Give me all your awesome advice!! Kitchen/Dining/Family Room

5 years ago

Hi All!

We are buying a new to us home. I would love some help on picking out a new back splash and counter tops for this kitchen.

Counter tops are pretty dark and I would love to get new ones, my hubby isn't on board and thinks we should just do a back splash. What do you guys think?

If we just did the back splash I would want the granite edging removed not sure if that is easy to do or not.

Also would love suggestions for island lights and a new dining room light fixture.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

5 years ago

Plan to live with things as they are for 6 months to a year. You may find there are bigger fish to fry with things like plumbing, HVAC, etc. You can go ahead and upgrade your kitchen can lighting to 4000K for a daylight feeling, and install LEDs under the upper cabinets. Unless the climate requires a fan, replace that and the chandy with a matching chandelier and semi-flush ceiling fixture. Here's how I see your furniture in the space (measurements may dictate otherwise.) Your dining set should work well. Plan on a rug 36-42" larger all around than the table top, yet it shouldn't run into any furniture (buffet) or baseboards. Hang the new chandy 30-34" above the table. Use your trio of art pieces hung 5" above the buffet and one hand's breadth apart. Most here at Houzz are not fans of loveseats. They rarely seat more than one and are difficult to arrange around, but you have the floor space to keep it and add 2 armchairs so your seating is in a "U" in front of TV. If you're willing to give up the love, you might get 4 swivel chairs and try this grouping with the larger sofa. Placing all of the seating on a large rug like this will do nicely to cover some of that tile. I'm hoping you have heated floors under that. You might consider using the blue cabinets as bedside tables somewhere, and you'll need a coffee table in the center of the "U" of seating. As for additional lighting, I would place a lamp on the console table you have in your entry, putting them on the wall between the bedroom door and kitchen; lamp on outlet side and the art piece from your dining room hung right of the light switch if it isn't too big for that spot. Consider getting a second white storage hassock and placing the pair of them under the table. Also add a pair of lamps to your buffet and put a floor lamp (not a torchiere) in the corner right of the triple window. Flank your TV with some larger plants in baskets (real ones preferred.) Don't go with shortie drapes here. You want them to kiss the floor with the rods up near the ceiling.

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Comments (6)

Sammie J
5 years ago
I would not change anything for the first few months. And, I agree with your hubby and wouldn't change the countertops as they go well with the floor. The granite backsplash is usually easy to remove - you can do that when you decide on the backsplash - choose a simple tile in one of the light colors in your granite. Please give us an idea of your furniture style, and we can give you fixture ideas...
Gcubed
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I'd prioritize lighting and rugs for now. Live in the kitchen for a while. If you are keeping the layout, then replacing counter and/or backsplash in 3-6mo won't be that disruptive even if you've moved in. What does your furniture look like? Style? That will dictate the lighting.

Congrats on your new-to-you home!
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cpartist
5 years ago
Don't do anything for the first 6 months. Live with the kitchen as is so you get a feel for it and for what you need. I have a feeling once you're working in that kitchen, you're first priority will not be the pretty, but in beefing up the lighting because right now it looks poor and the high hats look like they will not illuminate your counters at all since they're too far behind you as you work.
Ameera P
Original Author
5 years ago
Here are photos of my current furniture.

From this photo The tv stand console from this room will go in the living room + the bar stools we will keep. Everything else will go in the upstairs loft.

This is my current living room furniture but it was in a much smaller space not sure if it will work it's a love seat and couch.

the teal cabinets will likely stay but open to replacing in a few months.

This is my current dining room set
Ameera P
Original Author
5 years ago
@decoenthusiaste we live in Florida so will likely keep the fans. The house is 3 yrs old so everything will likely be cosmetic at this point. I hadn't thought about kitchen lighting until someone mentioned it above. You made some great points thanks!