Here is a better view of the area that I was wondering about regarding the backsplash (could I just do this section or does it need to go under ALL the cabinets)

Oops ...here's the photo!!

If you choose to do so you can paint the area of your backsplash. You don't really have to have a tile backsplash. Fourteen years ago when we moved into our house we painted the kitchen including the area between counters and cabinets and even behind our Thermador range with a high quality washable paint (I think it could have been Benjamin Moore). It's super easy to keep clean! As time went by I picked up two different pieces of artwork for behind the stove: one's a canvas of a lobster and says Lobster; the other immediately above it says Champagne. They have remained clean and fresh looking. My husband was forced to stop working in 2005 because of a major medical misdiagnosis, and so our days of lobster and champagne are pretty much over. But the signs often bring a smile to my face just from the memories they conjure up.
In our previous house the cooktop was in an island and so once again we didn't feel the need for a tiled backsplash. It seems to be a big trend these days to add a tile backsplash. I wouldn't feel pressured into though if I were you. Good luck!

@Margo C ... Good ideas, def will replace desk chair (funny how you don't even see the obvious sometimes)
There are blinds on the windows now..what do you think about panels on each end? I agree the scarf must go!

I am an all or nothing person- I am sure you could do both, but you aready have the short backsplash so another backsplash is not needed. What color are you painting?

@Madeline, thanks for the input, it is definitely something to consider... even for now while I am undecided on what to do with this area. Liked the idea of lobster and champagne artwork and the memories it brings you ... You say those days are done perhaps a beer and a hotdog will do the trick!!!

@Margo when you say you could do both, what are you referring to? The backsplash or windows ..thanks

@csevene- sorry for my confusion, I was referring to the backsplash going under ALL the cabinets or not at all. As far as the windows I would replace the current blinds with woven shades. I am not much of a curtain person either, but that does not mean panels would not look good. I am sure others will show up with some fabulous panel suggestions. Remember this stuff is fun!

i agree skip the expense of a tile backsplash here, since you already have a stone backsplash. i have also used art to spiff up under a backsplash--or pretty antique plates, or antique collections--use your imagination. a collection of related objects or art would pull the space together. agree on the need for a new window treatment (woven grass shades?) and get rid of the swag. smaller chairs around the table, perhaps not on wheels, might be nice. Wooden windsor chairs, or similar (wishbone chairs by Hans Wegner?) in black would loook nice.

My sister in law has those chairs, my first thought when I went to her house was, I would replace these, but after sitting in them, and gliding around the kitchen they are my favorites (comfort wise).

@Dearborn good ideas, thanks for the input.
@Margo, yes, those chairs are very comfortable!

Thanks all ... taking advice and not going to do a backsplash!!!

Still need help w/ideas for underneath cabinets...

We have the same small granite backsplash and hated the stone backsplash we put up - it clashed too much with the granite. We took it down before they did the grout and just this past weekend put up a very plain gray tile that looks much better. So I agree - no additional backsplash or else a very neutral one.

My daughter-in-law talked me out of getting similar chairs and I still regret it. I think those are great and probably fit your lifestyle.

@micstamper, did you leave the small granite backsplash or remove it? So glad for this site and the information and ideas it provides! Thanks to comments I am not going to do a new backsplash here; instead I will paint and leave small granite backsplash as is.

More ideas please ... See all issues

From the photos I don't notice the difference in the cabinets you mentioned. I would suggest a backsplash throughout all of the kitchen, it may look funny or like you ran out of materials by only doing some sections.
I would update the chairs in all areas of the kitchen. I agree that the clock is too small on the wall. I have seen a lot of large clocks for reasonable prices lately. I think updating the lighting above the table would help too.
Good luck with your updates! You have a great kitchen to work with!

Also, a little paint goes a long way :)

Beautiful kitchen and I envy that big window in the dining area. I would try to find a kitchen remodel place that sells wood products and ask them what can be done to tie the finished wood and the lighter shade of the woods together. I used Milsek furniture polish and it helped. One side of my kitchen cupboards was like new but the cupboards on either side of the sink were more worn. The Milsek helped.
Yes a tile back splash would be an investment, but you have the most expensive part already finished. You might as well go all the way and tile the entire back splash to make a complete statement in your new kitchen. That's just my opinion. You can use a plain inexpensive tile. Get a price quote and then consider the idea.
The chairs may be comfy in the dining room, but the room would look nicer with more formal chairs. Maybe a desk chair that coordinates with the new dining chairs? :) How do you feel about crystal chandeliers? The clock is a bit small....perhaps a nice large piece of artwork or a grouping of matching smaller artwork on the wall? Is there a smaller section of wall to place the clock in the kitchen? This Houzz site has some really good pictures of homes that you can study for ideas.
Good luck with your changes and additions! Thank you.

We still have the small backsplash - it's brand new. But in hindsight, I wish we didn't. My husband, however, likes it. As you can tell by the photo, we're not quite finished......waiting for the electrician now to finish the under cabinet lighting and we still need the outlet covers. It cost us extra money to switch the backsplash midstream but it was too busy for the granite and we didn't want to hate it for the next 20 years. We're both much happier with the new one:)

If you add the matching light valance you will not see the color under th cabinets, alot of companies when you order cabinets must request the bottoms match the sides, special order at time of ordering.

I would do nice backsplash under all the cabinets, this would really set off the cabinets

This was the first backsplash that we took down.

@Mottles Murals chairs have to stay..too comfortable to let go.
Also we do have a more formal dining room...
Agree, clock too small, will look for something more substantial for that wall. Thanks for input!
Any ideas for desk chair?

@micstamper, thanks for the pics..what a difference!
Good decision stopping the first choice, even if it did cost more. Agree you would not have been happy w/that look.
The one you went with looks so much better w/your granite countertops!!! Very nice.

@Janet I don't know what you mean by matching light valance, please explain... Thanks

Changed window treatment, see small pics.
Better? Worse? All opinions welcome.

Oops here's the new pic on left.. Old pic on right. Thanks

A cabinet light valance would definitely help. It's a piece of trim that's about 2" wide and it's made to dress up the bottom edge of the cabinets and hide any lighting that's attached to the bottom of the cabinets. This trim would also make it much more difficult to see the unfinished bottoms. You're best bet is to try and identify who made the cabinets and see if you can purchase the matching valance from them. If you can't find that out you can try one of the big box DIY stores and try to find a finish match. Search cabinet light valance and you should be able to find some photos of what they look like.