If you are going to replace the pulls, start by looking at the more classic/traditional pulls from the same manufacturer your current pulls are from. Like that you are guarantied that the centre to centre dimension is exactly the same. Please no filling holes in brand new cabinets it will always show and you will ruin your new kitchen.

Check out Top Knobs for pulls too. They have every style you can think of....

When we recently added some kitchen lower drawers, my husband installed the first two pulls (from Restoration Hardware). For some reason, I was on their website at the time; and suddenly realized they sold our pull in a smaller size which actually would have been a better scale. We left the larger pulls. We decided we would probably become 'blind' to the pull size, but we would always notice putty filled holes next to the pulls.

I love jhmarie's suggestions. And if you're looking for coloful kitchen decor, I still would send you to Anthropologie.

Pretty kitchen & some great advise above! Now I'll add my 2cents worth......a great vase with some fresh flowers! Waaalaaa:)

I would agree with above, I would change hardware for something little more traditional, and add small crown to the top of cabinet, or a larger crown at ceiling.

First off, ditch the shabby chic. It's shabby, but not chic. Everybody knows that wear is fake--not fooling anybody.

I'd have gone with lighter countertops, and some patterned glass door inserts on the top.

Do not change one thing until you are finished accessorizing and furnishing. That will make all the difference!
I also agree that changing out your range hood for a wooden one? Would really help if the furniture and accessories are not quite enough. And I think changing the pulls when you actually like them? Is silly. They are gorgeous
Settle in and then freak out only if necessary ;)

Hi there,

I think you can warm things up and soften the look a bit by adding a few elements that have a natural feel to them without having to spend more money replacing the more permanent fixtures you've already put in. I'd start out by looking for some light wood bar stools, some natural fibres like sisal in either a stool or area rug, ie for adjacent dining or living area. I also really like the idea of adding crown like Jamie K Designs suggested. I don't think you're kitchen is too modern :) layer in some accessories that bring the shabby chic vibe back into play.

This kitchen is FAR from "modern". Not traditional, more like "transitional" Robyn, that's a fine place to be.

"Shabby chic" is decor, unless of course what you really want to do is roll the roulette wheel with all new pulls/handles. You will then find out that even 1/16 of an inch difference will leave you will "fills" (they show) or even noticeable holes. Now THAT'S shabby..

Start decorating. Accessories, as others have advised, will make the difference. That's where your style will stand out, But- remodeling your remodel is a recipe for disaster. Do one thing, you're going to want to re-do it all.

Trust your initial instincts, channel your inner shabby chic and you can make this space your own.

The hardware is not right for the style you want. Simple changes and styling, fabrics, rug, flowers will go a long way.

I think you feel bad about letting someone else change your mind and that now won't live up to the feel you were originally going for. move in, put your things in place and live with it for a while. see then what needs to be changed, work around the things that are too expensive to change. its nice to have everything done before you move in to the space but sometimes living in the space changes the way we feel about it. I know I've hated things to begin with in my own home that I now love. I feel that the cabinet pulls are what gives it the most modern feel but finding ones that use those same holes will be hard since they are wider than the norm and they aren't cheap to replace. I actually like the backsplash, it brings in a warmth that subway tiles wouldn't. but I personally love subway tiles and have them in my own bath. you need more textures and color to make it feel homey. I would consider pulling a color from the backsplash and your flooring and repaint the walls just above the cabinets and backside of the island a darker gray, it may help tie everything together. even though all white is shown in magazines, its hard to pull off in a home without feeling stark and sterile. what colors make you happy? bring them into your home.

Hi,

Sorry but I think your backsplash is the problem. It is too busy and is not 'shabby chic' in my view. I would simply change the backsplash to a subway tile in a 2/3rd 1/3rd layout and some pewter handles (pulls) like the one we have done below...

Cheers

just tossing this out there. if you can't find new hardware, as everyone suggest you start with, try taking one off somewhere and spray painting it. they make so many metal looking spray paints now a days. maybe just going darker on your pulls would be a quick, easy, inexpensive fix.

I think juanita's comments are very astute.

And really, what's the downside of trying the accessory route first? If you're not happy after doing what you can that way, THEN fiddle with the hardware or backsplash or whatever.

Following on Melissa's idea of painting the drawer pulls, try painting them a color - not a metal shade, but a glass green or blue or yellow to lessen the formal look of the room.

OR - paint them the color of the countertop or one of the colors in the backsplash to break up the white on the cabinets.

I can't believe how many people are recommending to partially redo this brand new, beautiful kitchen ! Accessorize first! Don't devalue the kitchen for shabby chic decor that isn't even in style anymore, not to mention the OP may tire of someday.

