Also please note I have 2 small kiddos- 3.5yr and 2yr- so it everything needs to be durable. I am hoping you all look at the space and see something I don’t.

We repainted the whole house light french grey, I got new light fixtures for the kitchen and living room. I like the navy blue accent wall, and since I’m clueless about this need photos on what you think my space needs. I want to lighten everything up but feel like without redoing the whole kitchen I don’t have any other options

lol. you're right. you've covered quite a few decades.

I like your floors.

I like the blue wall

can you take a better pic showing more of the dining area? Is it through the pass-thru window?

So, lets start w/kitchen. can you replace the countertops and backsplash? If you did that, your cabinets would be perfectly fine. take down that glass bar mosaic, do a nice larger subway type of tile, and a light granite or white quartz.

Lighting. you really need an electrician out there to give you some canned lights. But, what you currently have is doable for now.

Ok, so that vertical window covering has to go. Looks like an apartment slider.

Is it mandatory you have a blind on that door?

I think you could do something like these pull down shades for patio door

the living room. do you watch tv in there? that small monitor on the mantle?

if possible, do a larger tv (you can find one for 400 bucks) and mount it on the wall.

normally I'd say put it on the other wall, but you have a sectional that is too large for that space.

Take down that mirror and replace it with a large piece of art. (lowered. )

or put a canvas over the back of the sofa. again, lowered. art and pics should be 4-6" above the back of the sofa.

you've got tiny framed pics there. They too small for that wall.

lower the other photo over the little book shelf too.

this is how to do a picture collage

As requested here is the view of the dining room- it’s an L Shaped townhouse, and what colour/ type of backsplash would you recommend??? White/off warm white? Grey?

The table in the corner of the living room has the cable box and we need to keep it there- would you recommend some thing else? And should we have the fireplace painted?

..... so many questions 😫

The light over the dining room table might need to be more substantial. Depends on your budget. If the kitchen cabinets are in good shape, I would get a professional painter for them. You can do wonders with paint. Your blue accent wall is beautiful. The dining room is a little stark, so I would replace the art piece with something lighter and with more movement. https://www.art.com/products/p53064497509-sa-i11519355/karen-hale-luminous-energy.htm?upi=Q1H4X9T0&PODConfigID=9201948 Look at local artists/art galleries, or art.com. Create a wish list for yourself. Measure twice, buy once! Most of the colors in the dining room are cool - so - looks good in the unity department. Please see below link on HOUZZ to get more ideas.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/transitional/nqrwns

In the living room area, the mirror has to be replaced, and the ceiling light needs to go. Lighting is often seen as an afterthought, but actually has a lot of impact in the atmosphere department. Much better lighting for the living room is a table light or sconce in each corner at chest height. To replace the mirror, I like the idea of three framed pieces - with the outer two pieces smaller than the middle. Back in the kitchen, try to stick to cool colors, since you have them mostly in the dining room. Here are cool colors: bright white, light taupe, medium taupe, dark taupe, ice cool pastels, black, purple, royal blue, true red (no orange), forest green, magenta, Kelly green, light true green, navy. Warm colors: peach, off white, cream, tan, beige, brown, olive green, orange, red-orange, rust. The concern I have with that mirror is it doesn't have any personality, and looks a bit like a bulls eye. Be aware of the round and square pieces in your home, and the balance of items in your home as well. Let's get some unity here! Move things around until you like what you see. Take your time and get wall pieces that you love - not just something with which to fill the wall. If you need storage, work that into your plan as well. Take advantage of your vertical space. Make sure to use your kitchen cabinets to their greatest efficiency. If you don't, there will be items overflowing into other areas of the kitchen where they don't look their best. Clutter control has been a lifelong challenge for me, so I feel your pain! Drapes on the windows will make the living room more cozy. Get rid of the vertical blinds in the kitchen. I'm sorry I'm all over the place with these suggestions! Have an overall plan before doing anything. Easiest to get started is get a thin three ring binder, loose leaf paper, and tabs. Categories can be budget, ideas, vendors (stores - merchandise), timeline. In the kitchen, you can never go wrong with lighter cabinets. I would go with white or a very light taupe.

