I’m painting it Tomorrow! I’ll send pics when finished!! Thank you for your help!

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The pictures hung on the wall outside the kitchen make feel like I have to duck down to go into the kitchen. Smaller stools would help. I love everything else

It's a lovely kitchen so would not paint. Agree, island needs work. chairs too big,

remove some "stuff" like clock and things on top of cabs. The black in the upper cabinets is distracting. Perhaps if they were totally black like the micro door and oven door, they may look better.

I really like your kitchen and i would not paint the perimeter cabinets. You have a unique, good look going on. I feel like the white island doesn't complement the hickory. I'd consider painting it a dark, iron gray (almost black, but not quite). I think black might be a little too harsh. Then consider dark iron or black hardware on the hickory. I think this two small changes will really give your space a designer look. Nice space . . . you've done a lot with a smaller kitchen.

a perspective from near the front door

I had custom glass with diamond shaped iron dividers made for the cabinets and installed myself.. guess i’m trying to make my house look Tudor! lol... sorry.. i just Love Everything old style...🙃

I like your style jv! A darker island will recede more and make that detail on the glass feel more at home. Glad you will post pic's when done!

That granite looks gorgeous from your sideways picture! Can you get a better picture of it just so some of us can have the pleasure of looking at it? I would not change it, or the matching 3-4" backsplash . . . or the hickory.

As you can see from the many posts on Houzz about people having difficulty deciding on a new backsplash, and wanting to change someone else's backsplash that came with the house someone just bought, you might as well just please yourself. So if you like them, keep them.

When we built our house in 2007, I looked at all of the various tile choices for a backsplash, liked some of them a lot, but wasn't sure I'd still like them several years later. Finally went with the 3" matching granite backsplash and painted above it, since I actually prefer this anyway, and 3 years after we moved in found a center mosaic tile I liked and designed some other tiles in an irregular angled herringbone pattern around it just for over the 36" cooktop. And oh! horrors! we put it sitting right above the 3" backsplash! I still like it better than anything I've seen since. I figure I'm doing whoever ultimately buys our house a favor, since it'll be easy to tear out and put in what they want.

Anne

Now we have a view from a different angle, I can see how the glass doors fit in with everything. Once you have the island painted and add a few "teal" colored items into the kitchen, I think it will be a go.

Do you have exceptionally tall people in your family? Do you have a coonhound, setter, or other tall dog and need the tall island to keep food safe from counter cruising? If not, a smaller island at counter height would be better. I do see the advantage of the island hiding the view of the stove from the living area, so if you like it for that purpose, it is good to have a tall island. I would not paint it black or charcoal as neither adds anything and will rally show any dust clinging to rough-hewn pallet wood.

I love your wood cabinets, and I have never seen another hickory kitchen that I liked. I bet your granite is fine, too. You have gone in a direction that suits you, and it is good that you have been able to do that. I would remove the wall items, paint the switch plates, and see what feedback you get after posting those pictures.

Does anyone ever sit on the island stools?

Nancy! ROTFL!! love you!! so funny about coon hounds! no i “thought” it should be taller because I thought that was what you did! It’s about 38 inches tall- and being about 5’4 at Tallest its a bit awkward BUT Anyone that eats inside Always sits there.. I do too sometimes but kinda have to squirm to mount up!! lol!!! But Everyone-my bf- my kids- they are all tall and it’s great for them... This doesn’t mean I won’t get a New Island but I Really do need the seating.. I Do have a dining tableBut it’s from the 1600’s so It’s kinda in its own world- tough situation- my Moms and I’m not parting with it.. My kids are grown and out so it’s just my bf and myself and we eat at the island or outside whenever possible.

I stood some lighter switch plates in place and removed some things!

“Jimandanne“hey! here’s more of my granite!! Just Blew me away at the yard 6 years ago- couldn’t help it! i had been looking for a white style! lol

and what about a new light over the island? this pendant has always made me turn my head like my dog does if i make a funny sound.. 😆 and I Did pick it out!! And modified myself with sheets of Mica... ya i’m a bit nutty !

Nancy- ” a smaller island at counter height” i used to have this piece in the kitchen. It was when i was married and lived in CT.. I Love it still- had the granite piece cut for it BUT I Do need seating at the island so it wasn’t working but i think it Looked So much better

Agree that island needs painting. Also, stools are too big and backs too high.

hey sam- just a stool maybe with no back? wood finish or a color? Thank you!!

