I vote Quartz and keep it light, to look like marble...so dark now with all the wood, I would take anything sofa in that house and replace it with a neutral, rugs, curtains, pillows throws etc

Dear Squirrel, I sympathize with you, there is WAY too much exposed wood and it's installed every which way. Time to put on your big girl panties and explain to hubby that this is your home too. I think you'd be much happier (and the interior would be much improved) if all the "extra" wood was removed and replaced with drywall. By all means, keep the wood ceiling and any of the "true" logs on the perimeter walls. If the interior walls were drywall it would highlight hickory cabinets and the future wood floor. Sometimes a gal has just got to put her foot down.

Sounds like an extensive remodel. An interior designer could help with the "too much wood", the overall color scheme, new lighting, and new storage. In the meantime, try collecting ideas for a few mood boards showing what you want.

I agree let's cut back on the wood. I am a fan of granite counters tops.

First pick your counterpoint, I suggest a color on the lighter side, but does not have to be too light. Bring a cabinet drawer with you when you're looking. Once a decision is made, ask for a sample of the counter and bring both samples ( drawer and counter) to look for tiles.

When choosing, we want to complement each piece. The flow should be welcoming to your eyes.

Good luck.

I agree the diagonal wood rplaced with a backsplash will brighten up the space, IMO if you painted the island and bookcase a very soft gra/ green and installed a light color quartz counter it would look good. Take away all the stuff on the top of the cabinets and the pot rack add new lighting and lots of it .IMO hicory is too grainy of a wood for this space, the cabinets look fine if it was my place I would paint the cabinets the same as mentioned for the island.

Thank you all for your wonderfully helpful suggestions. I'll try breaking the 'good' news to hubs on removing some of the wood on the walls and a more extensive remodel (probably after a few beers to grease the sting) tonight.

This might be the best of both worlds. Leave the window wall empty (no upper cabinets) and install painted cabinets to the top of the refrigerator wall to maximize storage and cover the diagonal wood. I would replace the island with a rectangular shaped one.

Thanks er612 - and for the helpful pics. I like the idea of eliminating the cabinets at the window. As it is, the existing ones were installed notched into the wood window frame - whaaa??? I also like hanging cabinets high - I don't care if I have to get on a stool to reach the tops.

FYI to all you helpful commentators, I spent the day gathering LIGHT COLORED quartz and granite and grey-green paint samples to show him as well. I feel so much more confident about and on a better track with this redesign now.

I'm going to present all of the above recommendations to hubs tonight and see which ones float.

And yes, chiflipper, I've got my big girl panties and my big stompin' boots on (not a great visual, though, is it?...)

Thanks again to all.

I would love to hear how it went--update? I've got much the same situation playing out at our beloved log home--husband believes the only thing better than natural wood is more natural wood. Thanks!

Hi home lovin
In the spring my husband and I bought a log cabin. Wood was everywhere. Our log cabin has half exterior logs on the outside on 2x4 construction with half logs on the inside. We are removing the interior logs but keeping the pine ceiling in the great room and in the den.

We are replacing the vinyl parkay flooring throughout the home with wire brushed real wood flooring. Having painted cabinets in the kitchen SW White Flour sheet rock walls carpet in the bedrooms and tile in the baths and laundry.

I too am curious to what you have done.

What color is your home and is your front door wood or is it painted? Thanks for your time. Hope to hear from you.

Paint cabinets. Add granite with a lot of movement and drama. You live in a cabin, you cannot make it into anything else.... embrace it.