Thank you lisa_a !!! ,

P.S. your after colors look much better than before!

You've had lots of input already and I don't have anything new to add, but for whatever it's worth, I think your kitchen is lovely- it just needs some finishing touches. As others have mentioned, I think the only reason your kitchen (as pictured) looks 'sterile' is because it's completely bare. I truly believe that adding some colour and organic textures will go a long way to warming things up. I would not rush into any further renovations with out at least trying out some accessories first, please don't do anything hasty. Good luck!

It looks even better IRL. She and I stood in her kitchen after I was finished and said "it looks like a new kitchen!" That's good because it's going to be a very long time before my friend can afford to remodel her kitchen. The cabinets are horrible - one has a cracked side, one drawer fell apart (my DH repaired it) and the storage is abysmal. But at least it's a cheerier place to cook in than it was.

The right color paint really does work wonders.

You've gotten lots of good advice. Don't abandon ship yet! I haven't seen any mention of the lights. The contrast between the black and white does look a little harsh. Do you have other finishes or colors in the room that you can pull for the shades? Perhaps painting the shades the accent color might perk up the spot.

I really like it. I looks sterile because there are no accessories yet. Add some herb plants on the sills, some pretty canisters, and pot rack with some copper pots or cast iron. Add a nice poster or some artwork. Add one of those oversized clocks. They all add warmth. It just needs to be personalized. You will love it after!

Wanted to ask if by any chance those are the 2.5" x 7.5" Equipe tiles in Blanco. Looks like it!

It looks great! Go with the excellent ideas above and in a month or two, it will be a complete non-issue. I get it....after many years of planning my perfect kitchen, I became so obsessive about everything and worried I was making bad decisions. As time went on, that overthinking went away....now we just enjoy the kitchen and I honestly do not even remember all the little things that were making me so concerned. IT IS A LOVELY kitchen...congrats

as someone just posted, I like everything except the sconces. Maybe something with a little gold instead of all black (sconces are great to follow trends because they are easy to replace). The sconces seem like they might be too high also.

I like the way the backsplash looks here. I would be very tempted to paint those black sconces a bright color - red, navy, or peacock (teal).

I like how it turned out! I would only add color with accent pieces. I would not take the backsplash out or paint anything. Just me.

I agree it looks amazing, and I also generally don’t love stacked tiles. The symmetry it creates with the windows is very calming here. May i ask what you used for your counters? I’m also doing an all white kitchen reno

You likely are done now, but here are my comments. I would not paint your ceiling. If you paint your ceiling a colour, your eyes will still focus on light, so you will not be futher ahead. I would agree that you can put colour into some decorative items on the counter and or on coloured glass against the backsplash behind the cooktop. But most of all, I would put up a piece of artwork, not a black frame, likely frameless, the same size as one of your windows on that left wall of the countertop. No matter whether the colours are muted or bold, they will add your personality to the kitchen. I personally preferred the stacked layout. I find the brick layout to be ordinary. Painting the sconces bright colours may or may not reflect your personality.

This is fabulous! Please do not touch the tile. I think Sophie has nailed it again - here are her suggestions. Ceiling with color and bamboo shades.

Edited to add - transitions are tough (i.e., ceiling color) - if you post pictures I'm sure the forum can help.

Second edit:

After all the time, money, energy, and stress we put into this renovation, all I wanted were gasps of astonishment at how beautiful everything turned out (in my dreams anyway).

Ha! I know this feeling all too well. I have regretted many a post when others not only didn't gasp but pointed out areas in which I could improve (the gall). I do think you have a lovely palette here, and are listening to the advice given, so are on the way to the 'oohs and aahs' we all hope for :)

Again, I speak from experience. My family room is nauseatingly blah with colors I like very much - again, fabulously neutral palette. Two (three?) years later I am still looking for the pops of color to complete the room.

Can you post pictures of the accessories you have added?

I love your kitchen! I also did a white on white on white. I love my kitchen. I am sorry some comments have made you doubt yourself. I am so glad your husband let you design your kitchen as you saw fit. It looks wonderful!!!

I did. I kept my existing cabinets. They were in good shape, just hated the cream color. So I thought if I got new granite it would look good. Biggest mistake I made. I hate it all. Living with it until I get rest done and then will reconsider on having the cabinets refaced. Not first time I updated and hated it. Join the crowd.

By the way, your kitchen is beautiful. Just accessorize with color

You are all so kind to comment and I REALLY appreciate your input! It is such a relief to see your many positive comments so I am holding off on doing anything drastic for now. As I live with the backsplash, I have come to like it much more and some days I even love it because I think it is kind of unique, but other days I still get that twinge of "ugh". I've found that I like it the most at night when all the lights are on, which kind of washes out the color of the grout so all I see is the texture of the tile. So now I'm wondering if I should change the grout color to white so I don't see so much of the "grid" look that I think is bothering me. What do you think?

foreverreno2 - I'm definitely planning to put some art on that side cabinet wall by that window...thinking of something vintage.

SDT, I used Compac Unique Calacatta quartz for my countertops and I love them! My original plan was to carry the quartz up into the backsplash but that was just so expensive. Now I wish I would've!!

oldbat2be (love the handle lol!) - love the rendering you posted! That helps! See below for transition pic of ceiling. I think for those of us who love design, the tweaking never ends!!

Thanks, Anna - good luck with your cabinets! I hope they turn out great when you redo! Not fun to live in a space you don't totally love...

Some of you asked for more pics now that I've styled it a little. I'm still working on it and I don't have my woven shades in yet, but here are a few different views...

Regarding the shades, my island is walnut so I'm wondering if I need to bring that wood color into the shades...the only thing is it's a pretty cool tone and I'm trying to warm things up.

I'm also not sure I love the lighting in these shelves. Looks different than the under cabinet lights....almost a greenish tone. They are LED light strips that my electrician suggested. Not sure I can do anything about it.

I also wanted to show you the transition from the kitchen to the eating area. As you can see, there is a pretty significant difference in the ceiling heights, so I'm not sure a painted ceiling would work (please ignore the big blank space over the fireplace, still trying to find a piece of art to go there).

As always, thanks for your feedback!

It looks very nice! By bringing color, I was thinking instead of white crocks for your tools, get one with a punch of color. Something like this....

https://www.touchofclass.com/mariachi-kitchen-canisters-multi-bright-set-of-four/p/J160-001/

I used a flower pot for mine.

And the shelves above your sink are pretty, but could use color, instead of blending in.

Wood blinds to match your floor would look good.

And you may be getting a little too cluttery!! I think because the things you have sitting out are mostly white or silver, they are blending in and you may feel you need to add more. Less accessories with more color would be a better alternative. The orchid is beautiful, but the candles detract. Can the knives go in a drawer? The paper towels under the sink? The cutting boards in a cabinet?

This is just my opinion, of course!!

What you have is very, very nice, but I am wondering if the accessories may be making you second guess yourself?

There is grout paint. If you remain unhappy, check to see if you can paint white over grey, and whether the paint lasts. This would be simpler than removing the grout and redoing. I removed and redid a small section of my backsplash, where an all white Test was done because I panicked, and the edges are not smooth. Unfortunately, he did the test right by the sink, so I see it all the time. The new grout is a very pale grey. Eventually, my eyes will get used to it.


As for accessories, don’t only think about color, think about shape. Curves are your friend. My bathroom tiles are all square -so the chrome fittings I bought all have round ends. My apartment is filled with mounted textiles, so, again, all square. I added colorful round African basket lids, and masks, to add variety. Even if you weren’t concerned about “all the lines,” curves will look better against the horizontals.

Leave it be. Just adding something simple to your windows will do wonders. Just saw your updated kitchen as a whole, and it's gorgeous. Congrats!

Due to fire hazard, you might want to find another place for your wood cutting board rather than behind the cook top. They really aren't adding any design points there either. If you haven't yet, you may want to look through houzz "white kitchens" and focus on the accessories. Ask yourself what are you drawn to? What do you like? What do you not like? How are they displayed? Do they use a lot of accessories or just a few that still make a statement. Is there a theme? A theme can be as simple as all the same color or shape. Are small appliances part of it? Etc. You've spent a lot of time researching and designing your kitchen and have taken it to the next level. Don't let the accessories tell a different story...

I should note that I do actually move the cutting boards when I cook - I just feel like there needs to be something behind the cooktop to break up the tile. Also, looking over the pics again, it does look cluttered but what I've got going on right now is definitely function over form. I use all those things...tools, knives, paper towels, etc on a daily basis so I like to have them out and accessible. When entertaining I put some of this stuff away. I did, however, run out today and get some new colorful canisters and another rug and it has made a huge difference! Thx!

sarah, blank space is good!! You do not need to hide that beautiful tile!!

I use my paper towels daily, they are under the sink. I have the same dispenser!!

