Accent Your Kitchen

Colorful Additions
Look for fun accessories to jazz up drab countertops. Don't just hit kitchen shops; we found colorful pots in a garden-supply store. Plant herbs or small citrus trees in them for an additional burst of color, or fill them with utensils for a pretty and functional decoration.

A band of turquoise brings subtle color to simple canisters. The look is complete when paired with a coordinating blue bowl filled with apples. The canisters are porcelain reproductions of the more expensive antique enamel-style ones made in France. A blue bread tin brightens a drab corner without a huge investment. An everyday tool such as the complementary aqua colander becomes a stylish accessory.

Switching cabinet hardware benefits a kitchen in two ways. These simple knobs not only update the look, but they also offer a a touch of elegance. A knob was installed in the middle of each center cabinet to achieve visual balance.

Choosing the Right Color
If you are considering a bold paint color, make sure it's one you love. Everyone has a favorite color. Just look in your closet; it's probably a shade you wear often. Then head to your paint store to have them mix a custom hue to match your favorite.

Always start with a quart of paint to test on a wall before you commit to an entire room. If the color is too dark or too light, take it back to the store so they can adjust it accordingly, but make sure you write down the new formula so you can have it mixed again.