Looks like a great working kitchen. I think your first and easiest fix would be to paint. The sponge thing is just too much.

Can you take a blue out of the slate floor, lighten it a little and paint the walls with that? It would be a huge difference and the floor would make more sense.

You can then work the backsplash into the blue and black scheme.

I would remove all decorative and practical counter and cupboard top items as well as wall décor, curtain and rug and then after repainting, replace very sparingly. A very pale grey paint would go very well with the slate floor and the cabinet and trim wood tones. Also consider less colourful island pendants. Silk plants and florals are dating the space as well.

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Lovely kitchen! Different window treatment (if needed or plain window) and accessories will make a huge difference. Lose the ivy on top of the cabinets. I like the light blue idea. Try a larger blue/white Scandinavian rug. Remove the tiles and try first just paint as the backsplash. Less is more.

Agree with elainesteinke, remove the valance, all the decorative accessories, everything on your counters, and take another photo. Paint and lighting are at the top of the list, I think. :)

You have a great kitchen, it just needs a bit of decluttering and a few cosmetic changes (in the order of priority):

- paint the walls a solid color

- simplify the decor and remove all the stuff from the top of the cabinets

- remove the valance and the decorative piece over the window

- replace the glass shades on the pendants with simpler ones

- consider replacing the backsplash (if you do so, remove the low granite backsplash and run the tile all the way between the cabinets and the counter) with a color that ties the floor in.

I agree - take all the stuff out and off the top of the cabinets. Lighten the walls. Maybe paint the ceiling to get some of the maple toned down. Remove the 4" granite backsplash and the tile backsplash. Go with something lighter and not so small. A 3x8 or 3x10 subway would be nice. If you actually have uba-tuba granite, then it is actually a green based stone and not a black so be careful if you try to pull out blues. It will clash.

Once the yellow is gone, it will be no problem to find a backsplash that works with the floor and counters.

I think your kitchen has great bones. I do think that new paint will go a long way. Avoid cool grays as cool grays and warm wood tones do not mix well. Neither brings out the best in the other, and the overall look can be dark and drab. You can use blues or greens with gray undertones. Creams and soft creamy beiges work well with warm toned wood.

This kitchen is a very pretty mix of warm toned cabinets, cream subway tile and a green paint with a gray undertone:

If you choose to keep your black countertops, here is a pic showing black with a cream backsplash and beige walls:

Should you chose to go ahead and replace the countertops, consider a farmhouse sink if that is your style. I think it would look sweet in your kitchen. I got the Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style cast iron farmhouse sink. The short apron style can be installed on a standard sink base and is a couple of inches shorter in the front than the "tall apron" style. Both are the same depth inside. I think it really helped blend the old with the new in my kitchen. I also have a cream subway tile backsplash:

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

Thank you for all the great comments!!! I will gladly get rid of the filler items that came with the house (plants, misc counter items, valence). I'm torn on the paint color-was thinking that a darker color (green? blue? tan?) might look good on the window wall, then the rest of the kitchen in a lighter, matching tone of that color. Would that look ok or is that a huge mistake in a kitchen?

Also, what about leaving the granite backsplash, running a large slab of the same granite up the wall behind the stove (putting in a stainless hood there btw), then painting the rest of the wall backsplash area? Would that still look updated or do I need to remove the granite trim?

Any suggestion on pull colors (stainless? black?)?

Hi, I would not remove the granite backsplash, I have a quartz backsplash as well and do not have tiles above it on the wall and it works very well.

There is no problem with leaving the four inch granite splash and painting above. That is actually better than leaving it and tiling above. If you decide to do a new tile backsplash, remove the four inch granite one.

I am not one for accent walls, possibly because my house has not got any wall in particular to accent. It is only paint. You certainly can try it out.

I am glad you are getting a hood. A dedicated vent works better than a micro/vent and as a short person, I have trouble with the over the range microwave.

Remove everything and paint first. I really, really like your cabinets! Uba Tuba usually has some green to it- something to keep in mind when picking things out.

your kitchen looks so cozy but if you are tired of that look then painting it cream would give it an instant lift .

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What is involved in painting maple cabinets? Is this a DIY or will I need to hire someone?

