Yes, I would paint the FP, I am getting ready to do the same. I personally wouldn't paint the cabs. I would do a neutral color throughout to lighten things up. Looking through Houzz photos at farm house kitchens should give you lots of ideas. Congrats!

I will say this. I respected your statement that you wanted to keep the back splash, so I didn't suggest redoing as I wanted to. However, imho, if you want a truer farm house look, I would redo it. Just a thought. :)

paint your walls first. right away. even if its not the eventual color, get rid of the orange. don't try to test other colors over the orange, you'll be getting orange glow from all of the other walls.

don't be fast to paint the brick. paint the walls, get your furniture moved in. you might not have to/want to paint the brick at that point.

i disliked our brick fireplace; after we added blue to the room i'm satisfied.

I agree the first thing is to prime all the walls with white primer then decide on wall color , I agree that looking at pics of modern farmhouse interiors will give you lots of ideas for color. One of my favorites is SW Rainwashed. That ceiling fan has got to go and IMO so does the backsplash.

I hadn't thought about redoing the backsplash since it was recently installed, but you all bring up a good point. I'm trying to visualize the look of some light, bright beige or light grey subway tiles in there and that might be a good balance that could add light without having to paint cabinets. My husband will probably wonder why we are having to remove a new backsplash, but I'll take that task over painting all of those cabinets to start off with : ) He also would like the idea of preserving the natural wood of the cabinets. Thanks for the suggestion!

Once every wall has gone from orange to primer white, you'll have a completely different perspective on the brick, cabinets, and all the rest. Personally, I wouldn't mess with the brick, and I'd wait on the kitchen until you have a better feel for the place, but you may be totally amazed by how transformed the place looks without the orange paint, and the brick, at least, is likely to look perfectly tame. Will be more leisure then to think about the kitchen and/or to live there a bit and see how it functions for you before doing anything major.

Thanks for the suggestion!

You're welcome. :)

Agreeing with everyone else... don't make any other decisions until you paint everything with white primer. I know most paint colors come with primer already in them, but you'll never be able to get a good handle on what colors you might want with all of the orange glow coming off those walls. I'd personally live with the white primer for a few weeks minimum. The change to that alone is going to be shocking.

I love orange but Wowzer! Keep us posted with progress.

Please post new photos after you prime the orange walls in white.

I agree, if you would like more suggestions it will be easier once the walls are primed! :)

I couldn't look at the backsplash every day, it would have to go. Painting walls will fix most of your issues I think. No need to paint cabinets.

Yep backsplash has to go. If you are keeping the cabinets I'd add black iron hardware, take off the wood piece over the sink. Change out the lighting and live with the white primed walls for awhile.

What everyone else said. Paint the walls first. You can't even see the colors of the fireplace or cabinets because all you see is terra cotta orange walls.

My color suggestion is that you take the lightest color from the backspash and paint the walls that color. Keep the wood trim until you see how the room looks lightened.

You may love the distressed brick once you lighten the walls. Go for it. And post pictures!!

I agree with previous posters, too.

Paint everything white for now.

Keep cabinets wood stain.

Change backsplash.

I'd suggest living with the fireplace as is for a bit, then see how you feel in a few months, or even a year, once you're settled. Personally, I love the texture/warmth/interest that the brick adds, but it's really up to you, once you live with it for a while.

Good luck, and congrats on your beautiful new home!

I agree with neutralizing the orange paint first. I also agree with the problem with the backsplash - and hate to bring it up since you did not ask.

It is possible the backsplash was put up using a home center discount tile to try to update the kitchen before selling the home. Home center stores have some nice tiles, but I've noticed lately that they are over run with mosaic backsplash tile. It is the most common backsplash to be removed shortly after installed because what looks really pretty in a 12 x 12 sample is too busy, especially with wood cabinets. It also is reading very cool in what should be a warm space.

I do not know what wood your trim is, but if it is pine, do not feel bad about painting it, but don't paint the doors. That might be a good compromise with your husband, especially if the trim wood is nothing special. I would not paint the cabinets, but I also have seen some pretty painted kitchens. I've seen mixed reviews in how well the painted over finished wood cabinets hold up over many years. White trim with stained doors is a good look and it will allow you to use both in your decor. Stained doors have more value and are easier to upkeep then white pained doors.

If the backsplash was done with a sitck-on mosaic, it might be removable just by heating it with a hair dryer. If it was applied with thin set and grout, could be more work. An inexpensive backsplash could be beadboard, and subway tile looks great with wood cabinets, especially for a farmhouse look. If you think you may change countertops down the road, then just put up and paint drywall or beadboard. Installing a new countertop can damage a backsplash. I don't think you need new counters, but want you to know the right order of operations so you don't waste money.

