The floating shelves don't look right on the old brick wall. The brick is a design element in itself and laying on another design element like the modern floating shelves creates two design styles that are fighting with each other. The patterned rug isn't working, either.

It's OK to be electic, but the styles and pieces have to work together. You have traditional cabinets, a rustic wall, modern shelves, very modern range hood, and traditional rug. There is nothing in common among the elements of different styles. That's why your kitchen looks unfinished.

Brick when it's obviously fake s in not a reall structural brick wall might as well be wallpaper. It's still fake brick. Even if it's ''real'' sliced brick. But it's harder to keep clean, and harder to remove. Even so, it's got to go. Remove the fake brick first.

Most everyhing else can pulled together in it's absence, and with replacing the non stainless appliances with stainless. And get rid of the Corian counters. Plastic and fake brick walls and open shelving and white appliances is a mishmash of unlike styles.

It's real clay fired brick not wallpaper. Getting rid if rug is a given.

Okay to a stainless fridge too.

I like the floating shelves, however would like to see them a bit more rustic looking...also I would get rid of the cabinets...floating shelves gives you a much cleaner open space

You are off to a good start. Love the brick...I would definitely get SS appliances and change floating shelves to stainless as well.
Perhaps a built in spot under one cabinet for microwave or find that antique piece to put micro in ( not sure where you'd put it...tough for me to visualize:)

I might consider a vintage light as well...

Oh one other thing if I may....is there any where else to store all those small appliances currently on countertop? Leave coffee maker out...rest needs to go in pantry or in cabinet ....

My thoughts are a more contemporary high gloss grey, shelves can then stay and cabinets will then work with all elements happening in your kitchen. I love that brick by the way!!

If you are having trouble keeping brick backsplash clean over stove you can always add a clear glass sheet.

I made new storage places for some items that were on my countertops and I think it looks better. Will be getting a new stainless fridge and d/w soon, very soon but still haven't gotten any suggestions on whether to paint the remaining contractor grade cabinets. If so what color? I'm thinking about removing the cabinet doors of the upper cabinet to the left of the fridge and painting it as an open concept cabinet in black. Then possibly remove the cabinet above the fridge and also remove the pantry cabinet to the right of the fridge. In place of the pantry cabinet I may like a freestanding antique piece. I still need a rug for the kitchen and desperately need help finding one, please! Next thing on punch list is new chandeliers for above dining table and in entry way that comes up a stairwell. My question is do these two(2 ) hanging lights need to match. I would appreciate suggestions and shopping help. Thanks so much.

The brick is not full brick the end gives it away. Cap the ends with trim if your gonna keep it. The brick face looks good to me

I like the combination of the rustic brick and the modern shelving. It has a knifed of urban loft vibe. One thing that stands out as unfinished however is where you ended the brick on both sides. Why does it stop before the refrigerator? It could extend to across that wall. And on the other side it should wrap all the way around the column, not end so the thickness is showing. I think thats why it looks fake to some posters. I also would add very modern stainless cabinet pulls to change the traditional feeling of the cabinets to more modern. I would recommend a counter depth refrigerator when you purchase your new stainless one.

I would paint the cabinets but I would paint them gray. I think it would work better with the brick. I would also bring the brick work on top of the cabinets all the way. to the end of the cabinets.

I would definitely go with your idea of removing the remaining upper cabinets in favor of a freestanding pantry. This approach is far more modern, and generally results in an increase in storage space.

The standard upper cabinets that you have are what I call very box-on-wall. There really is no need for storage to be configured in this way; it is just something that arose out of 50's construction techniques. As built-in plywood cabinet units were replaced by manufactured cabinet boxes, we as a culture bought into that model.

s*

I'd remove the two upper cabinets to the left of the fridge and fill that wall in with the brick. Not sure about the rest.

The two light fixtures should be similar, same style but not necessarily matchy matchy. Lower the one over the table to 36" above table.

In my response above, the high gloss grey I stated was meant for the cabinets. :)

We took down all upper cabinets and added 2 more shelves. We got our fridge (counter depth Electrolux) delivered yesterday. Friday the new dishwasher is coming. It is a Viking to match the stove. We added an inexpensive utility cart beside the fridge. I think I'll have to bite the bullet and drop more money on another trash can. Rectangular and stainless instead of chrome. We painted our lower cabinets in ASCP in linen. I need ideas for the wall above the fridge, maybe oversized art of some sort. Someone mentioned to move the wine rack shelf and and glass shelf that is above the microwave to the right side of the fridge and to get 2 additional shelves for above microwave. Do you think I would be over shelving my kitchen if I do this. Plus my husband says we need some sort of trim work where the brick ends on that bumped out wall beside the fridge. Plus I need ideas for a rug too. Thoughts? I so enjoy all your input. This gas been fun for us!!

Like what you've done - really looks good! I would trim out the edge of the brickwork above the refrigerator and then I would paint the trim work and the wall behind the refrigerator all the way to the edge of that wall in the same color/treatment as the cabinets so that the kitchen is cohesive. Don't think you need any more art or shelving. You have a great focus with the existing brickwork and shelving. For a rug, I'd keep it simple, no pattern, in the gray family. You want your great brick and shelving to shine!
Just wanted to add - I do think that the wine rack and art above the refrigerator might also be something that would work. I would start with the paint and if it looks too bare - go from there and see how it looks - but looking good with what you've done!

I like your idea of painting the cabinets robins egg blue.