I would maybe take down the clock over the sink and new hardware? Something that pops on the doors more? And have some FUN with the shelves at the end of the island......things are just toooo lined up and straight there. The white pictures on the shelves by the window seemed....too planned or something. Wondering about even the green and yellow pots on them instead, even though you have all that space and light on the bottom part. LOVE your kitchen and all this space!!!

Does the size and shape of the table work for you? Maybe paint it if you feel like a change, instead of buying a new one.

New hardware. And maybe a new light above the table? And I agree with abbyjean about the shelves. It's a great space. Try doing these things first before painting the cabinets - you might fall in love with the room!

See that green in the edge of the island stool and in the flower pots on the counter? GREAT color! Play with that for your accessories in this space.

How daring are you? I think your kitchen would be totally transformed with some dramatic color added. Perhaps the green that abbyjean suggests above. Red seems like a good idea for the island and some red patterned fabric on chair cushions. Your kitchen seems like a great "backdrop" just waiting for some drama.

I think you kitchen looks great! I'd just get a tulip table for under that great vintage lamp and recover the existing chairs in a lime green fabric like the edge of your counter stool.

I see you have a hot pink throw in the LR. Go bold and accent in the pink/lime in the kitchen too. :)

I agree with abbyjean! The TABLE is what jumps out at me. You have nice cabinets, nice backsplash and flooring, interesting and nice chairs, but the table.... Noooo. How great to have such an easy thing to fix!

Thanks for the suggestions. It would be great if all I need to do is change the table because that is the easiest fix of all. I can't change the clock because it covers a hole where there used to be an electric clock. I need something there anyway. What about painting just the island, or just the pole, and change the table? I do like the light fixture for the most part because it is very bright and practical (also original and in pristine shape) I thought of a more modern chandelier, but I am reluctant to buy it because there would be less light.

With the original cabinets, I think it is just soooo neat that you also have the original light and that it is pristine, as you say. My preference is to leave the wood alone...painting wood, even a pole, scares me! Play with the table instead and then see how you feel about the room. You might be surprised.

You 'need' something green up there where that clock is. Hmmm.....

Perhaps all you need is a complementary color scheme - probably blues - and you'll be all set. You can get a colorist to make a house call, to pick out the right color. It costs less than repeat painting. I think too much white (Ceiling/molding/frames/clock etc) is tricking the eye into thinking the rest is a bit drab. The photo makes the tile/floor and counter look like they work well together. The pendent seems hung too high. It might be nice to have a dining table with a rounded edge, and work on coordinating the dining table with the island. You have a fun problem because there is so much you can do.

Your tiles do go with your countertop but you need another color to make it pop. You have lime green on the edges of your barstools. That would be a great color to make this room pop. You would need to change your fixture over your table, get a lime green clock above the sink, get rid of the chairs with navy print seats - they do nothing for the excitement in your rooms! Get different chairs- maybe lime green Parson's chairs for the table. Or, if you don't like lime, try egg yolk yellow- it goes wonderfully with grey. The point is, you need some contrast and excitement. Red would be killer, but maybe too bold. Depends on your personality, what you have going in the adjoining living room ( my house is very similar to yours, but we are keeping a partial wall divider between the kitchen and living room and moving the formal dining area to the south end of the living room so we could have a more open pass through from the north end opening of the living room.
Meri, Vancouver, WA

Your room is floating away because there is nothing to ground it. I would use black in any way I could such as the table (paint it and see the difference immediately). And larger pieces of black pottery for the end shelves. clear off the counter top and window sill. Have only two appliances out, black if pos., and get some black and stainless canisters,etc for the counters. Then accessorize with a pop of color on the chair seats or table centerpiece, etc.

I think you should paint the island that green color in the bar stool;)

Paint that white window trim! And new countertop? Something plainer, that does not clash w/ backsplash tiles.

This is a cool Sputnik ;)

Margo C. can you tell me how to put pics on here from my ideabooks?

@vjs12- Wish I could. I only know how to copy and paste the urls. It has somthing to do with the Attach Images below the comment. Let me go try something and see if it works and then I will tell you ... I'll be back...

@vjs12- I DID IT all on my own *clapping*

Let me see if I can explain- When you click on to comment there is an attached images that appears. I clicked on that, then I went to my ideabook and found a picture (the outdoor shower one) and clicked on that. Then I went up to the http:// bar at the top and hit Copy,came back to this post and pasted it in the comment section. Try It! Let me know if I explained this right as it did work for me. I am glad you asked me this question as it made me try it and I never did it before;)

Vjs are you on an iPad or a PC?

PC, Thanks Margo. I'll see if I can do it.

Like the table. Suggest painting the chairs black. Black bar stool. Replace white photos beside windows with greenery or colored glassware.

Definitely paint the chairs, maybe even different colors. Play with colors on the paint chip strip. like, if you choose the first or second for some items, pick ones toward the bottom for accents, then add something complementary. Your picture frames are okay, but you might want to paint them as well. Just don't get too matchy.