Not really about the same thing. I think the stone here is nice, and you just have some different wood tones going on.

I think I'd paint; that looks like hard wood to stain evenly. You could do cream, white, a light gray -- just coordinate with the tones in the stone. A lighter backsplash would be an even bigger help.

As a kitchen designer I see several design flaws but that doesn't really help with regards to what you are trying to achieve. I find in my own space I tend to look past the clutter but when I take a picture on my camera it becomes really clear that I need to do some major clean up. Without being too critical, I'd suggest you start there and then step back and take a look at what you are working with. The pine cabinets go nicely with the granite you choose. It looks as though you have stacked stone backsplash?! I'm not sure why the microwave is on the counter and not on the microwave shelf above? Updating the floor sounds necessary - depending on what you decide material wise there is a tile that would complement the slate tones of the backsplash - I'd suggest a more modern 12" x 24" or 18" x 18" - otherwise the laminate planks are popular and durable. Hope this was helpful...

I am a designer too and so first I see the clutter which says you need to deal with getting more storage . I would also look at changing the lighting to LEDs in 4000K before planning any painting. The flooring I think is going to be a big job and if at all possible try to matvh the floor in the adjoining spaces , hopefully wood. When tiles crack it usually means too much movement in the sub floor so no tile this time.The decluttering includes the stuff on top of the cabinets.I do not like the backsplash with that counter so think about something simple in a color from the counter, maybe even a nice glass subway tile with matching grout.A stainless hood would be good. I would make all those changes and then see if you need to change the cabinets or maybe just a good cleaning will make them look good.

What are your favorite features in the kitchen and craft area? What are the things you like least?

I also think it’s a really nice kitchen and you just have way too much stuff. Start by clearing out all the open spaces. Discard duplicates and expired things. All ornamental items that are not regularly used should get set aside (things on the tops of the upper cabinets, plants, etc). My kitchen recently got reorganized and I had cornstarch that expired in 2003! I think that if you de clutter you will find the pretty wood and granite looks much better without things scattered all over top of it. Most people don’t have storage issues, they have stuff issues.

Thanks everyone for the advice. We are slowly trying to declutter the whole house. It is better now than when these photos were taken. The kitchen has been tough as it is not very big and we are a family of 5. Teen/adult boys. I am very outnumbered when it comes to cleaning up after oneself LOL (no offense to the neat and tidy men out there). Add to that we do all home cooking and I’m an avid baker. If I could afford to replace the cabinets with ones going to the ceiling I would. Thought about raising them to ceiling to open up the space below but thought it would look strange. I do need to move the pottery but I need to find another option. Most was hand made by my mother or were professional pieces she purchased. We are starting fresh in our living room too so I will try to figure out a solution in there. So many moving parts.

Can you clarify the changing lighting to LED? Is this under cabinet the pendant pot lights. I was thinking of changing the under cabinet lights and removing the trim on the bottom of the cabinet. If we were to do the vinyl plank what color would you recommend. The living room is oak hardwood that needs refinishing. Currently the tiles run through kitchen to side entrance (small back split)

We are freshening up the whole main floor small L shaped living dining room and the kitchen. We never use the dining room other than the odd family gathering in the winter months. We are trying to figure out how to better use that space so it is used in a different way office/hobby space. We have been in this starter home for over 25 yrs now so it is time to clear out stuff. We are looking to sell in 5-10 yrs so we are trying to keep that in mind too. Given all these dilemmas is it best to just consult a professional. If so would it be a designer that can advise on all of these things and what would be the necessary commitment and costs. I’ve only ever stacked a room at a time and mainly paint etc. our budget is tight and we will have to do things slowly but I’m getting to the point of not knowing where to start. Your advice is most appreciated. Feel free to be critical. If I had the budget I would rip it all out and knock down walls but unfortunately that is not in the cards.

I understand how you feel about your mother’s pottery. My husband’s mother painted, and we have some of her original oils. Why not box up a few pieces for each of the boys to have when they get their own places?

