If you want transitional, then you should skip the waterfall idea. Those look best in sleek modern kitchens in sleek modern homes. You say you like transitional, yet seem to be making choices that are more modern! Do you have an overall plan/design for the kitchen and house? Picking random things that are not part of the plan will only lead to more accidents!

“We haven’t picked out our countertops (probably waterfall for the island)…”

“What can we do to change the look of the kitchen from modern to transitional?”

Well, if your aim is transitional, then forgo the modern/contemporary waterfall island. The waterfall will make the kitchen look more modern.

find your stone yard locally. Pick a granite with something going on. All cabinets are the same style...same color....simple layout / limited view / light ...... So get a stone w feature aspect. I dont think the fine assessment of traditional/ transitional/ modern is key as much as something visually interesting needs to appear.

here are some greens and then a couple others: hardware and lights and backsplash can follow along once you get your stone.

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

Saratoga European French Inspired · More Info

Rainforest Green Granite Kitchen · More Info

Rainforest Green Granite Vanity · More Info

Agree with chispa you need to hit pause and come up with a total plan/look before buying anything else - esp counters, they are usually one of the most expensive parts of the reno - I would spend some time going through photos to determine what you like, or even better pay an interior designer by the hour to help you narrow selections - they can help with important details like counters, lighting, backsplash, hardware, rugs etc -

- you have wood floors and white cabinets (great building blocks) so I think your kitchen can go lots of directions but your next few decisions are important

It looks modern because you don’t have your hardware installed. Choose hardware that leans more traditional. I assume you will be putting some sort of crown or other moulding near the ceiling? That will change the look also. Agree that a waterfall would lean more modern, though they are seen in transitional kitchens. You may want to do a more traditional countertop. Adding lighting, such as pendants will change the way things look and feel and decorating will also. You need a PLAN before you do anything else. It’s rare that a kitchen will come out well without a very detailed plan going into the build/remodel.

STOP right now You want transitional but are thinking avery contemporary island waterfall, sorry you need to rething what style it is you want. Right now is the time to really analyze exactly what your style is . To be honest all of this should have been planned before the kitchen design and cabinet s were chosen Now IMO get granite counter no waterfall and that will at least add to the transitional part. Who designed this space ? All those cabinets should have been drawers why is the ceiling not done before the cabinets went in .I do not see the flooring so can't help with granite choices much.

NO WATERFALL. Ever. Soapstone island, classic subway for backsplash, and something in a really traditional lighting fixture, at the traditional scale, not oversized. Likely in aged brass. Aged brass would be a good direction for the pulls as well, but those cabinets cannot do traditional pulls and you may not be able to find anything but brushed brass for them. Add traditional printed rugs and textiles.

I don't think the slim shaker is too modern. Your flooring sounds pretty, and I like the cabinet color. We did slim shaker in our kitchen and it's definitely not modern. I agree with others about no waterfall and to take a beat and choose the rest of your finishes first. Organic textures will help it feel more transitional, as well as classic finishes like unlacquered brass and polished nickel.