If you post pictures of your current kitchen you will get some specific ideas of what kind of updates you could make:)

photos?

It is posted on the the other thread but will repost here. Mostly I am thinking of doing bamboo blinds over the windows for Spring and taking up rugs , maybe paint too but still tossing around ideas. Some of the spa blue grays I am seeing would call for a total redo in my home as it is open floor planned so don't want to go that far. ha!
Thanks for helping and ideas! Bonnie

Here is a link that might be useful: Bonnie's

You would get a lot of mileage updating simply by changing the window treatments. If you wanted to repaint, a softer yellow in a saturation similar to the back splash would be a little fresher. Although, generally I like your commitment to color.

I read your post the other day and have been having trouble logging on, and didn't get to respond then, but wanted to tell you that I think your kitchen and home is just beautiful..however, I know that sometimes we all need a change...I am right there now as well, just looking around to see how I could change things around for just a little different look. You could always replace the white blinds with bamboo's for a different look and keep the valances. Another thing you could do is keep the valance in the kitchen, and put panels on each side of your breakfast room window.. If you decided to paint, perhaps a softer tan/gold or yellow would look good, if it would work with the surrounding colors in your home...Love your home just the way it is, but if you do changes, we can't wait to see them.. Good luck!

Another vote for changing out the window treatments. Do you not like the wall color now? I can see where Pal is going with a softer yellow, but your current color stands up well against your red living room.

Bamboo shades would bring some texture into the room, along with sisal. What about a stenicled sisal rug to bring in more colors. Here's an example of an outdoor rug with a traditional pattern (Estate Sale, Ballard Designs):

Stenciled jute rugs hold up nicely in the kitchen, even with children and pets.

Have you considered changing the light fixture over the island, cabinet hardware and/or artwork? All easy to do and can be inexpensive (with sales, etc).

Thanks for the suggestions, Allison! Really I love my island light fixture so don't want to take it down. But hardware on cabinets could be changed and artwork. I have some expensive custom made FC small blue & check drapes with tiny yellow flower in the middle of the check that I had in my last house upstairs packed up in closet upstairs that were used in the DR there. I was thinking about reusing them again in the breakfast area and moving the DR drapes to the LR and the LR ones to the DR but haven't virtually tried out that idea yet. I am addicted to changing everything on the computer virtually first, ha! Love the rug you posted but I think I would prefer a solid sisal with border. Going for a calming look without too much pattern this time. Again thanks for replying and your suggestions, will keep them in mind! Bonnie

Hi eagertopaint and Palimpsest.....I must be asleep this morning still as I didn't see your posts. I'm sorry. Thanks for the helpful suggestions and compliments on my home. Very good suggestions!!! I love your way of thinking. My husband was laid off yesterday so everything we do now will have to be less costly than what I would like and may have to reuse stuff I already have and shift things around but maybe I can make some changes just to appease myself for change, ha! Thank you all for helping me. Bonnie

Might could reuse these in breakfast area too for change. what cha think? Or too dated? Bonnie

Hi Bonniee! Your house is so pretty.

Hope you don't mind I'm going to post a photo of your kitchen to make it easier for viewing.

I also would start with new fabric before you grab a paint brush. You could also just do bamboo shades in the kitchen.

I like those blue drapes above for the breakfast area and don't think they're dated.

So sorry to hear about your husband being laid off. I like the blue panels in the above picture, and I do not think that they are dated either... Anything that you do with the kitchen and breakfast area will look good.

Thank you eagertopaint and sheesharee! Yeah, the blinds are cheap enough on Overstock.com, huh? I am thinking of mounting them outside under the crown molding like the WT to get those windows as high as possible since they aren't long. Adds at least another foot of window on there. If I flipped the DR rug and drapes into the LR,(sofa & chair are neutral) and the LR drapes and rug into the DR.......then the rug in the LR has some blue in it and it would be right next to the kitchen. And the gold drapes would look good in the DR with the blue in the breakfast area. The kitchen is painted Eddie Bauer Amber yellow. I brought the drapes down this afternoon to look at them against the wall color in the breakfast room. good match! The underside of them is a amber gold & cream check on the valance that is attached. Thanks for helping me and the sympathy about my husband's job! He had a fantastic job so it was quite a shock to him. He is still in shock I believe but we will muddle thru. I am really liking the idea of changing what I have around for a change of pace until things are better for us and it would be fun to have a fresh look! Bonnie

I was thinking the nantucket bamboo blinds which come in a variety of widths since my windows are all crazy widths on Overstock.com
Bonnie

