If you're moving in 5 years and it's potentially a family home I'm not sure I would widen the counter unless you can still fit a table in that area

Agree--but if you can, go for it!

Well, even that, there may be a rationale. . . I looked at a house once that was built in 1967 and was original owner, and it was taken off the market and they refinished the floors and repainted all the millwork.

But they took millwork that was originally oil-painted and was a little faded but very smoothly painted and painted it with latex and it was very brushy, had bits of lint and hair and dust in the paint and roller marks on the doors and to me they literally ruined all the millwork in the entire house, because you needed to get all that off in order to repaint, and they would have been better to leave it alone.

Pal, right on point.

the wall/trim/ceiling relationship

One of the first projects i did in my first house, I was advised to use different % of the same (creamy) color on trim, ceiling and walls. I do like that look.

Your kitchen would be a good candidate for adding beadboard above the cabinets as a way to deal with the soffit.

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I don't think Jojo has a soffit problem. It looks to me as though it is more of a narrow ledge than a cabinet-depth soffit. If so, I would not bother changing it. I might even put something up there, even though I'd never suggest decorating the old-fashioned deep soffits. once the land as of the fake plants of yore.

I never have a soffit problem.

Reading the kitchen forum on a daily basis actually makes me want to build more soffits.

Pal, I will respectfully disagree...maybe on the home deco site you will get all kinds of pushback and told thou shalt this and thou shant that, but here, it's more of suggestions. I agree, don't post if you don't want to hear suggestions. But I think there is a (friendly) value add in asking questions about pieces and parts that perhaps the OP didn't consider. One is always free to reject suggestions, but I think it's helpful to have the full menu of possibilities to choose from, and then scope the project accordingly. Far better than to have regrets that one would've done X had they thought about it.

And as far as 5 years to resale, I've seen too many instances where 5 becomes 10 becomes 15 or more. Life happens.

When we were building, we forbade the architect from using the "R" word: resale. I was not about to spend my money on building a house to please some future homeowner when who even knows what will be considered on trend at that time. I figured if I liked it and it made me happy, then maybe some buyer would too. If not, then let them change it. But I want to enjoy where I'm living and have it work for me and my lifestyle now...not some unknown person in the future.

To clarify I was talking specifically about the Kitchen forum, not this one.

I would even post there if there if you are open to going beyond your original intended scope.

There is 10 feet from the edge of the current counter to the back wall by the garage door. There is plenty of space for a table and even if we borrow 8 inches for an overhang, it will still be plenty, especially if the chairs stay on the non-counter side. If I were to let project creep enter here, I would replace the vaulted ceiling with a dropped one with can lighting. Instead, I will remove the current fixture and replace it with a much shorter drop light that is more farm style and has a smaller foot print.

If I can find the right plates, I would have no problem putting some faience style plates along the rack above the cabinets. FYI, the rack continues to the other side. Honestly, I think it would be charming.

Imagine something like these:

And I love this light fixture:

I may be deluding myself, but it is a look I think I would love in this, my inspiration photo:

And yes, Mtn, to a brass faucet. Great idea! ETA, hardware needs to be in the brass family as well, I think.

I would post in the kitchen forum. Just make sure and weed through the whole "tear it out" etc posts. At least you might find some valuable ideas.

I'm not sure my skin is tough enough for that Ak. Besides, the folks here have impeccable taste.

If you go with a creamy color, I would paint all of the doors, trims etc in the same color so it is unified. I did that in my last house and I loved it.

Well, for example, you will be told that anything less than a 15" depth on an overhang is completely useless and to not do it. And with a stone countertop this requires steel supports every 24" and the steel supports cannot be surface mounted because they could tear out and the counter could break if someone sat or stood on it.

Statement II. is absolutely true, you could kill someone with a poorly supported stone countertop.

Statement I is purely a matter of opinion: 8" will only be comfortable for a short term perch at the counter, I really would not want to eat a meal there, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it at all.

AK, definitely. Great advice about unity.

Pal, Our cottage overhang is 8" (i think.) I thought it would be awful, but it has worked out fine. I'm only guessing about this one. But I wouldn't go 15" . I think that is overkill. Now I'm trying to think of who I want to come over and sit on my 15" unsupported counters. (twirls moustache).

Overhang depth is one of the things people are willing to come to blows over, in the Kitchen Forum.

Honestly I don't think you "need" the KF. You don't even need us.

Love those plates! Love your direction. Yes to brass hardware.

I will say one thing about the ligth fixture. I love it. But, I have something similar, and when I look at it I now think "remember when the drumshade over the chandy was all the rage?" I still like mine but I do wince a bit. I would not get an "investment quality" custom one shipped from the UK. Ask me how I know.

For those of you who were curious about the possibility of opening the kitchen into the dining room, it is a no-brainer. I wouldn’t do it, but as you can see, it’s simple.

