Pictures of ”this” kitchen?

For some reason my picture won't post.

F

If you load it and it's still greyed out, wait until it becomes full contrast before hitting another button.

Yes you have achieved max maple! :-) I don't get many hints from this photo if you like color, but some color would balance the wood nicely. For example upholstered stools for the island:

https://www.houzz.com/products/joyce-button-tufted-fabric-wingback-bar-stool-set-of-2-light-blue-natural-prvw-vr~150770154

Or a print with colors to inspire color in more of the kitchen:

https://www.houzz.com/products/avila-counter-stool-orange-multi-prvw-vr~176213895

Then you could bring in more softness and color with dining chairs, perhaps this with the blue

https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-rydel-fabric-dining-chairs-set-of-2-blue-stripe-prvw-vr~17966200

or this

https://www.houzz.com/products/lowell-bentwood-dining-chair-acid-green-prvw-vr~173361657

Perhaps a lively runner by the sink, more plants or art near the dining area.

Thank you Jenny.

Do you need both tables in the kitchen? You could move the maple one out with the chairs, move the black one over with new chairs and if you need more prep area, can add a rolling island in the middle (not maple). That would remove a lot of the maple. It would help to know if there's a style/color you particularly like.

I agree that all new stools and dining chairs will help a lot. I’d avoid brown woods - stick with black legs and a colored upholstery (avoid white white as it won’t play nicely with your floors and backsplash)

For starters, I'd move all the stools and chairs out and put a tablecloth on the table, then see what you think. If that's an improvement, you could try painting the stools and chairs and keeping the cloth on the table before you make any pricier purchases or changes. Maybe paint just the table legs to match the stools and chairs.

You didn't mention lighting, but you might enjoy updating your lights to 3 coordinating lights in a more contemporary style. If you love what you have and it works for you... then of course that's great and you can ignore that part!

Chicagoans, thank you. I'd love to update the lights, but I am so indecisive and need direction as to what would work best. 😃

lluvdark kychn, the black is actually a kitchen island. The stools are probably disguising it. The island has the same granite counter top as our counters.

Maple, cherry, and walnut are the holy trinity of American hardwoods. They look good together in almost any combination, and better together than used separately. Swapping sone of your moveable pieces for cherry or walnut will break the monotony.