perhaps at least the facade of the soffit gray all the way across the top incl. above stove and refridge as there is a lot of white going on: cabinets, range, refridge, tile, bead board......

Hello, yes it was a vote for gray. I just feel there is too much white and it would warm it up. If it isn't super dark which it doesn't appear to be I don't believe it would change to the illusion of making it look small. Adding a lot of nick nacks will just take away from all you've done......it's only one opinion and I guess that's why we all post here for ourselves and others! Good luck and yes wait until it's all done and decide. Paint is easy!

I have a few plates on my soffit - Three on each. If you do the soffit gray, you could just put a few plates that coordinate - either white like your cabinets or in an accent color.

This is how I did mine - but it is a different style of kitchen. You might want a more contemporary or fun type of plate.

You are doing a great job. I built shelves with a beadboard background for my basement kitchenette. Again, it is wood and not white, but I was inspired in part by the same picture you were.

My basement kitchenette shelves were made out of fir joist (stained "Special Walnut") - very inexpensive and without some of the worries of reclaimed wood - cost and critters:)

It looks like I forgot to post the link to my kitchen - but I think you found it anyway.

I got them at Menards, but Lowe's has them too. I actually got the ones I used rummaging through the scrap wood section section and only spent a few dollars - but those can be cracked or warped. I spent some time going through the stacks and putting them on the floor to see if they were flat. Later, I realized later I could have bought a couple of long joist - It would have cost a bit more but saved time and reduced slivers in my hand.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Top-Choice-Common-2-in-x-12-in-x-8-ft-Actual-1-5-in-x-11-25-in-x-8-ft-Lumber/1000056483

It is a good idea to use a pre-stain on fir before staining because it can stain unevenly and lighter stains turn it orange - why I went with walnut.

I saw the thiner pieces of wood you bought for the kitchen in your other post. I used that size in my bathroom, though I used oak, and the thinner is fine too.