It's really not stark, but I'm sure it feels that way if you've removed a lot recently. I would add a fruit bowl or flower arrangement on the island. It looks like you might be charging phones or tablets near the oven--put that collection of stuff on a simple tray, to make it feel more intentional and organized

Agree with previous comment.

It will also look less stark when you remove the stuff on top of the cabinets. The top-heaviness right now does make the countertops look a little bare, because it's unbalanced.

Thank you, that’s the kind of design things I don’t recognize, not balanced. Leave the island bare

I think of kitchen countertops as workspaces, not decor locations.

That is not too stark; rather, it is neat and tidy.

Not stark at all. Place a nice green plant (Pothos will do well with low light) or orchid on the island and you are all set.

This is not stark. It is a place to cook. You have room to do so here. The items you need are on the counter. That is it. This is the way it should be. Plus, your kitchen has so many warm tones, it feels anything but stark. Congrats on your declutter.

I think it looks stark. It looks like what you would see when touring houses for sale. But if you are going to put anything on the counter it should be functional. Things you use not decorative.

I suggest you remove everything on top of the upper cabinets or replace with2-3 pieces of larger scale items (ex.: large ceramic vase, woven basket). The glass pendants on your island cast a yellowish colour. I suggest you update the style and replace with pendants with a white globe. Then you can place a few decorative items on the large island.

Remove the chotzkes on top of the cabs. All they do is accentuate/call attention to the fact that they are staggared and don’t reach the ceiling.

That looks pretty. Thanks

This kitchen isn't stark at all. Your cabinets have "some personality" -- door design + beadboard. You have "stuff" on top of the countertops and design on the backsplash. The countertops have a "splatter" design. And you have pendant lighting with some presence.

It's neither too cluttered nor too stark. You've already hit a nice mid-point.

Better lighting and nothing on top of the cabinets and IMO not much on the counter either. Often when you have had a lot of stuff in a space and you declutter it seems bare so relax and enjoy a much less cluttered look and a lot less dusting.