Color guru Shannon Kaye is one busy artist. She's an author, the host and designer of "Fresh Coat" on the DIY network, a special correspondent for Lifetime channel’s "The Balancing Act," and guest host for the TBS channel's "Movie and a Makeover." Plus, she now offers color advice for Growers and Nomads! You can post your color questions in the CertaPro Painter forums. The best Q&As will be featured right here on our site.

Dear Shannon Kaye, 

My kitchen has white antique-looking laminate floors with burnt orange faux-finish walls. The cabinets are white, and then I have white two-inch faux-wood blinds. The kitchen and sunroom are sort of like one big room. I'm not sure what color to paint the trim. I want to do something different than white, and do the ceiling in the same color, but I'm not sure which shade. 

I also want to paint the kitchen island a color or do something different with it. Should I paint it the same color in which I do the trim and ceiling? 

One more question: Currently, I have a neutral for the front of the house, but I'm not a fan. It's a really pale, light cream color, and I would like a darker, bolder neutral, but can't decide which color. My sectional couch in the living room is a deep bluish green color, and the TV stand is dark brown. What neutral would look good, but is darker than what I already have? I guess it also would have to sort of tie in with the orange I already have in the kitchen, since they are close. 

I greatly appreciate the help! We've been remodeling the house and I just haven't been able to make up my mind about things.

Here is the sunroom that's right next to the kitchen, which is why I said it looks like one big room:

These are my kitchen cabinets. We're in the process of completing an all-white tile backsplash:

This is my kitchen floor:



This is the kitchen island—the back. The front looks like the cabinets, and I'm trying to decide what to do around the back and the sides of this...like paint a color or something. We're eventually going to change the countertops as well, so they're not going to stay that color for long:



This is the tile that starts at the front door and goes back to the kitchen, then the carpet that's next to it on the right in the living room. This is why I'm unsure whether to do a gray neutral or more of a khaki color. I just don't like what I have:



Here's the living room:

Thanks!
ssfour


Dear ssfour,

I'd like to see you focus on the cheerful orange color and a contemporary cottage style. Use calming neutrals as a balance for the action of your walls and slate entry floor. And think of large-scale artwork and accents in oversize graphics—again as a balance to the busier surfaces. 

I'd like to see a soft neutral like Sherwin Williams 6148 Wool Skein for the kitchen ceiling and living room walls. This color will look fresh and clean against white trim and cabinets, and show off your kitchen walls. Another option is to use Wool Skein on the ceiling and your hallway/stairwell with 7732 Lemongrass in your living room. If you use Lemongrass in the living room, make sure to include plenty of white or off-white accents to keep the feeling cheerful and fresh. 

Next, paint the island 6207 Retreat to anchor your kitchen and show off the clean white cabinets. Look for countertops in a calm neutral. I like natural materials like the ones shown below. 

Also, family photos are fun for everyone to see, but smaller photos can get lost on a large wall. Consider a modern arrangement with blown-up photos of your favorite images and smaller framed photos on shelves, mantels and side tables. Use bright, cheerful pillows (with orange!) and accents to make both rooms cheerful:

Even traditional furnishings look fresh with large-scale accents in bold colors:

The two soft stone-colored countertops would be perfect for you. Google "sustainable countertops" to find these products:

Don't forget bright pillows like this one on etsy.com:

Finally, for great tips on arranging artwork, go to bhg.com.

Sincerely,

Shannon Kaye

Get expert answers on all your color conundrums by writing to Shannon Kaye here!

[Main image: Sam Royds | Photodisc | © Getty Images]

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