I agree with cream walls, not wallpaper. It will look great with your walnut cabinets. And two pendant lights over the breakfast bar; don't hang them too low so they're in people's eyes. Also pick a complimentary chandelier for over your table. I love the brick. Your kitchen is really interesting. I'd remove all the stuff above the cabinets and on walls above the cabinets - too distracting. Let your cabinets, new granite and backsplash take the stage. I'd do backsplash in cream/taupe limestone tiles, 2" x 3" wide or a bit bigger. I'd pick a cream based granite with some dark brown and black flecks/veins. This is a bigger project but if you can eliminate the bulkhead, do it. We did it in our kitchen and it made it feel so much more spacious.

probably they came up with a solution some time in the last 2.5 years.

acm - CRAP! I didn't see the date of this thread! thanks!