Is your island red too? I would paint the shelf area above cabinets the white of your cabinets to give the allusion of them being taller- take the color above and below- I feel like it appears to be smushing down your cabinets at the moment. What other colors do you have in your home?

I would definitely get rid of the red and paint the area above the cabinets white as suggested by Amy. Then I'd find a backsplash tile to add to the 4" that is there.

I would paint the red stripe the same color as the walls or the cabinets to let the eye travel upwards and make the space appear taller. I would also remove all the items on top of the cabinets. It stops the eye.

The colors are fine, I would consider installing a backsplash tile with glass accents or perhaps some Island Stone to add more flair

Try a neutral light blue...with some grey undertones to replace the red. Change all your hardware to a brushed nickel, The island may work as is. Stainless steel appliances would be a huge improvement.

I would recommend a light, cool color for the box above the cabinets. The mauve/red is creating a lot of visual weight that is pulling the cabinets down. If you want to keep a red let it stay in the back splash under the cabinets, but do something complimenting above.. even painting it white would work (with a new, "redder" red under) would help.
As for the actual colors to paint. Well, that's up to you and the rest of the house. If your house is primarily earth tones (I see the counter tops and floors are neutral) you might want to stick with earth tone browns and greys (or grey blues), if you're looking for brighter colors maybe look at keeping an updated red color at back splash and lighten up the box above the cabinets.
Also, to modernize the cabinets consider new hardware (dark pulls are popular right now).

It looks like the ceiling goes up very high, so trying to put cabinets all the way up would not be practical or look right. I like the reddish color at the top but how about putting it on the wall above the cabinets and painting the area above the cabinets to match the cabinets and give the illusion of more height? I do agree put in a tile backsplash but make it white or off white to brighten up the area. Then edit the items on top, but add some impressive larger items, take a cue from the jar on the far right, it looks like there are turquoise or teal accents in it, Add those colors on top and around the room. It is a great space.

I would not have your accent color on the soffit above the cabinets. That area would be better painted the same color as the cabinets to give the illusion of height to the cabinets. You may even consider putting some kind of trim on the like this: http://pinterest.com/pin/162059286563125912/ If you don't like the country feel of the bead board, then maybe just the crown molding to finish it off. Don't spread out all the baskets and pitchers on top of the shelf. Get some really large pieces, maybe 3 and put them in the corner, in a grouping. The corner above the pantry area by the fridge. You may try looking for large pottery at a garden center. Your best bet with color is to try to match the counter tops, at least around the area of the backsplash. If not they'll stick out like a sore thumb and drive you crazy. But the biggest difference will be getting rid of the color about the cabinets.

Paint the soffit the color of cabinets, group your baskets together and accent them with the plants. Don't need them spread out. I see sand color in the counter tops, go with a blue that would give a beach feel/

I would paint the soffit same color as wall, take down all the small do-dads. There is no movement in your placement. Since it appears that your ceilings are very high, if you put something on the soffit, it needs to be larger in scale. it's all about scale with those tall ceilings.

I agree that you should paint the soffet & backsplash the same color as the cabinets to extend them visually. Your accent color should be on the backsplash and the wall above the soffet, and it would look best if you can match your countertops and/or flooring so it blends the entire space. You have way too many small objects displayed, so, as suggested, buy a few large items for the corner--creamy pottery with greenery would look good, I think, but if you really want red in the room, this might be a place to use it along with a couple of red items on your countertop. If it is in you budget, find some tile that blends with your flooring for your backsplash. Stainless Steel appliances would also upgrade the space. Short of that, just get all the junk off the side of that fridge. I hate junk on fridges. Maybe you could add a bulletin board at the end of your island for the kids to neatly display artwork?

I would bead board the soffit with crown molding & a smaller molding at the bottom of it. Paint it the same as your cabinet color. Then hidden lighting on a dimmer behind your crown molding is always nice. Small molding at the bottom of your upper cabinets with hidden lighting & a white or tan subway backsplash will brighten the kitchen as you work. Paint your walls a tan to bring your floor & counter color up. Then large, wonderful old signage or something else very large will bring the eye up. Remove the items from above the soffit for a clean, fresh look.

I suggest you add a backsplash to complement your countertop. I saw a kitchen redo oh Houzz that had simlar cabinets and countertops to yours they added a grey, tan and white glass subway tile back splash that really looked nice; they paired it with blue-grey walls. While it was not the most expensive or expansive redo, I really thought it was one of the more unique ones. The white on beige on white is very common and uninteresting. You could use a taupe, gold or even a sage green paint and perhaps add stenciling...

