A round ring under your table and a large rectangular rug in your kitchen area would soften the look of your floors.

A round "rug" - sorry ...

Hi Tara,

Yes, I see what you mean with all the beige and black.

What is your budget and time frame?

You mentioned that you are a pretty good DIYer?

Even the sink is black....

Yes, I am thinking the black will have to stay, just because I can't afford all new appliances, countertop, etc.... For budget, I would really like to stay under $5000, so that is a definite constraint. I do have some DIY experience--I have previously put in new backsplashes and flooring, but I've never taken any out.

Interested in seeing the responses. It seems the cheapest and most dramatic fix (besides painting the walls, which is probably a given if you're moving in) would be to change the backsplash- maybe a handmade subway tile in a cream that matches the lightest tone in the floor tiles?

the whole place will look different with their stuff out and your stuff in. If you're not in a rush, I'd wait and see how your furniture, etc. brings out the space.

jdtm1, I think you are right that rugs would help to cover up some of the travertine (the dining table/other furniture in the photo are actually the previous owners--these were the listing photos), but I'm not sure what rug color/style would work just yet....

Hi Kayled, we actually moved in about a month ago. Unfortunately, our stuff doesn't do much except to confuse the space even more. =) I have a couple bold-colored appliances (bright green stand mixer, red blender), but not much furniture. We currently only have our dining room table in the area, and that isn't something we are set on keeping. We definitely want to pain the walls, but aren't sure what color is going to help so are holding off until we figure that out. The problem is that in the kitchen itself, there is almost no untiled surface to paint. So, unless we tear out the backsplash (a possibility, but I'm a little terrified...) the walls in the kitchen itself can't be changed. I do love the look of a subway tile though!

Simple white backsplash would really help... :)

Be brave! Google the heck out of "installing a backsplash." This is a project even a DIY newbie can do. Simple tile with coordinating grout is very forgiving. And it's just a backsplash. If you screw it up, you won't be out much. And you can't really hurt the house significantly. Absolute Worst case you'll have to hire someone to fix it, which still won't be much, and you can live without a backsplash for some time while you save up the money.

Spend the rest of your budget on paint and decor. It will go fast. Post pictures with your stuff in the space and maybe some of the design inclined can give you feedback.

I don't see this as all that Tuscan. Lots of cottages have stone floors and my sisters rustic style home has a similar floor, so don't let the floor throw you. A simple subway tile backsplash will make a big difference. Beadboard would also make it more farmhouse and would be inexpensive. After the tile is removed, if the walls are damaged you could do beadboard over them. If you think you might change out the counter down the road, beadboard is a good temporary backsplash. I don't see a problem with the counters, but if you are thinking of changing them out, don't put a lot of money into a backsplash that could get damaged if counters were changed.

If you change counters, Kohler makes the cast iron Whitehaven apron front sink in a "short apron" style that can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. I used this sink and am thrilled with it.

Consider replacing the glass selves in the cabinets with wood shelves painted to match the cabinets and display more casual farmhouse or vintage items. If you need the cabinets for storage, you can shirr fabric behind the glass - that is more cottage / country look. If you used a fabric that was understated but had a bit of your green in it, it might pull together with the green mixer - or display some items that have the same green. I have some green depression glass platters and salad plates - something like that might look pretty in the glass cabinets. You could remove the set of glass door cabinets and replace with wood shelves

Before you spend any money, access the cabinets. They may be older cabinets that have been painted - be sure if that is the case that the paint job is holding up and the cabinets are in good shape.

Beadboard backsplash:

Shirred fabric:

Stone floor - decor with botanical prints, antique china

Tara,

Is there anyway you can paint the cabinets and change out the hardware?

Since you do like "farmhouse", is there a way to take this kitchen and go more in that direction?

