Oh, I really like that! I think the drawer pulls give it a country-cottagey look. And I love that red!

I like the table and the idea of red and white stripe (or check or white with blue) curtains. I do think you might want to look at more Cottagey/rustic bar stools, though. I like the idea of red accents in the room, but you might consider using using some white with blue or red on it to brighten the look . . . something that red by itself might not do with those maple cabs and the light you're getting in there. Old fashioned-looking white knobs/pulls on the cabs would be fairly inexpensive and add to the Cottage-Beachy look.
Below are a couple of examples of what I was thinking of.
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
And here's a darling set of vintage-look canisters I found at Jack & Friends on the net by googling "vintage canisters". The set is only $15, too. Anyhoo, I think (IMHO) that by using white with red and blue instead of just red, you'll be able to lighten the look of the room and give it that Cottagey Beach look you're going for.
{{!gwi}}
Lynn

is because (1) I grew up with a summerhouse on the lake done in this Cottage Beach look and (2) I just flew back last night from two weeks at a cottage on Lake Huron in Michigan that is done in this same style and it was wonderful. It's kitchen had the maple cabs similar to yours which made it kind of dark in there, but the white with red and blue accessories brightened it right up.
Lynn

I think adding an island is a great way to bring in the cottage feel to the kitchen. I do agree with Lynninnewmexico though---I'd look for stools that are more cottagey. Maybe even just simple farmhouse style stools with a distressed painted finish. You could even mix blue and red stools if you like.

Personally, I'd be more likely to go with a maple butcher block top than stainless steel-- either would work to pull the room together but the butcher block is more warm and cottagey to me. I'd keep the stainless steel as a background element. Boos has an island/table with a number of color selections for the base... and at the site below it is even a bit cheaper than the stainless steel table.

Here is a link that might be useful: Boos island/table

I have a very similar situation in our beach cottage that we bought last year (except that your kitchen is much nicer than ours!). My kitchen has '80s oak cabinets, icky beige laminate counters, and black appliances. Could not afford to replace anything, so we painted the walls BM Prescott Green and I have a lot of red & white (and black) accessories. Our island, which came with the house, is pine and sort of farmhouse-ish, and we have a kitchen table that is also a pine farmhouse style w/ black chairs. I'd say ours is a cross between beach cottage and farmhouse style. I'd post pics but Photobucket is telling me my password isn't valid for some reason...

Cute....you might want to post under Kitchens...they are really helpful there and might get more responses....Good Luck.

Your house sounds like my idea of heaven! These (halfway down the page, 4 piece Domestic Blue Metal Kitchen Canister set) are a set of cottagey, beachy, blue & ivory canisters that I have in my kitchen. I believe the wall color is too dark a yellow (olive or goldenrod, can't tell) to work with either red or blue. Ticking stripe curtains, ivory with either red or blue (or both!) stripes, would be nice, as would new hardware and a white ceramic crock for utensils. I would stay away from too many stainless and black surfaces. If you have a little more energy/money, visit the kitchens forum and ask about adding a tile backsplash, where many friendly people will be glad to help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage Blue Canisters