and I took the baskets down

another angle

Cute kids :)

In the last photo, it looks like the ceiling is open? It doesn't appear that the beams are the majority of the ceiling in this area?

Is the back splash wall green or white?

How do you feel about the baskets being gone?

oh yeah, we have an A-frame so the part you're seeing is our cathedral ceiling living room.
it definitely makes it feel more open without the baskets although I think they added a charm to it.

the backsplash is green

So here's my take on the baskets. With them gone, the frying pans are really jumping out at ya now. With the baskets there they kind of disappeared. Do you have any other storage options for the pans?

Have you thought about maybe painting the walls/back splash a creamy white and getting rid of the green? That may give you the refresh look you are trying to achieve.

I LOVE your cast iron. Please don't take it down. Julia wouldn't have :-)

I feel like I have so little space already and I use them everytime I cook. I might could raise them up but then they'd be harder to reach.
I agree, they do really stand out now.

the thing with painting the paxksplash white is I have no white in my house and I'm afraid it would be so stark

and who is Julia?

Add lighting in between the joists. Lighter color countertop.

do you have a suggestion for what kind of lights to use? and also what do you suggest for the counter top?

Personally I dont like baskets in the kitchen, especially hanging as they are major dust collectors and most people dont have the time to clean them weekly

mine really haven't gotten that dirty but I see what you're saying

Julia child, chef

You do have a beautiful kitchen, it is a perfect example why most people should ignore the comments about painting kitchen cabinets.

thank you!

If the pans are in the best place for you, I'd keep them there. I'd live without the baskets hung for a few days and then see how you feel about them being gone. Personally, I thought the baskets were ok in your kitchen as it fits the style of it but since you are looking to change things up a bit, thought that might be something to try.

For the back splash I wasn't thinking white. More of a warm, creamy off white. Though if you are open to changing the counters then I'd wait on that. Changing the counters and adding a back splash would really change it up for you.

What material are your current counters? Do you like that material?

it's Formica and yes it's functional and nice but maybe a bit outdated.

I think yours is a simple update with cream walls and better ceiling light fixtures. I honestly don't think you need to change anything else. Except maybe turn the table 90 degrees so it doesn't block your laundry room door, if it does.

I like your kitchen very much, although I can empathize with wanting to refresh it periodically. Even a little thing like a new rug in front of the sink in a different color can perk up the room.

Just one general comment about using or keeping an old appliance: see if you can have an energy audit done to help you decide if it’s worth keeping. Old refrigerators were made to last longer, but you may be surprised at their inefficiency. (Here in Massachusetts, we have a free audit program; your state may have one, too. They exchange old bulbs and can tell if your appliances or furnace are wasting energy.) It makes it that much simpler to justify getting a new refrigerator for the kitchen!

thank y'all so much!

I"d get rid of the green paint, do something maybe off white to complement all the wood you have in your kitchen. If your budget allows replace the counters and do one single bowl sink. If you love the Joanna Gaines look you could do the farm house sink and a light counter. You have a great kitchen, I love the tree trunk!

[Wood ceiling on other side] what if counter/ backsplash become lighter, and same paint color above cabs/on ceiling?? unify.

btw, I like your kitchen, and its natural touches.... joke: why don't we just rotate our old baskets and such? every decade or so, from house to house..

It may be worth your while to go and check out formica and see if there is anything that speaks to you. Then you'll know whether or not that is something you should consider. Otherwise, the consensus seems to be some minor cost ideas that if you incorporate that is great and if not, you still have a lovely kitchen that works with the style of the house.

lol that's what thrift stores are for right?

ha...!

for me no longer... wait!! I did buy the right color a couple years ago...

evie, I'm back on --- do you see any reason/ purpose to add wood ceiling in kitchen [area with cabinets]?? What do you think of same color counter/back./paint - for that area??

I'm not quite envisioning what you're describing...sorry

A stainless fridge

The 2nd post was from 'acm' who suggested a light stone counter -- I'm expanding to say also light stone for backsplash / find the match in paint color, for above cabinets, and the ceiling.

I think that change would make a difference, whether laminate or Corian, etc...

It comes down to changing paint from green to a light warm neutral.

How much area outside of that photo has green paint though!!

Aw wow! that's quite a vision. so everything from the counter top to the ceiling would be the same color?

I have painted a kitchen a soft sage, and I don't mind it.... if you'd like some color: could consider chalk paint on your wonderful table set...

Yes that was it.

Well, painting cabinets is more than tweeking but heck, here are some photos for food for thought.

Found a chair with roughed-up look. Idk, but maybe that kind of rustic addition would be that change to make.

https://www.houzz.com/products/haveli-painted-wood-side-chair-prvw-vr~37486628

We both posted rough...

I have a log home kitchen that I just refreshed with new counters, copper sink, back splash and lighting. I got rid of my wavy valance (what's up with those lol) and put a new schoolhouse light fixture over the sink. Using cream shiplap on the walls really brightened things up, so you could go with that color paint.

I think your kitchen is beautiful.

As to your house's other rooms: do you have enough distressed furniture? OR - are you 'tired' of green?

your kitchen looks beautiful!

my house really has no distressed furniture except for that table. and I have that green through the majority of the house.

I like your hanging pans and baskets and find this a very pleasant room! I was curious as to how a dark countertop would look, so tried it out:

And here's a lighter one:

When I zoom in, the countertop and green backsplash don't play particularly well. This may be entirely due to lighting and may be very different in person.

I'd suggest trying out different paint colors for the room as the biggest bang for your buck, unless you are set on the green you currently have.

oh that's neat. I thought if anything, I'd rather go lighter with my counter tops. but between these two pics I would go with the darker. has anyone tried painting their counter tops?

I haven't but I have come across a few that have on this site. Those that have done it say that it is just a temporary fix and doesn't wear well.

Just to add to your confusion:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-are-pros-and-cons-of-light-vs-dark-countertops-dsvw-vd~4715878

You have a pretty kitchen. Don't rush into anything. I put away a little $ for a few years, looked around at ideas when I had time, and eventually had enough for a refresh. No rush when you have a good, working kitchen.

Get better lighting, smooth out that ceiling, paint it BM In Your Eyes, get rid of the green walls. And is that tree trunk in the middle of the room an actual support? Get rid of the ceiling clutter, with low ceilings it feels like its coming down on you with all that stuff over your head.

You don’t have a lot of counters. Check with your local fabricator, they may have stone in their bone yard they can sell you for cash and then they will install. A great way to upgrade on a budget! And I like the dark counters over the light. If you can change out bulbs to LED and install under cabinet LED tape lights you might have better lighting without having to punch out the ceiling for cans.

I came across this kitchen and I thought it might be a good visual of what a creamy off white paint and SS fridge would look like with your wood.

that's beautiful! thank you!

Ted is on the right track.... but there are stark differences in the pic shown.........such as tons of natural and added light.. higher ceilings ... and a much larger and airier space... ........your kitchen would sparkle with a bright clear white... on ceilings between beams and walls...this would also give a crisper brighter contrast with all the wood features.... ...the color on the walls now appears to absorb the light........with a white background....brighter colors can be added in decor to bring life and excitement to the room... such as a colorful table runner or table cloth...rugs...painted chairs at the table...etc..... the usual formula to effect the biggest change with the smallest investment is always.... to paint the walls