How To Design The Ideal Home Office

Whether your home office is used for running a business full-time or telecommuting just a few days each month, you want your space to perfectly blend style, comfort, and utility. Designing a practical workspace in your home is not that difficult a task, but to be successful, you have to do it right. Here, we’ll show you how to design the ideal home office, complete with storage solutions, and comfort in mind.

A home office should be more than just a desk and a chair.

Since you will be likely be spending a good amount of time sitting at that desk, you will also need storage solutions to help you stay organized and on task. Home office cabinetry keeps office supplies neatly hidden behind closed doors, yet easily accessible. Other features to consider include lighting, décor, and a quiet location in the home.

For your walls, choose inspiring colors that stimulate creativity and improve focus.

According to Taskworld, an online project management platform, happy hues like blue, green, yellow and red are perfect for use in the office.

Red increases your heart rate and is great for tasks that involve physical activity.

Yellow is an optimistic color that inspires creativity.

Green is easy on the eyes and is good for people who work long hours.

Blue is stable and calming, yet improves focus.

Invest in a good chair.

Like we mentioned earlier, you will be spending many hours parked in your office chair — so make sure you pick a good one! A comfortable, ergonomically correct chair is worth every penny, since this will impact your health and your productivity more than anything else in your home office.

According to Lifehacker, these are the features to look for when purchasing an office chair:

Adjustability: A reclining chair helps to reduce pressure on the spine and bones involved in sitting.

Chair Height: Feet should be flat on the floor, thighs should be parallel to the ground, and arms should be parallel to the work surface.

Arm Rests: These offer proper support and arm placement when typing.

Seat Depth: Ideally, there should be three or four fingers-width distance between the back of your knees and the front of the seat while seated.

Lumbar Support: This helps to ward of fatigue and back pain while working.

For more help designing the ideal home office, visit Willow Lane Cabinetry and take advantage of our free room design service. Within 48 hours, you’ll get a custom layout that is both functional and stylish, photorealistic renderings to see how your home office will look in your space, and an itemized list of what you will need and what it will cost.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

How To Create A Lovely Gallery Wall In The Living Room

Put your favorite artwork or photographs on display with a professional looking gallery wall right in your living room. All you need is a collection of pieces you love, a few frames, and a little direction.

Whether you’re working around a television and need help choosing cabinets, or have a blank wall as your canvas, these tips will help you to create a lovely gallery wall for your home.

Pick Your Pieces

You may already have artwork in your possession that you’d like to incorporate into your gallery wall. Ideally, you would have at least three or four pieces to work with. That being said, you may need to go shopping. When shopping for artwork, it’s good to take a photo of any pieces you’ve already secured to eliminate guesswork.

As a guide, develop a palette of colors that complement each other and your living room. While you will want to have some direction to help you navigate, there’s no need to strive for perfection or look for “matching” pieces.

Mix it Up To Show Your Style

Your gallery wall should reflect your style, so don’t be afraid to combine photos and paintings of various shapes and sizes if that is what speaks to you. Your home should not feel like a museum, so move away from the idea of monotony. Instead, embrace the art that complements your home and appeals to your taste. If that’s fusing black and white photos with colorful paintings, there is nothing wrong with that.

Mixing media is actually encouraged, as it makes your gallery wall unique, and it allows your art to make the departure from “just décor” to something more purposeful.

Add A Personal Touch

Your gallery wall can showcase more than just great art. It can also tell a story — your story, to be exact. There are many ways to add a personal touch to your gallery wall. You can include photos of your travels, artwork bought while on vacation, prints from museums you’ve visited, or even maps of your favorite cities.

Lead With The Layout

You always want to determine the layout before hanging any art on the wall. Thankfully, a gallery wall can go wherever you want, whether it’s framing your television or filling in a completely blank space.

If you love the look of artwork around your TV room cabinetry, keep this goal in mind when choosing cabinets. You will want to select a clean style such as Shaker cabinets that won’t overpower your gallery wall. Incorporating some open shelving can also accent your artwork by adding décor that complements the colors.

