Thanks for weighing in Jan. Except for the suggestion to paint instead of tile the backsplash (thank you! We will consider that!), all your suggestions were pretty much where I started with this thread. As to the “fat cheque”, that may or may not have already been handed over :-)

Lots of suggestions to paint the walls, although thankfully not always in all caps ;-)

The thing is, this is an open concept space, so I’m pretty sure painting JUST the kitchen isn’t a good idea. They haven’t moved in, or furnished, or decorated, so how do they decide what colour to paint? A pale sage green may help the kitchen, but I’m certain that they are not going to want to paint the whole space a distinct colour at this point in the game.

So replacing/covering the backsplash seems to be the best step. And add warmth to windows, floor, countertop, where possible with furniture, blinds, plants and decor…

I know it is tempting to worry about them. ......don't.

They'll move in, they aren't going to die, and paint is a function of rugs, furnishings like couch, chairs, etc.

Let them do their thing, you've helped with $$$$ and unless you want to buy them a decorator? .......you know where I am going with this..: )

S and FDIL don’t think that is worth the trouble and expense at this time.

==>> then i would leave them alone.. and let them decide what to do.. when they are ready ...

that said.. its a great mind game for us to think about ...

ken

Haha, I do. And I am very aware of the perils of being a mother in law! That’s why I have NO intention of pushing them to do stuff they are not interested in doing at this time. But I know their current mindset regarding the kitchen is pretty much “It’s horrible looking. We’re not prepared to pour money into it, so we just have to live with it as it is”. (ie not even change the backsplash).

That’s really why I’m hoping for a fabulous, as-realistic-as-possible photoshop so they will say “oh, it really can be a bit nicer! Sure, let’s do that!”

We HEAR you!

There is no fabulous coming. They are young. They want a "modern farm /warm whatever", it is virtually predictable. The layout is horrendous, I am not sure how the fridge door even fully opens! It's glitz and glam and tasteless to them.

Beth gave you colors, textures. Show it to them.

Then bow out. They will eat, trust me on that. If they were THAT revolted by the kitchen? Couldn't manage to live with it? They'd have passed on the house.........

From what I see they have an architectural break on both walls and could easily paint the kitchen walls without painting everything.

Hi drdeb, I found the thread! I think we all agree that the floor is the main culprit. That said, I fully understand that son and DIL don't want to spend money on it. Sounds like they don't want to spend any money on the kitchen as a whole. That would be a shame, there certainly are minor tweaks that would make it more enjoyable.

Jennifer beat me to pointing out the architectural break, it is there in both the floor and the walls. Therefore it is easy to paint just the kitchen and give it another colour than the living room. Because the kitchen is so reminiscent of the inside of a fridge, I would strongly suggest they paint all walls in a soft colour to their liking. Many paint companies nowadays have apps to visualize how certain colours might look in your space.

Add wooden blinds, rugs, and accessories for warmth, and if they are up to changing the backsplash, rectangular tiles (MCM style) like Beth posted would be nice - although not shiny, there's enough shine coming from that gawdawful floor. I don't think changing the hardware would have a huge impact, painting the walls would.

Thanks Babophz!

So which is it? An operating room or the inside of a fridge??!! Lol, either way...not good.

Ok, painting. Given that the rest of the 2 top floors will also be painted (after the other work is finished) I will likely hold off discussing it till they are nearer that point. Hopefully with some photoshopped pics.

@ babophz - good to see you posting - haven't seen anything from you in a while! Always love your ideas!

There are so many little things that are making it look worse, starting with the spot lights and glittery pillow. I would remove all the unnecessary white like the cabinets that you say are going, the bench, the blinds and draped window covering. I would try adhering a wood panel on the waterfall of the island (without demo) and paint a feature wall, decorate... add a runner or rug across the stark division of the floors?

Thanks so much for chiming in Paul. The glittery pillow, like everything here, including the white and chrome stools, belong to the current owners. I appreciate the photoshops, and a wood panel is an interesting idea!

Do you think you could photoshop some backsplashes onto the other photo? Maybe a black or charcoal, and maybe a green one too??

Down and dirty would be to have a piece of glass cut, you could probably do it in one big piece, paint the back of it any color you like and then glue it over the tile.

Otherwise

Thanks so much Paul!! You even cleaned up the counter!! amazing!! (for the record, if it had been our stuff I would have cleared it off the counter before I took pics, but I didn't want mess with homeowner's stuff!)

This will be very helpful for showing S and FDIL the potential. Although i imagine they will be more inclined toward inexpensive options like paint or stick on stuff.

