Do you like ceramics? If you do-check out Etsy. So many amazing artistic tiles and other artworks, that you could put on the right side of the window. You'll get immediate sense of more balance-and something beautiful and personal, to look at.

You can also bring a plant and put it on the counter there. The plant will be taller=sense of balance.

I wouldn't do much on the other side of the window, the one that's closer to the stove..first, not really needed..eyes need some rest too. Second-the stove is too close.

But you can of course put there something strictly useful yet still pretty..a bottle of an olive oil, a nice utensil holder, etc

It's a nice kitchen..doesn't need a full remodel))

Open shelving on the right, for cookbooks, knicnknacks...

Open shelving on the left for oils, seasonings, etc., for cooking.

Pictures, baskets, and a table lamp to make it more human and softer.

I think it's fine as is, but if you need some balance maybe you could put a plant stand on the far right of the window wall and grow something easy and viney.

Love how it looks and the pendants are beautiful.

I agree with Lily'smom about leaving the space as it is now that you've removed the cabinets. I think you're just not used to NOT having the cabinets there anymore, so it seems bare in comparison : ) .

From your previous thread, those are fairly small slivers of wall and don't really "need" anything. At MOST I would put a framed long, narrow vertical print or some other art (this sort of shape) on each side, but I really don't think the spaces need it.

I would enjoy the breathing space!

I like the kitchen much better without the cabinets. Looking at your previous thread, the space on either side of the window isn't that large. I wouldn't crowd it with art or anything hanging on the walls. Topiary or orchids on either side would be nice, and soften the hardness of a kitchen.

I think it looks very nice as is, also! A plant/topiary would look great there.

Paint the barstools? Maybe the color of your valance? To lighten up the dark island?

What a pretty kitchen! I would either leave it as is or use topiaries, as suggested.

Oakley - thank you for posting a picture if what is now my most favorite kitchen! Definitely going in my inspiration folder for my future house remodel.

Beautiful kitchen. It will look very different when you install your backsplash. If you are wanting something temporary and to warm things up you could hang some copper double handled pots, maybe a display of bread boards or wooden bowls even an old window shutter (like used on house exterior). Just a couple of ideas. Really it is very nice as is.

Yes, don't make any permanent decisions yet. The blank space is rather pleasant... some breathing room. There's a lot of blank space in kitchen design these days, and perhaps you're just not used to it yet.

Oakley, those are some stunning topiaries in your first photo. I started one last year and it's a fraction of those images.

For me it is a balance thing. The DARK chairs/island back against the LIGHT kitchen wall. The contrast is unbalanced for me. I think the cabinets weighted that side of the room. I love it without them..sort of wondering why you left the bigger one next to the 'fridge. I would be more tempted to lighten up the island back before putting anything near the windows.

I think it looks great! Just put a taller plant on the counter to the right of the window or something taller to balance the heaviness of the side of the kitchen with the fridge. I think that alone will make a difference in balancing things. Other than that I would not change a thing.

Thank you all for your feedback! I am going to try some ideas for the area to the right of the sink and see what works.

With regard to the island, we are planning to add some trim detail and paint it. However, I'm not sure what color to paint it yet. Additionally, I was worried the kitchen might start to look chopped up if we paint the island a lighter color - considering we have two other large runs of cabinetry in the dark cherry/mahogany stain. (double oven wall / coffee bar area plus the wine/ China / hutch area).

Any thoughts on painting the island a lighter color?

If the island color matches the cabs, I would leave it as is. Another option is to paint it the wall color in a satin sheen. I like the warm color pallet you have going now and would not add another color on the island. As far as the walls by the sink, I don't think they look unbalanced. Maybe hang a same sized picture on each side.