Arsenic Kitchen Doors

Is it a big surprise that I love almost any shade of green? A recent favorite is Farrow & Ball's Arsenic, one of their brighter shades. It is such a happy color! We used mostly neutrals in our kitchen (creamy white cabinets, black counters, mid-tone gray floors, pale gray walls). I really wanted to bring in a pop of color and the two exterior doors in the room felt like the perfect place. This image from Domino of Ruthie Sommer's office kitchen kept coming to mind:

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Before we did anything to the kitchen, all the cabinets and doors were a really deep chocolate color:

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A couple coats of Arsenic (and a whole kitchen redo) later and we were in business!

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There are still some touch ups I need to do, and some cleaning on the glass, but I LOVE the color.

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If you don't have an exterior door or two in your kitchen like I do, I think a pantry door is a really great place to have fun with color. Yellow doors are another favorite of mine. :)

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24 comments:

  1. Studio Yuko Jones August 11, 2014 at 2:42 PM

    I love that minty green! Such a fresh and happy green. I might use this color for my front door.

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  2. DerekAugust 11, 2014 at 2:51 PM

    Very cool! We did our backsplash in a mint green and then our pantry door in a bright terracotta orange. It's a great punch of color!

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  3. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeAugust 11, 2014 at 3:25 PM

    Oh I love this, how fun and the color really is fabulous.

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  4. KatesAugust 11, 2014 at 3:35 PM

    Such a fun color! Love it!

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  5. UnknownAugust 11, 2014 at 4:34 PM

    That minty green is so refreshing. Totally wouldn't mind eating a snack right next to it on those cute stools!

    LOVE your blog- like seriously!!

    :) Naika
    http://www.njainteriors.com/category/blog/

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  6. GirlieBekuAugust 11, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    Love the color, but the name is really terrible (not your fault, of course!). Arsenic poisoning is a terrible issue worldwide. They should come up with a happier name!

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  7. Preparing for PeanutAugust 11, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    These pictures make me wish our exterior doors were already painted...so I could repaint them a fantastic color like this!!! LOVE

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  8. ShaunaAugust 11, 2014 at 6:12 PM

    I love love love this door knob!! Where is it from?

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  9. Emma BircherAugust 11, 2014 at 6:17 PM

    Such a great color!

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  10. smashAugust 11, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    So pretty and happy. I love it!

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  11. UnknownAugust 11, 2014 at 6:31 PM

    The simple change of color makes the whole room look brighter! What a great choice.

    www.stateofsunshineblog.com

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  12. JanaAugust 11, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    I adore the painted floor-what a fantastic transformation!!

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  13. Emmie {Blue 11 Interiors}August 11, 2014 at 9:12 PM

    It looks so good! What a fabulous color!

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  14. MagpieAugust 11, 2014 at 10:05 PM

    @GirlieBeku -- they're actually referencing a common old-fashioned green paint color. Arsenic used to be the main component of "Paris Green," a paint that was really popular from the 1700s to early 1900s. Where I live, it was used a lot in kitchens (!) and on beadboard/wainscotting. Unfortunately, it was super toxic to rub up against, sand, and even stand near because when it got wet, it released an arsenic-gas! Believe it or not, it used to be incorporated in many "daily-use" items; eventually people realized that lovers of green clothing died earlier than those who didn't wear it as much, and figured out that arsenic was the reason. Ick, right???

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  15. Rhonda @ home.made.August 12, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    What a great color... I have a back door leading to my patio and it would be so fun to have a bright color!

    Can I ask how you painted over your dark trim? Did you have to sand like crazy?

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  16. AnonymousAugust 12, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    I agree with all my predecessors comments, I absolutely love the green and the splash of color to the kitchen! It brings so much life and joy to the room, and the kitchen is a room that should make you smile :)

    Felt Ball Rugs are another great way to add color to any room, especially a kitchen!

    Also, @Magpie what an interesting history lessons about the paint name, thanks!


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  17. mamamodeAugust 12, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    That is precisely the color I want for my new front door. Problem is, I live pretty far from a F&B store. Can you or anyone recommend a similar shade from Benjamin Moore?

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  18. Kbelle05August 12, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    @mamamode I can't speak for all paint stores, but I know my local Ace has the ability to look up any company's paint colors and remake them. It might be worth a try. It is a gorgeous green!

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  19. RachaelnAugust 12, 2014 at 2:25 PM

    I love the color! It looks almost blue in certain light and green in other light. Great choice!

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  20. tdAugust 12, 2014 at 2:41 PM

    What a splash of happiness! It looks like you changed out the hardware as well.

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  21. Dwellings by DeVoreAugust 12, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    Such a pretty color! I love how it looks in your kitchen!

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  22. AnonymousAugust 14, 2014 at 1:35 AM

    I love the pop of happy this color adds. Erin @Design Crisis painted her dining room this color for a One Room Challenge and it turned fabulous! Just saying if you wanted to see it used over a larger area.

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  23. C.B.August 14, 2014 at 3:05 PM

    @Magpie wow thanks for the history lesson. I find this facinating as green is my favorite colour....which means I would have died early had I lived in those times :( Plus I was wondering why they would call a mint green Arsenic as the element itself is a dark grey stone. I'm gonna go read some stuff about Paris green now.

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  24. UnknownAugust 15, 2014 at 11:33 AM

    It looks fantastic! The color makes the room.

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)