Also, you can do a white counter and use talavera for backsplash, all graphic or mixing solid white and graphic ones, perhaps adding a blue pencil over tile in eating zone

Move garbage can out of breakfast area.

I agree that a dark quiet counter would complement the tiles and the stark white cabinets. There are lots of quiet solid surface choices - Black Absolute granite in honed is an option or polished. It is also one of the bullet proof granites as it needs no sealing.

I think the paint color is a poor choice with the cabinets but that's an easy fix once you have decided on a new counter and backsplash.

As others have suggested, I would use the tile floors and especially the accent tiles as an inspiration for your backsplash.

Here are some sources for fantastic Malibu style tiles which can be either sources or serve as inspiration.

Native Tile

Malibu Ceramics

Malibu Tile Works

Other options:

Shop consignment stores for small table for breakfast nook and paint legs strong cobalt blue. Notice I haven’t touched countertop. The countertop has to stay until you are able to afford ripping this out along with existing backsplash (because they are integrated right now) which will lead to a new sink and faucet so you will need a larger budget. Plus, with one on the way, that is too much to bite off with $5,000 budget. Keep it simple with paint, fabrics, woven wood shades and a great little movable wood chopping block trolley. ;)

We had a similar type of tile in the house we bought- ours was more of a brick tile. I lived with it for a year or so but the grout was very yucky especially near the cooking area. We’ve recently replaced the tile and had to replace everything in the kitchen along with it (along with some minor layout changes). I’m not sure if you could save up for a more thorough remodel but you might be happier that way. Good luck!

I really like the idea of playing up the tile floor, love it. If you are keeping the cabinets, why not a laminate counter? I believe they make some in a soft matte black that resembles soapstone. Then enough money to do the backsplash and it would be great to bring in some of the blue patterned tiles from the floor. Also blue accents as suggested and something for now to cover some of the breakfast room tile.

I think Soapstone would look good for the countertops. Or, a matte gray quartz like Metropolitan (looks like finished concrete).

There is a strong consensus that the white tiles should be taken down. I’m going To wait to do the counter until I have the time and money to take on that project. Then I’ll replace the counter with either black granite or white quartz for the counter and backsplash. For now I’ll try paining the kitchen white to hide the soffit and look for a wood table.

No more white! Go with strong color. It will make everything look more integrated. I'll look for great color for you. bbl

Well Flo, I loved your plan with the cobalt blue and wood accents. Your a genius.

If I were trying to work around the floor, I would look for as solid and quiet a color (little veining, speckles or swirls) for counter and patching in tile in backsplash as possible. I personally wouldn't want to emphasize the design of the tile in the rest of the room (because I don't really care for it) so wouldn't try to repeat that design element in other items, just work with it. So for me, no Mexican/Spanish inspired choices. You don't really have the $$ to do anything with the floors ($5000) I think.

Granite is often less expensive than quartz, depending on where you shop for it. Google "discount granite your town" -- that is how I found prefab and lower cost stone sellers. Steel gray is a granite that is very nice when honed but doesn't grab attention from other elements in the room.

I have read here that new laminates are much better and more attractive than the ones I grew up with, so maybe worth a look since they are still a lower price point.

Also, solid surface (Corian) hasn't been a trend lately either, but it is still a good choice for a budget kitchen makeover.

I would paint the soffit above the cabinets to match the cabinets -- I don't want the eye drawn to that area.

You are planning to replace the pulls -- go with something a little heftier, and a neutral, simple design -- easier to clean, easier to grab.

How is the lighting in the area? If you need to add fixtures to the ceiling, that may be a better investment than doing much more than the counter and pulls.

Here are two colors. I like the darker given all your whites. SW 6797 Jay Blue and SW 6796 Blue Plate. Jay Bird is best.

Remember, this would go on the soffit and above the white tile in the breakfast area. Have you ordered bench for eating area? Cushions? Another reason for the deep saturated color, is you need to balance the strength of the floor color with same depth of color, hence the Jay Blue.

Don't be afraid of the deeper color. You will need a primer that is tinted for this dark color. The folks at Sherwin Williams will get the right tint for that color for you. It must be primed properly.

Mock

Breakfast area

Can you see how the deep blue balances out the floor? It would look so good!

I like the deep blue in the eat in but I think it’s a little much on the soffit which I would rather hide.

Molly. Darker colors actually “recede” visually. You need the color there. Add a cobalt blue tea pot onto the stove top too.

granite idea for counter and backsplash

With your white cabinets, I would go with the Virginia Mist or Jet Mist because you need that contrast. When trying to pair whites and off whites it can be really difficult. And look like you "missed". Now if you just want a white kitchen, just do plain white quartz.

If you go with a black granite try and avoid Absolute Black. This material is infused with dye and oftentimes creates issues down the road such as staining and watermarks. Instead consider a Zimbabwe Black Granite. Affordable and looks great. And since you have laminate for back splash you will definitely want that replaced as well. From the looks of your kitchen you should be able to do your countertops with one slab and have material left over to do the 4" back splash. Be careful though as things settle and your installer will want to take precise template measurements so that you have no gap between the new black splash and your existing tile. Good luck with your project!

NO 4" backsplash, ever!

