Oh my goidness!! I just realized, it won’t let me attach photos!!
Some general photos to help envision the colours if the wood and the fireplace etc

Omg i somehow missed how to post pics.

tryingvthis!!

Hopefully a couple more! the old kitchen to show the ceiling wood. ( and family mess😱)

A few questions to help understand:

When you say "cottage kitchen" is that a style of kitchen you imagining or do you simply refer to your home as a cottage because it is in the woods? Nothing else about this home looks like a cottage style to me. Your furniture, lamps, fireplace stone, wood floor and recessed lights look 1990's contemporary. Also, what is the picture of the white kitchen? Is that just for color reference on cabinets?

Will you be replacing the tile floor in the kitchen? Will you be painting the walls in the the whole room and/or in the kitchen area?

It is quite white at the moment, which can be a beautiful thing. Now to add in your personality and soften the space. What is your flooring? Are you extending the flooring from the rest of the room, or keeping the tile that's presently there? You will want to take those into account first. Where exactly are you in the renovations right now? Cabinets are in? Counters are in? What sink have you selected?

I would look to your fireplace for possible inspiration for bringing color in. I would think about what style do you want? Are you playing up the cottage feel? Wanting to be more modern? Farmhouse?

I think the lights are beautiful but I personally would not go with nickel and white. If I were cautious I would go brass and white, but I love color, so I would go the blue bird or leaf green with brass, and go with brass hardware. Do you want to play up the nautical? Then dark blue and brass. I think brushed nickel will be cold, but others may disagree.

Then bring some wood back in, in the form of wood bowls, round cutting boards, on the hood if you're having a hood. A runner, some plants. What do you think?

Thank you for quick responses!

1. Yes it is a cottage but is a little contemporary. The furniture, which has been with us for 25 years will be changed out.
2. Yes the cabinets/countertops are arriving within 10 days.
3. The lights are going. I need to replace them.
   The floor is a neutral light taupe tile and are installed.
   And Omg an ad jumped in!! That white kitchen is not something I wanted to add. So sorry. I’ve been klutz add stuff here!

I see you have cans in that high ceiling, and you're putting in pendants over the island. Do you also have lighting for your perimeter cabinets, like undermount lighting? I could also see you putting a light over the sink on that horizontal beam: https://www.decorpad.com/search/sconce-above-kitchen-sink

Here are some stunning white kitchens to inspire you. Notice how things really pop against a white kitchen?

https://luxesource.com/20-white-kitchen-design-styles/