Hi Jennifer! Thanks, and likewise :-)

Wow Paul (and hi to you too!), the cleaning up makes a huge difference. Oh and the colour too, I suppose. JK, I love the blue and the anthracite.

Hi! What do they want? Are they wanting color? If so, consider painting instead of making the backsplash a color. An easy fix they can attempt themselves or hire someone to do would be to epoxy the counter to give a faux marble look, then change the backsplash and paint. This is a more cost effective option that will get them through until they have more money to invest. Keep in mind if they replace the backsplash now and choose to replace the counter later, they will have to replace the backsplash again.

I’m not sure they know what colours they want. When I show them the mockups, they like the gray best for the backsplash. As I’ve mentioned they are not really prepared to put any significant money into the kitchen right now.

I think if they manage to paint the backsplash, and then add other decor things, that could help a fair bit for minimal expense or effort

Wait three months until they have moved in, settled a bit, and are not in them midst of figuring out higher priority construction. Then suggest to them painting the backsplash, new hardware, blinds, stools, a big plant by the window ledge, and a runner. If they aren't interested, that's fine. Living with a horrible kitchen never killed anyone.

I am not a designer but I would solve this problem with lots of wood and earth colors, bamboo Reed or fabric Roman shades. Wood cutting boards displayed vertically to block the backsplash, colored canisters or pottery, framed art, floral display vase setting on a wood tray on the island. Rattan or seagrass stools and baskets. Maybe consider a low pile washable Turkish or Persian printed tapestry rug.

I agree! Lots of wood touches and plants will help!

@drdeb1234 Dear future MIL, I think you need your own project.

"As I’ve mentioned they are not really prepared to put any significant money into the kitchen right now."

Yup....... could be time to let this go, and let THEM do their thing?

Or a check for 70k, no strings attached - in case they decide to plop it directly on the principle of the mortgage because they are smart? : ) : )

Perhaps..even 500.00 bucks is "significant" right now...

I agree with the above on letting them navigate their new endeavor together. Last thing they need is a meddling MIL, lol! They will ask if they seek opinion or advice. It's obvious you have a caring and loving heart but now's the time to use restraint :)

We have had three homes that pretty much needed updates throughout and with the first two, tackled the kitchens much too early. We regretted our choices/outcome almost immediately. In this home we first tackled non permanent updates that had impact. As each room was finished/decorated, the kitchen became less of an issue (and we got use to it). We never gutted, but with lots of research/inspiration made good choices and love our kitchen.

Their kitchen is not horrible and adding a few accessories will warm up/personalize (hardware can be bought in bulk - don’t paint). They will know soon enough what changes they are aching to do and can/can’t live with/do in stages. .

The main portion of the kitchen that I find objectionable is the backsplash.

Just a FYI: backsplashes don't always easily pop off and have an easily retiled left behind surface. There can be an aggravating repair/replacement needed on the drywall before new backsplash can be installed. Not saying it's not worth it but everyone always makes it sound like a quick and easy solution when it may well not be that quick and can be a big mess.

I would not discuss the design/decor ideas with them anymore. You posted here on their behalf, told them the ideas we all had and now you have to bite your tongue. If friends and relatives want to give them a house gift, tell your son and FDIL to give you a wish list to prevent horrid “New House Gifts”.

If we have provided good design therapy for you, as the mom, then the Houzz Team did its job. Do not discuss design unless they bring it up. We can all remember having parents and in-laws comment on our early homes and the not-great feelings they provoke.

It’s a great first house. As @JAN MOYER said, they can eat and they’re warm. It’s all good.

Of course a kitchen can be too white. Houzz is filled with them and stress-filled questions about whether my white cabinets match my white subway tile and white countertop and white floor.

Buy a rug with an abstract pattern (outside door and muddy feet, so don't want a solid) and some color. Paint the wall by the windows an accent color to match rug. Recover the stools to coordinate with rug and accent wall.

@drdeb1234 If you are on Instagram this is a woman's post on painting the backsplash of a white kitchen, Tricorn black. Not that it matters but the comments are brutal on the white/black combo.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2Xd2XbA4Vg/?igsh=OTU1ODAwZWUxYg%3D%3D

Interesting. Well it was an odd choice with those counters!