The subway tiles didn't post....

I see from some of the recent posts on this dilemma that my suggestion is being misunderstood. I am not suggesting the addition of cabinets to the ceiling. I am suggesting a set of lighted cabinets mounted on top of the regular ones, in place of the cornice facing. I am also suggesting topping those lighted cabinets with crown molding so as to make them seem more furniture-like since they can't extend to the ceiling. I finally found a picture of such an installation where the kitchen has high ceilings. Hope that clarifies my suggestion.

Here are some paint colors to consider. (I meant to suggest you remove atleast half of the items above the cabinets..... when you have so many, the individual items can look lost in a crowd...)

Well, here is my 2 cents ~ White or a color like the counter tops and write or stencil cooking/kitchen phrases like "Kiiss the Cook, Bon Appetite, Rosemary, Sage, Tyme" etc. or something more original, in black lettering. Less stuff on top, maybe a few tall colorful wine bottles grouped together in front of a large platter just over the center of microwave and maybe some large square/rectangle baskets tilted against the walls on the sides. Just don't railroad everything across, leave spaces. I can't see the top part of the wall but it seems to cry for a wall color and iron scroll work or something hanging there. Also, really should put in a back splash that picks up light, mosaics, larger tiles, copper look even. Put a small lamp in the corner by the fridge or get some under counter lighting.( Sorry if I got carried away, I do stuff like this on the side. Delightful Interiors is my dba name.) Please, share what you decide to do. Just jam your own personality into it! Cheers!

I would paint the island "Cast of Stone", Walls and cabinet top boarder "Bone" color and add a pop of color glass backsplash to this one. This will give the kitchen more depth and make it look more contemporary.

Thanks everyone, so many great ideas! I am definitely going to paint over the red and make it white to match the cabinets. I like the backsplash tile idea so I am gathering samples of mosaic and subway tiles, also looking for ones with glass, love that look. I really appreciate all of your comments. Will also take the clutter off the fridge and pot shelf.

Don't forget to post your "after" pics! Have fun!

It seems very dark under the cabinets. I would start there with painting it a sandy white or Navajo White both (Benjamin Moore) and add some under the counter lights. I would do away with the dark red paint it white to add height, I would also change out/paint the cabinet knobs white but keep the pulls silver.

I'm shopping for white paint, do I match the cabinets which are a creamy white, or just paint bright white? Thanks.

This is the base coat of bright white.

STAMPS Design is spot on with the colors. If you really need to keep stuff on the top shelf I would suggest larger taller items such as beautiful pottery or glass vases, etc. The short basket type items keep it looking crunched and smooshed down and stops the eye from going up. It looks like you have a very tall ceiling so even putting more cabinets on top would help with seasonal storage, etc.

That looks so much better already! I think I would still try to blend with the cabinets.

I would match the cabinets. Again, if you finish it off with molding it would be nice. Doesn't have to be right away. It's looking great.

I took down two very tall pictures that had dark red backgrounds to keep the room lighter and a brighter, any suggestions for this big wall?

You are getting closer to a cool look! I can see a heavy crown (in white) molding on the top of the soffet

Hi rossbjts. Your changes look like you're making a fresh start. I'd like to ask what type of design you're going for. Do you want a country look, Mediterranean, French country, industrial, shabby chic, or other? I've seen some great ideas, but I'm wondering what look you're aiming for. Then I can suggest wall treatment for your massive wall. Do you intend to keep the tall bistro set in the last photo? Also, what knobs are on your cabinets? Finally, what finish is on your island cabinets. The initial photo isn't clear. Looks like you're really on your way so far!

Here is the entire kitchen. The island is cherry stained wood. I am still hunting for a tile backsplash, and need the wall decorated. I was thinking a 36" cherry shelf and some pictures?

[houzz=]

After looking at your beautiful space, I can see you are interested in a French Country kitchen. You already have the scroll work in your bistro set and on your shelf. Also, you love red, but in an understated and not too bold fashion. I am thinking a lovely creamy yellow-tanish color, like on the photo on houzz. It will take the eye up to the top of your walls. Then, I'd paint the island your deep rich crimson red, a bit darker than your red pots and pans. The antiquing of reds is coming back (from the early 70's) and would look smashing!

