Wednesday, February 10

Decorating Dilemma

My friend Amanda at Serenity Now is hosting a Decorating Dilemmas party today. She's invited us to write a post about a decorating problem we're facing and to get input from one another as to the best way to solve the problem.

I love decorating my house, and I'm usually pretty decisive about it. But there's one thing about my kitchen that keeps bugging me. Look at these photos (taken on a day when the kitchen was clean):






Now I should say that I love my kitchen and I'm thankful for it. It's very functional, and I think it's pretty. But see those barstools? Three of them, nice and big and sturdy. But they kind of blend in with everything around them. Here's a close-up of one of them:




See what I mean? Well, I'm wondering if I should paint them. For instance, I could paint them black like the chairs around the table on my screened porch:




What do y'all think? Would it be good to paint these? If so, would you go with black? Of course, I could always start by re-upholstering the seats, and that would make them stand out a little more. Yes, now that I look at that picture, I'm sure I should re-cover the seats. But what about the wood?? I'm unsure, and I'd love your advice! Please tell me what you think.

And be sure to visit Amanda's party and help out some of the other girls with decorating dilemmas on their hands. Amanda, thanks for getting us together!

33 comments:

  1. Okay, first - your kitchen is BEAUTIFUL! Like, magnificent! I am so jealous!

    Before I even read further I was thinking "black paint!" And I would re-cover the seats with a fun black and brown print...ooh like stripes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes...your kitchen is sooooo pretty! but if you really want to shake things up, I would paint them. Black would be really striking against all the lovely wood tones...and very chic too! Leave them as is or paint them...either way you're good because you already have a gorgeous stylish home!

    ~Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would paint them black, leave the seat covers the same and do some vinyl words...on the soffits. I am not sure I spelled that right. Love your kitchen, mine is the size of a postage stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounding like a broken record...your kitchen is fantastic! I vote for black paint; but it seems like if you did do black the current cushion fabric would be just fine.

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes! Black paint is just the thing. :) If you really are just wanting a change, then changing up the fabric is an easy fix too.

    Your kitchen is just gorgeous. You fix those chairs and then I'll come over and tell you how great they are. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. PS. Thank you so much for linking up!!! :) I'm glad you liked my "soap box" rant. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with everyone else...paint them black! :) And your kitchen is so gorgeous!!! I love the openness.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree that black is safe....but have you thought of burnished red or apple green to reflect the wall paint? I would probably never be brave enough but I think they would be cool...so black, YES....other color, maybe.

    Suzanne
    LOVE your kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  9. One more vote for paint 'em black! I also agree that if they're painted there's plenty of contrast between the current fabric and the paint. Oh-and your kitchen is completely drool-worthy!
    BTW- thanks for your suggestions! I'm kinda liking your idea of turning the current chair into a daddy throne and just having fun with it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Before I read your entire post I thought to myself, I'd paint them black :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

    P.S. Your kitchen is wonderful :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh yeah, I would totally paint them! Black would look great, with a fabric on the seat that incorporated some of the green you have on the walls.
    Beautiful kitchen, btw!

    ReplyDelete
  12. i love your whole house & i know you're not afraid of COLOR. sooooo - i'd paint 2 of the chairs one of the colors in the roman shade over the sink & 2 of the chairs another color from the roman shade over the sink. then - i'd cover the seats in a stripe that's those 2 colors. what do you think?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, black paint on them would be awesome. They would look soooo good. Do you have any fabric like your window coverings to cover the cushions/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Black paint would look great on your stools. I agree with you that new fabric on the cushions would freshen them up, too.

    Your kitchen is beautiful! I love your granite color and cabinet style.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love that kitchen!!
    Paint them black and recover the seats with a fabric similiar to your window treatment.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i'm thinking no paint (!)... but cover the cushions and make slip covers for the top part of the stool.... just to cover the wood. you could find something really cool and bright :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I had to look a couple times because I didn't see the problem. I love them! But black chairs are soooo pretty.. mmm.. Some black paint and pretty fabric and I'd think they'd be marvelous!

    <3

    Rachelle

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes your kitchen makes me jealous. I love the glass panes in your cabinets. I would actually go creme with the barstools I think. But I love my black barstools too. I would definitely change the fabric. But I would totally paint them. But I am partial to paint. Although I am kind of a hypocrite since mine are black like my island. But they are painted. Gosh I am talking out of both sides of my mouth now aren't I?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Painting would be great but I'm if the paint chips off the chairs then not so pretty. I'd probably be safe and cover the chairs in a coordinating fabric to your window treatment. But whatever you do it will be gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a beautiful kitchen! I like the idea of painting the stools black and reupholstering the cushions, maybe use a pattern that coordinates w. the green wall color and the shade over the sink. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh yes, I would definitely paint them black and do a fun fabric on the seats. The black will really make the black in your granite "pop"!

    Gushing over your kitchen. It's really beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think we have the same granite!

    You should paint the chairs black! They would look absolutely great!

    Be sure and take an "after" picture!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love color, and I'm with Suzanne - I think red would be really cool. Black would look very nice, too.

    I love your kitchen (and it's so clean!)!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello. What a gorgeous, spacious kitchen. I would suggest you paint your bar stools with a pop of color. Your kitchen is beautifully monocromatic...I would bring a color from your kitchen valance (red? hard to see colors clearly) to your bar with paint...and fun patterned fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Painting them black would be great! I'd suggest changing the cushion to the green you have on the walls in your kitchen.

    ReplyDelete
  26. You have a beautiful kitchen!! I would have to agree with anonymous #2, go for a red! The one from your valance.
    I see that you have quite a few black items in your kitchen and they look nice, but they don't "pop" out at you.
    If you would add a few red accessories it would make your kitchen say WOW! Eg: on the island, in one of your glass cupboards, and then your stools.
    I love your honesty in your blog, so I hope you don't mind mine.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You do have a beautiful kitchen but I think popping it with black bar stools would be very cool. Everybody likes that little bit of something unexpected. It looks like most people agree with your idea. See you were right all along. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love your kitchen too...but I would paint the stools GREEN!! May not the green up above your cabinets...but something deeper...you could even do a stain rubbing on top of the green to pick up the details in the wood of the chair.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would definitely paint the stools ad change out the fabric to something that would really pop. Your kitchen is gorgeous but does have a ton of the same wood. Needs some variety to break it up

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yes, your kitchen is gorgeous! I had two thoughts for your chairs... 1) slipcover the backs with pillow-case-like covers {can be changed seasonally!} or 2) paint them black! The seats would look pretty in a bold print if you feel bold. Fun!! Can't wait to see what you come up with. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh, Richella, I am drooling over your kitchen! Where have you been hiding this little gem? Gorgeous! Without a doubt--paint them black! Perhaps reupholster them with something with some green in it to bring out the color on your walls? Wanna hear something really crazy? You could always paint your island black, too. It's just my two cents, but imagine what it would do....

    ReplyDelete
  32. Gorgeous kitchen!
    I say paint them black and change the fabric to a striking black/white fabric ... maybe a large houndstooth.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would paint them with Cream paint (maybe ASCP) and distress them. I would find a nice colrful fabric to recover the seats.....maybe a nice multi color stripe.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I read every one; they make my day. If you have a specific question, please be sure your email address is attached to your profile or leave your email address in the comment; I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Every blessing!