I would look for a simple warm white porcelain tile that matches the lightest color in your floors. You'll have to try the samples in your light to see what works. I'd coordinate the color with your cabinets, countertops, and floor - not the wall color, which can be changed and doesn't really complement the kitchen finishes.

I agree that the paint color is off. It's too cool for your warm colored wood cabinets and flooring. So many people just jump on the grey train and many times it does not meld with other elements in the room.

didn't we address these issues last month or so?

what happened to all of those suggestions?

Umm sorry I did post still looking for product tags I can stock up on for material backsplash!!! Your both wonderful and my decorating superhero’s!

carolyn, got your email and sent you a reply. but you should post that here on this thread so others can see what you want. maybe you'll get some other input??

Ok folks: I don’t have the budget for a full redo, so I am looking to Reno in stages:
stage 1 - counters backsplash and tile.
Stage 2 painting cabinets
Stage 3 floors. I only have 10k so I want to make the most out of it. I want that modern traditional/transitional/ contemporary coastal vibe. I don’t like how warm the cabinets are and i find it overwhelming to decorate around. I could probably make it work but in my mind I only see one option- white backsplash and countertops with black hardware. ( then maybe in a few years we paint all the cabinets white ..... then I wonder about the whole lighting plan and then I’m committed to black iron fixtures (which is fine but I like a touch of glam.

Pros tell me all I need is to update the backsplash and tile- but I haven’t gotten suggestions to help direct me to what to get. I don’t know how to get the look I want ( chic cozy, coastal, calm, striking and still warm) without a full Reno.

Here are mood boards I like that I think could work with the cabinets, but still need direction in if it would all work....

The dark kitchen is my brother in laws- I love that the high contrast, masculine contemporary coastal vibe but these feminine touches with glass pendants. It’s a bit too dark for my husband but how do I achieve the style I’m going for, but with just changing the countertops and backsplash ? Hoping you all see something I don’t.

@Carolyn Oliver It's good to see your mood boards. However, you say your style is Modern, traditional, transitional, contemporary and coastal. That's 5 different styles. Looking at your boards, I would say your style is actually transitional and you like a neutral palate with teals and blues. At least that gives us a jumping off point. When doing things in stages, it's hard because in order to get what you want, you have to figure out the end result and perhaps be unhappy with some of the selections in the meantime. I don't think your cabinets are a problem. The biggest issues I see are the counters, backsplash and flooring. If you want to start a plan, then what will your floor be when it is done? That should be decided before you select some of the other elements. I agree that light counters would look best against your wood now. You could also do a light backsplash and buy some teal accessories to bring in the color you love. Will it go with your current flooring, maybe - but if it doesn't then you need to live with it until the next phase. Can you post more photos of the other side of the kitchen - what looks like the peninsula?

based on your colors, Fantasy Brown would be a contender w/your cabs.

with a soft blue glass tile splash

This is more of a marble and not granite or quartzite. But it's not as finicky as carrara.

Alaska white is another one that's nice w/wood

There is a quartz with these blue/white/cream tones that might work for you.

Cambria Bernwyn, shown here w/the white.

I love this tile choice w/Berwyn. Agora Piastrella. beautiful combo

Cambria Montgomery has more of the aqua

or maybe you want to choose a quartz like this, do a soft blue tile to match your other colors and wait until you can paint the cabinets

this tile is called Ivy Hill 2x10, or Newport Polished (HD, Tilebar and Wayfair carry it) comes in this blue/green/gray color that would go w/your items

Floor and Decor. Canvas LaBelle.

I also like a matte black or matte charcoal w/a white/gray backsplash

@Carolyn Oliver - Take a look at this thread and see if the kitchen speaks to you. Some of these elements will work with your cabinets as they are, and also if you paint them. https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6035318/i-m-in-love-again-my-2020-reveal#n=261

Thanks for this link.... it’s helped me find MSI website that has a function that super imposes their material onto the photo..... and this had helped me accept the reality that no matter what I’m redoing my kitchen and it’s not gonna me determine there is no way to skimp on this project.....there’s no point to settle when your spending that kind of money and time for Reno

@Carolyn Oliver - While it's true that kitchen reno's take time and money, if you plan properly, you can do it in phases and enjoy it more while waiting for it to be totally complete. If you like some of the elements in that kitchen post, there are some materials you can use to get you to where you want to go. The Taj Mahal quartzite used is a great natural stone, far better and more beautiful than the quartz everyone uses. It doesn't etch like marble and is hard working. If you could find a "warm slab" (like the OP did )- one that's not gray -it would work with your current wood cabinets, AND would work if you painted them white down the road. You can see in the thread the OP has both white cabinets and a wood island, and the Taj Mahal works nicely with both. That would allow you to select a backsplash now, and have that part of the kitchen done and ready for the next phase without sacrificing or wasting any money on do overs. In addition to the countertops and backsplash, I'd get an under mount single bowl sink and a new faucet. I even think the floor will be ok for now with this combo. Those 3 things (countertop, backsplash, sink/faucet) should be able to be accomplished in your 10K budget and will be a huge improvement. Then in the next phase you could paint the cabinets if you like (I'd suggest a few modifications to them) and carry the hardwood into the kitchen. Kitchen done.

So i looked at that quartz! I also really like the summer hill quartz and fantasy river that I liked too. Fantasy River is super imposed, summerhill are the other photos, Taj Mahal is the last photo in my kitchen

Taj is a nice choice, but you must see the slabs in person. they vary a lot (and taj is more expensive)

this is Taj at my stone yard. they had it in the slab, and in the pre-fab

the pre-fab is 1800 for this 24" X 9' piece. it's already edged. wouldn't work for your peninsula, but it could for the other part.

some have more gray tones, some have more golden tones.

like a few of these. these are all Taj and vary quite a bit

Cielo quartzite is nice choice too. has the blue tones.

this is Summerhill.

has a lot of gray tones

Fantasy River? is that Fantasy Brown? it's a marble. I posted pics of that one

@Carolyn Oliver - IMO, the Taj is the only one that works in your space with the current cab colors and your floor, but as I and Beth H said, it must be a warm slab. Taj is not quartz (which is made of quartz pieces and plastic resin). Taj Mahal is Quartzite - there's a difference. Quartzite is a natural stone (no plastic resin) and is very kitchen friendly - no etches, etc. You should visit some stone yards and see if you can find some "warmer" Taj slabs. IMO, the other photos you posted look like fake plastic tree roots to me. IMHO - awful.

I think I really like summerhill it looks great with the wood tone as well as white down the road.

Okay thanks I will look into Taj vs Taj Mahal

@Carolyn Oliver - it's the same thing - sometimes we just use Taj for short. If you like the summerhill then go for it. I don't care for it at all - looks so fake to me, but it's your kitchen - Best of luck to you.

carolyn, look at all of the Cambria options. they have quite a few quartz options that look very nice. Silestone too

maybe you'll like Bellingham. (similar to Montgomery and Berwyn

they have tons