SGD- no we don’t need them to be blinds- but I do really like the ideas you gave on this. The blinds are an eye sore.

Kitchen- so your suggesting a white quartz and subway tile, would you keep the pulls or black ones? I kinda like the idea of contrast and masculinity the black pulls could give but your the professional.

Living room-

The only work around to consider is the tv and media cable box. The cable wires are in the corner and linked to the TV inside the walls. The TV is old and due for an upgrade but how big should it be? The current one is 32”. I love the mirror. Perhaps sconces flanking the mirror would help fill the wall? Or would it be nicer opposite the blue wall above the hutch for touch ups on the way out the door?

How exactly would you accessorize and tie in the kitchen colour?

Can you offer ideas for replacements on accent furniture-dining hutch and coffee table and rocking chair ( my husband loves a good rock), I feel in furniture I don’t know what to do

Your style seems modern to me! Anyways I’d definitely move the mirror. I also think the best idea is to remove everything and start placing things back into the room. There’s just a lot of tables and lamps and mirrors and stuff! I would add a rug by the couch and a new coffee table and take everything else out. New shades. Can we buy hubby a new rocker?!😬
As far as the kitchen I agree. The cabs can work. I would do new hardware tho. Maybe gold unless you specifically wanted the black. I agree about the counters and backsplash.

I think the kitchen can work as is. Just update the surroundings.

Just noticed I didn’t add my photos from my post repy

I like your entry rail color - i would try and get the kitchen cab's stained to match.

The illustration of swapping the mirror and dining art piece is brilliant! The silver / reflective glass will really bounce well off the blue, which the art work is not currently doing nor is the mirror twinkling well against the gray. Then the large art will introduce the blue, darker tones to the large wall. Is it possible to change the cushion cover on the rocker and footstool? If so, rather than changing the whole chair, swap the color to a deep blue to bring your wall colour to the living area or a dark grey without pattern, so it ties in with your colors. The white frame already ties to the white paint work.

I am thinking there is possibly a little too much dark wood - the cable unit and the cabinet in the dining area, the coffee table, and the floor. If you aren't averse to painting the cabinets to white, that could be the lift you need. Having the one wooden piece - the dining table - would then be a feature rather that one more wood piece.

I think others have included a floor standing lamp, over a table and lamp set up. Where the lamp and table are presently is crowding that area. A floor standing lamp, a silver?, would bring your reflective element to connect the mirror in the dining area to the living. An alternative placement could be behind the sectional to provide a softer light to that corner.

And finally, yes change out the vertical blinds!

some lighting ideas...

ORE International Floor Lamp With Silver Finish And White Marble Base 6937SN · More Info

Elk Penbrook Arc 5-Light Floor Lamp With Metal Shades D2173, Chrome, White · More Info

Floor Lamp in Silver Finish with Perch Swing Arm · More Info

In open concept you have, to me the kitchen becomes less a concern, what with all the interesting items: art, furniture, curtains in nearby rooms. As said, you don't have to change it -- but I wouldn't buy blue patio curtains to contrast next to amber cabinets, drawing further attention there. I posted some neutral curtains later.

I agree that switching mirror and art was great thinking. :)

If you don't do that, and would like more red in DR, you could add red... 2 of these washable covers..... etc.