Don't touch that DR. But why would anyone? Your K seems plenty large. And the open concept peeps usually want K-FR not K-DR.

There’s that wallpaper I love! Swoon.

I would use brass hardware and a big brass sprayer faucet (love mine).

Throw is some brass to be on trend!

Yes to brass hardware.

Just curious mtn - do you think Jojo should do brass??!!

I don't think you're deluding yourself at all - the inspiration kitchen is beautiful and well within your grasp for a partial re-do. Find your counters to work with the floor then the color for painted cabinets to follow, walls and trim from there. The bunny plates are wonderful, the light fixture is TDF and your shallow counter overhang will work for conversation and snacks/light meals. Don't forget the brass!

Not to worry, Mtnrd. I adore our private dining room. And thanks, jinx, I love that wallpaper too. The previous owners had exquisite taste.
What I don’t love is his vaulted ceiling in the kitchen. I would much rather make it a drop ceiling that is normal height with recessed lighting. I don’t think we want to spend money on that, though. If anyone has suggestions how to handle the beams, (and those should be in quotes,) let me know.

I don''t hate it. I'd leave it as is.

Except maybe edge the beams in decorative brass tacks.

My hesitation on a drum shade would be not wanting any fabric in or near the kitchen that cannot be washed, but I like the fixture.

That view from the dining room into the kitchen would be more of a determining factor for colors than the kitchen tile would be. Not the blue you mentioned, but using a shade in the family of the wallpaper background for the lower cabinets and a very pale cream for the uppers and trim would be an option to consider. If you were to go blue, I'd probably lean to a soft darker blue.

I know what Pal is cautioning against, but your cabinets appear to be in very good shape (other than the green paint), and certainly worthy of new counters. But you would be wise to be mindful of the creep.

I agree with mtnrd that jojo has wonderful taste and certainly doesn't need our help!

The ceiling is a feature. It is not beautiful, it is quirky and quirky can have a charm factor all its own.

For full disclosure I have a fully exposed ceiling structure, sheathing, rafters and rafter ties in one room, it's rough, it's dark, it's not a stain color that I love, but it's one of the reasons I bought the house. Four houses have this and two of them have covered it up, and it...diminishes the house for sure.

Do the brass tacks!! ;-)

The ceiling may not be your first choice but it's not horrible. A gorgeous fixture will help distract and keeping it one color, whatever that color/non color ends up being helps, too. Nothing to change the ceiling is going to be easy or cheap. The only thing I might price out just to see would be taking out the 'beams' as one option to price and then making into a true vault (beamless) as an additional option. But I know both are $$$ and IMO not worth the aggravation for the return. Can't tell from the pic but what is the height above the window where the wall and ceiling angle meet? Is that even 8'? Looks like it could be less.

I am going to call the bottom of the beam 7'6"

The tacks you would be interested in are called Clavos

I think new countertops, probably painting the cabinets will have a lot of punch. You do have a good footprint there, so whether or not you want to add some countertop and tweak , you can decide that. I think you will get a lot of bang for the buck with what you are proposing.Even though I think the sage or light green cabinets are gorgeous and would flow well with your dining room paper, I think white offwhite cream is the way to go.

The light fixture is beautiful. I had looked at that a while back and I saw your screenshot and thought you were sending it to me.:)

(I do kind of agree with Mtn, as I still look for a light fixture in my dining area. I am drawn to the drum shades but I do wonder if I might tire of them sooner than I'd like to. But yes, it is a gorgeous chandelier.)

Basically everything you said is the way to go.

LOL Pal I was just teasing about the brass tacks because DLM pointed out I have posted three times in this thread entreating Jojo to use brass in her new K.

Haven't been able to keep up but just want to say I do like the beams in your kitchen ceiling and they could be accented with the trim paint you choose.

I would not call attention to them with color because they are a little ... odd? But I would not incur any expense to remove them either. I kinda like them a little.

I think what makes the ceiling look quirky is it's clear those beams are 2x8 (or 6?) construction beams. If I wanted to fix it and didn't mind spending $$$, I'd probably line the interior of each box with crown molding to make it look like a real coffered ceiling. But that's beyond a "facelift". Instead, I'd leave it as is. (I suspect it would be a selling feature to future buyers.) I would remove the little sun near the top as it only draws more attention to it. Depending on wall color selected, I'd consider painting it to match the walls.

Re brass fixtures, the newer version is a brushed brass...a little different from the glossy brass of the 80s.

Agree with Salonva that shades of off white, cream and a sagey green that plays well with the wallpaper in your DR is your best strategy for making it all look intentional. I also happen to love that color palette :-)

The beige and cream tones of your floor also provide a good neutral background for the cabinet doors' wood tone if you could have the boxes stripped and refinished to match. (With new brass hardware added.) Either route would give you a classic kitchen that will outlast the all-white-and-gray Carrara look that is already waning.

