Ooh! You are the one with the cool owl! I love that owl art.
Why not just hang another fun piece of art on that wall to add the pizazz you want?

is the living or dining room open at all to kitchen? I think you might be happier with a different stain on cabinets. There are lots of great effects being done on oak, look up fuming. It gives it a nice smokey brown color, then if you wet the wood and white wash over it looks somewhat like mango wood. No lie, this is a lot of work. Even the fuming alone is nice. Worth having a cabinet shop finish these for you or spray the finish on the doors. I'm going to chalk paint mine white but they are worn and I'm single.

Just a thought maybe at the end of island. Cozy up to the where the ceiling changes. You would lose a cupboard & corner shelves.

Ok so the the feedback is not to hang fo pen shelving in the kitchen...sad...but valid points made! Maybe paint cabinets down the road? Any other changes needed to the actual kitchen area...new hardware etc? I will look for funky metal stools! What colour should I paint my chairs a couple of my chairs? I say a couple because I would like a bench on one side of the table. Any art work ideas for the kitchen? Should I hang curtains?

I would not cover up those beautiful windows if u don't have to....

I don't have to cover them...no privacy concerns:)

I was thinking just as panels left open, to soften the windows a bit?

You don't think that might be a bit fussy for the kitchen?

Maybe? I need to think about it;) it's an uninspiring kitchen at the moment;)

Consider perhaps just a few floating shelves for that space.

What about a home made tall wood shelving unit to the left of the pantry...not a deep as the existing pantry & painted the green like the DR & LV, to tie the rooms together? If you go onto my idea book under "Kitchen"...it's the first pic. The unit is painted blue though...but it gives you an idea of what I'm thinking! Sorry, I've tried posting it...but it's not working. Thoughts?

I would do a black bench. It will be classic and look good in your kitchen. On the larger window either drapes or roman shades.

I looked at your idea book. If you can safely get around corner & by other counter. Then do. What color?? What will u put there?

Happyleg- I was thinking of painting it green...to tie the DR & LR together. I would use it for my cookbooks, decorative ceramic pieces etc

I had one at my old house at one end of cabinet for that stuff. Just make it right width for books to fit. The green sounds nice.

I wonder if someone can photoshop it in...so we can see what it looks like...if that's even possible to do?

How about a green glass subway tile backsplash. Also, I don't understand the function of the raised counter. I think it would look nicer if it was removed. The window is beautiful, but I think some fabric (panels at sides or valance or short roman shades) to trim it would be nice. Could use your green in some sort of pattern.

Would you put curtains on the big window only or a panel on each side of the side windows & the big window?

Greyorbrown- are you talking about the raised countertop where the stools are or raised backsplash?

HI -- The trend of open shelving is starting to fade now to none and less . Some people had some and found it to be bothersome and are going for a cleaner less and no clutter look now.

It will add interest & color.

I have an apron collection! Cabinet nooks are nice & can be handy.

the raised counter where the stools are

I like the valance or roman shade idea better--just to add a bit of color

Greyorbrown- it's a very handy eat at countertop. The kids eat breakfast every morning at it still;) If we change countertops...we could then decide to leave it off, but right now taking it off would leave lots of holes on the existing counter unfortunately.

I saw this new table at Pier 1 the other day & thought it looked cool! The chairs came in cream, black, red, teal & pecan stained. Darn...no green or orange!

Did it again....here are the pics

I thought you were thinking of painting your current table? Or do I have that wrong?

Lol!! No that was my plan;). I will have replace some chairs though for sure. What do you think of the bench...it's padded & thought it might be easy to wipe messes off of. The table is cool though;)

I like the table & chairs & bench.

I would only put open shelving in if it's away from a stove. Some things only work in photos.

When I first saw this idea, I thought about all the grease build up you would have to endure on your shelves. I would steer away from this design idea all together.

I have cabinets of similar color and have a cottage style kitchen. I am in the process of replacing my ordinary stove vent with a wood hood. For you to do this would require you to relocate your microwave - possible by retrofitting another cabinet with a microwave shelf. I do not know how the above stove microwaves vent, but if not to the outside, then that would be consideration. Part of what is neat about your inspiration picture is the hood. You wouldn't be able to go that rustic, but wood cabinets do lend themselves to looking rustic or country with the right hardware and decor.

You have a couple of open cabinets - like open shelving. How do they work for you? I am not opposed to a small amount of open shelving that is more for decoration then a primary storage area. The area near the fridge is not next to the stove and while there may be some dust, it is less likely to get greasy - especially if you use the stove vent. I have a plate rail cabinet next to my stove hood and have not had any problems keeping it clean. The open cabinets you have can be made more attractive. If you want some DIY tips let me know, but otherwise a competent carpenter could help. Some of my pictures show painted cabinets, but a good carpenter or paint store should be able to help you match your stain color for any cabinet changes.

Stainless stove hood:

This kitchen is older, but the stove hood is sweet:

Jhmarie- I like the pic of the first pic you posted of the corner glass cabinet raised higher than the others. Maybe I can do that to add some interest to my upper cabinets. I also like the baskets in lowers cupboards for onions & potatoes! That could be an option too...don't know how I would fit that into my cupboard though as it is white laminate inside?

@Cher, sorry I missed this thread

here is the pic you mentioned before.....although it sounds like you may have moved on from this idea

TraceyP- I'm not a 100% sure about the open shelving where I wanted it...therefore I will sit on this for a bit & think about it;) In my kitchen pics...I have a blue open shelving unit saved...I'm thinking of getting my hubby to build me that on the left side of the pantry in that open space. It won't be as deep as the pantry...but will use it to display my cookbooks, some of my decorative ceramic dishware etc. I just not sure what colour I would paint it...possible the green from my LR & DR? What do you think? Are you able to do a rendering of that shelf onto one of my pics...is that even possible?;)

Hi Cher :)

is this pic in an idea book or on the other thread?

