The countertop on the right side isn't crooked, I just moved when I took the picture.

You know what? I like your kitchen I just think you need some colour..You have done a beautiful job. Play around with colour, like a chartreuse ( my new favourite colour) or reds , oranges..If it's in the budget change your curtains to something bolder in colour..If you like "pier 1" they are all about colour, I am sure you can find something from pier 1 that can make this kitchen pop..

Thanks. Do you mean a chartreuse green or yellow? I've seen both.

Hello-Looks like storage might be an issue---I see a lot of small appliances all over. So if you haven't any place to store them, then I suggest building a banquette with storage in the bench. I also notice the flooring is different, which makes it look choppy. Decide on one, and use it throughout these spaces... Next, windows-remove the valances... Lighting---puck lights installed under cabinets will lighten things up and perhaps one over the sink... Hard to see everything from only this picture-if you could take more, that would be great.

Here's another pic

Here's a different angle

I think you should try the green side of chartreuse.. Get a few fabric colour swatches and see what you like best..coordinate a few other pieces around the kitchen, rug in front of sink, towels etc..Experiment to see what you like best and then post a picture so we all can see..
It's nice that the whole family uses this kitchen...

Loose the valances. Replace the painting in your dining area with one that is larger in scale. Lower the pendant light over your dining table. I think the results will please you.

Thanks! What do you think about the curtains?

I think you have wood blinds? Looks great! I would remove the cloth valances, though.

Hi Leslie -- Nice new cabinets and counters. I also like the wood blinds, but I'd remove the valences and add color to the walls to take you in an "internationally sourced" direction and make your beautiful wood grains sing in a tone that vanilla walls can't. I do like your table -- from what I can see it has aged red color blocks I think? Find an inspiration piece incorporating the red and your wood tones, perhaps one more color. And don't be shy about adding an impactful statement piece of lighting over the dining table.

I just did a quick scribble in paint to see how your window alcove walls would look in the red from your table, along with a warmer color to bring out your wood...the backsplash scribble would be something you'd find to bring whatever colors you choose across the room. Cursor over photo below to see it wideshot.

The only thing missing is colour. You could get a really neat glass vase and fill it with lemons and limes on the peninsula. This would give you a feel for colour and see if you like the brighter greens as people have mentioned above!
Have fun with the colour accents. You could then bring in the colours in many various areas,
Cheers!
m.

Leslie, your kitchen looks lovely. The only thing I would do is remove the valances, and put more artwork on the wall where you have one painting, or a bigger colorful painting. I would bring in more color with plates, stemware, vases and flowers on the table. The chartreuse bench is truly stunning, but only against a white wall and I don't think your walls are white. However if you liked this look, and wanted to repaint, you could position a bench under your window.

I agree lose the balloon effect - Im thinking a burgundy, rust or crisp stripe in a pelmet but this could chop things up - we all agree some bright colour needs to be there - other than that great job!

Looks as if you have two different floors. To make that a statement take off the valance in the dining area and hang colorful panels. You can find some great ones at Pier 1. Take down other curtains and just use the wood blinds. As suggested, lower the chandelier; clear off the counters; bigger art work; and rethink the hardware as it is too colonial.

You're absolutely right. Tonight I'm going to put half the stuff away.

Would love to but I'm sure the family would protest! lol Great suggestions from all of you!

The valances are going to Goodwill!

how about these curtains from Pier 1?

In the table area instead of the valance and taking the valance off the sink area.

Have you tried the new yellow color they are using with cabinet color it really makes the cabinets pop and it will brighten the room with a fresh modern feel....you might consider a shorter valance to let more light in the room seems a little dark but that could be the pic

Something like this? Another person suggested chartreuse

I think color is a very individual choice. You see a lot of color in magazines and it looks good in print but it is no everyone's cup of tea. I think to get the peir1 look you would need to lose most of the countertop clutter which may not be practical for you. For me, I like neutral colors as a background. You may have a little too much in the rust range -a brighter table cloth, a bigger more colorful picture, The windows are to covered for my preference and are making the space feel smaller and darker. If you like cloth maybe 1/2 curtains on bottom or 1/2 the length of the current ones? I do think that the backsplash is an opportunity to add color but I would stay away from anything too "popping" unless you do not mind changing it in five years when the fashion changes or you get tired of that color.

