The spaces seem very Irish I guess . I have no idea about most of the things you mention I would not do blue cabinets ever. My usual idea is to keep things that are expensive to change very neutral and then add my colors I llove as accents that can be changed over time. I think in a place where cludy days are often I would do a lighter floor maybe not maple light but not really dark . I have no idea about your style actually so thta will need to be shared a bit more with us.I did go to your idea books but not really seeing a trend there . I think do the kitchen please no quartz anywhere maybe a nice wood cabinet to work with the flooring then a lighter granite or marble counter I cannot tell you how much I hate banquette seating it barely works IMO at a picnic bench So for sure have an actaul table and chairs it seems there is plenty of space for that .I assume the fireplaces are functional and also used in that climate so think about furniture arrangement to go with those . Do those floors and if you post a toscale plan of the kitchen you might get some good help with that but honestly I think you need to be there to oversee the big ticket items and how they are spent. If you have the kitchen plan post it here in jpeg format in a comment DO NOT start another post . Issues in the UK are much different than in the US as far as what can be done without council approval for instance . Wall rads often everyhere and the W?D in the kitchen is a norm all things you get used to but need addressing for how you live.

Are these photos from your ideabook what you mean by "edgy" or "wow"? The first is from a designer whose projects show strong, fun colors mixed with neutrals.

Betsy Burnham · More Info

Family Room Makeover · More Info

Not great at tech so didn’t know I had those pics apple_pie_order those must be older but yes kinda like that “funky” vibe not sure I’m brave enough or know how to actually get there . This is our current kitchen in the US - moved in last year - will probably only be here a year - we just updated the lighting

Current house Very neutral my camera is broken sorry pic is a bit foggy but kitchen light and airy . Worry with Ireland hours because rooms are small and ceilings low that it will be dark . Originally thought something like this but DH vetoed too dark and too much color ! I do love a colored cooker !

Now thinking more like this (DH and I both like this look ) but to your point Patricia not sure about going with colored cabinets at all ? Showed to SIL with a light floor and she felt too boring . So instead of getting clarity I keep getting more confused . Not sure do I pick floors first since they will go throughout first floor or cabinets ? (We could do titles in kitchen as well but again since house is so small I thought a uniformed floor would look best

These are my thoughts on “edgier” lookss . DH ialso likes the idea of going edgy/ different but is also very practical so have to be comfortable etc but I’m thinking if I get the floors right you can always change paint on walls and furniture it’s more a cohesive look I’m trying to figure that out and still has an Irish vibe as well . We do not plan to Airbnb but do plan to have lots of family able to use the place as well when we are not there

Thinking of something along the lines of this for under stairs

You can use a solar illumination website to see how bright it will be in Ireland compared to where you are now. Try this one: https://en.tutiempo.net/solar-radiation/california-state/los-angeles.html

Today, for example, Dublin would be half as bright as Los Angeles at their peak brightnesses. Off course, the days are also shorter in winter the closer you get to the poles, so the lights will be on longer. Energy conservation affects the customary (light fixture) brightness in many homes.

All of which is to say that it will be a lot darker in Ireland than in much of the US much of the year. I suggest you choose light wood floors, say as light as the crust of French bread, and light furnishings. If you want actual measurements, you can use a multi-meter from a hardware store.

thank you

IMO the biggest item first so that is the floors and I would run them to the walls in the kitchen after gutting so that that space can be done after the flooring. I think a bit boring for major expense is a good thing Adding pizzazz can be done for little investment and big bang. later , The lighting IMO should all be LED 4000K in that type of natural light put some on dimmers but then you have the choice to have nive bright daylight type light. I lived in Vancouver for 5 yrs and hated the winters with the crappy light and at that time no LED lightis so please get the best lighting possible for sure. LEDs are also very energy efficient and long lasting bulbs .

thanks Patricia! Yes, we are adding more lighting all with dimmers and I will remember the 4000K! After searching pictures etc and more discussions with SIL and DH I don't think we were as far off as I thought. I was initially thinking white oak with no stain just sealed but I do think for they will need some warmth so now leaning to a lighter stain that also brings a rustic charm to the floors. I'm curious Patricia if you have thoughts on color cabinets - it's very popular in Ireland/ Europe in general ( we have lived in Ireland, France, and Germany) so not just a fad there but to your point I'm curious if you would have any .particular thoughts. I agree we could always add color/warmth, accents through paint or accessories (kettle, toaster, art , etc)

I like Blue Ground from F&B for a nice cheery color.

