This space feels a bit cold and clinical. It could use some warmth and texture. It lacks so much personality now it is hard to make recommendations about specifics not knowing what your style is. How would you describe different looks that you like or your style preference?

1. Add a rug to the dining area. A jute or sisal might be nice.

2. Swap out the lighting fixture for something that is more attractive, has character, is beautiful to look at.

3. I like your idea of removing the right cabinet and using open shelving. Will you need to repaint the kitchen if you do that? If so, I would recommend a different white. There is something that seems really off about this one.

4. Is there anything to do about the main ceiling light or is that a bigger scope of project than what you are interested in?

Thank you Kendra. Very nice suggestions. I wanted to bring life to the kitchen and I love bright colors. Due to budget restrictions, I want to give it a colorful makeover. I have plans to remodel my kitchen but not in the new future. Then I would like to implement certain suggestions I receive.

Just use the space.....it's eclectic, not really cold. I would go shopping for a new fridge.maybe show the fridge wall.....with new fridge.....some side panels can give a finished look......folks will tell you how to do it depending on how that wall is set up w cabinets.

For backsplash, what about a cement tile in a white and black pattern with just a bit of the same mustard colour as the soffits.

Thank you for so much inspiration. I tried to bring out the architectural details on the ceiling and define the kitchen. I do love vibrant colors as they bring positivity and energy to us. Have much work to do on adding backsplash and changing the countertops to make it look cohesive. I would love to have suggestions on them.

I do need to change appliances and will do so slowly. Thank you for such nice ideas.

Daisychain, I love the backsplash. That would look cohesive too. I would look for similar designs if can't find that exact one. Thank you so much.

Re: fridge. "Replacing slowly" won't allow you to benefit from the newer features,energy efficiency and more user friendly -better looking units you can put into your household. I would allocate time and resources and while appreciating all the "looks" for the space , get the fridge replaced.

Nice job! I agree with making the frog a priority. Also, I would turn you kitchen table, it looks off that direction.

Fridge. that is

Oh Yeah! I'm already looking for fridge. Thank you Laura. You meant if I turn the kitchen table to be symmetric with the counter? I did try that but then the chairs to wall will have little space. Also, how would it be if I take a round table instead ... like a pizza box :) round table inside a square space. Thanks much!

About the table ... I would consider something round or oval in this space. There are a lot of straight lines & rectangles, I think some softer lines would be good. I'd also love to see how a wood table looks in here. The view thru your sliders is very natural (looks like a stone garden?) and adding another natural element would be pretty. Plus I just like wood tables, they feel warmer to me than glass.

You have really done well with the current layout, the light in the kitchen is really pretty. You could consider something similar in the dining room if you wanted to change the light you have now, but it's not bad at all.

Yeah Pam, that is meant to be a stone garden. Previous owners didn't do much there. That is one of the features I loved. Will need ideas to transform it (Can you suggest some?) You are right about the table, eventually we'll change it (this table went well in our previous home) and also the light fixture (the light fixture is previous owner's).

Thank you so much for your suggestions.

Is that the only lighting in your kitchen? Under cabinet lighting? Any can lights?
The yellow needs to be carried into the dining room. Maybe a cute little decor piece or two on your kitchen counters but don’t want clutter. How about bringing the yellow in w a rug?

Regarding the backsplash, I think it's important it not be too busy. There are three colors in here and two tone cabinets....I think that's enough and if you go with anything other than solid colored tiles, its gonna look busy. You seem to love color. You could do a solid colored yellow tile?

Also have you considered removing the trim above the window?

You also DEFINITELY need a more substantial light pendant in the dining area and more substantial curtains for that large window.

You could do a subtle yellow just so the yellow doesn't go overboard. Maybe something like this? Comes in various sizes: https://express.google.com/u/0/product/6659082632896266689_3677742693877001998_5117101?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=tu_image&utm_campaign=5117101&utm_content=eid-lsjeuxoeqt 

Overall I think you did a great job! Much more modern and colorful. I think the black and white splash has potential but as JD said, it's already very busy so bring home several tiles to line up along your counter to be sure. I think the gold on top is a real attention-getter and cannot be repeated below, but a solid white would work. There are handmade tiles that have a slight variation in color for an organic feel but overall solid color look. I wonder if a more muted yellow would still accentuate the soffit but still give it an open airy feeling?

