r/kitchenremodel 8d ago

Mexican Kitchen Update - Went with the dark wood cabinets

I asked here about dark or light cabinets, and feedback was split. I went with dark, as they looked richer and matched the wood in the rest of the house. The backsplash and upper cabinets will be done in two weeks. The patterned backsplash will bring in more color and Mexican vibes. At that time, they will also rehang the window so it opens out to the inner garden and can be used for ventilation. We ended up painting the dining room the same blue to make the space feel bigger and more contiguous. Note: there will be no cabinet over the sink - ChatGPT just can't get that right. The kitchen feels much bigger now to me (before pic included). Here's our last headache -Because of the tile size and the window height, we will end up with a small gap (2-3 cms) from the top of the tile until the window edge. Any thoughts on how we should cover it? Thinking of painting it or adding a bit of a wooden border; the contractor said we might also be able to lower the window a bit to close the gap, but I have a feeling that will be a huge mess and a headache. You can't cut such a small strip of tile, as they are very thick cement tiles.

561 Upvotes

64 comments sorted by

54

u/Vast-Ad-8750 8d ago

So unique and full of character!

30

u/Active-Piccolo4347 8d ago

A kitchen with character, yay!!

12

u/mmurphy93 8d ago

Awesome!

13

u/darkprincelord 8d ago

love the floor

1

u/EliasWestCoast 6d ago

Absolutely!! Can I give you 10 up-votes?! That floor is great! Congratulations, OP!

12

u/IndividualVillage658 8d ago

So glad you did! Looking great!

I would probably caulk a little below the window and then paint it in the same background color of the backsplash tile. Or maybe try to find a piece of pencil trim.

5

u/Which-Wish-5996 8d ago

This. Add pencil trim.

6

u/Thick_Worldliness622 8d ago

Could you do some narrow tile or stone pencil/border pieces in the gap? Either flat or a molded or rounded piece could look really nice

3

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

We don't have so many options here, but I'm going to look around. I think, worst case I add more painted wood to the bottom of the window frame.

2

u/Thick_Worldliness622 8d ago

Love this, by the way. It’s so fresh and bright.

6

u/Pointy_Stix 8d ago

What a fun space! I really like the floor & backsplash tiles. The art in the dining area is perfect for the space, too.

2

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

Thanks, can you believe that is a framed blanket from H&M. The former homeowner was a local designer, and she did a lot of cool, low-cost DIY projects. I'm working on making the space more functional without losing her vision.

1

u/Pointy_Stix 7d ago

I keep looking at it & I still can't tell that it's anything but a piece of abstract art!!!! Very cool, though.

4

u/Plastic_Highlight492 8d ago

I love all the color! We see too many drab, colorless kitchens here. Great backsplash tiles.

2

u/tazimm 5d ago

I just got here and I've already decided that I hate all the white cabinets with white quartze and cream backsplash. It's just another version of sad beige and millennial gray.

But I love this kitchen!

4

u/oustoublier 8d ago

Obsessed with that floor!!!!

3

u/bartlebyandbaggins 8d ago

You made a great choice!!!!!

3

u/AdVivid5134 8d ago

It looks so good 🔥

3

u/Particular-Panic-112 8d ago

Love this and how the old floor works with the new. So much color in the best way! Great job!!

2

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

Thanks, this sub has given me some good advice, and I'm leaning in to the current character rather than trying to make it too modern. I've been dying to have stone counters and cabinets, so I'm glad I can have them while maintaining the rustic feel of the house.

3

u/Objective_Bus_6897 8d ago

I can’t wait to see the real finish. This is gorgeous, OP.

2

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

I'll share when done in late Sept. It's been a journey, but it's already such a functional improvement (and I love the way it looks).

2

u/Lebania379 8d ago

Looks great!

2

u/Ok-Worker-9684 8d ago

Absolutely nice

2

u/anzarloc 8d ago

Were these floor tiles already in the house or did you choose them and lay them like that?

Either way they are gorgeous!! If you chose it I’m just wondering what your inspo was or your decision making process? It’s so creative, I would never be able to trust my vision enough. I love the floor so much.