Here is a pic I scraped up off from 2004 with the kitchen blank...no knobs on cabinets yet, dishwasher still had blue paper on it. We had not moved in yet but you can see why I think I should outside mount the bamboo shades to make the windows taller instead of inside mount which was my first thought. The molding is pretty but I like the taller look. Here is the pic. Bonnie

Working off 2004 empty house picture, I added blue & white checked FC drapes to the breakfast windows and bamboo shades in kitchen mounted high. Over in doorway of DR, I added a piece of the blue fc rug that is presently in LR that I could move to DR and the gold silk fabric above it is a piece of drapes in the LR which could be moved into DR. I think that would give a better flow to the house. Are the bamboo shades too casual with the FC fabric or you all think it works fine? Give me your thoughts.....Bonnie

The gold paint does not go with your changes. I'd go with a lighter color on the walls and make it less yellow and a little more taupe/beige to coordinate better with the backsplash. It can still be a yellow, just toned down a bunch.

I like the romans mounted up higher like in your mock up and I don't think they're too casual with the FC fabric. I think they add nice texture. I think I'd pick romans a little darker or something with some color variation. The ones you mocked up might have more variation but I think they kind of blend too much with the wall color.

The blue rug and gold drapes you're considering for the DR...is your DR paint the same color as your kitchen? I think the current paint in your kitchen looks good with the blue curtains but it looks really spot on (on my monitor) to the gold drapes you're talking about adding to the DR. Is there a little contrast IRL? Are the curtains solid gold? I'm going to have to check out your photos again.

Hi dianalo........this is not the actual color. This was before blinds.......brand spanking new house. Color has toned down alot. The color is off in this picture because of harsh lighting. It matches the yellow in the drape perfectly. The shades might be darker.......these I just copied off another picture.....they sell every shade in the rainbow. I will play around with your suggestion of painting though. Bonnie

Hi Sheesharee.......thanks to you and Dianalo both! I was thinking the same thing about the bamboo shades, ha! I got them off of some picture on Decor Pad, ha! I think more the floor color would be better in my kitchen. The drapes in the LR are solid gold with a necklace valance trimmed in blue fringe custom made. That is a piece of them hanging above the rug in the doorway over by the oven..since this is a picture of before we moved in, the DR has been repainted SW restrained gold which is 2 or 3 shades deeper than the ivory it was painted then. The rug is in the LR now.....solid gold drapes would be hanging at window in the DR and FC rug with the blue & gold patterned scrooled design would be on the floor in DR so it would flow into the kitchen better. Right now red & gold silk check are in the DR and would be alot of check going on, huh? Since the colors all flow together in front of the house, it is easy to swap around. Tried things out tonight in the LR and DR .......it worked. Just have to find a double rod in the attic and the rings are above the fridge in kitchen for the FC drapes for breakfast area. If I have to repaint , no big deal either as it has been 7 years and not much wall to paint. alittle above cabinets and one full wall, that's it. But things have mellowed over the 7 yrs and shades and blinds are up and landscaping is sheltering house some now. Not so bright as this picture. Ya'll are so much help.....thank you all!
bonnie

tried nantucket shades on overstock. still might could even go darker. I will add the link instead of picture. Bonnie

Here is a link that might be useful:

Hi Bonnie, long time no 'see'! I remember when you built your forever home and it sure doesn't seem that long ago or that you're wanting to do a re-do. I think it was when we were on GI and Lisa's(sov happy)site, wasn't it?? Anyway, your house it as gorgeous as it was then, but I can understand the 'need' of wanting to change things a bit. I remember the drapes too, still so pretty, and IMO, would look great with gold walls~~very FC. I would use what you have, but maybe add a few new accessories. I used old copper in my kitchen and although it doesn't add a color, like the way it 'feels'. Are you still at Kirkland's? There was one in Austin, but it closed.

Whatever you do, I know it will be perfect cause that's just the way you do things, Bonnie~~always have, always will. Did you know I moved to Austin and built what could be my dreamhome? ;o)

patty_cakes(aka/Trish)

ps, have you 'talked' to RJ recently?? Send me an email. ;o)

Hi Bonnie (and Trish),
Love the upcoming changes...when you have good taste & traditional decor, it's easy to switch things out. I love what you are proposing~~~ thinking of your hubby, too.

What a beautiful kitchen and you're so lucky to have an extra window in there!

I only have two things to suggest. One is to bring in some bold colored accessories for the countertops to add color.

