Beautiful kitchen. Changing the backsplash to a neutral off white would be a good start. Different lighting could change the character. These fixtures are quite lovely, but lighting choices are personal, so find something else you really love. Adding some color would be good, too.

I like the checkered backsplash. What if you painted the center island black to break things up (and bring out the cool backsplash) get less traditional looking lighting. Something more funky. Also change out the knobs to dress things up.

Backsplash hit me too. Light fixtures are very easy to change. Not sure how to define major work, but pulling the backsplash tile out is kind of a big deal since your kitchen will be out of commission until it's done.

Cabinets don't necessarily need to be filled to be painted, so don't rule it out. Pulls are very easy to swap out and can bring in a different metal, for instance to match whatever light fixtures you go with.

This kitchen is fantastic.

Changing the backsplash, lighting and hardware (as you mentioned) will go a long way and be a huge improvement. For the island, consider solid white cabinets (to contrast the oak) and a different top - butcher block or white carrara marble. The lighting spacing looks a little random. Centering one large interesting fixture or a couple medium-sized fixtures of the island will make the space look more organized and cohesive. If you do white carrara for the island counter-top, you could also make that the backsplash. I like that it blends modern and traditional well. Looks like there is a matching entertainment center adjacent to the kitchen - would you consider painting that a solid color? (white?) There's so much oak all over the place. good luck!

The easiest and least expensive thing to do is paint the walls a warmer color. I think that will dramatically change the feel of the room. I agree with the others that the backsplash seems out of place. Baby steps. It's a beautiful room. Small changes will make a big difference. Here's a color that may work.

Also, if you center a large fixture over the island, the existing lighting locations can become recessed downlights.

Can we see a close-up view of the backsplash, please? I'm not offended by the backsplash or anything in your kitchen except the light fixtures. There doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to change the granite on the island. Your kitchen cabinets are very expensive and tastefully done. Don't rush to do anything to them right away.

It is a beautiful kitchen as is. Sustainable Design has such a good point about the lighting being random. Change the current chandlers to pot lights and put one large chandelier over the center island. Something interesting and rustic, like a combination light and pot rack with copper pots. If the counter in the front of the picture is a peninsula, the maybe install three smaller pendants above it. I also like the idea of painting the island black...it can be distressed.

A close up of the range hood/vent area would be helpful, too. It looks plain. While you're changing the backsplash, something interesting with tile could be done there to make a colorful focal point.

Paint the ceiling a warm color to make the light fixtures feel like clouds & change the backsplash to something less geometric with a smaller field tile. Add some books or colorful items in the island shelves. The added color will help make it less monochromatic.

The best way to Improve a kitchen without major work is to take a cooking class.

paint the cabinets a dark brown black or etain them darker

I agree about painting the ceiling, the room will feel more cohesive and less cavernous. A deeper color will mute the cabinetry. The space over the hood could be done in a darker hue, perhaps with a medallion or some sort of detail that resonates with your family to draw the eye. It seems sorta incomplete as it is now. What is the trim material on the top and bottom of it? A close up pic of the detail above the shelving in the island would be nice to see, maybe you could echo that design in your backsplash and on trim of range vent. I don't care for the square backsplash, but I see that they were trying to pick up the squares in the flooring. Agree with others about adding color for more interest.

I think everything you already mentioned will do wonders, I think you could also add a stainless range hood and maybe order the fun coloured knobs for your range, like red...
https://www.google.ca/search?client=safari&hl=en&biw=320&bih=460&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=eDWLU92RM5KoyATXuICQCg&q=stainless+range+hood+in+traditional+oak+kitchen&oq=stainless+range+hood+in+traditional+oak+kitchen&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3...82620.84216.0.84537.4.4.0.0.0.0.149.459.1j3.4.0....0...1c.1.45.mobile-gws-serp..1.3.368.jjAAnXt7P38#facrc=_&imgrc=GOSVDxmx8hxnRM%3A;0xwj9YA88SyA-M;http%3A%2F%2Fst.houzz.com%2Ffimgs%2Fa241470e0ce150c9_1000-w422-h634-b0-p0--traditional-kitchen.jpg;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.houzz.com%2Fideabooks%2F358326%2Flist%2Fcustom-kitchen-range-hoods;422;634

Sorry terrible link can't delete from iPhone :(

Is this the photo you were linking to, Inicol8? That is a fabulous range hood and the picture also shows a black island with the rustic oak. Love it!

