Please post photos.

A bright white color for walls would be my suggestion and also to add some yellow color or other bold color you love in the living room. some pics here:

The cabinets look very nice. If you have them painted, it should be professionally done unless you are a patient and experienced DIY person. It is an arduous task and a professional paint job can be expensive. While I do not dislike your backsplash, I find it a bit busy for the countertop. It isn't bad, but if this was my kitchen, I would probably spend the $ redoing the backsplash to get a simpler look to blend with the more cottage style the bead board evokes. I have white bead board in my house - but I also have wood cabinets and it can work. Am I misinterpreting the desire for a bit of a "cottage" feel? If that is the look you are going for I can give some ideas.

The cabinets look very nice and I agree with the above post. Granite is fine, backsplash is very busy with the granite. If you paint the cabinets, a creamy off white would be best with the granite color. Color of existing cabinets is pretty. Do a sample paint test of a piece of wood in the color you choose and set it on the cabinets and see if you like the color enough to paint all the cabinets.

Bring in some unifying accent colors into both rooms.

How do you like your wainscotting? Does it feel cozy, or as encroaching as the fireplace does? If you are attached to it, I think it could look more finished if wrapped around the adjoining wall, and by coordinating the trim detail a bit more.

I agree about a simpler backsplash. Also take a look at a table chandelier to replace the boob light, new and lowered peninsula lighting (3) and coordinating your bar stools to your dining furniture. Then re address the paint colour of both the walls and ceiling so the furniture and molding detail looks crisp again. A stronger green undertone, or sage walls could look very well here, especially if you decide to paint the cabinets white. Add a bit of plant material, new hardware and switch out the fridge art for some wall art for a final bit of polish.

Parade of Homes Sonoma Building Company · More Info

For your empty walls Here's some suggestion for your wall you might like......to know more about my Art work and collections please visit my shop on Etsy website -

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PooviArtGallery?ref=pr_shop_more

Some site answers to your lighting questions:[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-get-your-pendant-light-right-stsetivw-vs~251166[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-get-your-pendant-light-right-stsetivw-vs~251166).

Re. the wainscot cap -you want something that ties in with the rest of the room. I think I see 4 different trim styles at work? Something like this cap would tie with your window and cupboards, and reduce the look of that number to 2.

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Before you pull out paintbrushes, I suggest a colour consult. A darkly painted table against an all white back wall could be lovely, but every item you change affects the balance of the room, so you want to get the tones right the first time....well, second time in this instance. A consultation can help add some much needed depth to your rooms. While I don't know the shades used in the Parade of Homes kitchen, I do know that paint colours need to be chosen for your lighting conditions -something we can't do over the internet very well.

I also suggest you peruse the article section on the site, and begin to gather more photos to your ideabook. It can help to identify your stylistic bent more strongly, which will in turn make conversation about your desires easier. Happy Houzzing.

I also have wood cabinets and this is my backsplash. It is very simple, but it also has a subtle beauty:

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There is nothing wrong with your kitchen but I understand your wanting to make it more your style. This time, you have the time to think things through and not make rushed decisions - so don't rush.

Your beadboard style says to me that you like something a little cottage or French Country, or Nantucket style or Hamptons' style (if you want to be a little more upscale.)

For your wall, you might consider something with vintage china around your mirror or around a soft pretty painting. Botanical prints, rose paintings (I love Christie Repasy's work) and vintage dishes go well with beadboard:

You might consider having the center panel of one or more of your cabinets changed out to glass. I might do one or both of the corner cabinets. I have a little leaded glass window in one corner. I also changed out a cabinet for a plate rail. You might want to do something like that though you may need the help of a cabinet maker to help with the retrofit:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58830325

I would have to think on this a bit - but I would consider removing the cabinet over the peninsula and replace with shelves. This would be an area to bring your decor style into the kitchen. You might use the bottom shelf for dishes and things frequently used, but uppers could hold some decor items like vintage pitchers, trays, china, canning jars etc. If you do something like that - keep it simple.

If that is more your style, then change light fixtures out to something either more cottage rustic, country or even with a bit of bling for a bit of shabby chic.

This may be a little too blingy:)

A somewhat expensive change out that you might consider down the road is finding a different place for the microwave (often a challenge), and putting in a stove hood. I recently got an unfinished wood hood and stained it to match my cabinets. It is a bit easier if you are painting to make this change, but it is not impossible to match stain colors. A different cabinet (perhaps the one by the fridge) might be adjusted to hold the built in microwave or an ordinary microwave. You might consider that when the present microwave wears out.