The cabinets look like they are in great condition! I think a light colored granite (think beiges, whites with pops of color) would blend nicely and make the room look bright and open as well!

Holy "oak"!! I think you definitely need relief from all the oak. Cabinets, floor and breakfast furniture. So, I would put something very bright and interesting on countertops. Either Quartz or granite. Bright aqua or reds, whatever color would work with the warm color of your woods. Turquoise would be my choice. Then, reflective backsplash would help too. Some metal tiles perhaps. If u plan on doing new backsplash best to do both together. Countertops first then backsplash. Another issue is lighting. A multi light, glass globe fixture with 5 lights would update and give you much better light. Recessed cans would be good addition as well, but I'm trying to work with what you have now. In any case, do something bold. One caveat, if you see yourselves selling in next 2-3 years, then any basic granite such as Santa Cecelia would work, just boring and so over done. Go to some granite yards and look for great colors. Even if you went plain on the perimeter countertops you can do something great on the island. Have fun with it.

I love the roll top desk! And the work area. Nice kitchen.

A little different, recycled glass.

Curava Savaii Recycled Glass and Shell Countertops would look great on the oak.

Ornamental Cream Granite could also work really nice.

Suggestion: paint the cabinets- either a white or if you're a fan of the "many shades of gray" go for a soft gray-blue or gray-green (which would work with your existing white backsplash). Chalk paint is very forgiving and great if you don't want much prep work.
Then add a marble, quarts or even soapstone countertop (depending on budget) but as someone already said, stick with warm colors that compliment the tone of wood trim and flooring you have! They do have thinner finishes or overlays for countertops as well if a full slab of marble is just too much.

I would paint the island cream and then use a cream and then use a granite that ties all of your colors together, but keeps it lighter.

This is Ice Brown

I was thinking maybe a soapstone countertop? Too dark?

I just had quartz counters installed and a new farmhouse sink/faucet with my oak cabinets. The sink is a Kohler Whitehaven short apron which can be installed on a standard sink base. I will be installing alabaster subway tile in a couple of weeks - it is about the same color as the backsplash is painted.

soapstone is dark and also requires some upkeep.. it's the softest in all the stones and will scratch,knick etc. that's part of the beauty of the stone Just make sure if your going that route to do your homework. I would have to agree with the above and go in a lighter color. I also have to say the idea to paint the island will certainly tie it all in and create quite the focal point.

I was afraid of that with the soapstone but I love the stone look in a matte finish. Will post ideas as they come. Thanks

Most everything can come in a matte finish now. We Hone and Leather granites everyday here.

Thanks that is great info to know. :)

Under-cabinet LED lighting would be a big improvement. Mirror above upper cabinets.

Probably if you want "relaxed" (yay!) you just want something with a minimal or uniform pattern -- big movement is what brings drama, and veining gives a certain (marble-like) formality. Beyond that, any stone option (or even a laminate) could be fine here, although light will keep the room from closing in.

I think the oak feels great in this room, although if you refinish your floors eventually, you could push them a bit lighter or darker for more contrast with the cabinets.

Choosing a countertop? Here is a great guide: Comparing
Countertops

I love soapstone and oak...I think it is a timeless look:) I think the people that have it and love it don't mind that it may dent, scratch, or darken over time...as it is just adding to the charm of it.

There is someone on this forum who has soapstone and says it is actually one of the easiest stones to take care of - I wish I could remember who it is:)

I love that look and am still leaning to the soapstone. My question is everyone seems to do the country sink ... Do you like doing the dishes with that sink?

Holy oak is right. Soapstone is cool, but soft and stains, a light soapstone look quartz might be best of both worlds. Maybe convert the desk to base cabinets with countertop? Would clean/open up that area. The island overhang looks kinda big, pull that in.

My soapstone with hickory. I think soapstone would look great in your kitchen, but I can also see a lighter granite with beiges in it and a big white cast iron farmhouse sink.... Either choice get under cabinet lighting! You won't believe the difference!!

You kitchen is huge and gorgeous and they look like they're in great shape. Go for a quartz. It will be worth the investment.

Cambria Windermere would look good in your kitchen as well. It has cream and grey shades with flecks of copper throughout...

I would paint the cabinets a dark black-brown. That kitchen is large enough. Or alternately dark bottoms, white tops and a nice Quartz like Atlantic Salt.

The one basin farmhouse apron sink wouldn't bother me but I have a dishwasher. So I just use my sink to put my dishes in until I load the dishwasher:) My mother on the other hand would hate it as she doesn't have a dishwasher and does her dishes by hand daily. I do think you can get a double basin farmhouse sink but probably not as cool;)

You may have a problem finding a farm sink to fit in your kitchen, because of the corner cabinet. Make sure you measure carefully to make sure it will work. If it were my kitchen, I would go for Quartz, I especially like Cambria, but Silestone has some mat finishes that are very nice. I do like the idea of possibly painting the island to break up the oak. Also, painting the backs of your kitchen chairs to tie in with the island would also help.

