PLAIN WHITE KITCHEN NEEDS SOME FLAVOUR
New York designer Tyler Wisler believes everyone has the right to be surrounded by great design. He tailors spaces for clients by integrating vintage industrial elements with modern sensibilities. He has been on HGTV’s Design Star, ABC’s Good Morning Amer
QIt seems everyone is installing the same white kitchens these days. I’d like to keep the clean look but do something to give my kitchen a little more pizzazz. Any ideas?
AIt might sound crazy, but one place people often overlook is the ceiling. It can be a fun pop of colour, and you can use kitchen accessories, such as hand towels, to tie in the look. It’s super fun, chic and unexpected.
QI’m about to renovate my kitchen. What things should I avoid so it won’t look dated in five years?
AI would stay away from natural oak cabinets and glass mosaics. I recommend a more contemporary door style, such as a flat panel or a Shaker style, that’s timeless. White will always be in, although you may want to consider adding colour with dual finishes on the cabinets, such as grey base cabinets with white uppers. Open shelving is another trend that will be around for a while. Also, try to mix up your metals for fun. Single metallic finishes throughout is a bore. There is no rule saying if your faucet is polished chrome, every other metal element in the kitchen needs to be that as well.
Q:My kitchen has oak cabinets, brown Cambria countertops and terra cotta walls. I like the colours, but I live in a row house with only one window. To lighten it up, I’m considering having the cabinets painted white and the walls a light, warm green. Do you have any colour suggestions?
AWhite paint on the cabinets is definitely the right thing to do. That’s an instant facelift. Maybe add new hardware with a nice polish to it. Green is a wonderful colour. I don’t have a preference, but I always recommend that you buy a quart when you test out the colour. Paint that from floor to ceiling and at least 48 inches wide, then live with it for a day. This will give you the truest sense of it and not have your eyes distracted with other things when the swatch is that big.
Q:I just got a new metal front door in my condo. It definitely needs to be painted on the inside, as it doesn’t match my unit colours at all. What type of paint do you recommend I use?
AI love using Sherwin-Williams’ Emerald line, but the paint isn’t really the issue — it’s the priming. Make sure that whichever company you use to paint it, you also get the correct primer.
Q:What would you recommend for someone who wants some art on their walls, but doesn’t have the budget for it? I’m renting a townhouse and saving up money to purchase my own place, so money is tight. Any ideas?
AOne thing I love, which is a little funky, is getting an old framed painting and dipping one side of it in a fun colour. All you need is some free art, spray paint or regular paint, and a roll of painter’s tape, and then play with the angles and colours. It’ll make you smile.
Q:How hard is it to install new closet doors by yourself? We have mirrored bi-fold doors in three rooms, and I hate them. My husband and I would like to try this ourselves before hiring someone, so I’m hoping you’ll tell me it can be done (without tears, hopefully).
AThere’s definitely a bit of knowledge that goes into this carpentry. I’m not saying you can’t do it, but to do so you’ll need to follow that old proverb “Measure twice, cut once” to make sure everything is level — the last thing you want is a door that doesn’t close.
Q:How can I dress up my builder-grade bathroom mirrors? I thought of framing, but the builders added wall outlets at the edges of the mirrors.
AI like your idea of framing, as it gives the mirrors a more custom look. Because of those outlets, I would suggest you consider black, white or grey for framing, then swapping out the outlets and plates to match so they blend in.
Q:What do you think are good colours for bedrooms? My offwhite one is a bit blah.
AYou know, greys are still super hot and will be for quite a while, but my go-tos are typically dark colours. There is something so sexy and soothing about a rich, dark room that lends itself to slumber. I chose a wonderful medium grey from SherwinWilliams called Functional Gray.
Q:Good dining room light fixtures are so expensive. Can you share some cool sources for modern lighting that won’t kill our budget?
ALiving Spaces has a wonderful selection of affordable lighting. I worked with them this past year, honestly not knowing much about them, but was blown away with their product offering and great pricing. Also, Etsy is a place where emerging lighting designers are going.
Q:What kind of finish is best on hardwood floors?
AIn the past, I’ve always done a water-based finish; oil just took forever to cure properly. In terms of sheen, I like it on the level just one or two shades shy of it being matte. When you go to the extreme of high-gloss or ultramatte, it shows every imperfection and bit of dirt.
Q:My apartment came with faux-wood window blinds. Do you recommend installing curtains in an apartment? Does a room need curtains to make it feel comfy and warm?
AWindow treatments equal instant warmth, so yes. And you don’t have to do curtains. A simple, soft Roman valance over the top of the window to hide the header would do the trick. It’ll help soften the hard lines of the blinds.
Q:Any suggestions on how to spruce up a rental? I have what used to be the living room and dining room of a single family home as a studio apartment. I can’t paint or put nails in.
ASo, first off, your best friend is going to be Command hooks. No damage to the walls, but you can still hang art and stuff that is personal to you to make it warm and welcoming. Also, consider changing out a light fixture to instantly customize the space. Most rentals won’t care about the switch as long as their original one gets put back upon leaving.
Q:I recently moved into my mother’s condo, and it has a great white kitchen but darkgreen granite countertops that I don’t love. Any ideas on how to downplay all that green? Also, any ideas for hiding random floral tiles in the backsplash that is otherwise white tile?
AUnless you replace the tiles, covering them up will usually create a bigger eyesore. Play with your hand towels and artwork as best as you can. Then your focus will be on what you love about the space, not what you’re not crazy about.