The counter doesn't look that busy in the photo - have you considered marble? gives you some of that contrast with the white cabinets.
I have to say though I am having a hard time with pale yellow paint in what sounds like a contemporary kitchen.

You could also do backpainted glass. I wouldn't go very dark though.
http://houzz.com/photos/454917
If you do white and want a more contemporary look, in addition to back painted glass you could do a subway tile in a larger format or stack them or run them vertically.

Hmmm...backpainted glass is an interesting suggestion - I'll definitely look into it - thanks!

Sam - you're right, the kitchen is essentially contemporary, though my taste is eclectic leaning toward traditional...I want the kitchen to have smooth surfaces for easy maintenance - my highest priority along with aesthetics....the photo you sent does a good job of showing the dark floor, white cabs and dark backsplash, but I find all that white on top TOO contemporary for my taste....I think the yellow introduces some warmth?

Also having white gloss cabinets I have given this a lot of thought and looked at tons of photos. Personally I like to inject warmth through using a natural stone (so the marble option) or accessories like wood or antique brass/copper. I had a hard time choosing paint and noticed that almost all the white contemporary kitchens have either white walls or a slightly contrasting grayish color. I know there are always exceptions but for me the creamy yellow says traditional.

An unexpected rug would also add warmth and contribute to the eclectic look
http://houzz.com/photos/1017138

Pivoines - you're absolutely right. Will post real photos soon!

Photos of dining room and current state of kitchen - real life! - couldn't take the time to clear out the clutter....there is a sample of the charston on the butcher block in the last photo....

here's a few more photos - the yellow in the dining area is quite a bit paler in real life - it's a 50/50 combo of benjamin moore desert sand and a vanilla cream color....

the photo on the upper right is a better depiction of the color, which is what I'm thinking of using in the kitchen, with black shiny floor and white gloss cabinets...thinking that will give the illusion of more linear space as well...also plan to extend the counter on the right all the way to the window, with open shelving above it...

Here's an idea book on yellow in the kitchen. Some are more modern. Do what you like and at least it's the easiest to change if it looks off.
http://houzz.com/ideabooks/7012124

I think I would be inclined to go for a light backsplash in a small kitchen though.

Pivones - charston does not look busy from a bit of a distance, but when you're right on top of it, as you can see from the close-up of it, it's got quite a bit going on...

Take a peek at this project that I did - white cabinets, dark counter and a marble back splash. It might give you an idea of what marble with a black vein would look like.

Hly2002, if you want the more modern look, I recommend that you built a pantry style very tall unit, where your microwave is , as high as your cupboards are, and as deep as your bottom cabinets (painted the same white). Put most of the items that you now have in view and on display ,in it, including the microwave . Why are the cupboard doors not closed, Still tacky from painting them ? if not , and, they need readjusting to close properly it needs to be addressed.If you want your kitchen to look inviting it needs decluttering . There are too many items showing and it is very distracting. I think now,seeing it, I would do a simple subway tile,simplify the whole look. More shelving would be OK ,only, if, you store all the other items away in the pantry, and then only use it to show pretty bowls and interesting items.(from the dinette bookshelves maybe ?)
I would try the same color of paint as the other room first, and see how it looks.If you are reusing the art work near the window, the top one should be even to the top of the window frame even distance on both side so they (all 3) are centered on that wall, and the bottom one higher than the burners of the stove ,so it can be seen completely . Nothing in the window but the blind lowered to the top of the AC, put the pic somewhere else in the dining area . I think you would like the calming effect of the more streamlined design. have fun.

Soft warm colors---stained glass... Good Luck!
[houzz=][houzz=]

Pivoines - thanks for your suggestions. These cabinets will be demolished and replaced with the high gloss cabinets. Your pantry idea is a good one, but it won't allow me to extend the counter all the way to the window, which I really want to do. Budget won't allow for a lot more customizing - was going to add a bottom cabinet under the extended counter - will store much of what's on the baker's rack there..what do you think about stainless steel backsplash to go with stainless steel shelving? That would be easy to clean, yes? Silver would go fine with all the other colors in the kitchen and be somewhat unifying while still providing a contrast that I am wanting, while light enough not to narrow the room?

