Nice work! You might be able to find some promo tile for the backsplash, and could put a straight piece of trim over that scallop detail.

Great ideas! I will definitely factor in the straight piece over the scalloping. I'm about to paint the backsplash now - we'll see how it goes, then go to a "plan b" if it doesn't work out ;)

You can also get tin-look backsplash tile that comes in vinyl adhesive, which could be a cute look here, able to go on over your current backsplash if paint doesn't work, and cheap! :)

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That shows creativity and talent.

great job, what about pulling out the cabinets over the refrig. somewhat in line w/the others could now or later add see through doors lighted inside! or if you enjoy wine a wine rack in front of the same doors! enjoy your new kitchen

@advira - thank you very much!

@125ruby - oh, yes - we are on the same wavelength: those bad boys will get moved up at some point (soon).

While I'm at it, I thought I'd share the results of the first coat!

The white-painted cabinets look great, and the updated white and silver-tone ceiling light adds a lot to the room.

It already looks better just because the colour scheme is unified. I like the idea of adhesive vinyl as a splashback

Here's the UPDATE: backsplash paintng is complete! I think this will hold me for a while, as it really does look much cleaner and more unified to me.

hi @happigirl, me personal i would go with 3 by 12 subway tile it will blend into the space and will go along with the cabinets

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Hi @Purewal - I actually may use (4x12) subway tile -- which I love -- in the guest bath, so if I have any leftover, will definitely be slapping those on the backsplash.

that's nice so which color are you going to choose

White! I like the crispness it offers and prefer to add pops of color with things that can be easily tossed into the garage if I get tired of it. But I never tire of white kitchens.

Looks great!

I like the idea of painting the door to give a pop of colour. he only thing about white kitchens is that they need something like shiny steel or an interesting back-splash to perk them up. what did you use to give those colour pops, finally?

Hmm... painting the door, huh? I think I may have some grey paint laying around - I wonder if that would give it enough pop? or would it be "visually confusing," with the off-white fridge and black appliances?

In the meanwhile, I've added in bits of aqua to give the kitchen a little fun and color:

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/mason+jar+ceramic+utensil+crock.do?&from=fn

I agree I need shiny new stainless appliances, but that's not in the cards right now. I'm fascinated by the idea of painting the fridge, though! I wonder what color? or -- should I do chalkboard paint? or just make it a normal white? I read one blog where they used a fake stainless paint - but it's way more labor-intensive than I have the time for (I still have a guest bath and 2 more bedrooms to deal with).

lilhaus - you just gave me the (great) idea of maybe using some leftover baseboard to cover up that scalloping: thank you!! and I can't thank you enough for understanding my position: yes, all my dollars went to actually getting the house, so... yeah.. creative it is! :)

Being a homeowner on a budget definitely teaches you to learn to be okay with "good enough," at least in the interim.

Much cleaner looking results! Congrats!

I liked the scalloping, it gives a little quirkiness to an otherwise sedate kitchen! So don't cover it up. What you could do - don't use grey! that will look awfully dull - is to paint your door aqua, maybe with white trim, and paint a line of aqua in the underside of the edge of the scalloping, so it's now you see it, now you don't. A little fiddly, but worth it.
I love white fridges, and now the rest of your kitchen is white I don't think you need to do anything to it. Chalkboard? No, I think it would make it jump right out at you. Also after a while that paint starts to look dull and grey. Let the fridge blend gracefully into the surroundings. You could have something aqua on top of the fridge, maybe a fruit bowl.
Another colour that would look nice, and will coexist happily with your aqua accessories, is bright sunshin-ey yellow. I did my mom's kitchen in yellow and white and it looked so sunny. It was a really dark kitchen with a very small window, so we also put a glass pane in the veranda door. We even found a roll of wall paper, white with yellow chickens with red combs, and papered the bits that weren't covered by cupboards.

Nice change.

Very nice change. Way to go.