I would add some rather large (30") scroll work art in a set of 3 above the range wall. Then on the back wall, I would either paint a very faint French saying (in script) about food and/or wine, or maybe even a favorite Bible scripture,and then do add that set of shelves you're thinking of. I would stay away from cherry, as it might look heavy in the middle of the wall. Instead maybe use wrought iron brackets with wood shelves. Please add heavy molding above the cabinets and then a rope light for drama. As others have said, 2-3 groupings of larger baskets or pottery, (red, of course) will go a long way to draw the eye upward, and they'll also be lit up with the rope lighting hidden behind the crown molding. I'd add some new knobs on all cabinets, the white and the painted island, in a oil rubbed bronze iron look to tie things together.

Finally, for your backsplash, it depends on how traditional or funky you are. The traditional backsplash is a travertine tile in tans and deeper bronzes. They are inexpensive and easy to install. http://st.houzz.com/fimgs/fc3190800e6a3c50_0152-w124-h124-b1-p0---kitchen-tile.jpg

Maybe add a liner tile in bronzy glass for a little more design. If you want to funk it up and add color, which I think would be wonderful, use a glass or ceramic tile in a subway design in the deeper crimson blends. It will pull your pots, island and tile altogether. Then you can accent with rich red hand towels and placemats/napkins. Try to find a couple of runners or scatter rugs in the deeper reds. Your lovely tile floors will be warmer and more colorful for little money.

Good luck! I hope some of this helps get your own creative juices flowing! Please post updates as you decide!

Finally, I think your kitchen could use a little accent lighting. Since your ceilings are so tall, how about a suspended chain lamp hanging over the table? Usually pendants are used over the island, but it might be cost prohibitive to use one.

I agree with the previous person's request (westtx).

How about a landscape by Van Gogh, like this one?

My daughter just painted a large tree on a white wall in her son's bedroom. She is going to hang family photos from the limbs, and make different colored leaves to change seasonally. Something like that might look interesting on your big white wall. If you don't like that idea, maybe you can think of something else you'd enjoy seeing there. A huge mirror would expand the space as well as reflect more light.

Too much red? These are my old pictures.

Wow! Those pictures are very beautiful; however, I think they would probably go better a little closer together, and maybe placed in a hallway or in a bedroom. They evoke a more formal feel with the arched windows and sleek figures in each. Also, the red is too soft, like the red you had on your backsplash area and soffit. You need a richer, darker red as accents. I still believe your idea of shelves on top of a creamy buttery tan wall would be just the ticket.

This shelf is on Amazon, and 3 of these on 3 levels, jagged, would look great. They would tie in to your baker's rack, and also allow you to place more deep red pottery on them. Maybe consider the stencil idea others have offered. I'm attaching some examples. These word would be placed above your new shelves.

You clearly love red, and should use it as the main color, but you need some warmth on the color wheel that is inviting. Red with white alone is quite stark, and the buttery color will give you the warmth to go with the vibrant red you are seeking.

If you REALLY want to get red, paint that back wall a crimson red, still painting the other kitchen walls the buttery color. That will warm up your kitchen like crazy. It's too much red for some, but one wall of your kitchen can handle it. You can still attach your shelves and/or stencil on top of the red wall if you like. But use the height of that wall. You are so lucky to be able to pull your eye up with that height!

Good luck!

Thank you so much, that really helps me.

Hi again. I was browsing online and found a panel I think would be perfect above the cabinets on the range wall. Get 3 and place them about 12" apart...maybe raising the center one up by 4", or leaving them all straight. It will look great with your other iron work, and also tie in to your wood on your table/chair seats. They are $32 each on wayfair.com

http://www.wayfair.com/Woodland-Imports-Wall-Panel-52752-WLI2556.html

I couldn't attach the image, but you can find it online. Happy decorating!

Your pictures are finne for the spce, but like the other person said, they would look better closer together....over the table :-)
If you like the writing on the wall, but are afraid to attempt it, you can get them from etsy.com, you can choose from their quotes or make your own http://www.etsy.com/listing/123450301/create-your-own-quote-personalized-wall?ref=sr_gallery_42&ga_search_query=wall+decals&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

Here is the "after" picture. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

VERY classy! I'm so impressed! It looks superb. The lettering, along with the shelves, looks so great. And the backsplash is timeless; you'll get many years out of it! Congratulations!

Thanks, we are just "over the moon" with it all!

That looks awesome! Nice job!

I like it!

Very nice :-)

What a lovely transformation! Enjoy this inviting space!