Your Questions Answered

This week we're doing our "Can We Help?" section on a Friday.

A reader in New Orleans sent some pictures and asked for advice. He is in the situation of needing to replace the dishwasher and wanting to make some changes to the kitchen, but definitely not ready for a whole kitchen gut and redo.

In trying to make a change with impact, and still leaving most existing components, the first suggestion would be paint. It's cheap and it's easy. (That's if you don't ask the painters who just had to paint our kitchen cabinets....5 times.) I suggest trying a warm brown or tan for the walls that would go with the trim piece around the existing counter tops. Then, probably a lighter shade of the same color for the ceiling.

They have 2 large windows, and I suggested ditching the cold, white mini-blinds, and trying Roman shades in a matchstick or bamboo. These would immediately add a lot of warmth and texture to the room. Also, if there is access for electric in the ceiling, a couple of pendant lights would really give the room some personality.

As we all know (only too well!), one redo project can often lead to another, and another and... After paint and blinds, I would step back in this room and try to evaluate, "Is that enough for now?" If not, there are companies such as Granite Transformations that can put granite right over existing counter tops. I have no experience with them, but am interested in seeing how it works. (Hey New Orleans reader, wanna be a Guinea Pig??) Also, repainting the cabinet doors would be nice, but if they're not wood, getting the paint to stick and not chip under wear might be an issue.

Paint companies such as Benjamin Moore now make sample sizes in many colors so bring a bunch home, try them on the wall, and look at them several times during the day in different light. You can make a personality change, in the blink of an eye. (That's the kitchen...not you! You're perfect just the way you are!)