Hopefully Grover or Lessismoore will stop by and be able to photoshop- I just use a very basic collage so can't always get the images to fit.

Do you think something like this could work?

TraceyP- I like that too! The top of the counter could be a good spot to have my cordless phone & cell phone(nicely of course;)) the pic I was explaining above is in my kitchen idea book:). It's a blue open shelving unit. I really like rendering too though...now I may change my mind-lol!

@Cher, I'm glad you like it :) thought it gave you the open shelf look and that it was a bit quirky using the L brackets for the upper shelves, and it had useful mini counter space (ideal for phones) with a little bit if small cupboard space.

ok I found the idea book- I didn't see there was a second page ...opps I only boy looked.....

TraceyP- now that I see them both...I'm liking your idea better!! It doesn't look as bulky, or something like that;). What do you think? I'm wondering if I can phone the company & see if they can make me a base unit. Great to have drawers to store pens, Chargers etc:) I do have a desk in the area between kitchen & DR...but I like to have a spot for my cell phones etc...closer to the garage door. What do you like?

Hi, I am approaching this a little different as a K&B designer. Look at the picture you chose and see the life in that room. It is about colour and contrast and texture. You need to add colour back. Find something collectible in your home you love and check the colour with the oak or paint the oak. Your kitchen is not trendy -and sometimes that is a good thing. Your
home is wonderful with the colours you used. Great Americana inspired design is built over time with layers. What I see is a need to re-balance the space.

I suggest you check to see if you can remove the studs behind your fridge and sink the fridge. It is an elephant in the room and is incongruent on that wall.

The elevated bar is too modern with your country kitchen. Remove it and add an electric outlet into that hole if that is a solid surface countertop. This will open up the space. Dropping the two lights over the counter will actually pull the space together and improve the lighting. Should you do these two things to the peninsula you may find you don't need to balance with shelf at the end of the pantry.

Your crown molding is too insignificant for the rich raised panels cabinets you have. Display some easily cleaned collectibles such as substantial antique storage boxes above the cabinets will give the balance. Nothing little or highly detailed. It may seem dated but this works to add balance and interest to the room. Your home is so eclectic, warm, and homey. Give the rest of us 10 years and the swing will return to what you have.

Those plate dividers are the worst to keep clean. Yes even worst than open shelves and gingerbread. Life is too short to keep cleaning.

Are you missing two uppers doors? You need them.

Keep the doors on the cabinet beside the fridge but add seedy glass to the upper doors beside the fridge and replace the current corner mullions with a seedy glass panel.

I personally do not put glass into corner cabinets because that space is deep and deserves to manage lots of stuff and be messy. Hope this helps to re-balance your kitchen space.

I am not sure if you can raise your corner cabinet with the under cabinet lighting.

If you should open up one of you cabinets you would either need to paint the inside or put something more decorative on the walls of the inside of the cabinet. I turned my microwave cabinet into a cabinet with spice boxes and a plate rail. I lined the inside with a fiberboard "beadboard". It is not very noticeable but it is much better than the yellowish color that was originally showing inside the cabinet.

Just because you cabinets are maple (I think) that does not mean you cannot go for a farmhouse industrial look if that is what you are thinking of. Your cabinets are not white or gray, but the color is not what makes the style - design life would be so boring if it did. I have a cottage kitchen with wood cabinets even though "cottage" usually implies white cabinets. The decor, hardware and art will effect the total look of your kitchen and ordinary cabinets can become the base to build the style. If I took my decor out of my kitchen, it would lose its cottage look and become generic again. I am thinking of a farmhouse sink and will be changing out my counters and putting in a backsplash next year. My new stove hood is on the living room floor waiting for a carpenter to show up:)

My converted cabinet:

@Cher, sounds good :) I wonder if you could get a base unit from a big box store? What do you think?

Great advice & food for thought;) I will be hanging the door back on the cupboard that is right of the stove( as soon as I find the hardware;)) I'm certainly not as much a fan of my maple cabinets as I was 13 yrs ago...but I have to live with them for a bit yet, as it's not in the budget for a kitchen Reno yet(I have 2 kids that will be going off to university next year & in 3 yrs;)). I just want to infuse some personality & flair to get me through the next 7-10 yrs, until I can give it a better facelift! TraceyP- I may be able to buy a base cabinet at big box store. I would likely have to put a clear stain finish on it to match or would you paint it a different colour?

Either way will work :) I might lean towards the clear stain, but now you've suggested colour I am torn- I know you were thinking of changing your chairs and painting your table base- were you thinking of painting the front of your breakfast bar? Those decisions might help choosing the colour of the base unit.......

I'm not sure if I'm painting the front of the bar counter? Now you got me thinking. I didn't know how well paint would take as its a laminate finish?

I have had success in painting laminate with the Giani granite paint, and I think rustoleum has a laminate paint also

I am sitting in a cafe Saturday morning, and looking at the counter front and colour of the chairs wondering if you would like their style

I thought the green and black chairs reflected similar colours to your LR- would this work for your kitchen chairs?

It's been a while since I've been on this dilemma! This is where I'm at with the decorating:) My LR is pretty much done except for minor changes...still looking for a new lamp, new coffee table( when right one comes along). My DR is coming along! Working on my powder room & kitchen still, to infuse flow & personality.
I'm thinking of adding some red in the kitchen, it's separate from DR & LR. I can see the LR just from one opening to the kitchen. I have red in my Quiky Owl in the LR. Do you think it would look good?

More kitchen pics...