I think most of your idea's are spot on. Update lighting to can's, stainless steel shelving on picture wall , your change out of pull's, update counter tops and appliances (as budget allows) too. But to bring the clean lines of the modern vibe you are going to need to take off the existing oak doors and drawer fronts. Replace with either a tight grain (modern) wood door, or painted doors and purchase end skins too. The doors should have (hidden) 110 degree European hinges that can be mounted on the face frame of the existing box. Basically, a reface will bring you the modern edge that you love. Refacing is not really difficult and can be a great DIY project. The face frames can be either sanded and painted or skinned to match the doors. Leave out the middle men and deal directly with a specialty door company, and you'll save a lot of cash. I cannot advise of building half wall vs. island without a measured drawing of the room. The island should have a minimum of 30" of clear space in all directions to allow for egress. The back of the island should not be entering the living room space unless the same flooring is in the living room and kitchen. I have worked as a kitchen designer and presently work in whole house renovations. Don't forget the modern kitchens have a variety of lighting, so use a least 3 different types, such as undercabinet lighting, recessed can lights and artful pendant lighting too.

Try painting the mantel a rusty red/brown. I have the same style mantel and a red brick fireplace wall. The mantel was a veneer oak and didn't go with anything. I tried painting it a gray to go with the grout but that looked sad. So tried the rust in semi-gloss and it looks as if it belongs. I love the brick in its natural color. After painting the mantel, if you still don't like it you can always do something else.

The best thing about green building is that it deals with multiple issues, in multiple places. Poor in Georgia? Wouldn't air conditioning for less make better sense? Poor in Wisconsin? Wouldn't heating for the price of running a small fan be a great idea? Wouldn't cheaper building materials from local people be a good idea? Wouldn't employing your neighbour? How about building a house that is healthy for the people living in it, and for the people who made the materials it's built with? That sounds reasonable. A house that lasts longer is a good idea. One that is really, really cheaper to run, not just advertised to be so. One that insulates its owners from fluctuation in energy markets sounds just fine. Oh, and if green building slows climate change, so much the better. Though for my money, if 97% of experts in automobile safety told me that my car was likely to crash, I would be a fool not to buy insurance, maybe a bigger fool for messing with those odds and getting in. Yet when 97% of climate scientists say that climate change is real, we are not interested in even buying the insurance, but prefer to drive that particular bus over a cliff. Insurance? Yes. Practical action to improve your life and economic health, in the face of predicted change, and ethical action to help others. This is what green building is built on.

I took about 10 months after we completed the kitchen renovation for me to choose a backsplash. I ended up going with one piece sheet of copper which I bought at a local sheet metal place, they cut holes for the outlets with the measurements I gave them. However I was thinking what about somethings stainless without any lines. I’m not crazy about the lines that the tile adds to the backdrop for me it’s distracting to the eyes. My first choice was to do exactly what you did but I held out. I’m glad I did. Whatever you decide I hope it makes you happy and you enjoy every day. Peace and love from Connecticut