Molly,

If your even contemplating Flo’s idea, why not just try it? It’s a quart of paint and a couple of hours of your time? You can always paint it white if you don’t like it. For me it’s the only way to tie in the floor which you said you don’t have money to replace. I personally like the floor if you can join the components. That’s what she is trying to help you with. These pros understand how to pull it all together. We amateurs are extremely lucky to get their free advice. Follow her illustrations combining the wood and the blue.

The photo Beverly posted is fantastic. But would involve a lot more changes then may be possible. You can follow the styling tips in the room. Plus it’s easy to see whether you would like the black counter from her posting.

ya know, they make a beautiful cobalt blue quartz. with all that white, it would look amazing. they also do a white w/bits of cobalt glass.

then you could do a white tile backsplash.

even formica has a leathered cobalt. Spanish tiles for splash

the bottom right or top left would bring in the terra cotta tones to match the floor

Does the tile actually complement the style of your home? If not then pull them out. They are defining your kitchen style.

Totally agree. I personally like them ... but they don't mesh with your countertops at all. This floor is a hard departure from today's soft-neutral trend, but that doesn't make the floor bad.

I agree with those who say the floor has a Mexican flair, and -- if you're not going to replace the flooring -- you should run with this theme. The floor is a "strong item", and it DEMANDS to be the star of the show. If you fight this, you will lose.

What are the floors made of? If they are tiles, I would keep them and decorate around them.

Yes, tile is kinda forever. I assume, of course, that the tile is in good condition.

I like the aesthetics of butchers block just not practical enough.

I love butcher block. If all things were equal, it's probably what I'd put into my new kitchen ... but it does require lots of upkeep.

To be argumentative, Ikea butcher block is VERY affordable. In all honesty, you could probably replace it twice and still not have spent as much as you'd pay for a stone countertop. Of course, it'd be trouble to choose /arrange /clear out for the install, but -- from a cost point of view -- you can justify butcher block.

While it is totally not in step with today's trends, this is a great kitchen with lots of personality. Remember that trends come and go, but a cohesive design will last. It "works" because the flooring and the backsplash play nicely together. Together they act as the stars, and the countertop takes a back seat. Something similar to this would work well with the floor you already have.

Last thought: I really like the cobalt ideas that're evolving here.

I love the blue with this tile.

thought i would do a mockup of dining area enjoy

Although I do love the blue with the tile, on the soffit it seems to make the cabinets look shorter and the ceiling lower. to my eye Maybe just paint a trim of the blue at the very top of the soffit? Or replace the 4" splash with a row of dark blue tile (same size/shape as the white)?

Here's another mockup, with the existing countertops resurface in blue. the blue in this photo makes the soffit look like the ceiling....

Here's a mockup with the soffits painted the same as the cabinets. i think that works if the counters are blue. sorry flo...

The cost of this re-do; rugs, shades, paint, resurface countertops, would be very small. Then you could save the extra money for your dream kitchen.

Hi Molly, this is a bathroom but joyful ideas on how to play in your own space

It’s Thibaut’s Patara Ikat wallcovering , but I posted before some similar tiles

If the countertop is changed out to blue, I would do the soffit white like cabinets, but I still want to pull the eye up to elevate the feeling of the ceiling. Perhaps tiles or plates with the bright colors hung there would work. On the other hand, just doing them the same white as the cabinets is OK, if you change out the countertops, which I don't advise while pregnant and managing two other young children! Maybe paint it? Some have done that with success. Have to watch fumes with anything you do while PG, as I'm sure you know. Some things just might have to wait. But I like the mock ups shwshw did for you. Whatever you do, repeat blue 3 times and some form of wood tones at least twice in the design 3 times is better. Makes things more cohesive.

I would listen to Flo about her ideas, including leaving the counters for now. I think she's absolutely on the right track.

Im going to order some paint samples but now I’m considering painting the walls white and the ceiling blue. Thoughts?

It will be great, u have high ceiling.

good article: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-refresh-your-kitchen-on-any-budget-stsetivw-vs~92904277

Solid-surface counters, stainless steel appliances, simple modern-style handles and pulls, and luxury vinyl faux-wood flooring or solid-color modern 12x12” or 12x24” floor tiles.

I love a color on ceilings! But I might go for a slightly paler version of the same shade, keeping it strong but not so smack in the eye strong.

Arto Brick makes gorgeous terracotta tiles that could work for your backsplash. I agree with the others who suggest picking up a rich blue or green from the floor tile to re-paint/reface the cabinets is a great idea. Go with solid white counter tops and possibly satin brass plumbing fixtures and hardware. It will be stunning!

I'm a huge fan of painting ceilings a color. Did it in my whole house and haven't regretted it a bit. I think it will be fabulous.

The blue ceiling is a really interesting way of tying the color blue in your tiles to another element in the room. If the proportions are right I would add a plate rail on top of the white tiled wall portion and put platters etc there that had the colors from your floor. Re the ceiling, conceptually, this is sort of like the night sky, so I think you would want a color that was deep, but still soft? Maybe people have suggestions.

cpartist, me too. Our old apartment had some taupe ceilings, and we loved them, so when we bought our house we did the same. Bedroom ceiling was taupe (but painted white later on, as rooms were switched around), and LR ceiling is sage. I am always surprised more people don't do it. Does it break some kind of design rule? I think it's a great way to add color to a room, and as long as the room is a good size, it won't make it look like a cave.

I love the idea of a blue ceiling in this kitchen.

Blue ceiling would be great! Go for it! Keep us posted.