I think painting out the yellow is a good idea. I don't hate it - I like color, but I think the brightness brings out the brighter colors of your floor, which you don't like. For the backsplash, I would consider something simple because there is a lot going on in your kitchen. I would look at different tiles and use a non contrasting grout for a subtly pretty look. Hopefully someone with more ideas about tile will chime in. My own kitchen has cream subway:)

I would work with the terracotta floor & paint the walls a similar colour, very deep rust colour. You might be able to replace the island top to a different colour; often stone companies have salvage pieces from other installations. I would also lighten up the backsplash with either a cream or a soft pale grey. Good luck.

HI - The wall color I think is what is not right . A nice warm white or a white gray and also paint the door and window frame / trims and baseboards and that crown molding . Maybe change the island counter top for a maple wood cutting board top. New back splash in marble tiles in a new pattern . All the rest looks good . How is the lighting -- new lighting will change things .

I think a dark walnut butcher block would look nice on your island. Then I would consider doing the walls in a color a few shades lighter than your upper cabinets and doors. Have that color cut by 50% and try a sample to see what you think. I don't think a white backsplash would go well in here. Perhaps a back painted glass in the same color as the walls. Hope this helps!

You definitely need a runner rug in your kitchen. And I agree, paint over the yellow and replace the backsplash. Go with a white/beige wall color to lighten up the space.

thanks for all the comments to date...seems that everyone concurs that the yellow has to go! I also am happy to see that the runner idea is a yes :-) I am not sure that I would like the butcher block idea as I am used to being able to use my island as a buffet and not having to worry about hot pots, etc. sitting on it. I will see if I can get a salvage piece to somewhat match the blackish counter top. I am leaning in the direction of small mosaic tiles (perhaps glass) that tie in with the cabinet colours. It seems that neutralizing the backspash yellow and the yellow paint will go a long way in making the floor more likeable. Can't believe I didn't think of this when I painted the walls yellow!!!! thanks for the suggestions so far :-)

good visual example of how changing paint colours can make the kitchen have a whole new vibe! thanks! Yes, the dark grout is way too busy, I agree but would love to get rid of the mustardy colour so either repeating the look of the floor as in your pic or small mosaic tiles with matching grout?

Isn't your backsplash tile the same shades as the floor?

no...it is a mexican shiny looking mustard colour...the photo doesn't really show it very well. The tile does go with the floor but as I am trying to change the look of the floor, I want to change anything else that accents it and at this point I really, really hate them :-)))))

I like it the way it is except for the island top. Your kitchen has a timeless natural Spanish vibe and southwest color palette. You could top the island in butcher block and change out the pulls for something with a more handcrafted look.

I would not do mosaic tiles for your backsplash. They are very busy. I cannot picture them with your floor.

I like your kitchen:) Love the butcher block idea. I just think you need to simplify your kitchen a bit...down to maybe 3 colors.

Gray Cabinets...I like the darker shade on the bottom

Terra-cotta floor/ Wood Countertop

White or lighter paint and backsplash

thanks for all of these comments. I can see that the mosaics might be too busy...thanks for bringing that up. So I suppose as simple as possible...grout not being obvious. I think I will go for a creamier white than the one in the mockup but it certainly shows how changing the wall colour and the tile will make a huge difference. What about stainless steel metal tiles...I used them in my laundry room to match my grey machines and it looked good. Perhaps it would blend better than the stark white?

It seems painting is in order. You could definitely use a runner in the kitchen to downplay the tiles, and you could try a white backsplash in the kitchen if you didn't paint the cabinets. It could work well. Here are some pictures to help you visualize.

The attractive perimeter cabinetry looks gray in the photo. The island appears blue. It is also a different style. I would replace the island with cabinetry which matches the rest of the kitchen and top it with a matching counter or white Quartz.
The bright yellow has to go, but I would paint the walls white or a very pale gray.....anything with cream or yellow in it brings attention to the floor color. Not all grays go together, but if you bring home a dozen color chips, you may be able to find a compatible pale gray.
The tile floor is the glaring problem in the kitchen. I don't know if it really needs to be jackhammered, but anything else you change in the kitchen will still be overpowered by the tile. Do you know if the tiles continue under the cabinetry? If it does, and you decide to have the visible tile removed, the thickness of the tile under the cabinets would be a factor in the laying of new tile, but it can be done.
IMO, the tile floor must be the thing you change first. It's just too old-fashioned for this century. It's the wrong color, and the rounded-edge shape allows dirt to accumulate along the grout lines. I'm sure it is very hard to clean.
A professional tile installation company will have the right equipment and the right crew to do the removal quickly and properly. It won't be cheap, but a pro will give you the best result and what you spend will be a good investment in the value of your home.

First I would remove the crown molding. It chops up the soffit and it should be all around the room. I would paint the walls the same color as the upper cabinets, again so the soffit is camouflaged. I would remove that large dark curio cabinet, it crowds the space and just hangs there with no anchor. Or extend it all the way to the floor. The wood top for the island is also what I would suggest. I have John Boos butcher block stained walnut on my island and use it to eat on every day and also as a buffet for parties, without any problems. Trying to put a similar black granite is just going to look like you didn't have enough. Look at 4x16 tile for the backsplash it isn't so busy.

thanks for your comments. I agree about the floor being a glaring problem but I think in order to change the floor, the cabinets would need to be removed which is not an option at this time. Yes, it is difficult to keep clean with the grout lines :-( but having just put a sealer on the whole floor, it makes the cleanup much easier. The floor is dated I agree but hoping to take the emphasis off it by neutralizing any other yellow tones...backsplash and paint. All the cabinets on the bottom half including the island are the same colour (no blue). The top cabinets are a lighter shade of the same colour and are more of a slate grey (greenish) than completely grey. I am sure that I can find a white that has the same tone and perhaps a tile for the backsplash as well. Thinking that if I start from the least expensive paint etc., then I can see as I go if I need to change the more expensive things. Perhaps changing the granite on the island to match the counter tops may help unify the look?

Hmmm....so interesting to get so many different comments. Hadn't thought of the "curio"cabinet looking suspended. It is really useful with the drawers and family photos etc so maybe it would look better if I painted it the colour of the upper cabinets (lighter shade) and then paint the wall colour behind it the same? Can't extend the curio as there is baseboard heating underneath it. The backsplash is approx. 16" tall so the tiles you suggest might be difficult to fit. Thinking that a subway type tile with matching grout will solve the busy problem. Also taking off the crown mouldings would damage the ceiling and walls...yikes...so trying to avoid that. Perhaps painting everything...the top cabinets, soffit, and moulding the same light greyish might work?

ps the island cabinetry was actually made to match the rest of the kitchen. The only difference is the trim on the sides and curio in an attempt to make it look more like added furniture than an extension of the cabinets.