The other is to put matching runners on each side of the island. I've seen those in kitchens and it makes me want to build an island just so I could do it. lol

Thank you Trish, LoriB and Oakleyok for your sweet suggestions and compliments on our home! My husband is babysitting his new grand-daughter right now so isn't home till later today but I am going to discuss at least maybe taking the old WT's in the kitchen down. Trish, I work p/t at Stein Mart but we do have a Kirklands in the mall - yay! How have you been? RJ hasn't been on the computer for awhile but hope she is back soon.....miss her & you!
I was thinking last night those heavy silk gold lined drapes with the felt interlining might be alittle heavy on those short rods in the DR so may have to nix that idea unless DH was in the frame of mind to move rods, ha! Since the FC ones would be way...across the kitchen from the DR front windows.....still can glimpse from the kitchen to the front window , you could stand in the kitchen and see gold & red check silk drapes hanging in the DR and blue & white small little checked cotton drapes in the breakfast area but since they are too different scales of sizes , it still might work. I still have blue accessories in the LR with red walls and all those toile pillows in blue & white in the closet. blue & white plates under the counter, etc. , etc. I even have a blue & white canister set for kitchen from the other house, ha! I would love to try some things out today if he gets home early enough and is in the right frame of mind. I know the job thing has him down.
Oakleyok..I love your suggestion of the runners. Think that would be awesome also. I get a discount at Stein Mart so they should be thinning out their home inventory soon and could pick up some kitchen things easily. The runners I could probably get from overstock also. I was thinking of sisal . Thank you again for the sweet compliment on our home and your great suggestions!
LoriB.....Thanks for thinking of my hubby and your kind words!!!

Bonniee- you know I think your kitchen is gorgeous as is ( I told you so- love the window treatments as is) BUT you are entitled to want an update/change. I do like the bamboo shades posted higher- and I would like to see STILL darker color than the last one.
(Seeing your kitchen unadorned is actually helping me out as that is sort of what mine looks like now- it's not as bare but the accessorizing for mine could certainly use some help.)

Thank you Shelaaus 122! I like your way of thinking,I am entitled to change which is my middle name. Glad this thread is helping you too. :) I am sure your kitchen is beautiful!

Bonnie

Not sure if this was mentioned but have you considered switching out the wall color, light fixtures and cabinet hardware?
What a lovely home you have!

Hi Catkin.......Yes some one has suggested that too and I am thinking of painting . The kitchen and house is only 7 yrs. old in May so don't think the light fixtures are that dated and I like them. They were some expensive brand I got at Southern Lights & Fan in Hattiesburg. They go with my wood bar stools well and the chairs in the breakfast room nicely. I know lanterns are big right now but I will wait till they are older, ha! Knobs were the last thing we did and our builder said most people just went with knobs nowadays (we are in Mississippi so that may explain it, ha!) I would love to do better pulls and knobs one day but my husband was laid off from an extremely profitable position on Wednesday last week so don't see that happening right at the moment. We are in survival mode right now. Paint and change of bamboo blinds and drapes are kinda the only things I can do at the moment for change but wish me luck!! Thank you for the suggestions & sweet compliments on my home. I will tuck your thoughts in my memory. :) Bonnie

Bonnie:
I like the bamboo shades outside mounted above the window. You have a lovely kitchen even if you change nothing. I'm so sorry about your husband's position. Hopefully, he'll find something soon.
Dee

Thank you so very much , Dee for your thoughtfulness and the compliments on the kitchen. We are going to play around switching things one day and just see if anything is working to our liking. Thank you again! Bonnie

Bonnie~~
I really don't have any suggestions but I LOVE your kitchen the way it is....didn't recognize it until you showed the pics with the window valances....I love them...don't throw them away....you can send them my way~~LOL I had even copied it off to put in my "inspiration" folder when/if we do another kitchen. It is so bright and cheery, but I know we women like changes from time to time....so I hope you are finding what you are looking for. These gals are great to help! BTW, sorry about your hubby's employment...hope he will find work soon.

Thank you SO MUCH Phoggie for all that praise on my kitchen. I am flattered you saved it as an inspiration pic. (blushing) Yeah, I guess I am just afraid everything will turn to mush overnight and we will be living in a dated kitchen, ha! Everyone usually remodels they say every 7 to 10 years so thought maybe streamlining it down would make it look sleeker and more in sync with the times. I won't throw the wt's away if I take them down. I may just do some bamboo shades behind them , who knows, :) I wasn't expecting my hubby to lay this news on me while I was virtually decorating in my head, ha! Need complete concentration here in my blonde head. You are so sweet to wish hubby good luck finding work quickly....keep your fingers crossed for us and thank you again sweetly! Bonnie

You're welcome, here's hoping things look up for you and DH.

Hi Bonnie, I was going to ask how the 'prognosis' of your kitchen was coming, and read about DH. I'm so very ((((sorry)))) to read that. I hope he can find something ASAP. Best of luck to you and God bless. ;o)