I know that every computer monitor shows different but does that backsplash have a color in it? Personally I think they should wait and live there for 3-6 months before making a decision on what to do. Hasty decisions can be a big regret. Just live with it. Who knows , by the time they put their own touch’s with color items it may not be so bad. I do beg that if they change the hardware do not paint. Go to a local store, even a Home Depot or Lowe’s and look or better yet I have found great deals online for bulk prices
Most important , it needs to be there own

I painted my kitchen backsplash at the suggestion of a designer with whom I'm working for minor updates (as we want to move in the near future). The backsplash color was really bugging me. So she suggested painting it because the worst that would happen is thatit would bother me, too...and then I'd replace. So, go ahead and paint it! I used a primer 'stix' first. It's a good, quick, inexpensive fix so their bing backsplash doesn't bother them so much.

I’d try small changes like accessories that show contrast with a particular color or texture. Window treatments add function and style.

Paint the walls, add rugs, make sure countertop appliances have color (like the classic bright red Kichenaid). I think they're making the right decison in waiting to redo a room when it's in such good shape.

Ugg! Too white is a reason to NOT buy the house for me. Wood, color, texture all needed. Lots of good ideas already stated. Post the final decision when they make it.

The cheapest solution would be purchasing vintage statement handles.. that alone will make a huge impact. Colorful plants were another great idea!

There are so many good suggestions. When they move into their home and set up their kitchen, they will make it attractive. The main thing is having working appliances!

The kitchen where white prevails conveys a much e greater feeling of hygiene, don’t you agree?

@blanc, of course, with a name like that...

I actually see the potential as-is, a blank canvas. If they want less modern/stark, then (as mentioned previously), paint wall, add wooden blinds to windows, swap/recover stools, add area "rugs", (since kitchen, more likely mats). Change accessories to softer colors, i.e. from black knife block to wood one, white jar to something else.

-- all super affordable,

it's more decorating than remodeling. I'd avoid jumping to redo the glass backsplash/tile floor, they are both durable/expensive, and neutral colored so could go with their decor.

let them live in it a bit, prioritize their projects, and re-evaluate after they settle in.

Personally i avoid painting over non-painted surfaces (hardware/tile), as while it looks good when done, it doesn't seem to last.

i think its the shiny silver in the handles and the back splashes adding to the issue and the floor.

cheap and easy.. there are some great sticker backsplashes for about $24 you can cover them the shiny, grey, white backsplash and tone the deal down. try replacing the handles with something that is not shiny metalic ..

i would do something with bright primary colors including a red and replace the handles with red.. add red rugs..

"they can eat and they’re warm. It’s all good."

Everything else is a first world problem. How true that is. Both: )

Paint the window boarders black and remove island as in the way.

No - All white is good. There will be colorful things in the kitchen once moved in. And please do not get stainless appliances - they are ugly and grey and silver are finally going out of style thankfully. The kitchen LOOKS nice. Not to my taste being that the cabinets are most likely fiberboard and not solid wood and I am sensitive to formaldehyde. And I do not like a space above cabinets to collect dust and grease, but a box can be built to cover that spot. Curtains can be colorful in colors of their choice, and dish towels, etc. Toasters and small appliances come in color too. They should live with it a while before making changes - there are other items they need to buy for the house most likely. Ignore the suggestion above of painting anything black - UGH! Ugly!

The cubbyholes by the frig look like wine rack. Wine needs to be cool not by a window with heat from sun coming in! Better yet, no wine in the house as it is not healthy, and tastes terrible. Try "un-fermented wine" (grape juice). That space can be used for something else like cookie sheets if the dividers are removed.

lol @terrib962 I’m dying laughing. I think having a glass of wine is the best way to appreciate her kitchen. I like everyone’s comments to warm it up and stepping back as a MIL. 😂

Just reiterating @pkpk23 - We decided to "pop off" the backsplash in our first house, which was not an easy process! We ended up redrywalling the entire thing. This was almost 10 years ago so we didn't have the peel and stick options they do now. That would have been the way to go!

The backsplash and floor here are the biggest crimes. Peel and stick over the backsplash, throw some washable rugs on the floor, paint the walls, and just decorate the rest for now. Decorating disguises most problems in kitchens.

After some time has passed and they feel more at home there, it might be fun to do a little experimenting with color. Paint and peel-and-stick is cheap enough to play around with. Have some fun! If they make a mistake, at least it won't be with the bigger price tags!

Have they moved into the house? We would like to know what is happening with the kitchen.

They only take possession in a couple of weeks. Then there will be work done for a month or two (including new flooring upstairs, new staircase, some windows replaced, mudroom area being constructed, painting). So they won’t move in for a few months. There have been no decisions made about the kitchen, given all the other things that require more urgent attention.