Julie, I think the most important thing is that you are happy. If something changed will make you smile, then by all means go for it. Your house so far as I can see is beautiful. You're already half way there. Don't feel bad because you don't like what was there or the combination of things. I'm sure the last person is on to somewhere else making it theirs. Make this yours. Be happy and don't feel bad. I'm rooting for you! Good luck. :)

I'm glad you're willing to work around the cabinets. Maybe look at quartz for the new countertop?

Yes, Sherri, I love Quartz!!! My block is colors. What is a tranquil color in your minds eye?

The cabinets are made from Koa wood from Hawaii. I guess it's rare now.

I want to make the cabinets the centerpiece and work to find a calming balance.

This discussion is really helping me to discover what I want to focus on!!

Reuse the granite. Make an outdoor table or extent the grill area with it. Maybe make a coffee table out of it.

I'd go cream or white Quartz with little or no design for calming effect. Simple subway tile.

Julie,
Shrubbery near the window, planted under the window or flower box, which will help to attract your attention out, might help.

Changing out the backsplash to a more solid color tile would help. I could also see painting the cabinets a white or off white color.

cream is better than white for calm.

If you want to keep the cabinetry unpainted why not just do a warm white or cream quartz counter top with matching back splash -- all quartz. It looks like you need a warm white to tie into the floor tile colors and cabinets. If you need a little more interest in the back splash you could add a line of colored tile to blend into the cabinet color or the colors in the floor -- to tie things together.

That beautiful wood is lost with all the other stuff around it. If you want minimalist/contemporary, I'd go concrete, like groveraxle suggested, or white quartz, like coolkitty suggested, or stainless steel to bounce the light around, for the countertop. I'd also get rid of the skinny overhead cabinets between the windows (not the ones near the stove) - distracting and funny looking - and get a fridge that fits and doesn't stick into the space. And unify and simplify the pendant lights.

I hope some of these are inspiring:

Hope this kitchen subway tile backsplash serves as an inspiration for your own. You have a beautiful space, but I think a softer hue would work wonders. http://bit.ly/1rvFsJB

Is money an issue with you? I would change out the granite.

Julie, lots of ideas. How are you holding up? Take each one in slowly. :) Good luck again.

Thank you everyone!!!

I like the concrete and Quartz countertops. I also like the white or green glass subway tile as the backsplash.

The cabinets really are unique and rich in color. I like the idea of integrating nature into the design; just not so many different textures.

I also totally agree that the shelves on the walls between the windows need to go.

That granite and backsplash have to go- way too busy! Whoever paired those 2 patterns together should be ashamed. I like the idea of quartz in a light color and maybe even new flooring as well. You have a great view!

What type of flooring would you recommend? Something easy to keep clean. There are hardwood floors throughout the rest of the house with some off-white carpet in the bedrooms.

Wow, there are so many busy parts. To minimize cost, I'll change the flooring and the backsplash. The floor is busy and the cabinets are patterned - those 2 clash.

Then you have the counter and then the backsplash. I'm not a fan of the counter, but that's not cheap to replace.

You wonder what these people were thinking - did they get all these material as seconds?

Is it just me or is the wood at the base of the window yet another color?

How much do you want to spend? The Pacific Koa is out of place in Colorado. IMO. Also, the backsplash is way too busy. Since you like contemporary, a white or off-white kitchen would probably suit your taste better and tone down the inside view. I would reface though, not paint the cabinets.

Please don't paint the cabinets. I'd kill to have those. So unique. I think you are getting the right advice about neutralizing the countertops. Who knows...the backsplash may work if you do that.

I agree that the Koa wood is out of place here in Colorado. I'm trying to find a way to work with the cabinets but, they are big and heavy feeling and also way too high for my short legs. I'm 5'3" and need a stepladder for the back of the second shelf.

You guessed it... they used seconds regarding the materials. They chose pretty pieces and did not scrimp on quality. It just feels loud to me. The views here are so calming. I want the inside of the house to feel clean, uncluttered and serene.

Maybe if I put some hardware on the cabinets and drawers...

Make the backsplash less crazy as it does interupt your wonderful view.

Yes, I agree!

I'm like you - I want clean, simple styles. If you like the cabinets - and these are rather expensive to replace - you could change out the counter, backsplash, and flooring.

People have Spanish and Tuscan influences in their homes, nothing stops you from having that. You can go to a toned down tile - extra large pieces, a muted glass backsplash and plain countertop.

The cabinets will be the main design point and the countertop material could make that kitchen absolutely gorgeous.