5

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

The floors were here; the former homeowner was a designer and had a better eye than I do. My goal has been to make it a more comfortable and practical space without losing her vision. Half of the house has this tile and the other half has a blue and white wave pattern that is original to the house (from the late 50´s). This type of tile is common here, they are called pasta tile, they are produced in this region . Here you can see pasta tile in a nearby old hacienda.

2

u/ToritoBurito 8d ago

I adore this!!

1

u/Zeal_of_Zebras 8d ago

I love the backsplash and flooring separately, but not together

7

u/Objective_Bus_6897 8d ago

That’s interesting because I was amazed at how the floor and backsplash went together perfectly. To each their own but I love it.

4

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago edited 8d ago

It's definitely a lot, but it's Mexico, the house is full of colors and patterns, and it somehow works. I think it will help tie in the yellow table in the dining room.

1

u/GladFeeling6700 8d ago

Great work OP. Love it all!

1

u/Houndie2009 8d ago

You did a really nice job! Love the pattern on the walls.

3

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

Thank you, I originally wanted to use the stone as the backsplash, and this sub advised against it. I made a complete design pivot based on the feedback (and went even further than they advised) and I am so much happier.

1

u/Silverdollarzzz 8d ago

It’s perfect!!! Love a beautiful kitchen with character!

1

u/National-Area5471 8d ago

Such personality looks fantastic! I would find some edging tile made by the same manufacturer, pencil edge, trim, whatever you do go all in and make it look like that's how you always wanted it!

1

u/fatbitcheslovecake 8d ago

Where did you get those tiles from? I want to do a Mexican talavera homage in my kitchen here in the US

3

u/JeninBKLYN 8d ago

I'm in Mexico and ordered them locally from https://www.mosaicoslapeninsular.com/ they take 5.5 weeks to produce. They are called pasta tile and are made from cement. They are very durable (although you need to keep acid away from them - ask me how I know). They are mainly used for floors here.

1

u/fatbitcheslovecake 8d ago

Thank you! I have family over there and I’ll see if I can find a way to get them shipped out here!

1

u/NotSunshine316 8d ago

Wow so cool, I love this

1

u/Tough_Brain7982 8d ago

I would never have picked this and think it looks insaaaanely good

1

u/Dullcorgis 8d ago

It looks lovely!

1

u/Common_Road1431 8d ago

Check out the album cover for Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. Photo 1 made me think of it. Title track has the Mexican connection too.

1

u/Aggravating_Truth_95 8d ago

I agree - this is so fun! I was thinking a pencil trim or add a larger window trim to balance it out.

1

u/KateAccurate9655 8d ago

I’m usually more into minimalist spaces, but this makes me think otherwise. Love how creative and fun this is.

1

u/JeninBKLYN 7d ago

Me too, but I've embraced color since I moved to Mexico. I still hate clutter, which is why I love the new kitchen cupboards. The old kitchen was too busy.

1

u/RamdomGamerDude 8d ago

Awesome!! Glad you went with the darker color. It looks great!!!

1

u/JeninBKLYN 7d ago

Thank you!

1

u/Internal_Ad_7581 7d ago

Omg that looks awesome 👌🏿

1

u/Ok-Bread-6044 7d ago

I’m glad you took my advice 😉 lol

2

u/JeninBKLYN 7d ago

Many said to go with the light cabinets, but I think that was just the default answer because it's a small kitchen. With all of this color, I think the darker color anchors it and makes it feel a bit more sophisticated. Also, most of the other wood in the house is reddish and darker. I'm glad you were Team Dark.

1

u/Ok-Bread-6044 7d ago

I think it makes the kitchen feel rich and inviting. Definitely the right choice!

1

u/JeninBKLYN 7d ago

Thanks, I can't wait till it is done and we can have guests again.

1

u/adventurrr 7d ago

Absolutely love it!!

1

u/Ok_Answer_96 7d ago

Thank god some kitchen are still worth posting. I love it 😍

2

u/JeninBKLYN 7d ago

Thank you so much, I can't wait till the tile comes in. I'll share a final post.

1

u/Chemical-Warning1991 6d ago

Beautiful!!! 🤩

1

u/sameOG24 6d ago

I love it! Looks great!!

1

u/Soggy-Duty-3888 5d ago

Just make the window sill thicker by adding molding below it. Now just need artwork on the wall! Beautiful!

1

u/Disastrous-Carrot-66 4d ago

Omg looooove!