I actually hate stools with no back, but I’m over 60, so take that with a grain of salt. Low back are easily found and would provide more support while not interfering with sight lines. I’d look for a narrower stool with a low back that would not stand out against your newly painted island.

Hi jv-

If you love your cabinets, and you love your counter tops, then don't change them!

What advice are you asking for, exactly?

Just thought the kitchen area just did not feel properly done. i was considering painting the cabinets white or redoing the granite.. Most folks are strong of the opinion Not to touch the hickory cabinets- and i Would feel guilty painting solid hickory... Sooo our focus moved to the island- stools too big and obtrusive and island a bit too tall and Shoukd be painted a dark color- dark gray or black.. Also looking for a new fresh idea for the hanging fixture.. Thanks so much!

Sam! I like backs on stools as well.. ok- i’ll start looking. Already listing the stools! 👍

Can your old piece support a bigger piece of granite that would allow a lip for seating? It’s pretty and I think would look nice. You could try to match your stone.

N Love Home- I don’t think it could handle the weight but what a Great idea! Never thought of that... hmmmmm so to update so far guys/gals:

Hi!! Finally completed the island , backsplash and removed the light fixture. the island body is Black Pepper chalk paint from General Finishes with Annow Sloan black wax. The top i stripped and sanded ( a few times! lol) to get a smooth , bare wood. Then i gave 2 coats of black gel stain from Minwax I believe. Backsplash was patched and sanded then 3 coats of Sheep -a white chalk paint -and 2 coats of clear wax. Again- I love the finish i get with Wax..it will cure for 30 days then i will recoat every 6 months.. Not worried it’s mostly just me and I’m not a great cook! 🙃

i just painted some knobs so you all could see what matt black would look like.. i’ll order black knobs/pulls if it’s a yes! I’m also going to change out faucet, soap dispenser and am considering a lotion dispenser instead of purified water.. I ordered stools- put them together and hated- too modern- so back to figuring out- light fixture- stool types- faucets- knobs!!Please make suggestions whenever you can.. I Appreciate ALL your help More than you know!

Oh, looks so much better. Love how you work so fast. Takes me ages to get anything done, especially at this time of our lives. It seems I don't have the energy to do anything, this covid thing is so tiring, mentally and physically. Thanks for the update.

Oh Angel!!! Believe me please... this work was accomplished Much more slowly than my normal energetic speed.. I Too feel exhausted and unable to start sometimes for sure. Covid Has done something to most of us I think..so you are Not alone in how you feel.. Hang tough girl! So any ideas for a light fixture? I’m thinking to bring in some matt gold— i have no “accent” color right now and Do have some matt gold in the living room which opens to the kitchen... God Bless you... a Day at a Time.. 👍

Oh! Angel suggested bringing in some Teal pieces! Great call... i’ll start looking.. Should stools be Iron or Dark wood???

I like the black knobs. You could do iron and with matt gold accents.It also goes with the detail in your glass front cabinets. You are so handy you could add it yourself with rub and buff if you didn't find any you loved quickly enough.

The island looks better in black as it recedes into the background more, but I have to say it looks too rough in the pics next to your beautiful cabinets. It may not be so glaring in person.

Do you think that island could support the stone. You'd never notice what was going on underneath if you had another piece of that gorgeous granite.

Also I'm still advocating for your other cabinet. You could use corbels in black wood or iron to help support the weight of the stone.

Another option would be to do some sort of epoxy or paint finish on the top of the island.

More real would tie the two rooms together and look great with the golden brown.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/8400850442289837272?q=teal+iron+and+gold+stools&client=ms-android-att-us&sa=X&biw=412&bih=718&tbs=vw:g,ss:44&sxsrf=ALeKk01WH1QbQa_txu7LtyonSw37U2LOPg:1595382720511&prds=epd:7386492438228327760,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1&ved=0ahUKEwi24dXi39_qAhUJeKwKHWTrC68QgTYIrAw

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Bar-Stools/2023/subcat.html?featuredproduct=27414220&featuredoption=46542004&kid=9553000357392&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=32589717-000-003&cnc=US&guid=4ea74a52-d6d0-4181-ab35-2bb475107f93&cid=277922&type=pla&targetid=aud-351296433996:pla-412758009318&track=pspla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpNr4BRDYARIsAADIx9xsDxm7T4lJ4u0PCZ98Uvtk9QtqSgWhM2mEP6C6F2bD1c31xbpvjzUaAkFfEALw_wcB

First one.