Once you’ve established what furniture you’ll be working around, do a flat arrangement on your floor with the proposed layout. If you want to be extra accurate, you can use painter’s tape to measure out the area and even account for your cabinets, television, side tables or any other furniture. You want to keep at least eight inches between any furniture and artwork, so this exercise can really come in handy.

Take a few photos with your cellphone to get a good idea of the finished project. Once you’ve found an arrangement that you like, you can begin hanging your artwork piece by piece.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

4 Tips For Decorating With Bold Colors

Bold colors can be beautiful, but they can also be overwhelming if not done right. When decorating any room in your home with strong hues, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Here are a few tips to consider before incorporating bold colors into the kitchen, living room, guest room, or bath.

Kitchen

Many of today’s top kitchen trends involve bringing bold color into the heart of the home. From tiny splashes to huge waves, there are many stylish shades to make your kitchen a little or a lot more vibrant.

If a kitchen remodel is in the works, consider adding one big dose of color with your cabinetry. This creates an eye-catching focal point, and let’s you center the room around your favorite hue. When going with a painted finish like blue or green, it is important that the rest of the room remain mostly neutral, with only specks of color that accent your cabinets here and there. It’s up to you to show restraint when decorating a kitchen with colored cabinets — or you could end up drowning in a sea of clashing colors.

Of course, you don’t need colorful cabinets to keep up with kitchen trends. If you prefer white or wood tone cabinetry, pops of bold color could be incorporated in other ways. For example, you could paint your pantry door, install a bright backsplash, accessorize your open shelving, or lay down a runner along your kitchen floor. When opting for small doses of color, it’s important to tell a story with your colors, and make sure each one used is complementary of the other.

Living Room

The modern living room is a place for the family to gather — whether it’s watching TV, playing video games, or just hanging out on the sofa. That means a lot is going on in the living room a lot of the time. Rather then compete with the high energy, quell it by using bold colors that set a mellower mood. Most shades of blue or aqua put people at ease; so let this color conduct some peace and quiet in your home.

Though relaxing, blue is still a bold color, so use it in moderation. For example, pick your favorite shade and paint an accent wall behind your TV room cabinetry. Then, complement it with matching throw pillows, décor, or an area rug.

Bathroom

The bathroom offers plenty of opportunities to incorporate bold colors — even if the space is small. Add your favorite flashy color without drowning the room by incorporating a backsplash, wallpaper, towels, or drapery in an interesting pattern.

In the bathroom, it is more necessary than ever to consider the size of the space you are in, and balance your bold colors appropriately. One trick is to take your chosen hue and imagine it as an ombre rainbow. From your original pick to a lighter shade, play in this family of colors rather than focusing only on your color of choice. This is a more reserved approach to decorating your bathroom with color.

Guest Room

The goal with a guest room is to create a welcoming space that makes your visitors feel like your home is theirs. Usually, keeping things warm and friendly accomplishes that, but if you prefer a more dramatic theme, it’s still possible to decorate with bold colors in a guest bedroom.

When choosing colors, keep it gender neutral. While a surprising color can be impressive when done right, a guest room isn’t the right place to fulfill a fuchsia fantasy or rose gold dream. It’s also important to not overdo the décor. Your visitor shouldn’t feel hesitant to get in bed and mess up your perfect display of seven accent pillows. When adding color, keep in mind that your design should never sacrifice comfort.

3 Remodeling Projects That Add Value To Your Home

Do you dream of a complete kitchen remodel? Could your master bathroom use an overhaul? What about adding built-in cabinetry to your TV room? Here, well cover which projects are worth tackling if you want to add value to your home.

In The Kitchen

A kitchen remodel is by far the best investment you could make in a home for resale value. Granite, quartz or solid surface countertops are extremely desirable in the kitchen. Other must-haves include a kitchen island, modern appliances, plenty of quality cabinetry and countertop space, and a design with an easy traffic flow. Storage solutions, a large kitchen sink, and a beautiful backsplash are icing on the cake!

In the Bathroom

Almost as important as the kitchen, a bathroom remodel can also add value to a home, when done properly. Whether it’s a powder room or the master bath, there should be good lighting and adequate ventilation. Bathroom vanities play an important role, so choose wisely. Not only will your cabinetry provide much-needed storage solutions in the bathroom, but it will also anchor the room from a design standpoint. A soaking tub and/or large walk-in shower are also important features to consider when planning a bathroom remodel.