This is a beautiful kitchen , you might want to play around with some paint colors to get the feel you are looking for, you can go virtually any direction since your cabinets are white, maybe a slightly warmer tone ,too bring down the too modern look you are feeling.

How are you doing over there? Thought of you when this "Modern Shabby Chic" trend tag came across my inbox. There's your chandelier and your main white element. Once you add everyone's soft accessory suggestions (this company sells dining tables and a few decor items in your style), your kitchen will be a model!

It looks like everyone agrees: try adding shabby accessories, new hardware, and bar stools. Here are a few of ours designs to help you along:

The décor can do a lot to change the nature of the room. Although
changing the hardware of your cabinets would help, we think you might have a
hard time finding something to fit exactly in those holes. If you happen to
find something, great, but don’t spend all your time looking for them. Your
current chandelier is rather small for the space. We recommend a larger
chandelier above your kitchen island as your statement piece in the room. For
the window, try a fabric roman shade that coordinates with the chandelier and a
rug or two. Find a coordinating fabric for the seats of your stools around your
island. On the soffit above the cabinets, add some interesting artwork in
shabby chic frames. If you were so inclined, you could change the white
countertop of the island to something like a soapstone or zinc, which would fit
more with your shabby chic style. Otherwise, we also suggest keeping either
fresh flowers or a silk flower arrangement in a cute container on the island
and adding a few other canisters and accessories on the counters in your
preferred style. The décor you bring in can help deflect the eye from the parts
of the room that are more contemporary. Good luck!

Here is an updated picture. I did have a designer come in who recommended returning the chandeliers. Since we want to keep it beachy/shabby and lighter feel he picked out pendants with Amber glass and natural grass woven shades to warm things up. We ordered the pendants and window shades but are waiting for arrival.

We didn't get into rugs or accessories yet.

I really appreciate all the helpful advice and will keep posting as we install the pendants and shades and any rugs/accessories.

Great start! These two changes alone will make a big difference in feel. Add the assceories and voila.....you're feeling more shabby chic already. Fine tuning such a pretty kitchen to have it feel like yours is such a fun process. This is the fun part, so enjoy. =0) Please keep posting pictures as you add these changes- we all want to see!

I think your kitchen is lovely, but then, it's very similar to mine! :)

Love the stools! I think I thought you wanted more shabby chic ... that's not shabby but nicely chic :)

Yes I did want Shabby chic but am trying to work best with what we have so I think it's turning more chic :)

Okay lights are in now. Just waiting on window coverings. I'm still getting used to them although they are beautiful!

Oh, bummer! I liked the chandelier. Hang a floral fabric shade from the ceiling outside the window; it would really soften the space, add color, and hanging it from the ceiling will allow it to be seen even while raised. Or just make it a valance if you don't need a shade. (Cheaper and easier, too.) Your kitchen is beautiful, and can work with many different styles.

The main thing you need to focus on is TEXTURE. Right now most of your surfaces are smooth and non-organic; adding texture and aged elements will give you the homey feel you are looking for. I would suggest making an aged wood backdrop or frame for the organizer on the wall. Better yet, find a cabinet to hide the mail/papers.

That being said, it looks like you are a blessed mom; don't forget what's most important! Your kids don't care how beautiful your kitchen is. They will only remember the happy memories made there!

Are the pendants actually amber color? If so, they are not working with your whites and grays at all. A plain clear glass globe would be better. Can you change out globes?

You were on the shabby chic track with the cute crystal pendants although the were a bit too small in scale. Second guessing yourself is giving you your heartburn. You gut reaction at first is usually best direction. Back to crystal with more size.

Great advice from many, especially Flo Mangan. :)
A simple muted Oushak runner in the kitchen will help soften the modern vibe. Love the woven bamboo shades too.

I like the rug idea.

Your kitchen is quite a beautiful "blank slate" to work with - pick some colors you love and add little accessories to give it some "pizazz"! Blue mason jars with flowers or greenery in a wire basket, an old window frame, or door painted with a chalkboard insert on the empty wall - maybe even some painted/ distressed wood shutters on the sides of the window to frame it a bit, and some vintage linens on display! The possibilities are endless, and you can switch them up from time to time, or seasonally! I would leave the cabinet pulls alone for now - they are probably a larger than standard 3" drilling and would be difficult to find a more traditional pull in a style you like that would fit into the existing holes. Eventually, if you see a pull that you love, then by all means, go for it, but don't sweat the small stuff right now! Enjoy the ride!

If you decide to change out pendants here is great option for your look.

Here it is.

Shabby Chic is usually associated with a cheap repaint of a flea market find. It does not speak quality but rather a way for a DIY'er to redo something like painting a dresser in a quick way where the faults are explained by calling them shabby chic.