The power of paint would help significantly. You might consider painting the cabinets white, and the walls in the adjoining areas a cooler greige (such as BM Revere Pewter, which shouldn't "argue" with the travertine). Definitely a nice runner rug in the kitchen with a pop of another color that you might want to bring in. Agree with the others who have posted pictures of cute farmhouse-style valances over the window. If you are constrained on budget or not wanting to tackle a backsplash, you might research Smart Tiles, which are very user-friendly and have good reviews.

Good luck! Please post pictures of what you end up doing.

I thought your cabinets looked painted in the picture - cream. Is this right or are they a blond wood? I thought they were painted oak because I can see the texture of the grain, but perhaps I am wrong - hard to tell from the picture - computer monitors do not give true colors.

Changing your pulls would make a big difference. Century Hardware has some great collections that could pull your kitchen into a new farmhouse style design! To achieve the look, try out their glass knobs and metal pulls. https://www.houzz.com/collections/centuryamerica

I have the same problem in our master bathroom! I'm currently working on brightening it up and getting away from the warm Tuscan look. I will update when it's done to hopefully help you out.

For the kitchen, consider an oriental runner with shades of brick and just touches of black. I see some red accents on your counter and in your cabinets. That would brighten it up and soften all the beiges. Looks very pretty.

Thanks so much for all the great ideas everyone! Jhmarie--I really like the first farmhouse-style kitchen you posted with the beadboard. The cabinets in my kitchen are not currently painted--they are a light wood/stain.

Greenfish--I agree that the previous owners really put a lot of money into this kitchen, and I want to be careful not to "disrespect" that effort by doing a poor job. That's partly why I'm seeking as much advice as possible here before doing anything. I appreciate your perspective.

Altogether, I'm still pretty nervous about the idea of taking out the backsplash, but it sounds like that is one of the best options to change the look here. That, and being very careful with rug and decor purchasing... =)

Mom-made, I look forward to seeing what you do in your bathroom--those are basically the exact same counters/cabinets that I have!

A farmhouse style table and hutch in the dining area, a chandelier, rectangular rug. Some pics of blue ceilings. Definitely change out the drawer pulls and hire a tile guy it is so freaking worth it!!

What are those counters? I thought they were high end thick black granite but are they a tile?if so put that on your long-term wish list. Reclaimed wood or soapstone would look nice.

Epoxy grout colorant. In white. Several bottles of it and a foam roller. While you shouldn’t paint tile as anything but a lady defense, that backsplash has to go. Painting it would be the easiest thing.

Spend some cash on a color for the travertine floor that blends in better too. The grid work pattern of grout is an issue.

I would educate myself on how to paint cabinets. That needs to happen. White. And it needs to be a good job. Maybe practice in thrift sale finds first.

Get the range hood powder coated something other than black when you replace the other appliances. Keep the range. Or look at having the colored bits on it powder coasted too. With white painted cabinets and black tops, a gorgeous blue might work. But only if the pink travertine goes away.

Some beautiful rugs in farmhouse kitchens. Note that there is a lot of black in some of these kitchens.

Sophie's comments are dead on. You have to lose those cabinets, the color at least. It's not that difficult to paint them if you do research and practice. I'm basically incompetent in the DIY arena and I've tackled them in two bathrooms and our kitchen.

What I would do first would be to rip out the upper cabinets on the right hand wall. The scalloped and glass shelves make them look dated and a little weird- like what would be in a jewelry store kind of. Same with the smaller glass shelves under them. Doing this opens space up, takes out some of the bad, and gives you a central area to tackle that will be relatively low cost, the easiest on the scale of do it yourself feasibility, and also a quick. This will also make the view from other room far more appealing in my opinion. Your bottom cabinets are not scalloped and therefore by painting and updating hardware your end result will be far more modern and less the tackle by you or another person so less overwhelming from an effort and monetary standpoint.

Once that wall is open what ever you chose I would do top to bottom. Subway tile has been mentioned. DIY shipload or horizontal wood planks are also an easy and cost effective solution, as is wallpaper. Lastly I would float shelves on that wall.

