Need help with colors

[03Indigo]

I have spend a little time today mocking up some color options for my cabinets.  Base color is grey, and I alternated the trim and panel colors.  I am leaning towards the ones with the white panel and dark blue trim.  That way I can use the panel space for stickers and other car type graphics.  The white panel option is MUCH easier to paint....where the dark blue panel does look a little cooler overall, IMHO.  Your imput and critique is not only welcome, but appreciated.

NOTE:  These are rough brushed on, single coat applications...the final will be at least 2 coat and rolled on for the panels and body, etc.

[ianacole]

How about blue, gray, then white from the outside in?

[03Indigo]

Good suggestion, but my fear is that the blue would be too dark for the body of the cabinets, as I want the outside most color to match the body.

The transition from dark blue to grey to white would be nice though, subtle, and even flow.  The dark blue matches the MINI and the white is to represent the roof of the MINI.  That is why I was thinking white panels, but the blue as the accent is somewhat lost as there is not much of it.

hrmmm, decisions, decisions.

[ianacole]

I was thinking that the gray would be the best accent of the 3 colors.

[03Indigo]

maybe I will mock up one of those and see how it turns out, dark blue on the outside, grey accent, and white panel.

Thanks Ian....back outside to the garage I go, hehe.

[Spicoli]

i like the wood color  :lol:

[03Indigo]

i like the wood color  :lol:

LOL....got any paint stripper? haha.

[Spicoli]

In all seriousness... I like gray,black,white (out to in)

[ianacole]

Thanks Ian....back outside to the garage I go, hehe.

Hehehe...which was my intention all along

[ianacole]

In all seriousness... I like gray,black,white (out to in)

That's my favorite of what I can see right now.  I'm just curious what the next iteration will look like.

[gragravar]

I'll be the contrarian, I like the darker center.  grey, white, black (out to in)

[03Indigo]

well guys, it is actually dark navy blue, not black, and all the paint is semi-gloss for easy clean up.  Pics just make it look black since it is very dark blue

here is the comparison.

left to right, colors outside to inside.
1. Dark Blue, grey, white
2. Grey, white, dark blue
3. Grey, dark blue, white

all side by side, I prefer option #3...Grey, dark blue, and white panel.

[aowhaus]

what color are you thinking of painting the walls?

I'm more of a minimalist.  
I would paint all the doors all one color and maybe dressing the cabinets up with some cool knobs or handles.
or I could see painting the lower cabinets in the darker blue, the upper cabinets in the white, and the tall cabinets in the gray -- sort of like your Mini!

With all those colors and doors, it will look pretty busy and disorienting in that corner of the garage.  You will have lots of tools, car parts and stuff lying around the last thing you want to do is make it look more chaotic than it is already.

I would have to agree with Jack, I like the look of the particle board and would stain it instead of painting it.  Staining it will produce a cool subtle speckled look with lots of depth.  I would stain it a rich bright red to match your tool boxes.

Don't how much paint you bought and if you are sticking to those colors, but you could get Hammertone paint, which is a metallic paint that produces a fine dimpled texture as it dries, like hammered metal.  
The colors you have now look pretty flat and lifeless.

[copassatguy]

I like #3 option also... it has a nice balance of the different contrasts.

[Spicoli]

I like #3 still.

reasons why: where you will touch is gray which will help hide the dirt.   White makes a place look bigger, or really dark (like the blue) makes things look smaller... and I think the outline you have done is so big, that the darker color makes my(your) eye notice it less... so the door/drawer and the center panel stick out, verus the outline between the 2 sticking out.

[03Indigo]

what color are you thinking of painting the walls?

The walls are the white that I used in the cabinets.  The colors are pretty basic, I did not want anything too fancy, but wanted some what of a finished look.  I considered staining the cabinets, but after 10 years of other stains and oil marks, I doubt the stain would go over well....as the marks would still be seen.  I wanted to clean them up and considered just painting them grey, but then wanted a splash of color...so I added the dark blue of the MINI...then I tried the white so I can use those areas as backing for stickers from mountian biking and from car stuff.

That corner will be busy, but I also want it to be inviting and interesting....and tie in with the car somewhat.  I will also be painting the other accents in the garage to match....but have not figured out which colors to use as of yet.  

I plan on sticking with these colors, as I really like them in general...and think they work well together.  I kinda want the garage to be in the primary color range, but not all red, white and black like most garages I see.  I wanted a different mix.

I do know that my counter will be Rhino Liner black, once I finish building it, I will be doing the coating myself.

[ianacole]

Yah, I don't like my suggestion.  #3 looks best.

[03Indigo]

I like #3 still.

reasons why: where you will touch is gray which will help hide the dirt.   White makes a place look bigger, or really dark (like the blue) makes things look smaller... and I think the outline you have done is so big, that the darker color makes my(your) eye notice it less... so the door/drawer and the center panel stick out, verus the outline between the 2 sticking out.

Jack, I totally agree.  I think the larger white panels, matching the walls, will help open things up a bit, but still differentiate between the panel and outer part.....so, #3 is still my favorite as well.

[gragravar]

I still need to lobby for #2.  with white walls the mostly white cabinet faces will be overwhelming.

[03Indigo]

Final consultation with Betsy, she perfers #2 like Andrew, but also likes #3...and agrees that it would be easier to paint and will brighten up the garage with the larger white panels....so #3 it is...I will be doing more painting tomorrow since with the snow, not much else to do outside...except for our lunch at wahoo fish tomorrow.

[ianacole]

That picture above, with the gray, white, blue, and the drawer, looks like something looking at you...

[Spicoli]

Final consultation with Betsy, she perfers #2 like Andrew, but also likes #3...and agrees that it would be easier to paint and will brighten up the garage with the larger white panels....so #3 it is...I will be doing more painting tomorrow since with the snow, not much else to do outside...except for our lunch at wahoo fish tomorrow.

Well like I always say...  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, no matter how wrong it might be.

[03Indigo]

well, here is a nearly finished product.  The colors do not photograph well, but in person, I think it looks real sharp.  I still need to finish painting the walls and ceiling, that will be next week, then finish building up the counter for the corner which will be coated in black rhyno lining.  The floor molding, or toe kick area, will be black rubber molding, simple, but it does the trick.  I am really happy how it turned out, thanks for all your imput

[gragravar]

looks nice Jon.  I'd hold off making the counter too permanent until after your floors are done (assuming you are going to do those)  just because you'll have to move those lower cabinets to do the floor

[ianacole]

Looks good!  Still looks like a bunch of old-time cartoon eyes looking at you.

[aowhaus]

looks good!
what are you going to do in that empty corner space (where that bucket is)?

I just thought of a great idea: covering the wall above the counter (backsplash) with magnetic board. That would be handy to temporarily hold small tools, screws, nuts, washers, etc. and I think it could be doubled as a dry erase board -- good for sketching wiring diagrams, jotting measurements, etc.

[aowhaus]

Looks good!  Still looks like a bunch of old-time cartoon eyes looking at you.

[Spicoli]

I'm really impressed with how good it looks