You have a brand new kitchen why would you want to make it look like a quick redo? If someone was touching up their kitchen then yes but not for a new build. It doesn't look shabby chic and that is a good thing.

Shabby Chic is a "feeling" of comfort to many as well so the poster is lacking that "feeling". You can get the feeling with a change in pendants and it can be done with style too and still have a good look.

A single "statement" chandelier over the island would be better than the two little bitties. Find a paper with matching fabric, then paper the area above the cabinets and make a roman shade (to the ceiling) out of the fabric.

Use the fabric for the bar stool seats too.

Hmmm I was wondering what happened with thread. I think she hired a designer guy to help her but haven't seen any updates since the amber lights. I don't think they fit the space but I do love the stools! Maybe robyn will chime in with some updates :)

I actually think it's the lack of crown molding on the cabinets that makes it look modern.

But i realize the soffits are in the way. Maybe they could be painted to match the cabinets and crown molding put where they reach the ceiling?

robynpmay, how are you doing with the accessories? I think the amber glass, the wooden legs on the tall stools, and the woven shade will all bring more warm tones out of your flooring, too. I was thinking that a short, woven basket, or centerpiece place mat or runner would catch the eye and help warm up the island also. Have you found any more beachy chic items for your soffits or wall space? Looking forward to seeing how you've progressed. : )

I also thought you might like seeing a few more modern chic looks that reminded me of parts of your design: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=AdnuaWlB&id=A22F7A29E217F1BCBDAA82577F06ECB46F862546&thid=OIP.AdnuaWlBiYEEa69bp0WdJgEyDM&q=Shabby+Chic+Modern+Kitchen&simid=608007542288945111&selectedindex=24&mode=overlay&first=1; https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=A%2FhjX%2F9E&id=6FDBEDE472CEB6746071712AF252FE298F043E55&thid=OIP.A_hjX_9ECa18upGKvrZ5fADdEa&q=Shabby+Chic+Modern+Kitchen&simid=608023785844181868&selectedindex=121&mode=overlay&first=1 . Maybe a soft color on your message wall: https://i.pinimg.com/236x/42/b4/eb/42b4eb35e5540c97f003f63ac04b8ce5.jpg .

Agree with Flo -- bigger crystal chandeliers would be shabby chic, I think the amber is too brown and wrong feel. The kitchen looks beautiful though!

Love the kitchen, I had same problem when I changed homes, modern kitchen with my farmhouse shabby chic style but I got it sorted. Promise you will too. Just add fresh flowers in a jug, rustic tray on island for your coffee cups etc. Blackboard, checked tea towels. It will all come together as long as you don't go OTT. You will end up loving it. Look at Etsy or Aliexpress for art and decor.

Here is another update. We added a little wood cabinet with the window shades.

This kitchen is fabulous!! Your money was well spent, it's timeless. All you need are some fabrics and accessories to soften it. Then in 5 years when you're tired of shabby chic, you can change and the kitchen will still be fabulous .

You'll be shocked at what a few pendants, art, and furniture will do for this. It's gorgeous, it's only too sleek now because you haven't made it your own yet.

Wow, the shades make such a difference! I hope that you come back with a photo when you've had time to add any finishing touches that you decide you want...even if it takes a while. Glad I happened onto your design dilemma. Great job, robynpmay! : ) [I forgot to add earlier that I think your flooring and back-splash play really well off one another.]

I think the combination turned out lovely, but of course I don’t know what the other rooms of your house look like, or what kind of decor you intend to put on the walls, or what kind of window treatments. In addition, it really doesn’t matter what anyone else says... if you don’t like it, (and I’m in the same boat with my new renovation, but for different reasons) then you’ll either find yourself redoing things again little by little,( as you did the backsplash), or you’ll find after everything is finally in and arranged, that you actually love it.

I don’t like door knob type pulls, but I do like the ones you chose. They’re understated, and classic. This makes them timeless. Designers all seem to agree on one aspect of a kitchen renovation, if you just can’t decide what you want, and that is; white is alway’s right, or at least another timeless bet.

As for the quartz... it’s all the rage right now, and although I’m very happy with mine, I do find that I miss the very shiny look of the granite, that I had put in another new build, several years ago. There’s just something about granite! Plus, there seem to be more color choices all the time.

Maybe if you look around your home and see what color theme sticks out, you can use splashes of color around the kitchen for more of the shabby chic look. Weathered wood/beach wood table, bar stools, in a leather finish...

All in all though... I think your kitchen looks beautiful, and I think you’ll love it once you live in it while!

Much luck to you, I know how you feel!

Looks great robyn! I love your backsplash! What is it? Brand/color?