Here is cream subway tile with a black countertop:

Colors that go well with mid tone woods are white, cream, blues and greens. I have oak cabinets with white trim. I do have some painted cabinets in the laundry room and powder room. I have cream walls with just a touch of beige to set off the white trim and blue is my major accent color. There are some pictures in my "my pics" idea book. Here is one of the kitchen:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356

I love my sink, but having it retrofitted into an already installed stone countertop could be pricy. Kohler makes two sinks in a "short apron" style that can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet.

You can curtain the cabinet for a farmhouse look without the actual sink. I did that in my basement kitchenette:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573

Here is another one:

Some ideas to think about down the road - after you have moved in and neutralized that paint:)

You can have the wood center panel removed from some of the doors and replaced with glass.

You can retrofit a cabinet with a plate rail. There are kits for that, and I did mine myself. It does take some minor carpentry skills so you might need a carpenter for that. You can also replace a set of uppers with shelves. The glass panels have a similar effect without the dusting.

I'm loving these ideas you all are suggesting! You all have completely sold me on replacing the backsplash first before I even put paint to the cabinets. I'm also looking forward to getting some primer on those walls to completely wash everything out and look at the rooms with a blank slate for a few weeks...great suggestion!

A few of you have mentioned updating the lighting in the kitchen. I'm totally open to exploring those options. What type of fixture might you recommend replacing the ceiling fan with? A lot of inspiration searches I keep coming across have beautiful light fixtures, but most of them are drop downs over an island or counter space. What would you recommend since this fixture is literally in the middle of the room with no counters below it?

I'm revisiting this thread as we have made a few changes in our kitchen finally. Step 1...an updated light fixture. Step 2...we finally got primer on the walls and the orange glow is slowly dissipating! Now that the orange tone is gone from the walls, I wanted to post some photos of the primed walls as a few of you had requested. Looking at these photos, does anyone have any paint color suggestions that would go with the oak cabinets? It is amazing how different the space looks with just primer on the walls!

(P.S. I posted photos with lights on and off so you could get a good idea of how the light works in this space)

What did you end up deciding on the backsplash and what does the adjoining room look like?

I love your new light.

Yeah the ORANGE is going away... I think a lighter cooler will make the spaces seem more natural and lighter not so dark... I think the backsplash can stay if you paint the walls one of the colors that are in the backsplash - light color to keep it open and natural looking something beigey or taupish or creamy. Though, I'm not sure what's going on with the hanging tile by the peninsula...don't like that section. It seems as though you need something big to fill in that space. As for the cabinets, if I were to paint or refinish, I think I honestly would go espresso or chocolate brown for a more seemless look with the countertops and appliances - especially if you decide to keep the backsplash. I think that the dark cabinets with light colored walls will look good with the backsplash. I like the cool light fixture!

I would not change the fireplace - red brick is classic, timeless. If you think it needs something, maybe a new mantle - like a rustic reclaimed wood chunky mantle that's a free floating single beam.

Your kitchen does look brighter! Will you be keeping the backsplash? I think it draws too much attention to itself. It is about the only thing I noticed in the pictures. If you cannot put up another backsplash, just paint instead.

Thank you on the compliment of the new light! We searched high and low for something that would work well in that space.

For now, the backsplash is staying. We had an unexpected plumbing issue in our connected laundry room that caused water damage on the existing floor. So instead of replacing the backsplash, we will be getting new floors instead. Here are a few photos of our very preliminary flooring search. The backsplash might come down the line, but for now, we are hoping the paint we pick will go with the backsplash that is there now.

lhutch13, I also attached a photo of the adjoining room. It is basically a blank slate. The biggest thing we have to work around is the brick fireplace. I am planning on swapping out the ceiling fan for a fixture similar to what we have in the kitchen and some canned lights. We will also be painting the small gold trim on the fireplace so the entire unit is black. We are also planning on keeping the dark wood trim. It is excellent condition solid wood that fits the property so I can't bring myself to paint it.

Are you planning on painting your cabinets? Otherwise, flooring color may get tricky?

Here's my favorite horse farm home. Click and enjoy the whole house. Colors are believed to be Ben Moore Navajo White walls and White Dove trim.

lhutch13, cabinets are staying original color. My husband is all about the natural wood look so those and the wood trim are about his only requests.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster White is so great if you're going for white walls - it's a warm white.

For cabinets: We had stained wood kitchen cabinets in a previous home and we taped up all around the kitchen and removed our cabinet doors. My brother (a cabinet maker) spray painted our cabinets with a lacquer paint and we sprayed the doors outside separately. They were GREAT! A complete transformation!

Backsplash: I have seen people paint their tile with success if you are on a tight budget.