Plaid Red Simple Style Dining Chair Slipcovers Covers · More Info

Light grey walls / lots of beige floor tiles, and counter, wood -

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/regal-home-ironwork-windowpane-blackout-rod-pocket-set-of-2-curtain-panel/ppr5007916430?pTmplType=regular

A better feel with curtains if possible. If you or friend has basic sewing skill, could buy more, and make for the windows.

https://www.amazon.com/Blackout-Curtains-Textured-Insulated-Waterproof/dp/B07WGCCK4Q/ref=pd_di_sccai_1/131-1013488-4153316?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07WGCCK4Q&pd_rd_r=037c8d16-862f-425d-9232-b28d5847529d&pd_rd_w=IVksP&pd_rd_wg=0u4ex&pf_rd_p=5415687b-2c9d-46da-88a4-bbcfe8e07f3c&pf_rd_r=5189QWAD699PYZ3XBWVV&refRID=5189QWAD699PYZ3XBWVV&th=1

Has a "pull wand" --https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072R67966/ref=vp_d_ac_sub_sp_pd?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B072R67966&pd_rd_w=wVOOS&pf_rd_p=2ffcd48a-9fc6-4fa5-9277-084a00597c0f&pf_rd_r=PWJKBQDMYHXBM2HJNPGQ&pd_rd_r=af0cdb92-22b7-400b-b16b-bc689f92407f&pd_rd_wg=dIHRL

A houzzer said that new larger lighting might be good. Sorry to bother with this, and too contemporary.. although you seem to go with that. Instead of updating kitchen, buy this for under 300.... /:=0..?

Maxim 20465 Reverb 31"W 8 Light Chandelier - MultiColor · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/maxim-20465-reverb-31w-8-light-chandelier-multicolor-prvw-vr~93186329

Tha k you for the photo and link suggestions!!!

Not a pro ... I love your chandelier, just needs to be hung a bit lower, to become more of a focal piece. I would spend my money elsewhere ex. on the patio window treatment, kitchen, etc.

A later photo shows the DR lit up well - is it a bit casual country with a plank top look? I like it, but questioning pretty items, like modern bubble spheres [cute], mirror moved in there. It might tip the balance too far into a glam world.

Good to read!

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/so-your-style-is-transitional-stsetivw-vs~1331096

Although transitional usually denotes a balance between contemporary and traditional, that’s not always the case. You can mix in a few (we repeat, a few) pieces from other styles as long as they don’t detract from the casual, tailored setting.

If fp dark traditional -- maybe change stain/ color to be softer, maybe same as floor stain, but lighter?

Seeley Media Room · More Info

Posting rooms with some similarity to yours -- "neutral color palette is punctuated by soft shades of blue around the room."

Are you needing a rug? if not, a patterned ottoman like this might work.

Urban Townhome Living Room · More Info

I guess I don't like how fp looks near soft paint, white blinds... etc... if you really like blue you could change it somehow. Here's family room adjacent to kitchen. Paint color on fireplace mantel is Benjamin Moore #1568 Quarry Rock. The trim is Benjamin Moore OC-21. The bookcases are prefinished by the cabinet manufacturer, white with a pewter glaze.

COASTROAD Hearth says latex paints handle the heat around fireplaces better than oil paints do (oils tend to yellow with time),

Project in Tiburon · More Info

They say a room should have a focal area - I suppose your fp wall is ---
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/make-your-fireplace-the-focal-point-stsetivw-vs~611518

What I suppose I meant was that black tv over brown mantel seems drab.... I'd either bring mantel to life with painted //

or move tv to corner, not so bad -- and have art there.

In other words, could mantel blend with DR's accent wall ...

2nd photo dark Blue paint is called Dark Night by Sherwin Williams.

Sea Cliff Preppy Contemporary · More Info

Domingo Road Great Room Project · More Info

Your have some cute things - i like your stools. This rug's simple style and clear colors might blend with stool style -

You're already going in vibe ok with mosaic imo - you don't want oriental / dressy rug, any large item that ornate, or fancy scrolls. Simple and nice like your stools, like sofa, DR...

The TV cannot move due to in wall wiring- I was considering painting the fireplace white but I would need to tie that into the kitchen b/S and countertops I think. Also I love that accent dark green accent wall- that would be beautiful on the wall with the mirror I think 🤔