It seems this only comes in bronze not black, but it gives me a modern take on Tudor vibe

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/heritage-29-and-three-quarter-inch-wide-bronze-kitchen-island-light-chandelier__39y53.html

Since I have another chandelier in the dining area so close to the island area, I think I need to stick with something more like a single pendant-something unique looking...but I DO love that one you show! . I would def replace the dining area crystal one with that BUT I have a family attachment to the crystal one...lol--sometimes that IS a problem! lol

...I like the stools you found as well..Thank you for the ideas!

Wow, love the island!!! And the matte finish is perfect. I am surprised you did the backsplash in chalk paint with wax, but then we can get pretty sloppy in our kitchen. It all looks fantastic!,,

Wow! love the island black! Try black stools with teal seats, maybe a teal teapot? Teal towels and done! As for lights look for a 2 light version to compliment the dining table's. Especially if you don't cook much, you'll only need to clean it once a year ;^)

heather!! what do you mean by a "two light version" ?? Love the other ideas too! Thank you!

I wonder if you could re-use the fixture you gook down, but take out the colored panels and replace with clear glass?? It does seem to fit the kitchen.

The black island looks great, and at least from far off your black hardware mock ties in nicely.

Just came to me tonight. Try the old fixture without any glass in it at all.

love the island black and light gone. Looks so good. so glad you didn't paint the cabinets. so pretty.

Like Angel's idea if you need a fixture. Pop the glass out and try it...I did that with my entry and stairway light because always dusty...look great and 0 expense.

If you do try the idea of using the old light fixture without glass, you might try Edison style bulbs in a lower wattage so you don’t get the glare that made you paint the glass panels in the first place. I do like the area with no light hanging down. I can see your pretty cabinets better.

hmmmm.... so no to a matte gold like fixture? maybe i’ll use rub and buff on old fixture- take out the mica sheets ( i put that in there! lol) and try lower wattage edison... 🤔

Hi,

I hope all is going well. Just jumped in to say I like your old fixture as well. My only concern would be the scale. Even though the space is small I think a pair of very similar ones just a bit smaller would look more balanced. If you want to stick with one maybe go a little larger or more elongated.

Also this is a picture of my foyer pendant which I was thinking of when I mentioned iron with gold accent. The clear panes, lower watt bulb and a little rub and buff highlight might give enough of a boost to your old fixture that would make it feel like it fills the space a little more.

I Love that So much... But i have a chandelier right next to the island over the dining table so i thought it would be wrong to do two chandeliers...??? but I absolutely Love yours!!

I agree with the folks who like the view into the kitchen without the pendant. I thought of Anthropologie for lighting for your house. If you're going to try your old fixture, I would use rub n buff and get a new chain. I think your light should not be dark, and block the sightline, but should blend in with your warm tones.

Here's a $1000 Jonathan Adler stool :)

Technically it's just a pendant. Not truly a chandelier. It's only maybe 19" the other light I posted is technically listed as a bar or island light something like that. I've got crystal's on my kitchen pendants as well. Lol. Funny thing I didn't want white cabinets, but my husband felt like stain was old fashioned and it wasn't that big of deal for me especially since he's the cook. I don't remember if I mentioned shortening the chain. Just a cosign on others if I forgot.

Took another look at your pictures. Do you need the island light. It looks pretty bright with just the pots?

Barncatz! Those stools look awesome BUT I Could not let the grand kids near them at that price! ugh...and I like the light fixtures too..As I say below--I'll First try rub and buff in Gold on my old fixture - add the edison bulbs and hang a little higher- to eliminate the eye ball glare from clear bulbs..-and get a smaller-gentler type of chain maybe...

(( As I said a couple of times-the old fixture did NOT come with glass--and I did hang it originally with an Edison bulb BUT it shot you right in the eyes!

So I ordered amber colored natural Mica-cut in proper size and shape and glued them into place..and it looked as you see in the first shots of my kitchen))

N LOve Home- I think I do..Its nice just throwing the switch for the island and nothing else. If you're sitting there reading,etc. you really need a light there I'm going to First try putting rub and buff in gold on my old fixture- then hang a Little higher and see what you all think!

If the Edison bulbs can be dimmed, that may be the solution you need, instead of raising the fixture. It does look fine at that height and without the amber glass, it will not hide your cupboards as much and may be more "see through." You just need to buy a dimming switch to replace the wall switch with. A handyperson can usually do that, no need for an electrician.