The one thing I am not loving is the red rug. With the bright yellow soffit and the black and white cabinets and the red rug, everything is screaming look at me! This has the warmth and the color palette without being sooo red. I'm not sure about that middle section there with blue? but look for something like this, more tribal and modern than a traditional oriental.

JD, Thank you for inspiring me! I have considered changing the trim above the window, in fact I want to change the window altogether and replace with a new one. Definitely not a wood color, rather a color like black suede or twilight. (I am not a fan of white doors and windows). Like I said above, I also want to remove the right cabinets beside the window and carry the backsplash up till the gold detail and add floating shelves on the wall. Could you let me know whether that is good vision or not?

As per the backsplash, I think something that is tranquil would be good. I do not want to add any further colors. Anything I do, will disturb the gold on the top. That is the attention getter in my kitchen. (Pictures really don't do justice and these are iPhone pictures so you can imagine). In reality the gold and the white cabinets completely complement each other.

I have many recessed lights in the kitchen. So, the pendant lights are not the only ones. I DO want to change the dining lamp, actually want to color it something yellow or gold or copper to carry the gold color to the dining area. That's why I have kept the round mirror in gold.

As per the curtains in the dining area, that is a sliding door. I wanted the curtains just as an ornament not a particular purpose. I DO want to change the door color to same black suede or twilight or something alike or change it eventually.

Above all, I want to thank you all for so much inspiration. I wanted to decorate the house one room by one room and give it our family vibe and character. I love colors because they bring smile our faces but I don't want to be tacky at the same time. They should be cohesive in my opinion.

Thank you once again! I really appreciate all the ideas.

mnmamax3, Thank you for suggestions. One thing I understood from your suggestion and that is so true, that I cannot rely on online shops. I have to see physically all the tile and counter options to see what accentuates the rhythm and personality of the kitchen. You're right that I need a tile that calms the mood of the colors (gold, navy and white). I also need a counter that is earthy and warm.

I think the red rug came very bright in the picture (may be because of the picture edited by me little bit), but in reality it is muted. I will change the rug once I change the table. That is my old dining table and it doesn't fit here so much.

You know, I have never painted any walls before and and never matched colors together. This is my first hand experience in decorating a house. It really was tough to get the gray/neutral color for the kitchen to accentuate the gold and navy, but I would be happy if you give me your opinion whether that looks good or I should change it in the near future. Even criticism is also welcome! :)

Regarding the floating shelves, you must keep in mind you will have to keep the stuff on those shelves neat and pretty. Do you feel you have enough storage otherwise to do so? Space for all the "ugly" stuff and mess? If so, I like the idea because the cabinet seems to be blocking some of the light from the window. Open shelving would allow more light through. If you do the shelves, I think they should start from where the current cabinet starts (near the window) to the edge of the soffit on the dining side. I do have to say, I like the current wood tone of the windows. I think it adds warmth to the space, which it needs since the cabinets are black and white and the floors are whitish.

If I were you I'd consider under cabinet lighting.

I see why you want to paint the dining pendant, but I think you need something more substantial there. It just is too light weight and small to be hung there IMO.

Backsplash could be simple white subway? I know a lot have it, but it wouldn't overwhelm your kitchen and its very cost effective which is just a bonus.

About the curtains, I totally understand that they are decorative. Even so, they should still appear to be able to close and not be skimpy. When curtains are skimpy, it looks cheap and like an afterthought. And even though they are decorative, I'd still get a real rod....it's just more updated, modern, and more expensive looking (for lack of a better way to say this lol).

Oh I didn't know you wanted a new table! What would you like different? Round? I think a more transitional table would work here? Your cabinets, trim, and I'm assuming the rest of your house is traditional, but the colors are very contemporary. So something in the middle would bridge the gap IMO. What were your thoughts?

Thank you J D. I tried to take a more accurate picture of the kitchen. The below cabinet is gray/navy and not black. As I mentioned, I am not a big fan of the appliances, so will change when we can save some money eventually.

As per the floating shelves, I am a cleaning freak. So, I will maintain the shelves and the only reason for putting open shelves is to make the room more open and as you said the cabinets blocking the light from the window. So visual obstruction will not be there. How about a counter of wood? I like the idea that stone and brings warmth to the kitchen. Don't you think so? Please let me know your suggestions and thank you for helping me to experiment with lots of details.

