since you're going to be here awhile, any chance you could talk the owner into changing anything? they have pre-fab quartz countertops in a 3x6 that you could cut to fit that island. would he be willing to change it out? ditto the perimeter. pre-fab plain white quartz. a 9' foot piece is about 400 bucks. At the very least you get rid of the red.

yes, paint all the trim a bright white.

if you brought in lights like in these pics, it would go w/the Deco style,,,oh, and these type of stools in the pic,below.

stools like these,,,and the cool under cabinet lighting

you can Search " Streamline Moderne Kitchen" here on Houzz

2 types flooring, etc... and trying to absorb your place! This copper brown wp: idea to left of cabinets, if a close blend to counter. Possibly another 'chop up' if ceiling color was on wall above cabinets [in straight line across] ??

[https://www.houzz.com/products/metallic-copper-brown-solid-color-textured-grand-pala-wallpaper-prvw-vr~14621901[(https://www.houzz.com/products/metallic-copper-brown-solid-color-textured-grand-pala-wallpaper-prvw-vr~14621901)

WP's display photo shows accenting as 'stripes' - so when I see your fp wall's windows, and AC - idea to use this both horizontally and vertically - adapted to the features there.

e.g., stripe across that meets top of windows, etc....

and stripe up at the left or middle.... ? like your own art. Repeats horizontal in kitchen. 4 colors.

[https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-non-woven-floral-wallpaper-for-accent-wall-gray-sceno-wallpaper-roll-prvw-vr~12151941[(https://www.houzz.com/products/modern-non-woven-floral-wallpaper-for-accent-wall-gray-sceno-wallpaper-roll-prvw-vr~12151941)

Thanks everyone and Beth!! Awesome advice, I do have some influence though I want to be careful not to offend her. I'm going to show her these photos though...thank you, they are beautiful!

I meant thanks everbetz, it auto corrected!

Sunset, henna colors.....

[https://www.houzz.com/products/kentish-burnout-velvet-upholstery-fabric-yard-steel-prvw-vr~66475680[(https://www.houzz.com/products/kentish-burnout-velvet-upholstery-fabric-yard-steel-prvw-vr~66475680)

Silver so great with blue - like opposite wall ? more blue though...

[https://www.houzz.com/products/canvas-and-stucco-pattern-wallpaper-teal-prvw-vr~35103116[(https://www.houzz.com/products/canvas-and-stucco-pattern-wallpaper-teal-prvw-vr~35103116)

Particularly like the blue.

I like the red pendants too but I wish they were hard-wired above the island.

Yes, agree. That would probably help alot

get some metal spray paint and paint them red. super easy.

Ooh that looks nice!

No lights, if anyone wants to Photoshop.

Soft blue-ish walls, and something for wood floors?

[https://www.houzz.com/products/flatweave-tribal-pattern-wool-en-casa-flat-weave-area-rug-cyan-blue-8x11-prvw-vr~44458405[(https://www.houzz.com/products/flatweave-tribal-pattern-wool-en-casa-flat-weave-area-rug-cyan-blue-8x11-prvw-vr~44458405)

I love your photoshopping groveraxle, thank you !

what about that shiny silver sconce high up on the wall--paint it the same?

There's one on the other side of the room too...it clashes with everything, I think.

What if I did black lights, black/with chrome (or muted metal/SS) bar stools, and painted that sconce black too? Or pewtery/Stainless for all three?

leave the art deco sconces on the walls. those are kind of cool.

can you paint the trim white and take new pics? and that yellowy color around the diamond window?

The remodeling is going on now--painting should be done in the next week or two so I may have to get back to everyone in a couple of weeks. I really appreciate all of these suggestions though, they are hugely helpful. She (the owner) is going to paint all neutral but then I will be able to do some additional painting, change lights, things like that... she's pretty open, since we'll be there for 5 years (at least that's the plan) but I don't know if she'll go for switching out the countertops...I'm guessing she would've already planned that if she did't like the red. There is also this weird classic stove/fireplace, sitting on shiny gray tile on the other side of the room which I'm just thinking I'm going to put some kind of screen in front of... it would be nice to use it, but..that shiny gray tile is hideous.

maybe not hideous but just one more different color/material in this room that already has too many different colors, shapes, materials, and things going on!

why do we want to live here, you may ask? Seattle housing prices are insane, don't really want to buy another house, so... renting...this place has awesome views from all four floors and a huge deck off this room...so, the light and openness is really attractive.

keep your eyes peeled for the pre fab quartz. this is readily avail and should be rather cheap. go to the places that carry it and see what kind of deal you can stir. (cash gets you better deals). maybe if you input a few hundred, she;ll go for it. remind her it's a write off!

they make island sizes pre fab as well. a fabricator will cut them to fit

as for the gray tile. if you scuff it up, you can paint it or even tile over it.

