I would remove the shelf by the peninsula and put a painting there. I would flank the backsplash with open shelves, maybe in stainless and paint that wall to tie in with the art.

Thanks! Love those ideas!

I think it would be fun to do the back wall in a black or green chalk board paint. I mention green because of your stools.

Paint the backsplash wall bright yellow. Add a large colorful pendant light. Hang an oversized colorful print on the left wall.

Red 1-light Stem Pendant

Colorful Various Fruit With Splash Water

I'd at least consider a shade for your current hanging light, if not a change to something with more personality.

Put in a nice backsplash with floating shelves

You have a lot of colors going on, the dark green stools, black, and the white counters and walls. For sure paint the kitchen a different color. I was thinking a light green. And replace the shelf with a glossy white floating shelf and to make everything flow and match better I would replace your stools with nice stainless steel ones. The backsplash by your sink is really awkward, either do that for your whole kitchen or get rid of it all together. Hope this helps along with the picture ideas!

do you love forest green? perhaps do a green glass panel on the wall behind the cooktop, or a geometric green tile ( they seem to be really popular) and then just do white around the window to limit the shout of color..

Your stools are fantastic! Do not get rid of them!

You could use backsplash like below and green pendant, some art

Green wall, Black glass subway tile backsplash, white floating shelves, large vintage art?

cute space. love those green pendant ideas. on either side of the window, are those sconce fixtures wired to go? if so, something like this would look good w/some wood shelving beneath it. you could put your glasses on there or some potted herbs or plants

shelving is easy enough to do yourself. you could do Ikea, or pipe fixtures w/a piece of wood, or floating type of shelving. Do two of these on each side of window, and maybe another longer one over by peninsula. get some trailing plants for that one.

I think you should also continue w/your backsplash tiles, all the way like they've done here. (the green tiles are cool!)

back painted glass on the wall behind stove would also look good

you could prob paint the wall this color, then cut a piece of clear glass to fit right over the wall. pretty easy, and cheap, to do yourself.

over by the peninsula you could hang some art and do the shelving similar to this:

I vote for painting that wall a bright color, and doing some fun art w/the shelving (by the peninsula)

Wow, thank you all so so much for your ideas!!! Incredibly helpful. Getting rid of the stools is not an option since they're pretty new and my husband loves them :) I could theoretically use pewter gilding wax and make the legs look different though (?)
I absolutely love the green glass backsplash ideas, as well as losing the small shelf and adding art there.
The other piece that's a little hard is that this kitchen

(oops hit send too soon)
this kitchen is part of a large open floor plan, so you can see everything from everywhere...choosing art that works with everything in the living room and dining room makes my head spin a bit :)
Just from that fear I've been thinking mirrors or something like that (which I guess is why the kitchen was so neutral in the first place!)

but I will DEFINITELY look along the lines suggested above - I honestly love the ideas and really appreciate everyone's help!

there are diff ways to do the green. (which would really jazz up that spot. don't forget some green plants!)

I love mocreidhl's rendering. It remind me a a kitchen photo I saved forever ago. Is this bold, contrasting colors feel in your wheelhouse? I especially like how the black, white, green, and copper tones work together.

If you would like to share photos of your entire area, we would love to offer cohesive recommendations. Have a wonderful weekend!

that's gorgeous!! the rest of the house is not too bold (I think I was scared to commit to particular colors since every room affects every other!) I'm attaching a picture of what you can see standing in the kitchen, but keep in mind it's definitely not a finished space either :)

IS a space ever really finished???

This is a wonderful space! I love how you have the green touches everywhere.

These blue & green tile would be spectacular over your sink. Its a perfect blend for your entire area.

HAND PAINTED SUBWAY Tidal

Love the pic of your little kitchen designer surveying the room!

some more pics of the relevant areas (sorry for any mess!)

Haha flopsycat1! I can't seem to get any shots without at least one child

My living space is the same:) I used accent walls to define each area. Dark purple across from my purple couch and bright green by my table to match my chairs. You just need to consider which walls you see from any given point and have fun.

You could use coordinating rugs in the dining and living space with both blues and greens.

Whoa, I love that emerald green subway tile, what is it?!

add a stainless exhaust hood over the cook top.....tile the wall behind it completely first. lose the wall shelf over the table and paint that wall a accent color.

You seem to like your deer art, I do too. You could go with either a deer canvas or Forrest canvas in your kitchen, I quite like the forest ones, might be overkill on the deer

Full glass backsplash. Stainless steel hood. Large piece of art instead of shelf.