That's what I would do and where I would begin:)

I have to agree about the scalloped doors. I like the idea of taking the glass cabinets down, if you do a good job maybe you can sell them to someone who will make good use of them. I also hate all the scalloping in the coffee bar. Maybe remove and replace just the doors on the other upper cabinets which are also scalloped, remove entire coffee bar? Replace with a freestanding hutch. I really caution against painting kitchen cabinets unless your plan is to replace them within the next few years. That being said, I really feel you about that weird cabinet color. Tiling all the way to the ceiling and putting up floating shelves would modernize the space SO MUCH. Just trust me and don't do the tiling yourself if you've never done it before!

Greenfish, I love those rug ideas--thank you! The thing with the cabinets is that they do have some wear on them (there are some areas that have some off-coloration from being in the sun, etc.) so I'm not sure whether paint would do much harm at this point? Dallison--those are some great ideas, thank you!

Ask the sellers who did the high quality stone and tile work. Then get an estimate from that company for a new tile backsplash. Pick out some new black cabinet pulls in a style you love.

This is an horrifically expensive kitchen. It will pay to go slow. Try living with the kitchen for a year before deciding on any big changes.

Honestly I am beginning to think that this is a pretty old and not that high-end kitchen other than the kick-a$& range and hood. The cabinetry smacks seriously of the 80s, and if it has sun fading?? IS it from the 80s??Because I'm starting to think the countertops pre-date the granite counter trend – I see seams everywhere which tells me that this may be granite tiles? I'm starting to think it's more about updating this for the next few years until you can afford a complete kitchen redo, including the floors. Is this accurate? Because if it is, paint away, rip out and replace the tile, rip out the whole coffee bar, rip out the bank of froofy glass cabinets, try to find a replacement for the froofy doors on the remaining upper cabinets. Farmhouse dining room table and hutch, beautiful rugs. Beautiful house!!!

Greenfish--yes the counter is granite. It does have several seams, but they are pretty large slabs on top (the long counter has 3 seams; I do think that it is not a thick slab though--it is tiled with the same granite to create the counter lip, if that makes sense). I LOVE the range and hood, they aren't going anywhere. ;) To be honest, I'm not sure when the kitchen was remodeled last...

apple pie--I believe I do actually know who they went with for the remodel; they provided the names of several companies they went with for the appliances/cabinetry/etc. throughout the house, so that can be figured out!

3 seams on the long counter is a lot, plus it is a very thin slab. Clues like this tell me they put the majority of the money in to the range and the rest is cheap. For me, this would reduce the sense of waste at tearing out or painting things that aren't my style. Not saying you need to re-do the whole kitchen now, just that you can have-at what you want guilt-free, and start saving for the full redo.

Here is how we ended up updating our master bathroom. Even though I don't love the tile around the tub, I don't feel like it screams Tuscany anymore!

Mosaics look pretty in small amounts.

Wow, mom-made, that looks great! I really like the wall artwork and teal accents. Thanks so much for sharing!

Sure thing! Thanks Tara!

To me, the floors, back splash, and wall paint are all pink, whereas the cabinets are yellow. I would start by painting your dining room something that will not clash with the pink floor. If the cabinet boxes are in good shape you could look into replacing the door and drawer fronts to save money and have all of the boxes and doors painted to match. The back splash should go, but if you are eager for a change, travertine can be painted. Prime it first and then paint- you will need several coats.

I think getting the cabinets (professionally) painted white will break up that block of tan that you are not a fan of. The yellow-tan cabinet color is what puts me off of this kitchen because that color clashes with the pinker tan of the flooring and backsplash. White will modernize the look and eliminate that clash (pick a soft white, but not cream). I would also add new pulls (perhaps black to pull in all of the black elements). I actually like your tile and backsplash, and I think you will like them much better if you change the cabinet color.

The color combo would like kind of like this: