yes, it's very nice. if you ever decide TO change things, then you could easily do something like this. Knotty Alder perimeter cabs, and a blue/gray island.

btw, if you ever redo this kitchen, please please, take up the ceiling and make it even w/the other room.

(I've done this on our rental house and it wasn't that difficult or expensive) The only reason yours was dropped was so that there wasn't a gap between your cabs and ceiling.

with new cabinets, you can get taller uppers and have them go to the ceiling

Well yes! I agree, but my husband who did all the work remodeling the entire house ten years ago on a shoe string budget, is a chemical engineer and very determined to get his way most of the time......which he did when we enclosed the dropped ceiling instead of raising it....been there done that. The house was built in 1978, and we tried to bring it up to date to 2008.....the fireplace has a whole wall of built in black lava rock, floor to ceiling, for 12 feet wide wall built into the fireplace, behind the sheet rock wall and mantel you see in the picture, so instead of ripping out the entire exterior stucco wall and cement block fireplace and chimney, etc., we built a wall over the lava rock and built a traditional surround, very basic.....the lava rock was something else! Amazing really you had to laugh. But I did fight for the raised ceiling back in the day!

Susan Davis, I think you’re swell.

This is my older kitchen - and my French sister-in-law says it has a French country look - she may have meant French country as in old cottage in France in need of update:)

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

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854029

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854052

The window treatment is a faux Roman shade. I found inexpensive mismatched china for some vintage decor and floral art.

Possibly expensive - I can't reach over the range microwave comfortably - so I would replace that with a hood. I don't think a standard stainless hood is that expensive - a thought for when the microwave breaks down.

I used the very easy to apply textured, paintable bead board wallpaper as a backsplash in my basement kitchenette: (About $20 a roll at Lowes - at least a couple of years ago.) This would be a good backsplash for a few years if you think you may get new counters down the road. You have the short splash built into your counter and it is not the best look to tile on top of a short splash - so I would not do a tile backsplash at this point. If you do, reserve some tile to fill in where the microwave is should you ever take it down. I don't think you need to replace the counters, but if you are thinking about it, backsplash comes after counters.

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573

I retrofitted the plate rail and spice boxes into a cabinet. Plate rail kit was inexpensive - but spice boxes were not. (Plate rail kit through kitchensource - since your husband is handy.)

The best thing I did and most appreciated by my older eyes - under cabinet lighting. I only did between the sink and range, but it is wonderful! I started with DIY plug in type and later an electrician wired it to a switch for me. It also made the kitchen brighter and prettier.

I love your ability to take all this criticism Susan! And yes, you can leave those placemats right where they are between meals (that comment cracked me up). The painting of the island to a color is an awesome way to get started. In any good room design, you want a mix of lights, mediums and darks. White is not going to do much for any backsplash - Try to push yourself to do something more interesting here. Handmade tile would add some much needed "art" to the walls. Your room needs some soul and the backsplash would be the perfect place to do this. The backsplash needs to be the bridge between the dark cabinets and light counter, so consider something that has a bit of both colors, like a warmer marble subway. Blue backsplash here is going to read harsh and modern. You can always pick up the blue in accessories. Hope this helps!

Regarding your butcher block question, Im not suggesting unfinished butcher block for cutting on, but rather a finished version that is as tough and beautiful as a good quality table top.

You cant cut on it or put a hot pan on it without a trivet, but that is not difficult to manage. (I have quartz and I always use cutting boards and trivets.).

You said this is a rental Part of the year? I wouldn’t trust any renter to take care of butcher block as intended- been there, done that.

jhmarie, do we live in the same kitchen? I almost think so!
Love the copper over the range and the creative island openings plea the plate holder! I think I am getting some great ideas! Thanks everyone. With CV lots of time to not rush into any thing!🤔🤗

katieB the granite has been in place for ten years with only one or two small scratches! It is a workhorse but next winter when we are in the house long term some things can be done! Great ideas everyone! Thanks! I think I might actually make a mood board and see lots of options! Appreciate all the brain work in this!

jhmarie where did you get your dish rack! Adds a nice touch! And you bar stool covers are lovely! Inspires me to make cushions for my stools, although I live the woven rush seats on my stools! I have corner cupboard with built in spice rack behind a door in door but could insert a piece of glass there! Possibly glass on either side of kitchen window which is where I store my white dishes. Getting there ?

Since you husband us handy, can he box in the refrigerator?

Bit of LR's colors... 'chalky' neutrals they call beige / blue

485

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Between cabinets and LR area -- a great set of colors ?! Nourison wool for 499.

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Faded is good, and nice with black there... a nice teal watery blue at kitchen window ?

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Keith yes the refrigerator will be enclosed. Even though out sidled are 42” wide, the fridge gets bottlenecked when using water and ice. So the plan is to bump out the exterior wall 6 inches so we can slide the fridge back to counter depth and wrap it In panels. Next winter, along with the island!

Everdebz
Great rugs esp. the blue one!
I chose this tile as possible backsplash and also a plain subway 3”x6” in warm cream color. Opinions?

Nice, but not the style for DR set. Do you have photo of the other?

Which blue did ya like? :)

Butcher block on island instead of the black tile would add country french feeling and little upkeep is needed because they look better as they get used , in my opinion.

Other kitchen shots. Dropped ceiling over window. Window is 4’ wide x 3’ tall FYI.

Debz, sorry no sample with me but will see if I can find one and post later?

The water blue rug would be pretty perfect

The Kraft curtains have been moved to a guest room. The long panels were just ok messy with the French Door. Now I have a simple balance that turned out to be too long, so I am going to remove them and leave the doors plain. Will
Probably add art work on either side of French door: simple simple simple.

Poor typing! Leafy curtains are in a guest room.
Love the pillows! Just bought a pair of new ones on Etsy, so not replacing them till next winter

There is nothing wrong with the great room’s basics. I do feel the mantel is a bit over- accessorized. I would put one larger painting, centered, a candle on one end and a smaller painting leaning against the other end of the painting....if the two paintings are harmonious. The mirror only reflects the ceiling, so use it elsewhere.
The chest near the door also has too much on it. I would move the lamp toward the corner, blocking the framed picture as little as possible, with one or two framed photos. If the lamp needs it, add four small felt stick-on pads so it won’t scratch the chest top.

Guests need a place to set a drink or a plate. You can, perhaps, put a sturdy tray on the ottoman, but I prefer a steady table to avoid spills.

Feliz there is a different end table than shown in pic. Moving things around lol but thanks for the input!

Mirror is over fireplace ax there is a heat vent on the mantel piece and picture would be ruined. I like the mirror because there is no window in this part of the room. Only the French Door and skylights in the ceiling.

Debz picture of tile in cream.

I did get a large white tray for ottoman; old pics shown.

"Miss frugal" here. ;)

so I wouldn't 'bother' cause the amount the tiles would cover isn't much - and no spot to truly highlight it. You already have black yes tiles?

Spend on something more glorious !

What are the more expensive needs? chandelier / sink light? do you want a certain metal finish? with wood beads hanging a little ?

and DR rug? this has 250 good reviews - is jute usually good...

what material is LR rug ?!

Hand Woven Hailey Jute, Natural, 6' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/product/153740150-hand-woven-hailey-jute-natural-6-beach-style-area-rugs

There's black around --- neutral:

Debz
I am not following your comments. The blue grey tile is a no and the plain tile is a no in your opinion?
The most expense would be redoing the 5 x 7 island and counters in quartz. But something to plan for next year? Also appliances; DW and Stove are SS. But fridge and MW would need to be changed out. Every thing else is fine cost wise. All doable in stages. Would be nice to paint something, add glass to doors, change out chandelier and light over sink.

Great room rug is place holder, bound broadloom, needs a large 9 x 12 broadloom next year.
We have guests scheduled from April October things are on hold,although we have had two cancellations so far. That is life!!!!

a couple simple things perhaps to brighten up the kitchen a bit...

how about a bright colored roman shade instead of the blinds

style the top of the island with a bunch of ginger jars and put some flowers in some of them.

change out the pulls on doors and drawers to perhaps something more shiny, like chrome.

coronado · More Info

Yes! Totally cool looking. Love export ware! Lots of it at Home Goods!

and I feel like it's something that works across many different styles and is timeless

The small mosaic tile for backsplash is a no. That has been going out of style, and pretty as it is in a 12" x 12" sample, it tends to be busy in reality when the whole area is done. (Small mosaic is the most often regretted backsplash on the forum.) It also looks too cool toned. The cream is fine if it works with the counter - but as I said before, tile over a short splash is not the best look. I would spend your limited budget elsewhere and revisit backsplash only if redoing counters - which look fine. A tile backsplash is not a must. I even see new kitchens which forgo the full tile backsplash.

This must be an emotional response for me. I want to put up the tiles and under counter lighting to brighten the room. Every where I look I see backsplashes.......sigh. Emotional.

Although the inspiration room I posted does NOT have a backsplash. See above.

I just noticed you have some ginger jar look planters above your fridge so more ginger jars would work great.

Yes I have some blue/white pieces
Will try them out! Tall medium and short!

Emotions... yeh, hear ya.

But no one can beat lighting under cabinets / where you work.

Ok you know of chalk paint... so I'll ask if the island chairs -- separately from dining chairs -- could be painted a subtle color / neutral. One you'd like with black top, and rest of the area... to brighten, add interest.

You have a lovely home. Perhaps a few loose ends, easily remedied. Your original question was about the kitchen. What I would have to change would be the refrigerator. To my eye it is too prominent and unmoored. I would hire a finish carpenter to enclose it so that it is part of the kitchen and boxed off a bit from the rest of the house. Because it extends so much into the eating area, I’d take the opportunity to replace it with one that is flush with the cabinets, which may mean a bit wider if you need the space and change to either panels to match your carpentry or stainless. The black seems outdated and too dark in an already dark space. Good luck!

Thank you for your positive words!
And I am hoping Houzzers will help with all those loose ends. Lol.
The fridge is going to be enclosed and moved back flush with the counter. Will post when it happens.....and test the black fridge is the gorilla in the room. Someday will be SS.

Debz great idea; the chairs are similar style. Maybe they should be painted a color. They need to be replaced eventually. Thanks for the idea!

PS : going back home tomorrow for a few days and I am going to seriously look at room and list all the possibilities with their pros and cons and discuss with Hubs. Assign a date and time and then prioritize cost plus time. That allows me to have a doable goal that will then segue into another doable goal with minor stress to me and available coin.....love love all the ideas I would never have considered!?