http://houzz.com/photos/3541158

http://houzz.com/photos/732159

Would these stools work?
http://houzz.com/photos/2800762
Do you need blinds in this room? If so, can we see a closeup of what you have. They might work?

Do you have to have blinds? what about bamboo roll ups? or leaving them bare?

What about a chalkboard wall where the mirror is?

Check out what someone did with these ikea pendents...

Thank you all so much - the walls are in good condition so I can be persuaded to keep the white ;-) and I'll keep the handles the same & get copper lights & canisters/accessories instead. Love the idea of a chalk wall instead of replacing the mirror with pictures (I could put pics on the other blank wall opposite the sink?).
The cupboard on the right hand side which is bigger houses the boiler which is a shame, as I really love open shelving - could I do that just on the left of the cooker hood & bring the shelving up to the level of the higher cupboard to balance the space?
The blinds are a pink stripe from Laura Ashley so I don't think they go - bamboo could definitely work or maybe none at all to keep cleaner lines?

Wicked White I LOVE those stools!!! I'll see if I can find similar in the UK.

I ideally wanted to change the whole of that end of the kitchen by removing the breakfast bar & units to create a dining booth, but I have nowhere else for the washing machine to go so discounted the idea.

Thought I'd mention it in case anyone has an amazing solution?!

Here are the blinds FYI

Kitchen units - boiler is in the right hand taller cupboard

No blinds, copper lights, paint the mirror frame black.

Ya I say just take the blinds down and leave bare. Go for the chalkboard! Such an easy thing to do! and what about more open shelving between door and window… Really am hooked on keeping walls white. Also need a funky runner in your kitchen! what about a kilm rug?

M Audrey - the rug is a great idea!!! That one looks really funky too!

Do you mean more shelving to the left of the fridge or to the right of the back door?

Love the copper light concept, and I would keep the white walls. I would use maybe darker oil-rubbed bronze cabinet pulls and change out the window treatment (something with pops of color, but that won't darken the room). I'd also love to see more plants in the space - maybe an herb garden, hanging plant, or vertical garden wall somewhere. I really love the look already, though, and would love to cook in your kitchen!

I think it would be nice to balance the uppers on either side of the stove. Can you change them? So they are the same height and depth? If not, then yes..I think open shelves on the left, the same height as the right, would work just as well.
I love the rug choice! Nice shot of colour. I prefer no blinds, but if you must have them for privacy, try the bamboo ones.

Which style do you prefer?

Would you use white or wood floating shelves to the left of the cooker hood?

I could put a vintage wooden crate on top of the smaller cupboard to the right of the hood to balance it & paint the wooden box above the bigger one the same colour as the walls?

The retro vintage on the right. Go for it and try the crate. I wouldn't paint it tho! I like the idea of rubbed bronze pulls. I was thinking shelves to the right of door… where there is one existing already. maybe two more above and below? Love where this space is going!

and some antlers about the door! ;)

ever consider painting the inside of that door???

oooohh. I see what you mean about painting that box on the higher cab! that's a great idea!

All fantastic ideas! I agree with M Audrey on the copper light, the open shelving, contrast paint for door....I second just about everything, and love what you've already done! Can't wait to see it finished! :)

M Audrey, you are wonderful, thank you! Love the idea of painting the door too. I'm so excited to get started & will definitely post pics when done.

Just one more question - the open shelves to the left of the cooker hood - white or wood?

Preferences? Or none?!

Your welcome! This was easy because the style here is so something I would love to have to be able to work with. I love the bottom one - the third. With white or wood shelves would work. What about painting the door a dark navy to go with that rug?

Thank you so so much, I love navy generally, so that's a fab idea :-)

Just start making the little changes and go from there! Don't forget to post pics!

Great idea. Go for it!

Can we see a closer picture of the cooker and the cabinets? Maybe the backsplash too?

I love the warmer orange rug, and for open shelving I would go for wood against the white walls. This is a really fun project! Can't wait to see updated pix! :)

You could mix a Mid-Century modern style into your kitchen with ease. These shinny copper pendants could add a little sparkle and fit in seamlessly with your decor. I'd suggest you keep the white walls. They are a very current look right now. Are you able to paint out the wood frame around the cabinets, so the cabinets appear all white? That would help the room look more spacious and remove the chunking effect. I like the idea of adding pictures, a larger print next to the refrigerator would add a lot of interest.

On another note: The floors look a bit rustic, If you'd like to step up the design, check out the Magnolia Farmhouse. Their designs are clean fresh and are a natural fit to this existing kitchen. http://magnoliahomes.net/the-farmhouse/

When it comes to window coverings there are things to consider: light/heat control and privacy. What are your feelings?

For art: can you take some photos of your city? Or go online to Art.com

A collage of different sizes of photos can almost become a crazy quilt stand alone art piece:

Mac Interiors, I hadn't thought about painting out the wood surrounding the cupboards but that could really change how it looks, there must be paint designed for that so I'll have a look!

Would you suggest a triple light pendant for each of the 2 fittings rather than a single one?

Pcmom1 privacy & heat aren't an issue so I'm thinking I'll leave the windows clear of coverings.

Love the idea of city art, so may do that for next to the fridge. Black & white?

The other option for art I guess is urban typography? Or am I completely off?!

What do you think of these handles? Too much?

Spider lights, no blinds at all if you can do that, and black handles would give this space a nice edge. Do you love copper and is that why you mention it? What about simply using a great copper planter somewhere? I feel like the copper will bring down the cabinets and make them feel old rather than edgy.

I would paint the door, just the door not the trim, in black to match the windows.

And I wouldn't introduce sage green on the walls. If anything, a dark charcoal, but I kind of like the white.

And I have to compliment you - So many great items in your kitchen including the floor, windows, fridge... :D

I liked the singular copper pendant idea (but more than one), and I still say oil rubbed bronze handles (which appear black). All great ideas, though! :)

Traditional Kitchen by Saratoga Springs Design-Build Firms Witt Construction

Contemporary Kitchen by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Sealy Design Inc.

Traditional Kitchen by Kansas City Photographers Bob Greenspan Photography

Drat. It looks like I can't figure out how to embed the photos. So sorry! Technical difficulties!

Oil rubbed bronze pulls against white cabinets.

These lights have an industrial feel:

If you like the idea of city art, really make it your own by snapping away around your own town. Then take to a good camera shop where they can help you crop and enlarge some black and white prints.

For a quick upgrade we would recommend painting the walls, changing the cabinet hardware and perhaps the lighting. It's difficult for us to recommend a color as we don't know the color tones and style of the rest of your home.

Just joined the site. Really interested to see how your room turned out! Some great ideas here!

This is it so far! Lights are bronze, introduced copper cannisters & repainted the walls white. Want to paint the cupboards & trim white. Need art on the walls - toying with a rusty star. I like the hamptons look but need to bear in mind what I have as we cant afford to change flooring/tiles etc.

Copper lights, chalkboard, kilim! No copper handles but maybe something else? Looks good to me!

By the way, Pinterest has some great boards on the theme of copper! Thinking of using copper as accent in my lounge (which is how I found Houzz and your post in the first place!). When I figure out how to load a pic I hope you will help!

update - so far...