I enjoy your blog today.
Blessings!
Hi Cindy
Great blog! I was picturing in my mind the yellows which I love, and I have my whole downstairs painted a Benjamin Moore yellow called Straw. Love it. I can see how you could think maybe enough yellow. I'm trying to think of how to paint my own dining area a different color. I may go with a dark tan color. For you, a darker tan on soffets and the blue/white toile plates & white cabinets would be nice, or maybe a darker blue on the soffets. Keep cabinets white. The plates would really pop against a darker color.
Anyway that's all I can think of at the moment. Happy Painting!
Hi Cindy,
You have already received some great advice!
I'm picturing the grey-blue you mentioned (walls and soffit).... and accenting with some creamy pale yellow would make it flow with your other rooms that are yellow.
I know that whatever you decide, it will be fabulous!
:)
Cindy, I just do not think you can ever have to much toile. LOL I just love it so much! It is so beautiful and romantic and I love your pieces... Whatever you decide, I just know it will be beautiful! :o)
Smiles....
Beverly
I think the plates will be awesome. What about a soft blue/green? I also love the idea of a soft green, too. All these ideas presented will be fabulous.
Sorry you got such a rotten comment, must mean you are in the big leagues now!
Love the blue-gray idea for the walls. How about a light yellow on the ceiling? More plates would be fine. Varying the size with platters surrounded by a couple of plates and leaving a little space in between would look great. I love toile too. I used it in my laundry room for inserts on the cabinets. I love your blog and congrats on making the front page on RMS.
Stardesign (RMS name)
First - Yikes that someone would leave a negative comment on your painted furniture....shame on them!
I think the kitchen color would look great either yellow or blue-gray! And I love plates - almost like a border going around the top of the kitchen!
Penny
ps - doing the happy dance with you!
hi cindy...i haven't been around much due to new baby cave...but all your posts are still lovely...congrats on the 'rate my space' gig! wow! i think your kitchen looks NICE! what about painting it with a nice PUNCH of color like a light strawberry or soft lime to enhance the blues, like something sort of "opposite" of blue...or a deep khaki/linen...to create contrast...just a thought...you don't seem like a "strawberry" kind of person...but that's just my thought. oh...who leaves anonymous comments like that? seriously!? i really thought that was against the rules...we bloggers are affirmers don't you think...not bringer-downers! blessings!
Ok Cindy! You know I am your #1 FaN! Whatever you touch will look fantastic girly! I say think about it and plan like you do all your other projects!
Ok...now on to the rudeness! WHAT! I can't believe was so cowardly to leave without a name! WHATEVER! You are one classy lady and that my friend was one CLASSY reponse!:)
A soft blue-gray sounds like just what you need, along with your yellow walls. Whatever you chose will be just perfect! The more plates, the merrier, so hang all you want. You have a way of doing things that doesn't look cluttered.
I keep hoping for a close-up pic of the tray that you did with mosiacs.....I want to do one, too.
bj
Dear Cindy,
Love your blog and decided to de-lurk! First, I LOVE your painted furniture. You have a great eye, and are very skilled when it comes to transforming the pieces you choose to paint. As for the questions can someone have too much toile and too many plates?? NEVER!! Sorry, but I don't have any advice about paint color! Once again, I love your blog and think your house is bee-yoo-tee-ful! Sincerely, Cheryl
I love toile. Your pictures are beautiful!
I just love your toile! Adding more plates to the soffit would look great. We have the soffit above our cupboards and I painted it the same colour as the walls. Have you thought of painting the walls a soft blue? I think that would work nicely with the yellow in your other rooms. Whatever you decide I know it's going to look great! ~ Lynda ♥
I love all the toile you've incorporated in with the transferware! Just beautiful! You asked about opinions on the wall color...
You already have yellow in the other rooms. That would be the "obvious" choice since it would be a complementary color to the blue.
But you have a beautiful serene look happening right now in your kitchen that might be interrupted by a the contrast of yellow.
Grey walls might be too cool and also detract from the beautiful balance you have going on with the blue toiles and transferware.
What about a lovely color that is akin to the inside of a macademia nut or the color of a rich vanilla ice cream? It would be on the warm side to counterbalance the cooler blues but it wouldn't detract from the lovely serenity you've got going on with the white cabinets and walls. Just an idea...
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So paint on, Cindy, paint on!
Cindy, keep doing what you're doing. It all looks beautiful and not over done at all IMHO. Keep painting, too. You'll keep the strippers in business ;-)
I agree - plates & toile are never a mistake!
And just ignore whoever made the rude comment about painted furniture. I love painted furniture - in fact, I'll be painting some myself as soon as I get through reading blogs this morning!
Ha ha, people are crazy sometimes. (Your anon commenter that is. Why are they "here" if they don't like painted furniture?)
I love the lighter toile pillow. So soft and beautiful.
The person that doesn't like painted furniture is definitely on the wrong blog. Cottage style has sooooo much painted furniture. That's part of the appeal. Keep on painting! Or should I say, brush on!
Stardesign (RMS name)
I don't think you can have too much toile!
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