I use my knives daily, I have a knife drawer....that my husband though of!!! Who knew!!!

sarah_ebel - This is a home run! What a fresh, creative, new space you have come up with. I especially like this shot - the texture of the tile is so rich and clean and fun. I don't notice an issue with the UCL. I LOVE the shelving you show here too. I know if you haven't planned for a knife drawer, it might be a little jarring to hear the suggestion. FWIW - I have one and love it. (OT - DF approves of it, on a safety level, should, say, someone break into the house, eye roll, but valid point).

Regarding the ceiling transition, I think a strip of wood on the vertical side could do the trick. [This[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/different-ceiling-heights-phbr0lbl-bl~l_47951) shows lots of options.

Kathi's right--blank space is good. Your major design element on the wall is the stacked tile, and the cutting boards prevent it from visually establishing itself. That's your biggest space to present the tile and it should be allowed to shine. Get rid of the cutting boards.

The cast-iron Dutch oven looks great there. I know it's not permanent, but it sure sets off the transition from stove to wall.

Actually i like the gray choice for the grout color. It highlights the stainless steel appliances. Is the hardware stainless? If not i would maybe change to stainless hardware. I love the suggestion of using pottery to spiff it up a bit. I like the white/black/grey. Thinking it would add some subtle style to your kitchen. It all depends on what area you want to highlight. I think you made a great decision, love your kitchen. I do not find it sterile at all.

Really - you should be proud of yourself. Outstanding job!

Why cover those windows with that beautiful wood trim? Would be a shame. I think the light fixtures were also a great choice. Could not have turned out any better if you had hired an interior designer. The counter color is perfect with the tile and grout color. Perfect. Girl - you accomplished something very special.

I absolutely love that tile in the stacked pattern! So over the usual subway tile that seems to be in every kitchen these days! Your kitchen is amazing!! Enjoy.

It looks gorgeous! I love the stacked tile and grey grout. Very elegant!

I love it too. I think you're asking too much of this poor tile. It's white, a bit of a ripple, but plain vanilla white. It's in a good majority of kitchens from low end to up to the the highest end. White tile can't be amazing or cool unless maybe with much darker grout. Whether stacked or brick style it's still plain white. The bit deeper grout it and the stacking is what gives it some design creds. White grout would make it plainer. It's a background, and it's job is to sit there and keep the walls clean. It looks beautiful, and it looks perfectly installed. That's all you can ask of it. It's that little black dress but in white that needs a scarf and some jewelry, and a nice bag to accent it. How about giving it some jewelry. There are decorative faux tin ceiling tiles that can be mounted if not rigid, and hung over the range in every pattern color or metal finish you can think of. There are metal plaques and medallions. Metal door initials would give it personality. Here are some below. I think those would add interest and the initials would be a fun touch there. Instead of a wow print you chose the plain dress, now dress it up and give it some pizzaz!

I think your kitchen is beautiful! I would love to see how the windows look with some sort of natural element blinds - I believe it just might give you the warmth it sounds like you are craving.

Your kitchen is very nice!! Like others have said, just focus on accessorizing with colour and you will be fine. So far you have done an excellent job and your kitchen shows that you have very nice taste. So don't worry about the tiles. Busy yourself with accessorizing and you'll be amazed at how the finished product looks. Don't forget to post photos of the finished product!!

As you know, I am a huge fan of your kitchen's. I have one wee criticism of the current accessorizing- and I offer this comment only because I love your kitchen so much- so I hope you will not take offense.

The cutting boards you have behind the range top are seen in picture after picture of kitchens all over the place. I know it's a fine line to navigate between liking something because you like it and disliking something because it is overexposed (I say this as someone who loves white kitchens with marble countertops- so definitely a popular, seen everywhere look.) I fear the cutting boards risk making the rest of your kitchen look less original (and while yours is a white kitchen, it is not a cookie cutter version at all.)

Rita - thank you! I'm more than happy to hear any comments, they are immensely helpful! I tend to agree with you about the cutting boards and I did remove the taller one but I put back the round one because I just needed something with a warm tone on that wall. I ordered my woven shades today! I will post a pic when they're installed - maybe they will add enough warmth and texture so I won't feel the need to have the cutting board there.

blondelle - I think you hit the nail on the head...yes, my tiles are plain white but I thought stacking them would provide me with the design element I wanted. It didn't quite turn out how I envisioned. The reason I chose those tiles and why I did white on white on white is because all three of my previous houses had dark wood and cream/warm toned kitchens and I was desperate for a cool, white, totally neutral palette. I wanted to choose ANY color of accessories - I went too long being stuck in a box of limited color choices. Now I can go from the blue/coral I have going on now and change it to pink or purple or red or whatever and they will all work. So while I'm sort of mourning/missing the "wow" factor that lacks in these tiles, I can have fun with accessories.

