Try changing your light bulbs to warm instead of daylight. Bare bulbs are harsh as well. I'm not a pro, just speaking from personal experience.

To me, the kitchen looks way too neutral. Its, not a place, I would want to sit and have a cup of coffee and a conversation. It needs some accessories in a brighter color, to bring some life into it. The colors you have now, work, and the lighting does too, if you get some colorful accessories

Thank you! Yes I should have mentioned this was right after the tile was replaced. So it’s missing the decor and runner, etc. Photo was also taken at night I believe (or early morning). I should add photos during day and with warmer lights. I’m really concerned with paint colors to improve the warmth. I can handle the decor and accessories. Thanks again for replying!

The lighting is tough in the photos so hard to say - can you also take an extra tile and the paint sample outside to see how they work together in natural light?

Is your island taupe? The lighting is making this impossible. If your island is taupe I would repaint to white. Taupe, gray, beige never looks great in cabinetry. It comes off dingy. If it's just a shadow then your first order of business is to get different bulbs. There's no way to know where you are or how to direct you if we are looking at lighting issues. Try lifting the shades once the sun comes up and re-photograph for us.

Changing all of the lights including recessed to a warm 3000-3500k is the first step. I like the idea of your walls in the white with the island in a taupe or mushroom color to help combine the colors is a good idea. Select these after you change out lighting.

Consider changing out the light fixture above the dining table. It doesn’t work well with the pendant lights and needs to be a little longer with your table. Something a little less “bulky” helps to make the space more elegant.

You can also meld the colors together with accessories and furnishings such as adding draperies to the window and greenery to help cozy up the space.

Adding better photos. The first one is an edited photo taken midday with the shades pulled 1/2 way open. I already removed the table chandelier, but the new one arrived damaged so I’m just waiting on the replacement. I edited to remove clutter only. I have warm light bulbs already (not sure of kelvin). The second picture shows the tile with shoji white and SW mushroom paint. Not sure mushroom will be enough of a contrast for island. Also having trouble finding a good resale island color. Last picture shows shoji white, mushroom against island in repose gray (tried to find side with least shadow).

Love everyone’s willing to help. So valuable.

The second picture was taken outside 1:00 pm