Your room looks great. I certainly would not paint your floors if you are selling down the line.
Can a darker stain be put on your countertops?
I think your hardware is adorable and whimsical. Maybe the lower cabinets could host something in a burnished silver to ground them.
Dress your countertops with items of interest, stand back, and I think you'll be happy. After a renovation, you have looked at it sooo long that your eye is no doubt critical.
I love your white cabinets. Did you paint them or have them painted?

I would definitely not checkerboard the floor especially if you are looking to resell down the road. I would definitely put some color on the walls and use an accent color on the counters and shelving for accessories, then judge. I believe your kitchen will come to life. I hope this helps.

I agree, the bones of this kitchen is fine and full of character, certainly no need to do a checkerboard.

I agree with the comments above. Plus, doing a checkered board on wood floors is an expensive process that I would only let a real professional do. I think u might wanna try painting the walls and another suggestion u might like, is to work on ur cabinets doors and drawers. Maybe just doing the edges of them on a different darker color would help plus it will make ur glass knobs stand out more

I was thinking of doing checkerboard on the floor in my basement. I ran into a woman who does that kind of work in the paint store and I asked her about it, how to do it. She said it was harder than it seems to get the lines straight. Why bother with this if you are going to sell? The buyer might be like, well this kitchen would be great if it wasn't for that weird checkerboard floor. You know? Not worth the trouble and expense. Bland is the name of the game in selling a house, let the new people spice it up to their taste.

Thanks to all for your kind comments and advice! Lindasc, I did paint them - used Cabinet Coat which is now carried by Ben Moore. Not an easy paint to work with, runs/drips are a problem on vertical surfaces, but levels very well and otherwise an excellent paint. We removed all the cabinets beforehand (they are oak), and then reinstalled them adding a few more new ones plus a butler's pantry since we opened up the kitchen in the process. I also painted all of the dark stained wood trim around our doors with that same paint, and we had crown molding and new taller baseboards installed in the whole house, all painted with the CC paint.

The kitchen was very dated (well, the entire house for that matter!) and I've attached a before pic. (I will eventually post more before/after here and/or on my blog - thecranesnest.com). We removed the bulkheads and replaced the 30" cabinets 6" from the ceiling, adding crown molding above. We now have a white beadboard backsplash and open shelves installed 6" below the cabinets. (A designer gave me this idea.) The shelves are supported by distressed white iron brackets from Van Dykes. I have special ordered a cottage-y scalloped wood trim that will edge the shelving in order to hide the countertop lighting I will soon have installed under the shelves. But I have to go back to my previous location (Virginia) 2 hrs away to pick it up, since where I live now is much more remote and there are very little resources here (W.Va.)

Yes, you are all correct. I am tired of looking at this kitchen and trying to get to a happy place with it. I really think what I need right now is flowers! I have been all over this area where I now live and have yet to find a good florist with a nice selection. I don't even have a forsythia bush in my yard, nor have I seen any in my neighbor's yards. But that will soon change.....I am an AVID gardener!

Yes, that is a vinyl faux wood floor in the Before pic on the left! Ugh!

Great transformation! I also would not do checkerboard. I like the previous ideas of wall paint (somewhat subtle) and choosing a "pop" color to use here and there in glass cabinets and on counter. Maybe something strong like lime green or strong rusty red. I might consider different cabinet hardware (maybe just on the lower cabinets). Something stronger - possibly even the "pop" color.

The counter tops are beautiful and should be the drama you're looking for. The issue is that the floors are pulling from / competing for visual interest. Consider a much darker stain on the floors to ground.

I think your kitchen is beautiful, and agree with you Cindy that countertops would look better in a darker stain. If it is not what you paid for, have it replaced or restained by the artisan who sold it to you; don't accept it the way it is now, he probably used the wrong stain, or the wrong wood.
There are a lot of great ideas above from other commenters - good job folks! - I think a few accessories in whimsical accent colors would bring your room to life. That's the good thing about a neutral scheme like yours; pick a color, any colour, accessorize. When you get tired of it, just change the bowls, the tea towels, etc. You already have some accessories in light green. Why not add other elements in a brighter version of that same green?
I don't think you should do the checkerboard...

I would not paint the checkerboard on the floor. I would look at a different backsplash/maybe a glass tile with some variation of colors and possibly a wall color/accessoring with pics/art...replacing knobs/pulls...You have a lovely home.

I agree with dclostboy that there is a bit of competition between the wood color of the countertops and floors. I also agree that the natural walnut color of the countertops is beautiful and I wouldn't mess with that. If a color "pop" in the room doesn't help balance the floor/counter, I'd agree once again with dclostboy and darken the floors.

I would try to darken either the floor or the countertops (my personal preference would be the countertops, but that might actually be the harder job now that they are installed). I believe that is the source of your dissatisfaction, so the solution should begin there. While I like your glass knobs, you also might consider hardware with more of a contrast if you are still dissatisfied, just to see if you like the effect.

I think your kitchen looks great! However, if you aren't happy with it and want a little more contrast, it would not be hard to change your crystal knobs to something darker. (not really expensive either.) Your walls would look great in a warm gray color since it is such a bright kitchen, that would as well add some contrast, and would not hurt resale since it is relatively neutral. And paint the inside of your glass cabinets a soft green color. Also would not hurt resale.