kdsinclair - thanks so much for your kind words! I love the window trim, too - I just need 'something' there to warm up that wall and also because our neighbors are very close and at night I'd like to lower the shades for privacy. :))

Kathy Steele and oldbat2be - I don't mind the idea of knives in the drawer and even went so far as to move the knives to a drawer, stow away my knife holder and look online for drawer knife holders, but then every time I walked in the kitchen that poor corner just sat there so empty and nothing else seemed to look good so I put the knives back! For now, anyway. :). Although cleared out many other things off the countertop and added some colorful canisters and it looks much better.

as much as I tire of the white subway look, yours does look nice once you've accessorized. it's a very pretty kitchen.

as for the walnut (gorgeous island) have you thought about some tung oil? Natural, 100% tung oil, not the garbage finish stuff at Home Depot.

here's the difference

you could also use linseed oil, hemp oil,,etc. the tung oil needs to have a solvent while applying. I use a citrus solvent that's all natural. RealMilkPaincompany sells them. they also have a dark tung oil.

sarah, embrace the empty!!!! It is soothing and relaxing!!!! You should see my countertops!!

As we live in our house, we add things without realizing it. When we painted our family room several years ago and I took all of the paintings down, I enjoyed the empty and no clutter of it! I have only put up 3 of the 10 I took down! I did the same with our family picture wall. Repainted and now it is perfectly blank. I put the pictures in an album. As we paint and remodel a room, I take all of the clutter and centrally locate it so it does not take over the whole room. As I get older, I enjoy the less is more!!

the space is great. What about a shuttle tone change on the window frames and wall, like a toupe.

Accessorize! Add some wood to warm it up as in cutting boards. From the picture it doesn't look lived in and adding accessories will make a huge difference!

Add a vase with some fresh flowers maybe a wooden cutting board to give it warmth. Looks nice

Not that you need ONE MORE COMMENT HERE, but you have done beautifully. You have a blank canvass, now the fun begins! Make the room come to life! Please post your "afters" :)

I agree....love it! Don’t rip it out, please!

I love it! We built a home 6 years ago. My husband also let me design and choose everything. I picked out very dark cabinets and granite. Did I ever hate it! Loved the white kitchen of our previous home. So, we painted the cabinets white and got white marble. We have white subway. Embrace it! Nothing nicer than white kitchen! Put out pottery or a pretty pitcher with some vibrant color. It’s gorgeous!

Beautiful timeless kitchen ! I would add a white vintage pitcher on counter with white and different shades of pink roses etc.

I think it is lovely, especially after seeing the whole kitchen. The original post focused on only a portion of the room. But taken as a whole it is beautiful.

With only the first picture showing I really wanted to put a bright colorful picture on the range side of the oven cabinet.

I love this ceiling!

Are those Rejuvenation lights over the island? Omg I love them.
I LOVE your kitchen!!!!

I love love your kitchen. I have white cabinets and am preparing to do a white subway backsplash. Before I read farther down your thread, I was actually going to suggest some wood accents to warm up the space. Then I saw you already have, and the island really helps. I built my own wood plank counters, so I could keep my space white and light grey. I try to keep my decor simple, love the clean and calm feel in the kitchen. I have an abundance of counter and island space like you, and I've actually had to intentionally find homes in the cabinets for my mixer, toaster, etc; as to keep away the clutter. So I want to echo another comment and tell you to embrace the empty space! I wouldn't paint your ceiling though. Just me. And again your kitchen is beautiful <3

Wow! Clean, modern, beautiful!! Goes with anything, you will love it through the years.

sarah_ebel ,

After seeing more photos, I.M.O. I see nothing whatsoever wrong about this kitchen design --all of the permanant items in your kitchen are PERFECT together, and to many this is a dream kitchen. The additional photos you've provided really show how amazing it is. Your backsplash and it's grout are perfect they go with everything else you have.

If I have anything negative to say at all, the one thing I don't like though are the wonky cutting boards behind your range. It makes it look cluttery, & detracts from the beautiful tile. You already have a toaster etc. on display and I think the dark cutting boards may be overkill. If you want to put something on the backsplash behind the range have you considered adding a magnetic knife strip? Or a metal strip for hanging ladels and other utensils? It would break up the space and also add function. That being said, If it were mine though I wouldn't add anything & just let the tile shine through. However it is all about what makes YOU happy though, as long as it does, that is the only thing that matters.