In The TV Room

Like the kitchen, the TV room (also known as a living room) is a place for gathering and entertaining. Put wasted space to work by installing custom cabinetry in the TV room. Not only will it add storage solutions to cut down on the clutter, but it will also make an attractive focal point in the room. When designing your TV room, take advantage of a large and empty wall space by thinking both horizontally and vertically. Then, add visual interest with a mixture of closed cabinetry and open shelving.

Other Home Remodeling Projects To Consider

If you live in an older home, consider replacing drafty, single-pane windows with energy efficient units. Windows with an Energy Star rating can help to considerably cut the cost of utility bills, and as an added bonus, some even tilt in for easy cleaning.
Make your laundry room more attractive and functional by adding a new, front-loading washer and dryer, and lovely laundry room cabinetry to stow detergent, stain removers, fabric softeners, and even your ironing board, out of sight.
When it comes to flooring, hardwood floors are immensely popular. Options include both solid and engineered wood. Or get the look without the big price tag by opting for laminate, vinyl, or tile flooring that is made to look like the real deal, but for a fraction of the cost.

While these are just a few updates that can add value to your home, hopefully they will inspire you to tackle that project you’ve been dreaming of. When you look at your house as a whole, any improvements should be worthwhile, whether you are planning to sell in the near future or not.

3 Hacks For A Pet-Friendlier Home

If it feels like you’re living in your dog’s house and not the other way around, it may be time to add some smart storage solutions to your home. Many homeowners initially neglect creating designated destinations for their pet’s belongings, but this approach can quickly cause serious clutter. You may not have predicted the amount of things your pet would need, but now that you know, it’s time to do something about it.

Just like you organize each room based on its function, you’ll want to put in place a set spot for your pet wherever they eat, sleep and bathe.

Separate pet food and human food for easy feedings morning and night.

Most pets have one or two types of food and a few varieties of treats. Rather than have them mixed in with your food in the pantry, create a designated drawer or basket to keep their food and snacks separate from your human food.

But storage solutions aren’t the only issue in the kitchen. When pets eat, it can get messy! To keep food and water spills from dirtying your kitchen floors, place their serving bowls on top of a tray to trap any messes before they spread.

Make bath time more blissful with a designated washing station or portable caddy.

Keeping your pet clean can be a full-time job, which is why many of us choose to drop our fur baby off at the groomer! But if you’re up for the task, the best way to tackle bath time is by having a wash station stocked with all of their shampoos, treatments, and grooming tools. If your laundry room can accommodate a wash station, this is really the best place to build one. Willow Lane Cabinetry can help you design a custom laundry room that includes a wash station for your furry friend, and cabinetry for storage.

If your home doesn’t have the room for a washing station, or your pet prefers to be bathed outdoors, repurposing a shower caddy for a portable grooming station is an easy alternative. Stock it up with all of the necessities so you’re never looking for a nail clipper or brush in the middle of grooming again.

Since they can’t have their own room, set up a nice nook that they’d be happy to call their own.

If your pet has stolen your side of the bed or has been sleeping on top of your shoes, you might want to consider creating a nice little nook for them to rest and relax. From pet beds to caves, there are plenty of comfortable options that your dog or cat would be just as happy to call home. Find a location in the home that they already are drawn to, for example, that sunny spot in the corner of your bedroom or living room. Set up their bed, any pet furniture, and a small bin with their favorite toys. The goal is to provide their own cozy place to go back to when it’s time for bed — or if they just some alone time.

4 Breakfast In Bed Ideas For Mom

They say a Mother’s job never ends — and it’s true. This Mother’s Day, give Mom the break she deserves with a special breakfast in bed, made with love! Here are some delicious ideas and inspiration from some of the most famous Celebrity Chef Moms.

Getting the kids cooking is one of the best kitchen trends. But Mom deserves more than scrambled eggs and toast with jam on her special day. These recipes are easy to make, and are sure to impress, so wake up the family and get cooking — while Mom sleeps in, of course!

