Here is my wood kitchens idea book with both new and older, refreshed kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

I have a somewhat similar layout and did a similar refresh but with a vintage feel:

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

The sink is a short apron Kohler Whitehaven which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. I put in "daylight" bulbs and at first did not like the look though it reduced yellow tones. After a few days I got used to it - right before I was going to head out and buy warmer ones:)

The best thing I did was a short run of under cabinet lighting between the sink and range - a major prep area for me.

Warmer wood tones are returning in style. Wall colors are often white or cream or a sage green with gray undertone.

I think "daylight" is in the 4000 to 5000 range.

Pictures don't enlarge so hard to get a good view

BM Nantucket Gray or Farrow and Ball Bone are nice sage greens, Also I would take the cabinet out that's between the 2 rooms or at least take the top off

I have been thinking of doing this, but then don't I have to paint both rooms the same color? If we take the top off (my husband built it) we could continue the crown moulding. Any ideas on handling the painting?

Looks like both rooms are the same color now??? Being open concept I think you would have to paint both rooms

You sure you want that granite choice ? (AKA-River White and Kashmir white) It tends to lean a little cool w/grays. Have you seen the entire slab you're getting? I would before they cut it. (always, always view your slab)

here's what it looks like (it's almost always paired w/white)

your cabs and flooring are both warmer toned.

Judging an entire countertop off a 5" square is not good enough to get the overall feel for the stone. I just want you to be sure.

they do have a colonial cream that is warmer toned and would work better w/your tile (same price too)

We haven't picked out the slabs yet. I will definitely look for something with more of a cream. Thank you. I wanted to stay as light as possible. Do you know of any other light granite that would complement my colors? Thanks so much.

The family room is a pale yellow and the kitchen is a buff color.

cdgalo,,,when looking at slabs, bring one of your cabinet doors with you. (if you have a spare floor tile, bring that too). Try to view them in natural light (sometimes the indoor stone places have very blue florescent lighting, so keep that in mind)

You want to lean on the warmer tone side rather than icy cool blues/grays.

thisis TajMajal quartzite, but some of them have a lot more gray. this one is warm

look at some of the quartz options. these are all warm tones from Caesarstone:

see if you can find any of the Cielo quartzite. (true quartzite will not stain/etch and it's stronger than granite)

see how the tones in your cabs/flooring mesh better w/the warmer choices?

And the reason kitchens are dark is lack of lighting. so if you want a brighter kitchen, bring in more light.

check out porcelain. this was at my stone place and I thought it was real marble. it's porcelain that looks like Calacatta. was beautiful. (porcelain countertops are set in full thinset just like they would lay a floor tile. it has to be completely covered on the back w/mortar . if done correctly, it's perfectly fine and strong. no staining and you don't have to seal) AND, this entire slab was only about $2200.

Quartz. Silestone Daria

Looks like this w/your similar color cabinets: (ignore this backsplash)

I actually like this choice w/your kitchen. then you could bring in a cool backsplash tile.

Daria^

and Stellar Snow

Beautiful! It certainly brightens up the kitchen. Yes, I will bring a door and a floor tile.when we go to look. Thanks.

i added a few more pics of the quartz choices, above.

look at the Daria and Stellar Snow.

I like Daria though. (or something on that scale) Then we can pick a really cool tile splash