Wait, so you're putting a new cabinet to the right of the stove? What will happen to the existing cabinet and drawer that are perpendicular to the stove now? Will they get totally blocked by the new one? Won't that waste a bunch of space, and crowd the sink? Maybe I am not understanding correctly.....

Regarding the tile.... I have to say I like it white. It's cheerful and farm-house-y. I really like it just the way it is!

Stacey...

Good question, I guess I didn't explain myself very well. The cabinet to the left of the sink is coming out, and we're going to install a blind cabinet. That cabinet will allow us wrap the counters around to the stove, giving us a much-needed work space next to the stove.

Does that make sense? It's hard to describe it without drawing a picture.

Great- yes that makes perfect sense. So there'll still be some space to the left of the sink before the perpendicular counter. Good! It seems like a perfect short(ish)-term solution for you! What will you do about the counter?

I still think the tiles look nice white :)

I like it white, but if you want color, don't do more brown.

The brown looks so good BECAUSE of the white. You'd need yet another color (AQUA!!!!) for the tile stuff.

I'd do the tile inside the long shelf over the floating stove brown though.

The cabinet to the left of the sink is coming out, and we're going to install a blind cabinet.

You may not realize it, but if those cabs were built in place, that means the entire range wall is coming out.

I agree, no more brown. Say no to the brown. Down, brown, down! It looks good because of the white. And aqua would be a great accent.

you could do a terra cotta porcelin for a backsplash-a little contrast with the white tile and it would work with the brown, as it's very natural looking.this would add chic texture and not be too overpowering.I can't picture travertine altho it is a nice stone.

Stacey- Counter is being replaced with laminate, most likely preformed off the shelf. This one is in really tough shape. and I'd like to have the counters wrap all the way around

Marcolo... the uppers are all one big unit, but the cabs that we are removing were put in by the POs. Since they are in such good shape, I am going to probably re-use them in the laundry room.

I forgot to mention, we are getting a dishwasher too, which will go to the right of the sink, and that cabinet is coming out too. Yay for creative storage options, lol.

I like the white, but my only concern is that near the cabinets, it doesn't provide enough contrast. Because of that, I wasn't sure if I should be painting them a color (even if very light) to help the cabinets stand out a little. Like a very pale gray or a very pale greige or I had in fact considered a very pale light green (we are trying to bring green as our main accent color throughout the house.) Or a silver to make it actually look like tin again.

Any other thoughts?

I could see a light green. I like green. And you don't have to do every bit of it either. Start behind the stove, and see where it takes you.

Another thing I had considered was keeping them white but somehow glazing them with something pearlescent. I say that because right now they are like a white eggshell paint and not very dynamic. If I could get them to look more like ceramic tile, that might help to visually separate them from the cabinetry.

Anyone know of any products that I could use to achieve such a thing?

I am not sure about painting tile...it's not intended to be painted and I am not sure how the paint would hold up. (I.e. it might be okay in the beginning, but tend to chip badly because the paint won't really stick to it). But if someone who knows about painting tiles thinks it is okay, then their opinion should override since I don't know anything about painting tile.

If you want to change something, I would change something which can be painted, like the wood trim around your doors and windows and the white shelves. Another thing you can do is paint the interior of any open cabinets (like the one on the wall to the right of your stove). Marcolo suggested green and I think that might look very nice with the white tile and brown wall paint.

itsallabout - I love your screen name! Just so you know... the tile is already painted. In fact, in my renovations so far I have discovered some of the colors it has been painted in the past, including bright cherry red.

So I am not worried about painting it. :)

Ahhh...then go for it! I vote for a lovely shade of spring green...it would look great with the brown and white.

If I painted them the same brown as the walls, would it look stupid? The wall above the tile is a textured wallpaper. Would the brown all the way down be too dark? Should I just paint all the tile, including the backsplash, the same color?

No no no don't do it!!! It would definitely look too dark. I like it the way it is, but if you don't like the white/brown combo, try cream/brown or some other LIGHT color that looks good with brown (certain shades of light green or light yellow come to mind).

So glad the cabinet lady was able to help you!

I was at The Container Store this week and thought of you. Saw lots of little drawer units, some very slender.

Could you work up a pair of roll-out units with butcherblock on top that have fabric curtains on sides to cut the view of the contents? You wouldn't put stuff into the back corner cab that requires frequent visitation but when you need to go there, roll out the unit in front of it. Let the roll-out hold the more-used stuff. This continues the butcherblock theme and gives you plunk space both sides of the range.

The Ikea catalog will show you all kinds of carts that can inspire you to new thinking.

Hold your towel up to the brown. That should give you some ideas for accent colors. I'd go a little less bright with the bird color (and make sure it's aqua, not pure blue) or a little more bright with the flowers color.

OTOH, you could update the look with one of the Wall Flats from Inhabit Living. You might need fire retardant paint behind a stove, but maybe not--you have an electric range. Or you could do stainless steel right behind the range, and the Wall Flats elsewhere.

Here is a link that might be useful: Inhabit Living wall flats

Marcolo, what does the Braille wall actually read?

I totally LOVE the idea of the chocolate wallpaper and some aqua or robin's egg blue tile area. That color combo is one of my favorite. I think the new cabinet will really improve your space and will fit perfectly with your desire to anchor your "floating" stove.

Can't wait to see it!

Ne