Here are some possible inspiration artworks for your kitchen with your colors -- and a few more possible ones!

Is there enough room for an island? Maybe a small one? Painted in a contrasting color like purple or orange (see the artworks for ideas ....)

Well -- if you paint the cabinets in true fresh white -- then white appliances would create a cleaner visual line. Then you could add stainless or pewter knobs or hardware.

When you paint the cabinets -- you could do the insides in the same fresh white.

Add artworks and bright pottery bowls and large platters or plates.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: artworks by Louisa Bellis

To me, funky means color. I've had white painted cabinets in two homes and loved that it let me use lots of color on the small spaces of wall that were left.

Even if you have white cabs and sand color on the walls, you can individualize and funkify by adding colorful accents and art. The items you have on top of the cabinets are all brownish, so they aren't really helping.

I'd start looking for decorative objects or usable kitchen accessories in your accent colors, and for original art to add. I hate how hard it is to keep my black appliances clean, too--I feel your pain!

i am in the process of doing the very same... i also hate my black/stainless appliances and cannot afford to replace them at this time. my solution to this was to paint the cabinets black. it really does help to tie in the appliances, they blend better this way.

I am painting 3 walls terra cotta, another mustard. my issue is really what to do with the original 1880s beadboard and all of the trim. I've stripped down all of the paint on the beadboard and will stain it to match my kind of pecan stained hardwood floors. ok... now the tricky part: what to do with all the moulding and wood trim... right now i'm leaning toward a very muted bluish gray. i'm just afraid of there being too much going on.

i'll try to take some picture to post as time goes on. i'm also interested to see what you come up with, dawn... good luck to you and post more as you make progress.
traci

Thanks, Jan! That art fits what I'm trying to do. I've used red accents in my living/dining room, which isn't painted the Crown Point Sand yet because it's ginormous (20 foot ceilings) and we don't have the money to hire someone to do it right now.

I'm not sure I have room for even a small island, but I'll measure it out.

I like the idea of white appliances. They are cheaper (at least here, so far) and easier to keep clean. What color would you consider true fresh white? I have BM fan decks. Would White Dove count, or is that too creamy?

I don't really have any wall space for art in there, unfortunately. I could do a fun backsplash, but what wouldn't clash with my granite? I'd love to get rid of it, but with everyone wanting granite, it seems kind of wasteful.

Thanks again--I love your style!

Thanks, leafy02 and Traci!

leafy02 - I'm looking for colorful decorative objects now (picked up some beautiful turquoise Bell canning jars at a yard sale--score!). I don't have anyplace to hang art in there, unless I hang it high, above the two freestanding black cabinets. But I think painting those a funky color and maybe more than one color (some contrasting stencil patterns on the doors?) would really punch it up in there. I know my decorative objects aren't doing anything for the space. They're antiques, but I wonder if I could paint them...would that be bad? LOL

Traci--I also can't afford to buy new appliances now. I would paint the cabinets black, but I think that would be too much black in my kitchen, which is already dark (the photo makes it look much lighter than it is b/c of the flash). Thus the reason for wanting to paint them another color. I'd love to see pics of your progress!

For the backsplash -- IF your paint the cabinets in white and add white appliances -- THEN a simple black subway tile might work best -- both with the pattern in the granite AND your choice of colors (and allow for easier color changes too .... )

For the choice of whites -- you may have to go to check out the white appliances -- and take a bunch of paint cards or chips with you. For example -- check out "Clean White" (#WV31001) from Waverly Home Classics at Lowes. Might work well here!

As for the possible kitchen island -- my tiny kitchen island is a mere 24 inches square! Found it years ago! Basically I opened the nearby doors (like oven or dishwasher or fridge etc.) and then measured the leftover open space! (not scientific measuring BUT it worked!) LOL! Check out Target's online store -- I seem to remember that there was a selection there.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I know you want to lighten up your cabs, but just for you to see a before and after pic of similar cabs have you seen the Lettered Cottage blog?
The before and afters on this blog are amazing.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Lettered Cottage kitchen

For more light in the kitchen -- could you add a funky colored ceramic lamp(s) on top of the pantry cupboards? Maybe one of those gourd-shaped ones that comes in great colors? Or a round one? Nice for all kinds of occasions -- and lighting options! :)

Would undercabinet lighting help?

Perhaps add one of the modern track (floating) systems across the ceiling? Maybe in silver? Check at Lowes or Home Depot for ideas .....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I was just looking at another post here (I hope Sam will forgive me linking the photo) and they have a picture of their light cabinets and black appliances. I was surprised how good it can look. Was also wondering if you could paint the lower cabinets black and the upper ones a lighter/funkier color; maybe pull something out of the granite. It looks pink on my monitor, which I'm not suggesting, but maybe it's more orangey or rusty or terra cotta? Or white with some other trim on the uppers? That would keep it lighter at eye level and keep the dark near the granite and appliances.

Here is a link that might be useful: Black appliances, light cabinets

Jan--I think white would probably be my best bet for the cabinets, though olychic's idea of painting the bottoms black and the tops white is intriguing...my neighbor did that, but she has white Corian counters. The lamp idea is a great one and certainly cost effective. We are pre-wired for undercabinet lighting (thanks, previous owners!), so I could install that. I'd love to have some pendant lighting installed over the breakfast bar, too. We have recessed cans now, which I like. They provide a lot of light. I'm also going to look into an island, if I have room. That would be really nice.

polly929--I have seen that blog. You're right, it does look amazing. I'm almost tempted to pull out my granite and replace it with a lighter laminate (I don't care for granite)so I could do something like that. I don't think the husband is going to go for that, though. LOL

olychic--I do like the idea of black lowers and funky uppers. The granite is coppery/rusty with black. I'd love to be able to replace the black appliances, but I just can't justify replacing perfectly good ones (except the fridge--it seems to be on its last legs). Maybe I should work with them instead of against them.

Thanks again to all! Great ideas here!