Replacing an entire kitchen floor would be expensive. Do you have photos showing the cracked tiles? Sometimes they can be repaired after cleaning by a tile pro, sometimes they can be replaced individually if you have extras.

Wood cabinetry is a rising trend again. I'd leave the cabinets alone. Take one room at a time to declutter. Marie Kondo's book and her short series on Netflix are both good for getting started with decluttering.

Don't get rid of your mother's pottery. Instead, concentrate on de-cluttering other parts of the space--take everything not pottery and not nailed down away and add back only what looks good. You really can keep much in the cabinets rather than on the counter top, but of course that means clearing out cupboards. I sympathize with you--I know that I keep way too many plastic containers, mugs, and handy one-purpose gadgets for a task that a knife would do just as well.

It might be a good idea to paint the walls a lighter color.

Thanks to all for the advice. We actually just cleared a bunch of furniture and pottery into the crawl space for the boys to take as they leave home🙂. There is still a lot but I can definitely put some in the living room now that the boys are grown. As much as I like the warmth of the paint at night I was thinking it may be too dark. I really like more modern decor now but with the industrial accents like the stacked stone. Loft looks with beams but modern lines. Hard to do in small 60’s built back split. If I went light on walls I feel like I want to contrast the stone with white paint but wonder how that would work with the cabinets and counter.

Not sure the tiles are worth saving and we no longer have extra. They were put in some 20 yrs ago. And quite a few are cracked.

Funny you should mention paintings I have all my grandmother and fathers watercolors. I am planning to reframe them all in a more modern frame to give them a new life.

I’m currently living in a house with old cabinets with a fresh coat of white paint, and brand new quartz slapped on top, and I have a love/hate relationship to my white cabinets... but mostly love them! They look fresh and classic, and I have to clean them constantly, so they keep me honest and make me a better housekeeper.

While I realize trend is swinging from light to dark cabinet tones and even colors at the moment, the real question is what you’d like to have long-term in one of the most useful rooms in your home. This is bearing in mind that trend is going to shift every few years!

I realize this might not be totally helpful, but I hope you keep us updated on what you decide to do!!

Is there space in the dining room for a pottery display cabinet? Or a shelf that runs the length of the room up high like a plate rail? If you add strip or tape LED lights, the display will be highlighted when you use the room.

Thanks for info on cracked tiles. You could look at Marmoleum. It has a smooth sleek look that will not compete with the stacked stone or the adjacent flooring. Many colors and new patterns available. Here's a classic brown with maple cabinets.

Fresh Maple Kitchen Remodel · More Info

Are the counters and backsplash original or are they updates?

Good job on clearing space- I totally understand how much harder it is when there are family connections. I find that I notice the items more- and honor and remember the person more when I have one or two items displayed well than a larger collection of things. For instance on the top of your corner cabinet removing the hurricane lantern that doesnt fit both space or style wise and repositioning the two pottery jugs to more pleasing way would make them more prominent and prettier.

lightening the walls would be a great place to give a clean fresh feel before investing in doing anything more. Are the cabinets in the dining area painted And built in or a hutch? They seem darker, and not sure if it’s the camera angle but it looks like they are overlapping the window. Have you considered moving them?

Here are some options

white

or lighter color from countertop

or darker color from your countertop

I think white color is the best. Too dark and too much with gray colors.

If you are truly having trouble, a designer will save you tons of money in the long run.

Change all lights to 4K per Patricia's recommendations.

If the cabinets are in good shape, consider a stain. Painting has to be done by a professional, off site and is quite expensive to get a good job.

Consider removing the backsplash and try a painted backsplash for a bit until you can decide what you would like.

The marmoleum is a great idea for the kitchen area. Easy to care for and easy to clean.

Consider making the dining room a "library" with a lot of book cases and move the pottery to that area. It can be a homework, study, reading area that can easily change back to a dining area when boys move out or when you sell.