Thanks to all for your input/opinions. Those of you who agreed that the countertops/floor "compete" are spot on. Actually, this is even more of a problem than you can see in the photo, which makes the countertops look darker than they really are. But re-staining them is out, and I cannot fathom at this point asking my guy to remove and refinish them. The time to have spoken up was BEFORE he even installed them. I knew then, and he even admitted, that they were much lighter than his sample. I am just too "shy" when it comes to interacting with my subs, he is not the only one that I have issues with workmanship and I have just let it "slide". I'm sure they just LOVE clients like me!

I think I'll put aside my desire to do the checkerboard floor for now, and instead see what I can do to bring some much needed "life" to the space. All along I have been considering painting the inside of the glass cabinet green, a darker shade of the pistachio stand mixer. I have been mulling over a very light greyed green hue for the walls, which I think would look very nice in the rest of the room. Here's a photo of the dining area beyond, where there used to be a half wall/den. Now its just one large/long open kitchen/dining area. We also did away with the formal dining room that used to be located through a doorway at the other end of the kitchen. It is now my office/studio.

LOTS of changes to this space, and by the way, we really are not "planning" to sell any time soon. We actually hope to retire here (in about 10 years). The reason I brought up resale initially is because this is our 3rd move in 10 yrs due to my husband's employment situation, so we have learned that as much as you think you're they're to stay, that is not always the case. Luckily each time we had to sell we sold quickly, the last house in one day. And I feel that had a lot to do with making good decisions on renovations, etc.

Lkrstine - I just love what you did with my photo! I did not realize you had done that but then I took a closer look. Now I have another great idea to mull over. Thank you so much!

I feel I have paid a small fortune on the cabinet knobs, and its too late to return them, but in the big scheme of things it really wouldn't be that be a deal to switch them. I do intend to build a large island for the kitchen and can perhaps use them there. I intend to paint it, probably a soft green color, so they might look really nice there. Or even in the 2 bathrooms that are next on our reno list!

You have some great ideas, and perhaps adding some color would give give you the interest you want. I'm using Annie Sloane chalk paint which has great colors. I am using Provence (French blue and cream), and a bit of lavender for interest. You can also use it to paint floors, and they have a sealer....maybe use a bit of it over the oak floor to give interest and liven it up.

I am redoing a kitchen my self and need help with countertops. Any ideas?

Oh, I love AS paint! I discovered it after I moved up here. I'm near Luckett's, VA and I bought my first jar at a shop there. I've done 2 pieces, one with the off-white and the other with the grey. I have been a fan of her's since I bought a couple of her books back in the early '90s. I didn't even know she had a paint line until recently. I did distress the cabinets a little, and have been thinking of putting a little antiquing glaze or wax. I almost did the cabinets with her paint, but it is far too expensive and I wasn't sure that was the best option. If she has a dark brown (I'm thinking she does not), I am giving some thought to doing that checkerboard floor. I'll wait a few months, or maybe even a year, and see how comfortable I am about being able to stay here in this house. In the meantime, I'm loving Lkristine's advice of doing the grey walls and green cabinet interiors. I just told my husband I am def doing that! And maybe switching out the knobs. (Of course, he just rolled his eyes. After 32 years, he is used to this with me!)

As for YOUR countertops, I researched quite a bit. Even considered laminate that looks like soapstone. Because I wanted a warm, vintage feel to my kitchen the only options I was considering was wood or marble. I could not afford the marble, plus EVERYONE I talked to advised me against it. (But why in the world am I see it so often in kitchens online?!!!) I do not like granite or quartz, just not "warm" enough for me, plus I was nearing the end of the reno and had already overspent. (That sink! Love it but it was a doozy!) I was extremely afraid to do the walnut countertops because I had so much wood already in the flooring, but in the end just took a chance on it. If mine looked like the dark sample my contractor had given me, then it would be fine.

If you like the idea of wood, take a look at this blog: missmustardseed.com, she just installed a DIY wood countertop and its GORGEOUS! We came very close to purchasing ours from the same outfit where she purchased hers (Lumber Liquidators), but since I already had a very reasonably priced artisan (recommended by my floor guy, actually) I chose him instead. Silly me.....

Cindy, I painted my family room floor checker board a few years ago. I would not recommend doing it. It doesn't wear very well, unless you are willing to re-polyeurthane it yearly. Mine is chipping and the furniture knocks off bits of paint. I LOVE the way it looked when it was first done, but not now. Now I'm thinking of removing all the wood and re-doing it with a reclaimed old oak in a French chevron pattern.

Have u considered painting your beadboard backsplash for more contrast? I don't mind the all white myself...just trying to find ways to add a little contrast.

I love what you have done, could use a few punches of color. How about a mirror here

Kelly: Your floors are absolutely gorgeous! But thank you for the warning. It would never do for me to have to have my floors redone if painting them did not work out. As it is we have sunk way too much cash in this house already, and my floors are BRAND new! There should be no practical need whatsoever to refinish them for many, many years.

Jayme: Initially I was thinking of painting the backsplash, but decided to just keep it white. But it is a great idea, and I thank you. What with the outlets being white, and the brackets/shelving, I felt there were too many elements to consider and it would be difficult if not impossible to change the color down the road if I tired of it, or didn't like it in the end.

Thanks mylowesdream, a mirror is a great idea - at the butler's pantry. I saw that done on KraftMaid's site the other day when I went to look at more cabinets to build my island. The designer did it in the butler's pantry for the 2012 Good Housekeeping Kitchen of the Year, which I was surprised to see also had white cabinets and glass knobs. Very cold, sleek kitchen though, not at all comfy cozy as I wish mine to be. I will take his mirror backsplash idea, however. I have vintage cut glass decanters to go there and they will look lovely in front of a mirror. I may even go for an antique mirror, just to make it "mine".