Thank you Beth, I would really like to do that, and would be more than happy to pay for it to have a kitchen I like! I'm trying to get into the vibe of the current one, but... white quartz is definitely more my style!

one more photo so you can see that diamond window is actually in the stairwell behind the kitchen...this is a 4 floor kind of stacked house, kitchen/living on top floor, master, powder room and full bath on next down, 2 BDs and another bath on entry level, and then "bonus room" in 'basement' which is actually the entrance to the back yard. Odd but not that unusual for houses around here.

Considering open to a LR, some upholstery would be nice, imo. Textured fabric warms up the red [if you know what I mean].... good reviews and price.

[https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-kyoto-light-gray-fabric-bar-stools-set-of-2-prvw-vr~48190514[(https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-kyoto-light-gray-fabric-bar-stools-set-of-2-prvw-vr~48190514)

very pretty stools, and you're right the fabric would soften and could match a similarly neutral, calming! gray/brown in a sofa.

From a photo, seems sconce has the black look, and not of cabinet color...a 'no' from me.

?? 7 x 14" if could be placed horizontally...

[https://www.houzz.com/products/sonneman-3681-dakota-2-light-wall-sconce-prvw-vr~13513284[(https://www.houzz.com/products/sonneman-3681-dakota-2-light-wall-sconce-prvw-vr~13513284)

ooh!!! I like that!

I'd explore the 2 lights at left - more where it'd 'show' ...

[https://www.houzz.com/products/ryann-industrial-wall-sconce-brushed-chrome-prvw-vr~103546609[(https://www.houzz.com/products/ryann-industrial-wall-sconce-brushed-chrome-prvw-vr~103546609)

[https://www.houzz.com/products/savoy-house-lyrique-2-light-sconce-polished-nickel-prvw-vr~69722611[(https://www.houzz.com/products/savoy-house-lyrique-2-light-sconce-polished-nickel-prvw-vr~69722611)

Yeh, I don't like the placement, or size of sconce. At least this could be pointed at feet [not eyes].... ? Dimmable too. But satin nickel, matters?

Halogen 120V included. Manufactured By PLC Lighting W 4.75" / D 4.75" / H 5.5"

[https://www.houzz.com/products/focus-1-light-ceiling-light-prvw-vr~84684922[(https://www.houzz.com/products/focus-1-light-ceiling-light-prvw-vr~84684922)

Matching sconce on opposite wall could be installed vertically of course... as for the one you liked. Might be small over there though...

I meant Lyrique, rotated to left... so installed horizontally. Maybe opposite wall, vertically! ain't it fun!! ha..?

i still like the blue glass one best

What an interesting space. I like the red pendants the best and I'm the one who said no pendants, with the red countertops.

hello...

Hi Houzzer's, I took the wood-burning stove out... much more room and options now. I have ordered furniture and some additional lighting, odds and ends...will share full "after photos" in a month or so. Don't hate the red counters so much any more :)

Too me your kitchen needs recessed lighting and one big pendent

Kierra 4-Light Globe Pendant
https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/kierra-4-light-globe-pendant-lrfy7962.html

Recessed lighting has its place, of course. I'd be interested to know if there is any way to add it without tearing through ceiling to install wiring, etc. That seems to me an extraordinary expense for a small gain as there are other options such as track lighting which use the existing electrical box. Mainly seeking information here, but the issue often comes up on other threads as well. Happily waiting for final "after" photos!

I dunno, I rather like the white globes for simplicty and pushing this more 60s and less 80s, but something like this could be fun too:

Otherwise, you just have to decide -- play it up, play it down?

some additional before and after photos....ironically, I now like the red counters and the white pendants, but I replaced some of the kitchen cabinet doors, put a new pendant over the dining room table, removed the wood stove and furnished with softer, contemporary colors...hope you like (My photo skills are not great, sorry!)

ok, a few of the kitchen dining area now

love seeing development. thanks for sharing!

Cool buffet and fish, arc and chair... thanks for the 'share' !! :)

Is dining light an orb? Kitchen stools are black and nice sharp with white lights near...

It looks a lot better without the fireplace

You have made a spacial place better - much better! Thanks for sharing.