Hmmm…. dark cabinets ….

So our new school room is going to have a LOT of cabinetry, and my original vision for the room {see the floor plan and sketch renditions here} was to paint all of the cabinetry in French Ivory {a Sherwin Williams color from the former Martha Stewart line, you can still get it mixed}.

This is the same color that we have on our trim and cabinetry throughout our farmhouse. It keeps things bright and cohesive in an old home that has evolved over the years.

Here are several pics throughout our home featuring the French Ivory trim:

So, my plan for the cabinets was to paint them in this beautiful ivory, and paint the backs of them in a fantastic dark color {yet to be determined}.

But…

Lately I have been dreaming of THIS:

{via The Painted House}

{via Little Green Notebook}

{via Inspiration Kitchens}

{via Loft and Cottage}

{via birch and lily}

{via poppy talk}

This new school room is going to be in a walkout basement with plenty of light. It is western and southern facing, and while the before shots show a very dark room, there will soon be a full glass door on the back wall that faces west. The small room has also been filled with a variety of light sources.

I would love your vote! French Ivory vs. Gray Navy?

* * * *

Follow Fieldstone Hill on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! Can’t wait to see you there.

* * * * *

Are you a One Kings Lane Member? Pretty. Amazing. Stuff. I tell ya. Click on the image below to sign up for exclusive sales:

* * * * *

Don’t miss a single post from Fieldstone Hill Design! Have regular decorating goodness delivered {free!} directly to your inbox.

{This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for reading and supporting FHD!}

Megan

February 28, 2013 at 9:25 am

gray/navy for sure….let’s face it, we can all pin a gazillion pictures of each option (dark vs. light), but usually, we only have one room to decorate and one option that really works with our lighting! So, for you to have the option of dark in the basement, when you already have ivory in the kitchen, I say GO FOR IT! Have the best of both worlds, have your cake and eat it too…it’ll look fabulous!!

Carrie

February 28, 2013 at 9:56 am

First, what a beautiful home you have! I vote for the gray/navy in the school room. Gorgeous inspiration pics, and it will set that room off from the other spaces in your house. Can’t wait to see what you choose. 🙂

Cheryl

February 28, 2013 at 9:59 am

Gray/navy because this room will be filled with light and it’s a grounding color. And YOU love it!

Juliette Mariano-Carlson

February 28, 2013 at 10:13 am

Gray/navy will look beautiful. It’ll be contemporary and classy. Dreams can come true!!

JessicaD

February 28, 2013 at 10:31 am

AS much as I love dark woods and great color, I really don’t think I would put Grey Navy cabinetry in the school room. Your flooring choices would make a difference. And didn’t you say you plan to have dark couches? I would keep it pretty light, but being *in* the space and deciding that might be different too.

In the post below you credited the picture of striped walls and ceilings to a blog and it is in my Coastal Living mag right now. The picture below it you credited to Coastal Living and I wondered if you mixed them up…

Ella

February 28, 2013 at 12:17 pm

I have to vote for the gray/navy!!! Sounds like a perfect space for it.

Annie Hollywood

February 28, 2013 at 2:06 pm

For kitchens light is still my favorite, but to give the schoolroom a library feel, dark would look great!

Jennifer Stark

February 28, 2013 at 3:06 pm

I say go with the dark. You have boys, right? I think little boys would love it and it looks sophisticated for adults. Little girls would love it with their frilly artwork on the wall, too.

Kelly

February 28, 2013 at 6:36 pm

As the girl who lived in a kitchen with a black island for years- I loved the black. It was beautiful. It also showed fingerprints and aged pretty poorly. Just my opinion. If little hands are going to be on those cabinets a lot, I’d probably go with something lighter that will hide those pesky fingerprints. 🙂

Richella Parham

February 28, 2013 at 7:47 pm

Are you going to have a giant chalkboard or a giant whiteboard in the room? (I would if I were building a schoolroom!) If so, I’d say go with the ivory with a black chalkboard or the gray/navy with a whiteboard. Aside from that, I’d go with whatever shows dirt the least and/or is easiest to clean, but that’s because I tend to like what’s most practical.

Most of all, Miss Darlene, I’d say go for whatever makes your heart sing–because you need to LIVE WITH BEAUTY! 🙂

Ruth

March 1, 2013 at 6:53 am

I love them both but I think the gray/navy will be beautiful in your new school room. I can’t wait to see it all come together.
Ruth

Jennybc

March 1, 2013 at 7:30 am

I vote for the gray/navy. Since you have the ivory everywhere else, I agree with others that this is a chance to change it up a bit. I would look at the light after the door is in and let that determine the flooring unless you have that predetermined. If it’s a space you can be inspired in…go for it. Have fun!

Nancy

March 1, 2013 at 8:26 am

I am contemplating the same thing in my kitchen. I vote for dark base cabinets and ivory uppers. Love your plans.
Xo Nancy
Powellbrower.com

Tara G.

March 1, 2013 at 8:59 am

Boys + school = DARK! 🙂

Meagan Tucker

March 1, 2013 at 2:10 pm

I’m with Nancy. Light uppers and gray/navy lower cabinets. I’m wanting to do this in my kitchen too. I want lighter upper cabinets because I think it will make the room look taller and bigger. I love those gray/blues! Let us know which colors you might actually consider using to get that grey/blue.

Inis

March 1, 2013 at 4:06 pm

I vote French Ivory.

Lisa Jacobson

March 1, 2013 at 6:18 pm

If it’s not too late to vote? I lean toward the dark cabinets – as much as I usually prefer lighter colors. It has a classy, elegant feel, but a bit practical too? Just because you asked…

I can hardly wait to see your project unfold!

Lauren

March 3, 2013 at 9:33 am

Navy/Gray all the way! 🙂

Kimberly

March 3, 2013 at 6:50 pm

I’m late, but I finally had time to thoughtfully answer. After reading through all the other comments and looking back at your drawings, I say grey-navy. I thought about agreeing with the commenter who said dark on the lower and light on the upper, but according to the drawings, you don’t really have much in the way of upper cabinet doors, so I don’t think a dark color is going to feel heavy or even be too much to keep up with fingerprint-wise. Go for it!