You have the fall colors going on there and a neutral background does allow more seasonal variation.

I have attached some "colour" as examples of what to look for if you would like to go with the chartreuse colour I suggested..This will add the colour i think that you are looking for..

Love these colors! Thanks!!

Beautiful! But I would stick to white wall paint.

This is for Barnhartgallery, the picture you sketched.... I love that light fixture you drew. Do you know where I could get this? Thanks.

First, take down the valances in the kitchen and dinning room. They do nothing for either space. Paint the walls in a nice tan color. Remove the tablecloth and add a table runner to the table with some color like red, gold, tan or green in it and place a vase of flowers, a grouping of candles or a small plant on top. replace the picture above the table with a framed picture or group of two pictures of a big flower with red and green in it (or other colors you like). Remove some of the things form the counters they look too cluttered. Place the small oven on the other side of the sink if possible. Take down the wall clock cause your stainless stove has a clock. Place an area rug in brown, tan, beige under the table.Last , remove the big trash can to another location.

Greens, yellows and orange are all hot now - but in a year or two will be out, the new trend for 2013-14 is blues - I would go this direction, you will be ahead of the trend and all blues will be big!

Hi Leslie -- Here's that small chandelier:
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/clear-and-amber-beaded-brown-ribbon-shade-swag-pendant__10525.html
It's a plug and swag, but an electrician should be able to convert it to hard wire.

I made changes based on your great comments here. Some I have to wait for when finances are better. I really appreciate all the help. Feel free to continue with feedback!

I have some of my Christmas decorations up now like the nutcracker and ornaments hanging from the light fixture.

We want to replace the kitchen table and chairs and the hardware on the cabinets...can anyone suggest something that would fit? Thanks!

The pulls on the drawers are 5 inches center to center. I would like something straight.

Hello!
I would do a brushed nickel hardware combination of knobs and pulls. There are several pulls that could work. I would suggest something that does not represent a bulky feel, such as:

http://www.amerock.com/collections/essential/128mm-pull-essential-z-for-1-bp24013sn.html

http://www.amerock.com/collections/essential/160mm-pull-essential-z-for-1-bp24017sn.html

Once you find a pull that you like, then match up a knob. Too confusing to look for both at the same time! Most of the pulls come in a variety of widths.

Cheers!
m.

Hi Leslie
I would get rid of the drapery and valances. It is clouding up the room. I would add some greens in the form of "counter ware" and declutter the counters as much as possible from appliances.

I also need to cover the floor. It's competing with the counter. Any ideas for a rug?? Thanks!

Nice kitchen! Take away the two valances and the tablecloth. The windows look nice alone with the nice wood blinds. Your table would look nice with a table runner instead of the tablecloth to the table to update the space even more( A nice bold color of your choice). Would you also consider placing a nice rug under the table to warm up the space more also?

Looks great!! I think an off white would be nice, or even a dark red if you wanted to add a pop of colour. What type of countertops do you have? Thinking about changing mine and yours look great.

My kitchen layout and colors are very similar to yours, and there is a breakfast area adjacent to the kitchen, just lie yours. I just recently spray painted my dining chairs turquoise, which has really brightened up my kitchen!

Love the idea of color for the chairs! Maybe a green would be good. Thanks! I've attached another pic with some updates.... Your kitchen is beautiful!

Ames151: we bought the cambria quartz in Bradshaw pattern. I absolutely love it!

It has silver sparkles and copper flecks throughout that I really loved.

tikva02 love your living room! Where did you get the rug?