What Color Oak for a Terra-Cotta Kitchen?

Choosing Kitchen Colors

• Selecting colors for the kitchen is a very individual decision that requires a great deal of thought and research. Colors go in and out of popularity, and some may not be easy to live with on a daily basis. Because the family spends so much time in kitchen areas, decorators strive for a cozy, welcoming feel that invites people to sit and talk, share stories of daily events and gather together to prepare meals. Warm tones, such as yellows and oranges, are commonly found, as well as blended tones and neutrals. Terra-cotta offers warm undertones with strong, but not overwhelming color and provides a homey look reminiscent of old adobe dwellings.

About Oak Tones

• Oak is a popular building material for kitchen cabinets and flooring because of the wood’s natural durability and attractive color and texture. Oak can have wide differences in grain and knot patterns, which can give the room a whole different look. Oak with numerous knots provides a more country or casual feel to a kitchen; finer-grain patterns give the kitchen a more formal look. Colors can also vary widely. Cabinet manufacturers give their own names to colors, so use caution when comparing colors and styles.

Terra-Cotta Colors

• Terra-cotta makes an interesting statement in rooms. It is a rich, deep color that has shades of orange, brown and red and creates a warm environment in whatever room it is used. Terra-cotta has associations with Southwestern décor, but it can be used in many modern designs as well. Paint manufacturers offer many different shades of terra-cotta, so home decorators can choose from a wide range of subtle variations to work well with the color tones in their oak cabinets and flooring.

Blending Terra-Cotta With Oak Tones

• Because of the reddish-orange quality of many terra-cotta paint colors, decorators should be cautious when choosing oak tones with a very yellow hue. These two tones can clash, giving the room an overly colorful look that is harsh on the eyes with an unpleasant feel. Slightly reddish oaks work well with terra-cotta paint, repeating the underlying red-orange and melding well with the brownish tones. Medium-brown oak tones blend well with the brown in terra-cotta. Pale oaks add more lightness and openness to terra-cotta kitchens. Oaks can also come in very dark tones, which may darken the room too much for a rich terra-cotta paint color.