Wow, I guess it’s been a couple weeks since I did BAM or SLAM.
I finished painting the walls in the kitchen yesterday! Now I just need to take pictures. Last time, on BAM or SLAM, I asked for your help choosing grout color… I was blown away with the responses.
At the time, I felt like I was receiving a lot of comments for both dark and light, but I tallied them yesterday and the response was overwhelming.
BAM for light grout!
32 of you voted light and 12 voted dark. As you can see, we went with the light!
As I was researching the images for the grout BAM or SLAM, I was drawn more towards gray than white. Originally, we decided to go with the white grout for re-sale purposes.
I spoke with my mom, who has been a realtor for twenty + years, she recommended we stick with the white for re-sale.
She pointed out that most likely a potential buyer would walk in our kitchen, see the white grout and say “wow, I wish they had used gray grout. ” It is more likely that a potential buyer may walk in the kitchen and think, “why did they use gray grout, and not white?”…So the expert spoke…and we listened…white it is.
Now that it is installed and the kitchen is finished, I LOVE THE WHITE! It looks so fresh and clean, no regrets here 
.
This week’s topic: Contrast in design.
High contrast in design creates bold, high-impact designs, bringing energy into a room.
Low contrast schemes keep colors/values similar, blending together to create a relaxing, soothing background.
Are you drawn to interiors designed with high contrast…
or do you prefer interiors with low contrast…
*Images via thebloominghydrangea, materialgirlsblog, thedecorista, the zhush
This week’s question…high or low?
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Wow this is a hard one……love them both! I personally don’t care for the first one at all but the other 3….swoon!!
Forgot to say your backsplash looks great!
i think i am more of a low contrast gal…. i always love the high contrast right away, but then tire of it.
the kitchen looks great so far!
Low contrast in my own home, but high contrast done well certainly makes a dramatic impression that draws me in!
The kitchen…oh my gooness!
First thing that comes to mind for my preferernce…high contrast all the way! But I dream about a beautiful neutral, low contrast home some day. Wishy washy as I am – HIGH is my vote.
I like both, but I am a huge fan of high contrast. We are redesigning our guest room right now, and the high contrast pieces look absolutely amazing.
Love the back splash! Subway tiles are my fave! I like both high and low contrast designs. I think I prefer the high contrast/ high energy design in the public spaces (kitchen/ living room) and the low contrast/ low energy design in or privates spaces (bedrooms). So BAM for both
This is a hard one b/c I love them both! it all depends on the space and the look your going for . So BAM for both!
Personally, I prefer high contrast ! Low contrast is nice but a little boring.
I vote for high contrast!
That’s a hard one – I think it depends on the room I would guess. I’d like to think I’m a high contrast person, but I bet more often I would go towards low.
First, Elizabeth, I think it was smart for you to go with the lighter grout when considering resale…but on to today’s question: HIGH CONTRAST without a doubt! Low contrast rooms, where everything is muted, makes a space feel a little non-descript and hotel-like. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I want my home to be energetic and bold.
Smart girl…gotta go with what works for resale. My BAM is reserved for high contrast, LOVE your example picks!
I’m definitely a low contrast gal. I tire of high contrast spaces and I find they make rooms feel smaller, particularly kitchens with dark cabinetry and white walls. I prefer to add a pop of high contrast with cushions that can easily be switched out. Your backsplash looks great!
I love the high contrast in photography, but tend toward the low contrast in my own home. BTW, love the white grout.
For sure, I’m a high contrast girl. But, I’m drawn to the soothing low contrast as well, just don’t think I could pull it off!
I like them both but for my own spaces I’m more of a low contrast girl. It’s calm and easy to live with especially if you spend your day looking at lots of color and pattern for someone else!
I love both, but for my own home, definitely low contrast. I need to be soothed not jarred!
I’ve lived with such low contrast (white/beige) for so long, that I’m thinking for my next home, I’d like higher contrast and more color! Why not? It’s worth a shot!
I prefer the drama of high contrast but when using low contrast I like to introduce a lot of pattern and texture. My living room colors are mostly copper, black & sage green with golds & browns….lots of drama but my bedroom is about 7 different patterns of blue & white…solitude with attitude
but still clean & fresh looking…. your kitchen is looking fabulous…love your blog !!!
I love them both; depends on who I’m designing the space for and their personality. Punches of color are very impactful!!
http://www.donnaviningblog.com
BAM fo sho!!! I really would like to paint the backs of my white bookshelves in a black or other contrasting color!! Great pics by the way!! xoxo
First, your kitchen looks great! Can’t wait to see the full reveal, your Mom is a smart cookie!
high vs. low contrast is a tough one because done well, they can both be stunning. I gravitate toward high, so tally me up in that column!
Cathy
I see the value in both but I’m definitely drawn to low contrast. i think it has a more calming effect.
First of all, your kitchen looks AWESOME!! White grout rocks — looks super clean and fresh!
So BAM for both.
Now, I have to say, I like low contrast for certain rooms, like the master bedroom where I need calm to prevail, but I do like high(er) contrast in most other rooms of the house. It’s kind of a blurry line where I’m concerned.
xo Heidi
I love to look at high contrast but live in low contrast. Something I’ve learned about myself over the past year.
Huuuuuuuuge BAM on the fabulous backsplash!!! It turned out absolutely perfect…no regrets here, either (c: And as for contrast, of course I’m a huge fan of it, but I gravitate towards both…hey, great design is great design, no matter the color palette (c:
Well, like choosing LIGHT grout, I go for LOW contrast!
I prefer design to be timeless and classic, not trendy, which I think the high contrast designs I see or have worked on, tend to be.
Your kitchen is looking fabulous, and I love your counter tops!
Catherine
High contrast all the wall! I definitely appreciate low contrast, but my personal taste is lots of contrast. The white grout is beautiful in your kitchen! I can’t wait to see more!
Bam all the way!
And your kitchen rocks!
Although the red and black is way too much contrast for my peresonal taste I like contrast/interest and will have to go with high because low contrast can be muted. This was a tough one, Elizabeth!
When looking at magazines- HIGH
To live with- LOW
I can definitely appreciate high contrast designs, but for my own home I definitely prefer low.
I’m attracted to high contrast but I find it hard to live with, so I’ll go with low contrast.
I absolutely love white subway tile with white grout for a kitchen backsplash. I think you absolutely went with the right decision! As far as high v. low contrast for interiors, I think it depends on what room you’re designing. For example, for a bedroom or bathroom I would always go with low contrast for a soothing, more relaxed feeling. I can’t imagine falling asleep peacefully to poppy and turquois!. However, those colors would be perfect for a kitchen or living room where there’s a lot of activity and chance to make bold first impressions. Just my two cents