Seems like a fun adventure! it were me, I’d start with biggest decision first, like the flooring - decide on what you are getting specifically then move on to the next decision

FWIW I think searching for general inspo can be overwhelming

Patricia's Blue Ground is a beautiful color that could be the inspiration start.

Thanks everyone ! @Patriciacornwall bright and cheery exactly what I want and similar to color I had in mind . Hadnt seen that color . Curious if you’ve ever used FB Parma gray ?. And what you think of that . Waiting for my paint deck to arrive . I’ll compare the two. have seen Parma gray in on line in kicthen pics and it looks much brighter (similar to your Ground Blue than what the online sample on the FB site looks) . We are currently between using an Irish vendor and having custom cabinetry . (Leaning towards custom ) The carpenter for the cabinetry will use any color we choose from FB . With the Irish vendor the color is very similar to what you picked .Thanks for the name ! We are currently awaiting mock ups from both.
@eearn love the window idea ! Sorry I wasn’t clear . Don’t need help with kitchen layout. Currently being done but I don’t have plans yet to post. We will be moving radiator and adding cabinetry etc to the opposite walll. We are putting white pine solid floor throughout first floor . Need to decide on stain between two colors. There are only two other rooms in addition to kitchen on the ground floor. . We are putting in new kitchen cabinets and appliances and will have a few small open shelves . My SIL who lives in a the area (and has recently done up 3 homes herself )is handling the project for us . She has builders and carpenters lined up and ready to go.. I will Fly back over and make final decisions but I want to get things narrowed down as much as possible . DH is insistent on “bright and cheery “ kitchen to combat the cloudy dark days of Ireland -which I like as well but would like a bit more cozy feel in other rooms. Color question comes into cabinets as that will also impact floor choice . We are thinking similar to Patricia Cornwall choice but then I second guess and wonder if I should go safer with neutral cabinets . Which is my own decor philosophy (go neutral and add color with accents or paints - things that can easily change ) I was having one of those panic moments when I changed my post ! Trying to get out of miy comfort zone as well as embrace the fact the house is in Ireland where color is used much more and something I always love when we visit . Trying to get others opinions on what they think would look “cooll” . The other two rooms are a round shape . So I originally was just trying to figure out what we could do for overall “wow factor” when you walk in and this forum seems to be a meeting of the minds ! Feeling like La_la Girl . I have searched Houzz, insta , Pinterest and have 1000s of pictures saved in my search. My head was going all over the place . Just the few posts here already has really helped me start to narrow down things so much ! Thanks to everyone ! We are getting there …

When I think of Ireland, I think of lush green fields…. Have you considered a soft, sage green or a taupe color for your cabinets? Neutrals, but evoking the natural world outside your windows? Are you familiar with deVol kitchens? Their website shows painted cabinets in greens and taupes that I think would go well with your other color choices for your home.

I would never do any shade of gray in Ireland . I loke devol but I think your space cries out for a bit of Traditional Irish style I think there is plenty of green outside and no need to bring more inside .

Thanks everyone ! We’ve made a decision ! @PatriciaCorwelllconsulting it’s very similar to your photo but a colourtrend color we are also keeping with the shaker style doors similar to your photo. They made a photo mock up and I’m so excited ! Cabinets are being custom made and still need to demo so it will be awhile but I will post photos when complete !

Posting update photos - went with colourtrend very light blue kitchen presses and subtle throughout rest of first floor. We had wanted hard wood but due to various reasons had to go with laminate which I was skeptical - went with Wild West . We enclosed below stairs with a coat closet , shoe drawer and small bar . Still need rest of furniture to arrive for sitting room but we are thrilled here’s a few before and after
Thanks again !

Posting update photos - went with very light blue kitchen presses and subtle throughout rest of first floor. We had wanted hard wood but due to various reasons had to go with laminate which I was skeptical - went with Wild West . We enclosed below stairs with a coat closet , shoe drawer and small bar . Still need furniture to stir ice for sitting room but we are thrilled here’s a few before and after

We also added presses and a breakfast bar to the opposite wall in the kitchen (which use to have a free standing small washer). The washer and dryer are stacked along with a full fridge /freezer and hidden in the full presses next to the cooker

Congratulations on getting what you wanted! It looks completely renovated yet suited to the house.

ooh la la.... not very kitchen-y. terrific upgrade. you must be happy.

LIke the brick behind the cabinets. Nice glass doors too. I am so sad to see the wood newel posts painted over ;( but to each their own! Congrats on completing the work.