Go with a single single sink as you'll be absolutely amazed at how much more functional it is.

If you haven't bought your flooring yet, go with a medium tone as it shows less dirt than the dark floors. Also go with a narrower plank as the wide planks [5" and over] tend to have more cupping issues than the narrower planks. And what ever you do, DON'T buy your flooring from a big box store like Lumber Liquidators, Home Depot or Lowes as they sell seconds, rejects and wood that isn't dried properly so you end up with a giant headache that cost you thousands. Don't be deceived by the 55 or 100 years warranties that are really written to protect the store, not you.

Without seeing your granite, it's hard to suggest what type of backsplash would look good other than to give you a general word of advice. Make sure if you go with a tile that has the same general color as found in the granite that they have the same underlying hue or tone so they don't clash. For example, whites and creams either have a pinkish or yellowish undertone and if you mix them, you're going to have a kitchen that just doesn't look right--I've seen threads on here with just that problem, and it's sad. What I did when we were our kitchen, I laid my tile sample on my laminate sample [we went with wood look laminate for a rustic look] to make sure the colors [tan/gold in this case] had the same underlying tone. Some designers say to stand the tile up, but I found laying one on top of the other more effective. Just make sure you like how the colors look together. They don't have to match perfectly, but they need to look right together for your kitchen to look good.

I love your look-white cottage kitchen with a modern edge. Have you thought about a simple white subway tile back splash with cream grout to pull the cream from the granite? Keep new hardware silver and simple.

Was thinking an ivory limestone (3 x 5) - but will looking into a subway style back splash. Any ideas on where to get the hardware?

This is a small bit of advice but I've done it in my kitchen. Put the paper towel roll on a bar on the inside door of the cabinet under your sink. There are many types to choose from. It takes some clutter off the kitchen counter.

We got them already - so yes! We are going with a white cast iron single-bowl sink. Hoping that would break up the "metal" look a bit.

Hi Lauren,

I think you are on the right track. Think about keeping the character that is already apparent in your charming kitchen. You may want to add color by painting the base cabinets a muted green or turquoise and leave your upper cabinets white. Paint is inexpensive and easily changed if down the road you want to update. There are some photos on Houzz that you could check out to see if you like the idea. Keep the big ticket items neutral in color. Think about choosing a back splash tile that is in scale with the space you will be covering (not too large) and again reinforces the character you are going for. Hardware is the jewelry for your cabinets, where you can really add personality. Again think about how your accessories are going to compliment the larger choices you have made. The valance over the window can be changed reasonably inexpensively too. Good luck and enjoy the process.

Hi Lauren, we recently redid our vintage kitchen. We applied narrow boards to the edges of plain plywood cabinets and the sink overhang to make a mission/shaker style. Painted the top cabinets

white and the bottoms black. New flooring applied on the diagonal, new granite and 4 LED can lights (these made a HUGE difference!) Updated all our appliances. Posting a few photos, but have more it you'd like to see.

This looks almost exactly like my old kitchen! Here's what I did...low-budget IKEA kitchen, looked for deals/liquidation, kept old floor, spent a little more on accents, porcelain and stainless-steel trim counter tops, DIY...et voilà!

Sorry...I have no idea why this pic is upside down?

To keep a vintage look I would keep that cabinets white, add bin pulls, carrara marble counters (white with grey veining) or a similar look in quartz. Then add white subway tiles on the backsplash. If you want this to look a little more contemporary , go with a colored grout instead of white. Like a gray that would pick up the gray in the marble. Also, there are some great vintage looking appliances. GE makes a line in stainless that have a vintage look but would make the kitchen more modern. You can then accessorize with any accent color you choose. SW Light French Grey works will with this look (walls) Good Luck

I found this image online is this the look you are wanting to have (minus the island)?

LED under cabinet lighting is a really easy addition to modernise your kitchen. It's also ideal for adding additional lighting to your workspace. You have a range of options (see the link below) but this one here would suit you best as it's very discrete and you have more options for spacing it out. Recommended under cabinet light

If you want any more help please send us an email: info@shinelighting.co.uk or call us on 01202 601846

Our range of under-cabinet lighting

@Stamps Design Services, where do you recommend I look for drawer pulls and knobs? I like both the picture you found and of your own kitchen. Do I stick with silver or do brass, etc. Want to keep costs low though. Thank you!!

The room is going to look a lot different with the stainless appliances (assuming the fridge is white now) which is something a lot of homeowners forget until it's too late. Definitely think about that when looking at granite samples.

I'm personally a fan of matching appliances and cabinet hardware, but that's just my opinion.

Keep us updated when the changes are finished!

Oak floor with a dark stain, lighter granite counter tops, but not white, mid tone backsplash. This kitchen we painted an off-white to compliment the Oyster White Omega Cabinets....

Here are a couple guides to get you started:

Putting together a kitchen color palette can be challenging!
Here is a great article that might help: Kitchen
Color Palette

and

Lighting is so important – and confusing! Here is a
great guide: Let
there be Light!

I would paint the background of the cabinets (meaning everything but the doors & drawers) depending on your decor to offset the "all white" look; your windows are so big & beautiful that I would not cover them with any curtains. http://www.home-dzine.co.za/kitchen/images/2-tone-1.jpg

Lauren Perusse, I shopped online first to see what local home improvements and hardware stores had to offer vs internet sites.....we purchased our drawer pulls and knobs at Home Depot. The subway tiles and glass tiles came from Lowes. Items like the plumbing (faucet/garbage disposal) and electrical fixtures (ceiling lights/under cabinet lighting) we purchased from plumbing and electrical companies.....they may cost a little more and look similar but the inner workings are generally better quality. ;-)