If possible, I would change both the counter and the backsplash to something solid or nearly solid. Probably cream to blend with the floor. Your cabinets are beautiful!!

I can't wait to see your finished project as you have a great base to work off of. I'm very design challenged; hence I have nothing to add but I have been checking this discussion for the great ideas provided. Good luck with your project and please post 'after' pics!!

I agree with you, makaloco. At first glance, I would have said get rid of everything! LOL
But when you look at it, you realize the cabinets are rather beautiful and all the 'noise' around them make it difficult to appreciate.

They should have taken the Coco Chanel approach to dressing up - before you leave your house, get rid of one accessory. In this case, 3.

Color me crazy, but I like this tile for the backsplash. It's very light and has a uniform shape so it won't compete with the cabinets, but all the colors and patterns in it could work with other colors in your kitchen - especially the cabinet.

http://tilebar.com/serene-white-bricks-pearls-glass-pattern-tile.html

Either this or a pearlized/creamy 1x2" glass tile

I like the backsplash too.

Can you sell cabinets?

I agree with others that all the elements just don't work together. I would remove all the cabinets on the windows wall except the one by the stove top. I think that would open up the kitchen and enhance your views. Since you just moved in, I'd gather ideas but live with it for awhile to really figure out what you want, can afford and what you can live with.

I think you need to decide if you are keeping the cabinets or not as other decisions will be affected by that. On one hand it sounds like you want to work with them but then you also say "they are big, heavy and too high." Good luck with it and enjoy the views!

I would neutralize as much as possible, paint the trim around windows white, change backsplash, I wouldnt do a color, like suggested above, I would go as clean as possible, go neutral on the walls and see where you are...there is a lot of orange in the wood color of your cabinets, there is a pretty SW Sea Salt that we have used before, take a look...

Koa is nearly extinct and the wood is highly controlled and almost impossible to get. You have a gold mine in your kitchen! I would showcase the wood by, as others have said, changing the backsplash for starters. Koa is no more out of place than most other woods. If you want to sell the cabinets I'd like first dibs!

I really like the idea of removing just the two cabinets that are in between the windows plus the weird little shelf thingy in between the windows as well.
My goal is to change out the floor, change out the countertops and change out the backsplash. Even though I really do enjoy the backsplash as well, I do agree that the minimal is the best way to bring the eyes attention to the windows.

I promise I will not paint the cabinets. I'm actually looking into what I can do to address the fact that some of the wood has been sun bleached due to those big windows. Anyone have any ideas? There doesn't seem to be any finish on them at this point. How do I treat the wood to heal it from its sun exposure?

Also, thanks for confirming that Koa is rare. I want to preserve it.

I am having so much fun with this thread! All of you comments and ideas are really good for me to consider.

@Julie, how's it going? Any decisions? Or are you more confused? Good luck with whatever you choose! :)

I also have a small kitchen with a window overlooking San Diego Bay. My decorators want to but a mosaic backsplash with New Haven by Cambria- I'm afraid it may to busy. Know the counter top is Toasted Almond but looks cheap. HELP? What do you all think

Zazfuzzroc, How do I email you?

Are you asking me or Zazfuzzroc?

A designer gave me some good advice recently. She said, "When you incorporate nature into your design and you keep it simple, it is less likely for you to become tired of it or that it will go out of style." I was influenced greatly by this observation.

What do you want/like? Look around you this week and see what colors feel good to you.

This last post of mine is meant for reneeinca.

Hi Julie, it is rgarrett780@aol.com

Haven't read all of the great ideas. Seems either the backsplash or the counter must go. Need a solid in one of those places. Also wonder about removing that small cabinet over the sink. I think that really breaks up the space and makes it look smaller. Really beautiful view!

Echoing many, a new backsplash would be great

Hello there Julie Johnson!
Your lovely kitchen certainly does have a lot of ... "visual movement".
Well said by you ;-)

The easiest, least-expensive thing to change - in order to achieve a more fluid, less cluttered visual - would be that backsplash.
Opt for one tile, in one size, in one color, installed in a simple horizontal pattern such as a running bond or a linear bond.
This will allow the other elements to shine (those cabinets are gorgeous!)
Right now, everything is competing for attention & it's just ... too ... much!

The best of luck to you!
~LMD

Hi Julie, any decisions?? Wondering how it's going? :)

The only problem is the backsplash. The cabinets are cool and floor ok. Backsplash doesn't work AT ALL. sorry

Julie, how are things going? Hope all is well! :)