Good Luck....I love projects like this! But how many times have you sang "The Brady Bunch" song while living here?? ;)

stanfield95, I'm starting to see some similarity between my before pics and this image! I guess all I'm missing is some avocado green! I suppose this goes to show just how much trends change ;-)

Changing out that backsplash would not cost that much and make a HUGE difference; it’s really holding the place back, IMO

I agree with the back splash and it needs to come down. If you are looking for an updated farmhouse look. Depending upon your taste, I would either paint the kitchen cabinets white or cream. If you want the grain to show, I would think it is possible to sand them and re-stain in a cream stain. Both colors will go with the black counter top. Walls neutral with a light color and then I would look at the fireplace to determine if it should be painted. The new modern farmhouses are showing very light colors and airy atmosphere. Also, wood beams on the ceiling really are a great look too. If you paint the cabinets light, any color hardwood would look fine. Just one opinion. Good luck.

Paint those cabinets a creamy white and lose that backsplash! Take a deep breath and just “do it”! I suspect you won’t be sorry. Go with the floors you love. The countertops are great. Warm rug(s) on the floor(s). Love the Navajo White walls. Looks like the house has great bones and great potential.

Maybe you can patch the floor and refinish it to a gray or just natural and save enough to redo the backsplash.

I see you haven't gotten the white all the way through the living room. I agree, all that orange was too much, but I might consider keeping it just on the one wall in the living room (the one with the TV in your initial pictures). I did like how it pulled the orange tones from the counters and complements the brick. I think the first and third floors work best with your cabinet color. I really like the cabinets and the fireplace brick. Some little updates and eventually that backsplash and it will be awesome!

With the countertops, it’s going to end up pretty dark. Dark cabinets, counters, floor. If you keep the cabinet color, you need to either perfectly match, go lighter wood or darker. It’s going to look off otherwise

And ditch the backsplash.

Thank you for all the suggestions! We are reconsidering our backsplash decision for a summer project. I appreciate the suggestions on the flooring. Unfortunately, refinishing is not an option as the previous owners installed laminate. We are looking to install luxury vinyl planks for the durability and water-resistant factor. Does anyone have any inspiration photos of floors that go well with oak cabinets?

As for wall colors, we are considering some of these options:

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6072-versatile-gray#/6072/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW0054-twilight-gray#/0054/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7022-alpaca#/7022/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7043-worldly-gray#/7043/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

I'm also going to pick up a large sheet swatch of Navajo White, as suggested. It looks like a beautiful color! I'll just need to see how much yellow it pulls next to the cabinets. We had a lot of beige colors that were way to warm with the cabinets and really accentuated the orange in the cabinets. Thanks for all the ideas!

I'm not sure, but this is a similar dilemma I am having! We have oak cabinets very similar to yours, and our kitchen floor right now is a really beat up sheet vinyl. I'd like to install vinyl planks (have them in our bathroom and have been really happy), and part of me wants to keep them in the same wood tone as the adjoining living room, but then I feel like with the oak cabinets it's wood overload. They do make LVP in more of a tile look, if that is something you'd be interested in.

Not sure on the second one, it may be too grey. But you could go lighter, like a hickory or maple, darker (but the undertones may clash, so you'd have to be careful) or a rustic that would match your cabinets.

I think those SW colors are too dark and dreary. Your room isn’t huge. I’d go lighter....

Paint the fan to match the ceiling: it’s too intrusive. Lower the mantel to a more appropriate level. Paint wall and trim the same colour. A barely-there yellow or a barely-there sage green would work. A pale ash grey might also work.

Find another place for the horse and the art over the TV: they’re both much too high. Art is best at seated eye level. TV is viewed most comfortably at the same height.

How about large slate tile? I just think trying to match up wood look anything to real wood is always tricky and never really looks good.

You could seriously get that backsplash done in a weekend or two...there’s not that much there....is do it now rather than wait until a nice summer weekend.....

I don’t know where you live, but the weather’s crappy here....

I like white paint (or close to white) for your walls if you plan to honor your husband's request to keep the wood trim.

I agree about replacing the backsplash. It's very busy and takes away from the farmhouse feel you are going for.

You can incorporate the undertones from your floors or granite into the backsplash you choose. A stacked glazed brick tile could look really good as long as you keep the color light.

If you end up deciding to paint the cabinets a wood look decorative tile that incorporates the color of the wood trim from the adjoining rooms could be interesting (not sure how it would look with your countertops and floors though.

I agree about using a slate flooring or some other type of tile that doesn't compete with all the wood you've already got going on with the cabinets, wood trim, and flooring in other rooms. It may take a bit of brainstorming and a shift from vinyl plank flooring, but I don't think it's necessary to paint your cabinets or the wood trim.

It would be great if you could replace the backsplash. It looks too busy, takes too much attention, and it looks somehow off in combination with your cabinets. I would consider polished and beveled marble tile - http://homearttile.com/product/6x6-polishedbeveled/ or, if you like rust tones (they would go well with your cabinets), take a look at Calacatta Gold marble tile http://homearttile.com/product/calacatta-gold-3/.

I appreciate all the flooring suggestions! We actually had visited the idea of a slate floor and might return to it. crystalpea, I love the mock-ups you did! That actually really helped my husband visualize how changes could look in our space.