I think the ceiling offers a great opportunity to spark the room up a bit. Add a couple of surface mounted general lights, complement those with a couple or three pendant-type lights by the island, and maybe add a couple of wall sconces over by the windows. This should give you some ambient lighting and allow you to enhance different Kitchen activities: soft for eating, bright for tasking, and maybe candle light for two. . .

Ha! I have been thinking about putting pendant lights over the island, I haven't picked any out yet though. Also, the plan is to have a carpenter build more cabinets & counter space for this empty area that was a doorway originally. ( see pic below) Also the wood stain molding over the entryway to the dining room will also be painted white along with all baseboards.

Hi teralambert!
Firstly, you've done an amazing job! It really looks great with all the work you've done! Extending the cabinetry into that nook is going to be wonderful, I'm sure you'll really appreciate the extra work space once you have it! Have you considered putting in a tile backsplash? It would mean easier cleanup for any messes that might happen, and with the right finish, could really play up your under cabinet lighting.

I am planning on doing a backsplash eventually. I can't do tile though because I have to do things that I can do myself. I am considering this type back splash because it should look good and should be easy to install. Also it's low budget which is important to me right now. It's made of PVC and uses adhesive to stick to the wall. But it's supposed to withstand heat.

It looks wonderful so far! Way to go, teralambert!

With your tile floor and white countertops, I would have left the cabinets as-is and just freshened the walls with a coat of paint.

The cabinets in their original stain look better in the pics than they did in real life. They were very faded, and the color of the stain was not red looking like in the pics. They were very dull.

Oh and I did paint the walls first but the kitchen still didn't look right with those cabinets. We also plan on removing the tile floor eventually and replacing it with hardwood floors. I don't like the tile, it never feels clean enough and it's bad on my back.

Hardwood floors with white cabinets always looks classy.

I think the hardwood will look great, but I haven't decided what stain to go with yet. I saw some that is a medium stain with dark spots in it, I'm not sure what it was called. Its my favorite so far.

Great job Tera! Looks clean and fresh now :)

You'll find a lot of great wood elements at 27estore.com such as wall panels, interior doors and cabinets.

You lightened up the feel of that space. And those white countertops really jumped out before. The white cabinets really unify the kitchen, but it feels a little monotone now. The wave tiles you picked out are fabulous and will help. Replacing the countertops with one with a little pattern would help. If you are watching your budget, you could replace just the island countertop with something that would compliment the new backsplash.
Would you put the link to the tiles? When I click on the picture the link won't stay.

check www.27estore.com if your'e looking for modern kitchen cabinets that will fit perfectly with any contemporary interior design direction.

Here's the link to the backsplash
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Fasade-18-in-x-24-in-Traditional-10-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Decorative-Wall-Tile/100625482/
I haven't decided which one yet. I also plan on getting granite countertops eventually, my budget just can't do it right now. So I am just doing what I can when I am able.

I love what you've down with this kitchen - kudos to you and to your continued remodel!