You might want to think long and hard about the counter top situation. You probably don't want to be pulling up the counter top a year or two down the road after the rest of the kitchen is all finished. You might end up damaging the backsplash. But if you are going to keep the counter top for several years then go for a backsplash that has some life in it. You are going to have neutral (white) cabinets, neutral counter top so that is the place for some excitement in the plan. Here are 2 white kitchens that we recently completed for clients. The excitement in both are the backsplash and counter top. Everything else is back drop.

Great job!! Beautiful kitchens. White cabinets, What color backsplash? wasnt able to zoom enough too get a good look. Do you think wood flooring? My dining room is painted Mega greige, should i take that color on into kitchen?

I wish I had a better close up of the backsplash but here is a close up of the countertop. The colors in the backsplash matchstick design echo the sea colors in the counter top. This home is right over the ocean and the client wanted the ocean colors reflected in the kitchen without using a "beachy" theme that would end up being dated and unsophisticated.

So my advice is to take inspiration from your countertop to make your backsplash decision. As far as flooring goes my answer depends on function. If you have pets/kids/heavy traffic and want to the wood look I often suggest porcelain wood. It looks beautiful (just like wood) but can handle dogs kids etc. But I don't know what climate you live in, my answer is based on a warm weather climate.

Thank you. What are your thought for light grey cabinets and hardware?

I love light gray or taupe cabinets. The photo below was of a project where the client started out wanting an "all white" kitchen, until I showed her the option of a gray/taupe cabinet. It is a much richer more sophisticated palette. We did all brushed nickel door pulls. I also think that white kitchens have been all the rage for the last 6 or 7 years, which is fine,but like all trends, it will pass.

Excellent!! Thank you. I really want grey, there are SOO many color options.. and my husband states its going to be a time consuming job, so i want to get the color right the 1st time. You do beautiful work!!

I would replace dark countertops. The space needs light. I would do everything in whites. Use stainless hardware that would work with look of cabinets. Save for backsplash. The direction back splashes are taking is toward a more simple, uniform look. Away from the mixed glasses etc. You can add color in accessories, tea kettles etc. I would develop a total plan for entire kitchen remodel. Then, layout phases, based on best practices for the sequencing of tasks, and coordinate with your budget. Including flooring. If you don't you will redo things and spend more in the long run. You are taking it in steps, but you need to reconsider which sequence is best.

Thank you Flo Mangan.

Here is an example of grey cabinets with stainless steel appliances and a dark countertop. (see this cabinet makeover kit in Slate: http://amzn.to/2a7R9u9 and these drawer pulls: http://amzn.to/2aD5yOe)

Then this Peruvian travertine tile for the backsplash: http://amzn.to/2aldxLP

And these brushed nickel pendant lights: http://amzn.to/2aldkIh

Plus some blue and white accent pieces:

http://amzn.to/2ackSha

http://amzn.to/2ackzTj

Can't wait to see the after pics!

Luna- the grays are trendy right now, although I already sense they are not wearing well with folks. If you do white, it is more timeless and with a "phased" project, you might be better served. Then, when you get to backsplash if you still like gray that could be where you bring that in. Cabinets will be one of your biggest expenses, then flooring, then countertops. Of course, appliances are big too, but if I recall you are keeping what you have? Kitchens are biggest cost in remodeling. One change leads to domino impacts. So a really good plan up front is very important especially on tight budgets.

I think the kitchens that Design Intervention posted above are incredible! Both the white and the taupe cabinets look really beautiful.I love the backsplash being the highlight and giving the room personality. I would go with that idea!

Luna - I think the ideas given are great also, but one caveat. They don't allow for much flexibility down the road. I would keep the cabinets white, and the countertops, as they are or down the road, light, along with eventual stainless appliances, then you have the backsplash that can give you flexibility of colors and looks. You don't have that much space with backsplash, so that is least expensive thing to change out. Let me show you what I mean in pictures.

Mostly white.You want some change and can do blues with the whites.Get new backsplash and want to stay neutral so go with stone, beige traditional backsplash. You can paint walls gray and the white works. So white works with a lot of different approaches and give you most flexibility.Gray cabinets (and cabinets lock you in to color) is more limiting. While I like the look, I'm thinking of long term satisfaction. Hard to change cabinet colors. Once you have painted these cabinets you probably won't do it again. Just a tedious, hard job. Well worth it, but hard. Those are my thoughts. But of course, it is your kitchen. One more point. If you do the cabinets first in the process, they would also work with your current countertops. ;-) Not trying to "sell" white, but I just know that white is more timeless and flexible. Good luck! Let us know your decision!

I agree!! Thanks soo much for your time. I really like your ideas. White it is!! again thank you.