It depends on you if you think that you can do this yourself it involves a lot of work.

If you wish to paint the cabinets, then hire a pro. This is not a diy. Make sure you ask them if they have painted cabinets before and get at least 3 references. Make sure you actually call the references and talk to them.

Before painting the cabinets try painting the walls & getting rid of all the Tuscan décor. There is a picture on The-Hall-Way.com where the kitchen has maple cabinets & uba tuba granite; originally painted SW window pane a silvery blue didn't sell changed Behr Perfect Taupe and warmed it right up. Sold

i agree w/everyone. remove everything. paint the walls (love the wood on the ceiling). remove the valance and all the bric brac. after painting, post another picture. The cabinets are nice w/the granite. you will see that after doing the above.

if you want to paint them, hire out. expect to pay at least 5K for a PRO job, not some hack painter.

Here are three backsplash options that might work once you've done the suggestions above:

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Very nice kitchen. You can make it look up to date with minimal differences. I would change the valance on the window. Paint a light color. I like lighter colors so I would probably put a lighter floor. Or change the counter tops. Thats about all you would need to do to this kitchen in my opinion.

There are great elements in your kitchen!

Consider your style goal and budget. Of course, simplifying the décor makes since as your first step.

I love your ceiling. And your cabinets look in wonderful shape. The maple appears to complement the ceiling.

Since you hate the brown tile backsplash, I'd encourage you to remove that next, or have it removed for you. Functionally, your granite backsplash with a painted wall will work fine for you.

If you want a new tiled backsplash - I agree with the other posts that you should remove the granite backsplash and tile to the granite. If you do this, consider a modern style 3 x 9 and placing them soldier style with the 3" up against your granite - so their lines match the direction of the ceiling and cabinets. If money was no object, I adore Heath ceramic custom tiles. However, there are many neat 3 x 6 or 3 x 9 in most good tiles stores. White subway tile is affordable and works up very pretty also. I like a light gray grout with tiles.

Once you have your backsplash selected, then choose your paint. (So many more paint colors than tile colors.) You can never go wrong with BM White Dove or SW Alabaster. BM Muslin is a warm neutral if white is not your choice. Since you have so much personality in your kitchen, something simple with paint would be nice.

UPDATE: I spent the day painting based on all your input. I chose an off white (cream color) after sampling a blue and a green. I'm a little lost on what to do with the enormous amount of space in between the cabinets and the ceiling? It doesn't look right...planning to remove the small tile and paint above the granite as well. Possibly run the same granite behind the stove up the wall with a hood?

You are used to the decor above so give yourself some time to get used to the change.

I am not one of the people who thinks there should not be anything on the cabinets. I think you should do as you please and as your style directs. My own kitchen has a certain amount of decor around. I have soffits and lower ceilings so not as much space to deal with, but I like pretty things in my kitchen.

Because your range goes up at the back you do not have to put tile or granite behind the range, but you can if you want too.

Your new paint looks really good. You don't need to do anything to the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. It looks strange to you because you are used to seeing it the other way. It does not look at all strange to me.

Great. Now don't ruin it by putting that valance back up (or the fake wrought iron décor).

that looks good. some under cab lighting and new backsplash, and you should be set!

A valance would soften a kitchen, as fabric does with so much wood, etc... up to height of the uppers... haven't any of you ever worn a fabric belt? See it or not, I'm making the connection.. :)

That looks SO MUCH better!!! You did a great job!

To today standards your kitchen looks up dated but no longer sends that warm welcoming feeling that it use to send before, perhaps once you have. some. dishes et.. showing .

you did super well. love the new paint. step by step is smart. look forward to seeing w/o the tile backsplash. I think after you remove the tile you don't like, let your kitchen "talk" to you and tell you what it "wants".

I think the empty space over the window just is a "silent note" that lets the nice ceiling "sing". I wouldn't add a think to that space. I like others comments of a nice fabric roman blind. Pottery Barn has some nice ones. :)

Your kitchen and house for that matter have a very traditional feel. I recommend refinishing your cabinets a greyed driftwood stain. You could keep the black countertops or switch to white porcelain. I don't recommend white marble unless you don't cook much or are super careful. White marble would be my first choice if you get it sealed properly and regularly.