Paula Deen’s Hash Brown Quiche

You may know Paula Deen from her TV shows and cookbooks (or her turn on Dancing with the Stars), but did you know she also owns and operates a number of restaurants with her sons, Jamie and Bobby? This southern lady knows her way around a kitchen, and her comfort-food recipes are famous for their decadence and a healthy dollop of butter. This Hash Brown Quiche is easy to make and undeniably tasty, with shredded hash browns, eggs, diced ham, green onions and cheddar cheese. Click here for the recipe.

Giada De Laurentiis’s Breakfast Pizza

Giada De Laurentiis is mother to ten-year-old daughter, Jade, and is famous for her Food Network daytime cooking show, Everyday Italian. Her recipe for Breakfast Pizza is perfect for eating in bed — no silverware required! Best of all, you can use store-bought pizza dough to make this sweet treat. You’ll also need mascarpone cheese, mixed berries, lemons, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla bean. So good, you may want to make two! Click here for the recipe.

Cat Cora’s Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls

Cat Cora is a super mom. After all, she’s a Food Network Iron Chef and has four sons! Her Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls are fun to make and fun to eat, thanks for store-bought wonton wrappers. Just fill them with banana, semi-sweet chocolate, and a sprinkling of sugar, and fry until golden brown (with the help of a grown-up). Place them on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil until ready to serve (on a pretty plate, of course). Click here for the recipe.

Alex Guarnaschelli’s Deluxe Coffee Cake

Alex Guarnaschelli is an amazing Executive Chef and can often be seen on TV, judging the Food Network Challenge and Chopped. She is also a Mom to daughter, Ava. We think her Deluxe Coffee Cake would work perfectly for breakfast in bed. The cake itself is scrumptiously moist; thanks to the addition of whole milk yogurt, while walnuts and pecans give the topping an irresistible crunch. Best of all, you can bake this cake up to three days before Mother’s Day, and store it tightly covered and out of sight (so as not to spoil the surprise). Click here for the recipe.

Moms deserve only the best things in life — and that includes breakfast in bed. For an extra special touch, add a vase of freshly picked flowers, and don’t forget the coffee! Happy Mother’s Day from Willow Lane Cabinetry!

5 Retro Colors That Are Making A Comeback

Everything old is new again! The colors of your childhood are back, and better than ever — with fresh takes on vintage favorites. Here are five retro colors that are making a comeback in home design.

Harvest Gold

This autumnal hue was the color of choice for refrigerator doors and other large appliances back in the 1970s. According to Etsy, 70’s-inspired style is becoming increasingly popular in home décor, and this includes the use of Harvest Gold — with a twist. Today, this trendy color is often called Marigold, and is a subtle, slightly softer version of the Harvest Gold we once knew and loved. No longer relegated to large appliances, this shade looks lovely on bathroom towels, bedroom linens, and kitchen walls. In fact, it’s one of the most popular kitchen trends today!

Dusty Rose

First popular in the 1950’s and again in the 1980’s, Dusty Rose is back in the spotlight for a third time — and the third time’s the charm! This muted pink was often seen in bathrooms and in the bedrooms of little girls, but today’s Dusty Rose is all grown up. In the TV room, this color works well with gray or dark cabinetry, for a sophisticated, modern look that’s anything but babyish.

Colonial Blue

This stunning blue has gray undertones, and looks especially lovely in the kitchen, laundry room or bath, when paired with white cabinetry. Like the name implies, this cool and classic hue has been around since the Colonial-era (think George Washington), and had a huge comeback in the 1980s alongside Dusty Rose. It’s just one of those timeless colors that will never go out of style. According to a recent Time Magazine article, blue-gray tones in the kitchen are associated with an increase in a home’s value of around $1,800, and soft blue hues in general appear to boost home value in other rooms, as well.

Mint Green

This cool pastel color is currently hot again in home décor. Mint Green was a popular kitchen color in the 1930s and 40s, replacing the sterile white kitchen trends of the 1920s with a playful pop of color. Today, you’ll see Mint Green popping up all over the home, from bathrooms to bedrooms, and everything in between — including the kitchen! Light, bright and cheerful, mint compliments a wide variety of colors and cabinet finishes, especially when paired with brass or chrome hardware and accessories.

