You have a great kitchen for updating. The brick tile needs to be the element that everything else works with. This would be a more casual or rustic look. That's a good starting point, you can look at old world european style (provence, italian country) as inspiration. Search the internet for ideas, use the kitchens you like as a guide to stay on track.

Since you only get north light, black appliances might be too dark. You should mock that up with black paper after your lighting is complete.

If you can find a way to build in the microwave, that will really update your kitchen. There are a number of options for relocating it. It looks like you have a second oven over the range. If you can replace that with the microwave, that would be easiest. Otherwise, when they plan the refacing there might be another option.

It's a tossup on sealing the flooring. We are finishing our kitchen before we restore the original floors. Installers tend to drag stuff around so you have to watch them. Either way, the fridge and other appliances will need to be moved around when the refinishing is done.

It can be difficult to do a budget update quickly. Shopping around for the best value takes time. Because we started with a functional kitchen like yours, we are doing one thing at a time, this minimizes disruption and allows us to work within a budget. So far we have saved several thousand dollars by shopping sears outlet, craigslist, and ebay to buy high end appliances inexpensively. How much time you should take depends on the outcome you are expecting.

Thanks so much for your input Steff! I don't have a double oven, what you see over the stove is the non-working microwave/bread box, LOL! Just can't wait to get rid of that monstrosity. Husband likes the Whirlpool Velos OTR microwave so we'll definitely be getting rid of the lg. MR on the counter.

I'll take a look at the kitchen styles you mentioned and show them to my hubby.

i'm getting a sense of deja-vu looking at your kitchen.i had those same white ceramic tile counters. the same honey colored cabs, brick floors. my brick floors did not look like yours though. i've never seen those before. i don't blame you for leaving them. i can tell you that taking ours up was one of the worst messes. taking down the layers of wall paper was the biggest pain though for me because i did it.

i love what you have done with the ceiling so far. And the window is going to be great. If i were you, i would get some scrap wood or something and try a few finishes for those cabs and bring them in to see which one might work best with the floors. if i were you, i would look at distressed/rub through black finishes. i think that would look good with the floors.
Heres a pic with the island done in black distressed finish that i found:
{{!gwi}}

the floors are not brick, but sort of the same color as yours. i think ss appliances would work best with this.

Thanks Teppy. My husband doesn't like the black cabinets but does like the black appliances better than the SS.

Since we're getting the cabs refaced, not replaced, I'll have to see what colors are available. I know they have doors to bring home and live with under different lighting conditions, good idea!

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Your DH sounds like mine. Mine does not like a mess.
I took the liberty of putting your picture up.
You have my old tile counter too . I just got rid of
it in March. My DH and I tore it out ourselves.

I think Cherry would look great with your brick floors.
Do the floors after all the demo work.

And refacing is fine but what about just stripping
and restaing the cabinets? What is the cabinet structure
like? Sometimes refacing is harder than it looks.
Restain is hardwork but the results are truly lovely.
And what about a little trim on the top of those
cabs? It will add some archtectural element to the
room. Hardware? There are some great s/s handles
or drawer pulls.

If you can afford it go with SS appliances. It will really
update the kitchen and you get your money back with good
quality appliances. We sold our old ones on craig list.

You can also add undercab lighting. The fact you can
do recessed lighting means you have some talent. The
undercab is far easier to install and will definitley
add some lighting in ways to make the room look brighter,
larger and newer.

I added some inspriation pics below yours.
Best of luck.
~boxerpups

This counter is granite and a little bit expensive
but Do you see the warm tone looks nice with cherry?
You mentioned warm counters.

Okay this has more black in it, but I hope it
gives your some inspiration. Blk, SS and Cherry.
All lovely.

another to help with ideas

This trim is not the exact color but adding this to
your cabs in the color you like will make it look
almost custom.

ways to add lights

Boxerpups, thank you so much for those inspiration pix! Would you happen to know the name of that granite in the first picture you posted? It's gorgeous! I made a list of granites I like online or in my neighbors kitchens: venetian gold or NVG, santa cecilia, giallo st rita but I like the above granite better.

I had to laugh at your comment about our DIY abilities re the can lights, I guess I didn't explain that the lights were put in by a lighting company. So, my DIY abilities are still nonexistant other than stripping wallpaper or painting.

My husband said I can go with the SS appliances if I want, he's just concerned about them getting scratched and dented since we have 3 kids, all teens and careless, LOL! I saw my DS close the dishwasher with his foot yesterday! My DH really wants the Whirlpool Velos OTR MW even though I told him the reviews aren't great, convection takes a long time to preheat and multiple repair problems.

Any thoughts as to whether granite would work as a backsplash or should we go with tumbled travertine or something else? I fell in love with some glass mosaic tile and also loved the fire and ice that has been posted several times but DH thinks it will look too busy with out basketweave brick floor & the granite.

Would a dark sink (cast iron or silgranite) look okay?

DH and I both like the shaker style cabinet door/drawers and the brushed nickel, simple and streamlined pulls.

I'm so excited about finally redoing the kitchen (& family rm eventually) but wer're going to hold off on everything for the next few weeks because my niece is expecting her 1st baby and wants me in the delivery room, also to stay with her for a week (she lives about 50 miles away) so I'm afraid to schedule anything for awhile. That's probably good so I have time to think, research, etc.

I sure appreciate everyone's help and love looking at everyone's kitchens!

bump for boxerpups :)

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