Sounds like the only thing left is lighting and hardware, then decor!

Can we see pictures?

Looks beautiful to me! Do you feel as though something is lacking?

Nice job…don’t cover up the tile behind the stove.

Take down the plates on the vent.

Yes, like u said, hardware (which we started, handles in drawers, knob pulls on doors) and lighting is a must. We just had electrical installed for under cabinet lighting. Maybe window treatments?

Ok, better?

Hubby needs to re make the doors under the sink. He stained them too dark and this is the lightest he could get them after the fact. But he'll be more careful during the finishing process next time!

I would add some undercabinet lighting. Just some simple rope lights. I think that would complete it. I agree about not covering the tile behind the stove. Looks much better letting it shine :) A new light over the sink would be a nice touch too

Yes, under cabinet lighting coming (electrical just completed) and yes, new lighting is a definite must!

This whole experience was challenging for me. I'm a wood and warm color kind of girl at heart so choosing these cooler colors and stone surfaces ( grays, marbles, stainless steel etc) didn't come easy for me. I was always nervous about my choices until I saw it completed. Guess it did me good to step outside (my) the box.

Yes, window treatments.

Shirlpp, Any ideas on window treatments?

I love what you have done. I also refreshed my oak kitchen with farmhouse sink, new counters and backsplash. Mine is a different style (pics in my "my pics" idea book) but I really like seeing it done a different way. Right now I have an arched valance window treatment, but I may get around to trying a roman shade or tie up valance. I don't need privacy, but I like the softness and color a window treatment adds. Since my kitchen is more vintage / French Country, I chose a floral fabric.

I like your plates:) I have some around on my soffit. I do not have as many cabinets as you do. I do have one glass panel insert. You could consider something like that, but it is not necessary.

You did a great job of updating while staying true to your heart. Your kitchen is warm and inviting and looks like a comfortable place to be.

What about a roman shade?

Very, very nice!! Just remove that window blind....use a fabric treatment.

Kjoy1, Thank You!! Yes, I am hoping to get rid of the green in the summer. Not sure about color yet. (Any ideas?) Another idea is to possibly paint the island a soft medium to dark gray. In regards to your question about the counter surfaces, I love the look of the granite but I love the Quartz because it's so easy to take care of. I can spritz it down with windex and it looks incredible. The granite takes more work. Periodic sealing (probably 1 x year) and have to use a stone cleaner on it to keep it sanitary. But the granite comes in some incredible colors which Quartz doesn't come close to. But both are very durable. If I had small kids I would go with Quartz just for ease.

Jhmarie, I think we communicated about yours and my kitchen a couple of months ago when my husband said I could paint the cabinets then changed his mind and I was at first upset about it. The more I thought about his reasons the more I saw he was correct. This whole update was a real process for me. I had a comfort zone that I desperately needed to break out of. I don't need the privacy of a window treatment either but like the softness and color also. Like Lindsey (above comment) suggested, I may go with a Roman shade...lots of direct sun light in that window! And that way I can bring some of the colors from my dining room rug into the kitchen. Do you have a photo of your update?

Oh yes - I remember! I probably showed you my kitchen then:) The pics are here:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57579129/thumbs/my-pics-work-in-progress

I will refer people to this post who want ideas to update their oak if you don't mind.

sdwolk - just wanted to say that you have done an absolutely lovely job of updating your kitchen, as has jhmarie. I wish more people would realize that the whole world doesn't have to be white and gray lol....:))

sdwolk, not enough tea kettles! Methinks you could use another :)

Looks lovely and warm.

sdwolk - what a warm and inviting kitchen. agree with tgb1 about not everything has to be white and gray! I kinda like the green paint - nice compliment to the oak

Thank you for the nice comments from everyone! Lol...on me thinks more tea kettles! Love it!

That back splash with the top looks great. How do you guys maintain the seam between backsplash and counter top when they are not one material or at least rounded up 4"? Is cleaning ever an issue?

The area between the counter and backsplash needs to be caulked because it is a right angle rather than grouted. Caulk is one of those things in life that has to be maintained. I've had my counters about 9 months and that area has stayed clean - just wipe down like cleaning any surface. I know from experience that because I live in a climate with extreme temps from sumer to winter, I will need to re-caulk the seam every few years.

Thanks, glad you like it! They just tiled right down to the counter. Grouted tile and caulked where they meet. I just wipe it down as I've always done. Cleaning is no different and not an issue.

Looks great!

My style is Less is More... It may be too impersonal for your personal taste, but you may want to try:

I would remove the blinds, hang a kitchen towel holder under a cabinet to free counterspace, change the green paint to a soft grey that to tie with your backspash, remove the board under your coffee maker, keep only 1 utensils holder (store the utensils you don't use every single day in a drawer)...

I love the kettle, it feels very warm and inviting, but one seems enough to me unless you actually use 2.

You may want to explore simplifying the display nook over your stove: maybe only one plate, or a server? or glass bottles? or a food related poster/print/canvas? or nothing?

Post more pictures as you are exploring your options!

Thank you Space UpStyling! I am SO happy to hear you say to change the paint color to a soft gray! Will do! I pretty much use both utensil holders almost everyday but I did replace the one on the right and it's now the same as the one on the left so I will keep those and I'll be adding pull knobs on the cabinet doors to match the draw handles. The tea pots only get used one at a time. One boils the water and the other one is what I serve the steeped tea in. I will be using the display over the stove for those items you mentioned above and will rotate every couple of months. Also, I will definitely remove those blinds! Not sure what to use there instead. Any ideas?? I HAVE to have something as it gets direct hot sun all day long especially during the summer!

Can you change out the fixture over the sink for a pot light?

A roman shade over the sink will allow you to open it most of the time and close it when you need it. Will add pretty fabric also.

I love your updates! We are also going with the Viatera Minuet quartz, so I was happy to hear it is easy to maintain. We recently moved, and we painted our whole house before listing it. We went with Greige colours (warm greys that lean to beige) as like you, I like warm colours. We loved the Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Grey HC-173 and Wickham Grey HC-171. You might want to check those out.

Thanks Daniela I will check on those! Good luck with your projects and best wishes for you in your new home!

Kathi Steele, yes, most degfinately changing out those blinds (Roman shade is a great idea) and yes, will be changing out the light fixture!