Actually what I am seeing is "living," real, uncoated brass. But I would go with whatever you can get a good deal on that you like, esp. if you have a <+5yr horizon.

There I go talking about brass again.

I say no to sage, since you have already had it (essentially) and you want to feel like its a new kitchen; totally get that. Cream and off white. And brass.🤣

Very late to this thread but I think your inspiration photo is beautiful and brass hardware would be lovely. I did a kitchen facelift in my former house and had the cabinets painted BM Linen White with Taj Mahal Quartzite and brass hardware. White kitchens never get old for me!

Cream and off white. And brass.🤣

^^^100% Obviously you can't let this go so I'll hold her while you look her in the eye and say 'Jojo repeat after me - cream, off white and brass, cream off white and brass....' Sooner or later she's going to crack.

Nothing really to add except that I love the direction you’re going in.

And I love my brass hardware!

Not to belabor the beams... yes, Mtn, not call attention with color but if Jo is going with whites/creams and all trim is painted the same color as walls then the ceiling not an issue. If trim is lighter or different white/cream, would you treat beams like trim?

Maybe consider removing just the straight-line beams ?? (wish I could photoshop).

Yes, id treat the beams like trim for purposes of a paint scheme.

But what color hardware would you suggest?

Not sure if you're asking me but brass, yes, with Jo's travertine and creamy inspiration.

I haven't been following this closely but just checked in and wanted to say your inspiration photo above is beautiful.

thanks, everyone, for your virtual handholding and suggestions. I'm meeting on Tuesday with a painting company that also does cabinets as well as replaces countertops. First we'll find out if our cabinets are good candidates for the process. I've also done a ton of research and know that the cabinets should be sprayed with special paint off site if you want it to last. I'll be sure to listen to the description of their process.

Updates next week!

I know we’ve moved on from green, so just posting this for fun … it reminded me of your kitchen:

Source: https://suzannahlockwood.com/gallery/

Hurry up with the project! 😁

My favorite internet kitchen. I have decided not to change our counters until we are ready for a gut remodel, but plan to basically cover the existing backsplash with tongue and groove paneling ( about 3” wide planks, not beadboard) in a color similar to the cabinets. I think this look would suit your kitchen to a T.

One thing I thought about the other day in re painting your cabinets. In our first house I recall a very big deal being made about the method they used to paint our cabinets, a creamy color. And they were indestructible. But, so much so that they they almost did not look like wood. They were $$$$ but to me they looked so perfect as to be, dare I say, plastic-y?

I expressed this to my contractor when we rebuilt our CT kitchen. They advised to start with the catalytic finish I disliked, and then to "distress" them ever so slightly and by that they largely meant to create brush strokes in the same color. I felt it looked nice and it is very subtle.

I bring it up only because you may not really need or want a catalytic finish. A very careful and skillful painting in situ by a professional might cost less and look better.

Yes, farmhouse sinks come in various colors. I googled it and saw lots of nice colors. You should be able to find one that would go well with your floor or a color (sage green, etc). I saw really nice bronze and copper ones, too.

Ding Ding Ding! Pal wins for the best reply EVER. I loved all of it. Spot on, hilarious, and not afraid to tell it like it is.

Pal, thanks for starting my day with a big belly laugh.

Forgive me but I'm too tired to proofread. :)

Two days in a row this has happened. I'm reading about Lady Katherine Grey, Jane's sister. Katherine had just been betrothed to Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. I looked him up and read that his family lived/owned Cardiff Castle for most of the 16th century.

Then I came to GW to see what's happening. Ida had replied to someone saying she had been to Cardiff Castle and noted how nice it is.

Guess who did the major renovations? Henry Herbert.

This morning I looked at your inspiration picture and also the beautifully large kitchen and dining area. When you said you'd like an area on the other side of the counter that would sit four people I shook my head no. Only because if four people are eating on a stool it would be cramped, and also a pain trying to stand up and to leave the area. Plus, you lose the ability of looking at the person your talking to while eating. Also, you don't need that deep of an extension for eating. Our extension is only 6" and it's perfect for legs to fit under the counter.

We never eat at the counter, our table with a view is much better and comfy, especially for after lunch/dinner chit chat. Only two people sit there while I'm talking to them on the other side of the counter. My grandkids.

After reading parts of this topic I logged off after congratulating Pal. I turned the tv on & watched watched a show I'd never seen before, Girl Meets Farm. I took one look at the kitchen and I immediately had to see the whole thing since the kitche was recently renovate.

Look at the picture below and your name hit me. Just like yesterday with Ida.

Link to article: Molly Yeh's Home Kitchen BTW, the soffits add to the charm of your house. Small kitchens don't need them. No need for that huge amount of money it would cost.