Do appliances need matching finishes?

Designer Erin Paige Pitts specializes in luxury coastal residences at her interior design firm Erin Paige Pitts Interiors. Here is an edited excerpt from an online chat.

Q: We are just embarking on a kitchen remodel, and our designer feels strongly that the appliances should match in finish and/or manufacturer. Does it matter?

A: The appliances need to match in finish if they are stainless steel. But if you are doing any overlay panels, they can be combined with stainless steel. There should not, however, be stainless-steel appliances mixed with black or white.

Q: My wife and I are remodeling our kitchen. We have two small kids, so cleaning up and dropping things are part of our daily life. We’d be happy with vinyl flooring and resin countertops, materials that are more economical. We don’t plan on living in our home for more than a few more years. Thoughts?

A: You can never go wrong investing in a good kitchen remodel. That is what sells homes. There are durable products available that will withstand a busy young family but that are also good-looking.

I would suggest you do a nice remodel with porcelain flooring and composite stone countertops (Cambria, Silestone or Caesarstone). The investment will pay for itself when you sell.

Q: I like the look of the lighter taupe kitchen cabinets. Can you recommend a paint colour?

A: I also like light taupe cabinets, and getting the colour right is important. Not too grey, not too taupe. I find Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter to be the perfect middle ground. If you want it lighter, just have your paint store cut the recipe by 25 per cent with Super White.

Q: Like in many kitchens, there is a gap between the top of my wall cabinets and the ceiling. Mine is a little over a foot tall, and I am at a loss over what to do. If it were a smaller gap, I would probably just do some chunky moulding. I don’t need the storage, but that’s the only thing I can think to do to make it look OK. What do other people do with that space?

A: I did a kitchen for a client with the same issue. We added a small cabinet between with a glass door front in a contrasting colour and then used that same colour on the island, and it turned out great.