I would start by removing all the clutter from the top of your cabinets. It looks like your floor is damaged at the end of your island. I'd redo the floors for sure. If you could remove the desk and put in a base cabinet with counter that would be great too. I like a cream painted island or a dark green/gray. See pic and how rich that looks with oak. Maybe you could also do the cabinet above desk and new base cabinet in same color. I'd then change out doors of cabinet above desk to glass for a nice display cabinet. Lights in the glassed cabinet and under sink and you would have come a long way. New counter tops would seal the deal so to speak

Tonia Tussey and kjoy1 what color is your floor stain and cabinets?

I have the Kohler Whitehaven short apron cast iron single basin. I had a two bowl cast iron drop in before and I am adjusting to the one bowl. I do like the bigger sink for pans - soaking my ceramic skillets etc. However, I rinse a bunch of recyclable plastics and pop cans every day and miss the second bowl to let them drip dry. I did get a Simplehuman dish drainer that has sides to it and I set it inside the sink off to the side - it is primarily for recyclables so it doesn't matter if they get dripped on. I have a smaller pretty wooden rack on the counter for some of the glasses I wash - it might be in one of my pics. My new sink is a little deeper too. I am short and it is not a problem. Tonia (above) might have the same sink in black. The Whitehaven does come in a two bowl style - I think it is a 70/30 divide. The divide is also low - the new "smart divide" which is supposed to allow you to wash pans more easily. I just decided to go for the single basin.

The Kohler Whitehaven and Kohler Vault (stainless farmhouse sink) are the only farmhouse sinks that I know of that can fit on a standard sink base - except Ikea makes a drop in Fireclay - it also might fit on a standard base, but I am not sure.

The Kohler Hawthorn is a two bowl cast iron, but you will need to significantly alter your sink base - recut and get new doors or put a curtain below. It also does not stick out as much as the Whitehaven does. I like the way the Whitehaven sticks out over my lower doors - protects them from drips. The Hawthorn is also is more expensive. The Whitehaven for 36 inch cabinet base is about $960 online. I have done a lot of DIY on the kitchen and other parts of the house, so the sink was a little present for the work.

I also love the under mount style - easy to wipe water into the sink. I'm adjusting to the deck mounted faucet - tends to gather water, but my handle is near the edge of the sink, so not too bad. I have my faucet mounted left handed and pointed somewhat toward the sink. I am not left handed, but I always seen to use my left to turn on the faucet, so thats how I had it done. Only my son is confused by it:)

I don't think you are interested in quartz, but close up of my counter in my pics.

Note : the floors are going to be redone too and the island probably replaced & the desk area is questionable. I feel I left out a important part on why I'm leaning soapstone . Here is the other side of the kitchen.

Very pretty home and I love the big butcher block! I am not sure if I am interpreting your style right, but if you can lose some of the upper cabinetry, a plate rail cabinet or a few open shelves for decor would go well with the style of your home. This cabinet is a bit large, but the same idea.

If you do remove the desk area, you might consider relocating your microwave over there and adding a wood hood - perhaps like in dawn's picture above.

A none microwave focal point would be nice.

I purchased my hood unfinished from Kitchensource and finished it to match my cabinets. It was also available on Amazon. I believe I saw one like in Dawn's photo too on Kitchensource - unfinished. There are fancier ones, but they can get quite pricy. My hood, vent insert and labor to install was $1000 total, and unless you make your own hood, that is about the least expensive it can get. Usually it is much more. I will admit my hood, simple as it is, and my new sink really perked up my kitchen to my style. I also love the way a non micro vent hood works - really vents well.

Look up Seigler Design here on Houzz. I love this kitchen with grey Quartz countertops and the earthy stone backsplash.

Kareybolin, my floors are natural hickory with oil based poly. My cabinets are honey hickory from haas

thank you

Okay I am stuck. Here is where I am now. Need help with the backsplash, please.

Keep it simple but pretty:)

This is my cream, though counter is different. I added it since my last post here:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087

Another:

A stone look can be pretty too - I can't find a pic right now.

I hadn't thought about two tones with the simple. I get so confused every time I go look at tile. It is wearing me down

I was looking though pics tonight and ran across these:

An example of a stone look - I would not do the accent:

Another ceramic - wouldn't do squares, but an example:

The countertop here is not black - but a possible stone look.
Good luck:)

I love the look you have developed. I would bring the rustic look of the island base and that side board base to the backsplash. Crackled smaller sized cream 2x4 tiles. Matching grout. The crackle would give it a timeless look and the bone color would go with the overall lightness you need. I will see what I can find. bbl

I would use off white grout to the lighter look in the tiles.

Yes - when you are done consider posting some pics in an idea book. So often people with similar kitchens could use some good inspiration - and post here too:)

Love the tile Flo!! I have 3 pieces I have saved one crackled bit it was shiny ... no another with uneven edges but it had a pattern ...no and a stone but I could never find the right effect. You nailed all 3 ...

Kareybolin...what countertop did you end up choosing...soapstone?

Woo hoo. My only caution with these is your tile person MUST use a fresh diamond blade to cut these. Because of the crackling, you will get a little bit of tiny edge issues, but usually grouting can manage the edges or using a trim piece that is meant for these tiles. I have used these in a Luxury Custom Home I designed for my hubby and myself and we loved the look. Easy to clean too!

Kjoy1 I used new Orion granite in a antique finish.

Coming along nicely!