Keep the white counters and don't mess with the cabinets. For backsplash, add white oversized subway tile in a stacked bond pattern (not running bond) with a light grey grout. I love your bold color and would also paint the grey dining area walls mustard, however i would repaint the soffit dividing the 2 spaces the white ceiling color because it visually makes both rooms look smaller. Ideally, that soffit could/would just be removed. Replace the glass table with a white round table, like Ikea's tulip table. I think JD's muted yellow carpet suggestion would be perfect for dining area and I would also like a matching smaller one in front of the sink. A rod across the sliding glass door is needed along withe more substantial curtain panels (white is still OK). One large white or chrome framed modern art-piece on the blank dining wall would pull the whole room together.

Agreed with those saying you could warm it up a bit. The lighting upgrades you made are great, but I think you could take it a step further. Do you have more task lighting? Like under counter lighting, etc?

Oh very interesting! I never would have realized those were navy! Lovely!

Floating shelves: I would not paint the wooden window trim and I would put up WHITE painted floating shelving where the cabinet is now. In addition to floating shelves, removing the cabinet trim detail above the window will also let a little more light into the space!

Are you asking if you should change your counters to butcher block?

@ Lion Windows and Doors, yeah I need to warm the space up a bit. We do have task lighting everywhere: under the counters and above the sink also. Because this is south facing room, we have tons and tons of sunlight.

@ J D, Thanks for the complement!. I think you're correct. I was thinking either wood or white floating shelves. I would remove the trim covering the window and would get more light. Yes, I meant butcher block for the counter option. This one is those cheap glued material I don't know the name of.

Floating shelves are a great idea. Have you considered shelves made of quartz? They look great and they are so easy to clean. I love what you did with the kitchen. Already feels warm and unique but I also love the above suggestions about adding a rug.

@ Aqua Kitchen and Bath Design Center, Thank you! I had no idea that we can use quartz in floating shelves. I would certainly try to see how that would look. Which rug you're talking about? The red one or the one in the kitchen near the sink?

Don’t do wood tone shelving! It’s gonna make the wood tones in your space unbalanced and all located in that one area. I would do wood shelving painted white. I think it should match the upper cabinets. You could def do white quartz and that would look nice but would be so much more expensive than wood shelving.

I think butcher block would be lovely! I’d do a tone similar to your window trim, but a lighter shade. Don't want to make your space seem too dark with dark stains. The trim stain is also a bit red, and I think you should find a stain for your butcher block that is not as red and that also works with both the window trim color and cabinet colors. TBH, I love the quartz idea but I'd spend my money elsewhere that would give a bigger impact

What do you think about under cabinet lighting? Also you say you're replacing the appliances at some point did I read that? These days, under cabinet drawer microwaves are being installed more and more....is there anywhere that you'd have space for such a thing? What does the wall look like where you hvae the fridge?

It's looking great. Love the colours you chose. I think you should keep going with your vision and trust your taste. You've done a fantastic job of personalizing this kitchen. The current counter is fine and I love daisychain's backsplash suggestion. If a backsplash is not essential, don't spend the money on it now, especially if you're planning a full remodel at some point. As for your fridge, how old is it? I understand wanting to replace appliances for energy saving features but I can't tell how old it from these pictures.

Do you like this? EDIT: I agree that your current counter is fine from afar, but if it's one of those 80s laminate counters that you find really ugly, then I think a light butcher block counter would look nice...make sure to waterproof it well

I think the before kitchen looked great! that said making it your own is great as well.

my spouse and I have both looked at this and since you asked for some criticism, here it is.

that mirror thing on the wall is chintzy and does the room no favors. the rug is dark and makes the room dark and creates an unpleasant contrast.

putting in a lighter, more neutral rug and replacing that mirror thing with art would make the space look more inviting and less magazine coverish.

Oh thank you D E. This shows your honesty and your willingness to say the truth even though it may sound uncomfortable. There are 7 billion people in the world and of course everyone will not have the same opinion.

I am a big fan of The Last Supper but I didn't want the Leonardo da Vinci's version. When I was thinking to redo the eat-in-dining, I chose a more contemporary picture of The Last Supper, but that is very expensive and it is curated photography, so I will save money to purchase and eventually the mirror will be replaced. To make a space one's own, it goes under so many iterations.

My only goal was to have different opinions and ideas because we all are so different individuals and have distinct tastes. Thank you for your comment.

you are welcome. funny enough I was looking at the before and after pics again and while I still really dislike the mirror I think the unpleasant contrast comment might just be simply because the before pics used a wider angle and more professional lighting. I think if the angles and lighting were matched the after would look just as good even with the darker rug.