Olive Green

This color was big in the 1960’s, and is seeing resurgence as a neutral alternative to gray or beige. Elegant and refined, today’s Olive Green is ideal for a bar room or home office. It pairs nicely with off-white, dark, or black cabinetry and furniture, and bronze or brushed nickel hardware.

No need to travel back in time to get a blast from the past! Add a touch of nostalgia to your home, and still stay right on trend, with these five retro colors.

6 Genius Tips That Help Keep Dust Under Control

Want to stop dust in its tracks? You can, with these time saving tricks for keeping your home fresh and dust-free! Start with simple storage solutions that keep those dusting tools within reach, and utilize these genius tips that help keep dust under control.

Tool Time
When it comes to dusting floors and baseboards, essential tools include a broom and/or vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. For more intricate, specific areas like blinds, ceiling fans, or lamps, you may want to consider a feathered brush or microfiber cloth. Don’t be afraid to try new things to find out what works best for you, and the unique fixtures in your home.

Always Within Reach
Put those storage solutions to good use! Take stock of your cleaning supplies to see what you already have and what you need. For light, daily dusting and quick touch-ups, be sure to keep a dust cloth on hand and accessible in each room of the home — whether it’s the TV room, home office, bathroom, kitchen, or lint-generating laundry room.

One Room At A Time

For a thorough and efficient cleaning, start at one corner or room of the house and work around the perimeter before moving on to the next area. Choose a starting point, and continue in one direction. You’ll complete a full circle and eventually end up back where you started. This will help you keep rack what you’ve already dusted, so you aren’t cleaning things twice and taking up more time. This hack can easily be applied to a single area or the entire house.

Always Dust First
Although you may be inclined to dust last, as the final touch to a freshly cleaned home, reverse your cleaning steps and always dust first. Despite your best efforts, you can’t defy gravity, and dust will always drift downwards to the floors or surfaces below. Skip that extra step of having to clean your floors or vacuum again after dusting by getting it gone from the get-go.

Work Vertically
Begin dusting from the highest point or part of the room, and then work your way down. As we established before, once gravity kicks in, the dust will move downwards. Continue to work vertically to eliminate dust as it drifts down. This technique will definitely come in handy, and and should cut your cleaning time significantly. The law of gravity is your friend and you should use it to your advantage.

Handy Dusting Hacks

The ultimate dusting hack for blinds is to use a pair of tongs covered with a microfiber cloth. This method collects the dust better, while cleaning both the top and bottom of the blind with one swipe.
Swap store-bought sheets for flannel rags. They are cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, washable, reusable, and require little time to make.
Clean lamp shades with a quick swipe of a lint roller.
Got extra dryer sheets? Use them for baseboards to help collect dirt.
No need to spend money on special cleaners for your keyboard when a paintbrush will do nicely.
Ceiling exhaust fans or vents can be dust-free by using canned air. The pressure repels the dust away.
Secure a pillowcase to a broom to make your ceiling and crown moldings look like new.

Dust your troubles away and reducing your cleaning time with these helpful tricks. When you think outside the box and stay one step ahead, it’s easy to keep your home spotless, sparkling and dust-free!

Trending Now: How To Wallpaper Like A Professional

Of today’s bathroom and kitchen trends, wallpaper has become one of the most highly sought after looks. By adding interest to the room and complementing the surrounding elements, wallpaper is taking precedence over paint in many homes. If you’re on board and ready to add wallpaper to your kitchen or bathroom remodel, read on to learn the ins and outs of wallpapering like a pro.

Don’t skip the little steps.

Have you ever seen wallpaper that has been poorly applied? From ripples and bumps, to areas missing paper all together, there is a lot that can go wrong. If your wallpaper isn’t applied properly, it won’t matter how beautiful the design is or how perfectly the pattern enhances the room. When doing any DIY project, it can be tempting to skip a step that seems insignificant, but often the most miniscule steps have the biggest impact on the finished product.

Prep is as important as the paper.

You would think selecting the right wallpaper for your kitchen or bathroom remodel is the most important step – but prep actually takes the gold.