Lol, yes I think it was

Thank you all. So many great ideas. I'll add a couple of pictures. The backsplash has to go no matter what. I don't care for it. The lighting is going because in person they are very big. They are centered in a square pattern. I am going to change them to recess lighting. Something over the island would be great. There are 2 small recess lights over the front counter which is slightly lower than the rest of the counter spaces. I think I will leave that as is for now. The hood does have an ornate trim which to me doesn't go with the rustic look of the cabinets. Looks easy to remove from the rest of the hood. Would love to change it all stainless but I'm already planning on removing the wood panels from the refrigerator doors. Bad idea? I'll attach pictures of all. The kitchen is open to a large family room which has a matching built in. If I paint the island, I should make it to the built in right? Take a bit of the oak color out? It is a bit much when you walk into the room. Thanks again everyone!

Here's the unit in the adjacent room, a close up of the backsplash and the hood and the paneled refrigerators.

I would say yes to painting built in, removing oak on refrigerator, and painting island, along with other updates you said you were doing, menocalista, I would change FP screen also.

Since I didn't say so before I would love to work in this kitchen, it is gorgeous! I like the idea of the black island a lot and agree that the oak in the adjacent room is too much. When you go to look for new material for your backsplash, I would consider looking at a complementary finish (stone/tile) for the fireplace surround, then black cabinetry in that room would really work. I do love the black grate. Please post progress, really happy for you!

I like everything except backsplash....that's about all I would change. I do think painting the island is a nice idea if you feel the need for more change.

Oh, no don't remove the wood panels from the refrigerator, unless you're ordering completely new doors. The doors underneath the wood are not finished, and furthermore, the glue they use to attach the panels leave a mess. I know because my cabinet guy had to replace one of ours when it was done incorrectly. I'd paint the island and the bookcases.. You don't have to fill the oak, in fact having it still distressed helps match the rustic look. I'd definitely replace the back splash and range hood. You could also have some cabinet doors changed to glass to break up the oak. The things we're suggesting are all icing on the cake. It's a beautiful kitchen just as is. :)

I wouldn't change a thing. It is just lovely and love the lights.

Your backsplash is fine--wish they hadn't turned the corner but stopped on the back wall instead of going to the front of the cabinet. That looks awkward.

Another feature that seems "too much" is the fancy work on the hood. Not crazy about the pulls on the cabinets and drawers or the location they're in. Don't know how you can fix those.

Thanks again to all for the advice and for the compliments on the kitchen. I had not considered black and was only thinking of painting a lighter. I saw some pictures of rustic wood painted light and it wasn't for me. Black would work. If I remove the panels on the refrigerator, I would replace with stainless steel. It's not cheap to do since I have 2 panels so I am waiting until the other changes are made before I decide. I will update as I go along.

Just one thing I wanted to mention about the backsplash. It's done with squares that match the scale of the kitchen so that it's not too busy. A smaller mosaic would look odd with everything else being so oversized. Someone put a lot of thought into the design. Just hate to see it picked apart one feature at a time.

good point. i was thinking herringbone 2"by 4" carrera tiles or something like that. The GC comes wednesday so i'll see what he says. i'll mention the scale component. thanks!

. . . . maybe take a cue from the trim detail in the island bookshelf, a bit of movement would be nice, maybe you could echo it . . .

Trellis is the pattern I am thinking of, in a large format w/ some light reflection. I love this site for exploring, here is a pic of what I am trying to describe: http://www.walkerzanger.com/library/images/collections/beauty/m/Contessa-bath.tif.jpg

Maria, great idea. i do like that tile. good point about the trim on the island. i forgot its there.