I think a nice upgrade to your kitchen would be to stain the cabinets! Just a suggestion! But I love it already so maybe not!

That was actually the original plan, but we were so indecisive about a stain color that we ended up telling the builder to clear coat it instead at the last minute. I'm not great with design and should have spent some more time on Houzz and/or Pinterest researching. What stain color would you recommend?

Thanks sooz001! When you say glass subway tile, do you have a certain color glass tile you think would look good?

I don't hate our hickory kitchen, but as I look around more I find myself drawn to more simplicity/less grain (a la our maple pantry door). But I hardly ever see blonde wood so I do feel a bit off-trend, even though I know it shouldn't matter. Thanks again!

We agree that it is YOUR home, and it only matters if you like it or not. (Who cares about the Joneses) The only issue you might have with this cabinetry is resale, as we here from many clients that they don't want TOO much variation.
We disagree with previous comments that dark cabinetry is every going to go "out." Dark wood is classic. Is it for every kitchen and every house? No. But if we were given a choice - it's what we would do here. A darker stain on the perimeter cabinets, with a light mosaic backsplash AND maybe leave the island as is! (or select an accent color or paint - not matching) You could bring out taupe and green tones from your granite, which is a color with really universal appeal.
Don't use just your molding as a way to express your taste and style. You may find it ends up looking more mismatched than you wanted and then you'll be back where you started. If you're not happy with your cabinets, paint and glaze and stain can change them and won't close the door to any future changes or updates either.

Congratulations on NOT having the ubiquitous white kitchen cabinets! I like the natural hickory, and it looks lovely with the flooring. Look to Scandinavian colour schemes for inspiration: white, ivory, cream, soft blue/grey, green/grey, & driftwood tones.

For a backsplash, a crackle glazed subway tiles would look nice, in any of the above colours, with a stripe of listello in glass for an accent. An entire backsplash of mosaics could be too busy with the cabinets. I think black tile would be too heavy.

If you feel you must paint the cabinets, try doing just the uppers first, as it might be sufficient.

I think the dark crown moulding would be too much contrast here. Does the kitchen ceiling run into adjacent rooms, or can it have its own separate moulding? If so, you could use the same profile as the rest of the main floor, but match either your existing wooden door trim or have the moulding be white.

Your cabinets are STUNNING. Please don't touch them. :)

I think your trim is fine, but if YOU aren't happy with it, then it's time to change it. Paint it out white! As far as the basement, even if you leave the maple upstairs, go with white down there. Two reasons: 1) separate floor, so you can do different, 2) it's a basement and needs all the brightness it can get.

I was originally going to tell you that I like the idea of something soft, like a frosted tumbled glass for your backsplash: But upon further inspection, I feel like more contrast might be better. Your counters are a little too close to your cabinet colors for my taste. So a black backsplash might be just the ticket! This black is nice:

But then...I found this. And I LOVE it for your kitchen!

Can't help with color, just please don't put up wood tone crown.

Here's my take. Stick with the blond maple doors and trim in the new space. They are beautiful and hardy and then you have flow throughout your home in high quality materials. I like the earthtones for you and really think you nailed it with the wall color and pendant choices. I see what you like.

In the kitchen, I would suggest a camoflauge brown green gray glass tile for the backsplash in a classic subway and then, consider painting the island a deeper shade of the same tone. Color suggestions below.

This will break up all the busyness of the wood patterned cabinet in a place where a dark thing will make both spaces seem larger. Also, the green is a neutral from nature, so it will go with all color schemes forever, extend the craftsman style of the doors, work with all the wood tones and resonate with the walls and wood beautifully - help bring it all together. Don't be afraid to take some red accents into the family room adjacent to the kitchen to repeat the hickory reds - also great with chocolate (see the leather).

Tile a lighter version of bm sag harbor gray http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/sagharborgray
island / doors / sides use bm providence olive http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/providenceolive These greens will work against the wonderful red tones in the hickory . . the kitchen is just one spot in your home and is indeed, unique and beautiful.

I would avoid more espresso. In fact, more maple there was the right choice since it mimics trim (see how the fabric you selected has a maple tone in the pattern?) You may want to paint it out the wall color so it hides in plain sight. If you do more trim, make it all maple and you won't be sorry.

Hi Meghan, it's okay really. However, I think there is a lot of 'wood on wood'. It is kinda busy. I love your pantry door finish and think that it would look good elsewhere i.e in your basement. It is contemporary, simple, easy to match with and seems to reflect your style. Go for it. All in all, go with your gut and then accessorize accordingly.

Meghan, I'll start with an apology because I don't have any input in response to your questions. I just wanted to say how much I love your cabinets... just beautiful. And I also wanted to ask if you could share the paint color. I'm looking for a similar color.

I am no expert by any means but would you consider painting that door? A bright pop of color would look amazing there such as a red, green, or aqua color. Accent that color with a dish bowl or candle on the counter. Also, consider only staining the island a darker shade. Do that before anything else.

If that doesn't help, I would consider a dark back splash, but then lighten up your walls, any color but brown. Your brown walls bring out all the brown wood and therefore that's why you feel overwhelmed by the wood. Your cabinets, counters and handle ware are absolutely gorgeous.

Go with a classic white subway tile and stick away from the dark trim. Continue with the same style doors and trim in the new space. It's a theme.

Just wanted to let you know-I adore your cabinets and the wood. Lovely!