Where is the dining area in relation to the island? In front, off to the room on the right side? What is your family situation? Kids, ages? What is your lifestyle? The room to the side could have a banquette and small dining table for informal meals/snacks. Or maybe a small desk and bookshelves for a homework/office/library area. As previously suggested, cozy chairs for a quiet coffee area.

Here's creamy cabinets with similar counters and a copper tile backsplash. Looks lovely!!

I would definitely make that side space into a reading nook, or comfy lounging area - especially with those lovely windows! Is there a door to the outside on the wall we don't see? Or just a big window?

Hi Gaya, I remember your post, and I regret that I'm one of those who chimed in suggesting a light backsplash (I said your choices mimicked my color preferences - I happen to love color and have since realized we should follow our hearts), so I'll chime in again, but this time I'd agree with your DH, it needs a pop! Is that colonial cream granite or something else? Without lighting I'm having a hard time seeing the counter top color, but looks like you've got some beautiful coral/rust/orange with cream and warm grey/brown. I think a copper backsplash would add the color and pop you want and it'd be so striking! And yes, if you're still thinking of a feature behind your cooktop, go with it!

Loving the corners of your island!

ETA: (photo didn't post first time)

There's this... it's close to your original storyboard, and I think not remotely too busy. I admit, I prefer your idea of a copper backsplash.

Room to the side of the kitchen: I like rooms off the kitchen to be both inviting and useful, a place where people who've just gathered in the kitchen might naturally gravitate... a den with a tv, perhaps a small area for snacking, maybe a built-in bookshelf or two if you've room. If not a tv fan, you've got what appears to be a lot great natural lighting with nature views, perhaps an area for bird watching or just enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of inside.

thank you all.

@annac54, if you look at the third picture, the area in front of the island is the family room (about 25') the TV wall being directly across from the island. The dining is to the left of this space as you face the kitchen. We are a couple and a 10 year old daughter, casual lifestyle with casual entertaining option. We do play cards with friends and thought was to make that open space for that. Another option we are considering is a bar/sitting.

@Kathryn P, thanks. that is our challenge to make our kitchen from where it is to the picture you shared.

@AnnKH, there is a sliding patio door on the third wall you don't see.

@2Manydiversions (yes exactly my challenge :)). no please not at all. cream backsplash is still an option, I just very split at this point. As I do want to bring some copper/orange accents along with buying a set of Copper chef cookware and going with copper backsplash/pulls might make it too coppery. BTW, yes that is colonial cream with quite a bit of golds and browns. Love the picture, is that colonial cream as well. My original idea was to go with wood stain for island, LOL. I think the door style is probably causing it to be way too simple as what we really wanted was that projection in the middle, what we got was close to a shaker style. Different issue.

Gaya, I understand having difficulty choosing which way to go, what to choose. I'm not you, so I can only make suggestions: I love copper/orange with browns : ) Yes, in the pic above it's Colonial Cream, but yours has more color, and is quite a bit more attractive in my opinion! I also think I prefer the projection in the middle for cabinets (not sure what that style is called, still learning) but I'm leaning toward something more along the lines of what you've got now as I do intend to use more color, more texture.

Here is the same photo as above badly photoshopped to make the island the same (not white, it's creamier):

As you can see, this lightens up the whole look, so if you prefer to stay on the less busy side, something along those lines would look very nice, I think.

However... ; - )

Too busy? Too much? Not in my opinion since your island is not stained dark. However, with copper (or bronze) as a backsplash, especially behind your cooktop, I'd think you might want it treated with lacquer or something similar (not familiar with copper backsplash protection) for ease of cleaning, or let it go and allow it to patina naturally - depends on your style. You could take a piece of your countertop and see what looks best. Me? I'd buy samples of copper tiles, antiqued copper tiles, and the tile backsplash and live with it a while.

I love your idea of copper cookware as a useful accent. Regarding the pulls, you could go with an antiqued copper or bronze, or something along these lines (style is up to you)...

This way you wouldn't have copper overload, but you'd have copper highlights corresponding with your backsplash. OTOH, you could always go with a creamier tile with the dark accents as in the above photoshopped pic, and still use the antiqued copper or bronze pulls.

I like your idea of making the area off your kitchen a card/gaming room, and a bar/sitting area - the two go together well and would be an inviting place to gravitate from the kitchen. There are so many attractive gaming tables. We've got one that's a bit on the heavy side (more Old World)

closed against a wall

open, ready to use. We rarely use it these days as we're too busy, but it makes a nice accent in my office.

You've got the 'bones' in your kitchen to make it what you want, it's just a matter of the finishing touches!

Don't get ahead of yourself! You haven't moved into all this space yet! When you do, then you can decide whether or not you need more color.