Considering the brick- I would go with an off white/beige subway tile. The color of the mortar in the brick.

Is there an option to open the doorway to the kitchen, and use the sides of the cabinet to end the kitchen instead of the wall? It would open the galley kitchen more. I would stay away from a dark backsplash or it will become a black hole. Use a micro over the stove to conserve on space. Build the refrig in...by bringing the cabinet on top of it forward. Use cabinets to the ceiling. I've seen glass tile with black, white, stone and clear glass that can be installed either horizontal or vertically. That might bring the look together. Are you using stainless appliances? I'm not a fan of the yellow walls. Without having a mishmash of colors in your home, maybe you can re paint the rooms opened to the new kitchen the same color of the kitchen, and to keep it simple, use a grey color on the walls. Use yellow for the accessories. Ie: window treatment...maybe a pattern that has black, white, grey and yellow? Check Lowes for the tile. I've seen it for 10.99 per sq ft.

hello how are you/?

Kelly - there is no brick in my kitchen.....the dining room was JUST painted, so that color is staying put....budget does not include doing anything with the walls or changing the kitchen's footprint....what do folks think about a stainless steel panel for the backsplash??? (My applicances are white, sink will be stainless steel as wil open shelving at right rear of kitchen....)

In this ideabook on white appliances I notice the common denominator is a white backlash or in the most contemporary kitchen a backsplash with pops of white. I think stainless behind the range sounds good and maybe go with your first instinct of white for the tiling.
http://houzz.com/ideabooks/1494317

For this contemporary kitchen look, stainless steel back splash would work well.

To get a feel on how it looks, you can see in the picture a project that we've done recently. The counter top was Cambria quartz and kitchen cabinet was in glossy white glass finish (brand: Zampieri Cucine).

I agree with stainless steel. It would look great in your setting.

What about a light yellow subway tile? Or a turquoise subway tile?

Hly2002 if you want stainless steel back splash with your new cabinet it would look spectacular, and stainless steel shelving, ideal, but you will really have to store all your now exposed items. I see you don't have a stove fan, it is essential to have one , extend yourself a little more and install one that is also a microwave thus solving some of the storage on the bakers rack / now new shelving/counter top, also giving you the opportunity to have another shelf (or 2)beside it . You will have to be very tidy and have uniform containers on those shelves , if you do that, I have no doubt it will look great, enjoy yourself going to dollar stores for containers and pretty baskets to contain all those essentials.

Hi again, pivoines - why is it essential to have a stove fan? I will be getting a new one to replace the old one, but it is right next to the window and I really don't cook all that much...I really feel it is way too big and expensive an undertaking - but are you saying that smoke might darken the stainless steel? I was planning on putting a stainless steel pot rack on the ceiling above the stove to hold my most frequently used pots and pans (which I will get new and try to keep shiny) which will create more room in the cabinets where I can store much of what's currently on the baker's rack...plus there's that additional cabinet I will have. Am encouraged that you like the stainless steel back splash and shelving idea! (my contractor made the same suggestion about the microwave and stove vent, but neither of you are offering to pay for it!) --promise, though, to have fun with pretty baskets and containers (you can see I've given up on the existing kitchen!)

It most places it is code to have an exhaust fan

Hly2002, enjoy yourself, you are quite right , I definitively will not pay for the microwave fan and if you don't cook then it is your choice. I have an aversion to pot rack, they are usually unsightly and messy looking,also dangerous (I got hit by a falling pot when one of my friend dislodge one while getting one) surely you can put your pots on the new shelving in fact it would not be that costly to add another shelf also on the stove side. good luck