Instead of rushing into wallpapering, take the time to prep your walls before starting your project. Proper prep starts at least a day before wallpaper ever touches the wall. First, you want to clean the walls using a sponge and warm water. After they have dried, it is time to sand them down and buff away any imperfections that could cause bumps. If you encounter any dips or uneven areas, these will need to be filled in with drywall. When drywall is used, you need to let it fully dry for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

Once dry, you will sand the wall again to smooth out the drywall application. Some dust can occur when sanding, so wipe the wall again with a sponge and warm water to remove any particles. When the wall is clean, even, and dry, you can apply primer. Primer takes a few hours to set, but you don’t have to wait idly while it does. You can take this time to mark and cut your paper.

These preliminary steps are the foundation to wallpapering and should be taken seriously!

Start your application in the right spot for your kitchen or bathroom.

With all bathroom and kitchen trends, it is important to remember that your project won’t look exactly like the picture you saw on Pinterest or in that magazine. The placement of wallpaper plays a big role in how it appears — so where is the right spot to start your application?

If the room has an obvious focal point, such as a large kitchen hood, you can put the first piece of wallpaper in line with it. Otherwise, just start in a corner.

Your hands are okay, but a wallpaper brush is better.

Air bubbles and ripples can really take away from the beauty of your wallpaper. Instinctively, we want to smooth out the paper with our hands, but this is not the best approach. Specially made wallpaper brushes are used by professionals and provide you with a soft, even tool that will effectively remove any inconsistencies in your wallpaper application.

Wallpapering like a pro really comes down to a few small things that are often overlooked, but make a big difference. Be patient, follow the rules, and your kitchen or bathroom remodel will look beautiful with its flawless wallpaper application.

How To Infuse Your Bathroom With Fresh Farmhouse Style

A fresh take on Farmhouse style is right on trend in the home, thanks to popular interior designers like HGTV star Joanna Gaines. And according to Houzz editor and writer Mitchell Parker (who was recently interviewed by the Washington Post), “The modern Farmhouse style will continue to flourish in 2018 and spread to the bathroom.” We couldn’t agree more! If you love the look, we’ll show you how to infuse your bathroom with fresh farmhouse style.

Dull and Dated

It doesn’t matter if you own a brand new home or an actual farmhouse with 100 years of history. If your current bathroom needs a style update, a farmhouse makeover can be the charming yet contemporary update your home needs.

New construction often leaves homeowners with dull spaces waiting for personalized touches. This has its advantages. A newly built home is the perfect blank canvas for creating a bathroom with modern Farmhouse style and character.

Historic homes, while already rich in character, tend to show their age. This also has its advantages. When completing a bathroom remodel, you can stay true the age of your home without sacrificing style by opting for a contemporary take on the classic Farmhouse look.

Here are a few key elements of modern Farmhouse style:

Paint: When giving your bathroom a Farmhouse makeover, stick with a soothing, neutral color palette. Soft greens, blues, pale gray, and creamy beige hues all lend themselves to the modern Farmhouse look.

Pattern: Country toile saw resurgence in the early 2000s, but it’s a bit stuffy for the modern take on Farmhouse décor. With that said, wallpaper is back as one of the top trends for 2018. When working with pattern in your Farmhouse bathroom remodel, opt for small touches of plaid, Buffalo check, or gingham.

Paneling: In the past, beadboard was the go-to wall treatment for country flair. Made popular in 19^th century cottages, this classic paneling style was ideal for informal spaces like the bathroom. Today’s modern Farmhouse style takes it up a notch, with shiplap and board and batten wainscoting replacing traditional beadboard paneling.

Tile: If you like to watch Joanna Gaines work her magic on HGTV’s Fixer Upper, you may have noticed she is fond of subway tile. This classic look often gets a modern update with variations in size and color. For the modern farmhouse look, opt for light, neutral shades of Cristezza Club Glass Tile, such as white, light taupe, gray, or baby blue.

Cabinetry: When choosing cabinetry for your Farmhouse bathroom remodel, you could opt for traditional raised panel details or clean Shaker design. White cabinetry is ideal for the modern farmhouse look, but gray, black, or off-white shades work equally well, especially when paired with an antiqued glaze.