Generally, I am not a fan of items on top of cabinets, but I think you need to put something up top. I would keep it very simple. Do you have any pictures of your chickens?

oh, how I can relate!! I have very much simplified my top of cabinet displays but still have a hard time with none. I also like a wink to farm with roosters, pigs and galvanized. I think it is ok to keep the roosters and create a vinette setting w/3 items, variying in size/scale. Just keep it clean and simple and I think it looks great and feels warm. But you and I may have the same tendancies (good or bad!) so curious to hear from others!

Changed to my phone - I couldn't resist but share this!

Thanks for all the suggestions. When I get my kitchen back together I will post pics. I have already got a huge pile of stuff going to goodwill. (Love the pig).

@cgmgmn - Looks like we have the same decor ideas. I think that is my countertop. I have to keep some of my chickens - I think my kids hate them because they grew up with them and had to look at them everyday. I believe if I clean it up with only a few it will make a huge difference.

Decorideas523, my kitchen cabinets could be yours, except that above my cabinets I have wallboard up to the 12 feet ceiling, and I don't have a cool coffered ceiling. The advice that has been given to me is to keep it simple, adding one item at a time over several months. Add your favorite item, with the rest stored. Get used to that one item and decide if you want to add another item, add that. See how you like that, etc. Take many months to do this. Remember, anything that you put up there should still get dusted (and degreased) once every few months, or more. They get really yucky.

Cgmgmn, I LOVE your rooster. Very, very cool, and the corner cabinet. I love the simplicity of what you have going on. I'll attach a photo of what I have so far above my cabinets. Simple. I'm going slow with this project (moved in to the house recently so still unpacking items).

I love the clean look of nothing on top of the cabinets. But it is YOUR house and you should display what you love and what makes you happy!

Here are two photos showing the little bit above some of my cabinets plus another area that has wall board above cabinets and a little alcove where I put wooden bowls. Not the right thing so I will change to something more interesting once I unpack it(but am on Houzz instead of unpacking!)

Mari - Thanks for comments. Is that a built in wine rack? you could have a lot of fun on the open space above, staying in a wine theme! I would suggest using lighter decor against the wood so it pops. Regarding top of cabinet, I like the simplicity, now look for more variation in the size of each item to create dimension. I should be doing something productive too, but this is fun and a break! Look forward to future pics of decorideas523.

The coffered ceiling is gorgeous. My first impression was so see a warm color on the wall to accent ceilings and cupboards. I find ornaments/displays need about 3 feet clearance to get the wow factor. Otherwise they often seem like they're competing for attention.

Your chickens, your house...put them wherever you want! I would want to use only a few as that makes less work to keep clean. Of course, the advantage of having your decorative items that far from ordinary reach is that the dust doesn't show so much

Ceramic chickens, ceramic pig, ceramic rooster, ceramic R2-D2, all good. A house without a sense of humor is just dull. I'd prefer to keep them down where I could see them. You can put a few out, then rotate them seasonally or monthly or whatever.

Some decor is regional in popularity. Many people in my earthquake-prone area don't put things on top of cabinets (or hang artwork over beds, for that matter). Slogans, lettering, and fake wrought iron items are regional. YMWV.

Is this a Smallbone kitchen? They made some wonderful kitchen designs.

If the chickens make you smile, then by all means keep them! This is YOUR house and should reflect YOUR personality making YOU happy. Gorgeous kitchen by the way!!

Ceilings are great! LOVE the paint color what is it?

Hi cgmgmn, it is a built-in wine rack. Lots of oak going on in my 1994 house, too much oak. We moved in this summer and I'm still struggling with unpacking and decorating (I have an adult disabled son, functions at the 18-month level, so he keeps me BUSY!!!). Lighter decode makes sense. It should stand out better against the (dated) oak. Once I unpack everything (groan) I intend to display some of my beautiful Polish pottery (but that's dark so, hmm) and crystal. The old owners painted some of the kitchen walls red, some were left a neutral color. I'm trying to decide whether I have the energy/time to repaint and lighten up the kitchen. I love 'tennisanyone kitchen with the white cabinets, blue walls and black decorative items. I've heard it said that every room should have black in it. I'm trying to do that in my house. Some black item that pops and draws the eye to it. Not sure how that will work in my oaky kitchen though. Hmm.

@apple_pie_order Thanks for all the complements on the ceiling and kitchen design. Actually, I had some experience (in a past job) doing cad computer drawings and designed the cabinets and ceilings myself. @cathyrasco - The paint color is by Valspar - homestead Jefferson White. The original color was a Tobacco Road by Duron. I am loving the lighter color, however ALL the trim will have to be repainted to a more complementary color - it needed to be repainted anyway and this is a great reason.

Mari, I laughed when you described my kitchen. Computer monitors are not exact to reveal color. My cabinets are pickled maple which I did l9 years ago. At this point, I'm thinking about having them stained by N-Hance in a dark Maghony like my island. Right now I really like the contrast between the cabinets and island. I'm not sure what I will do. Most people think my kitchen looks white. My paint is actually a gray/blue but shows up green on the computer. My cabinets are 95 inches high and the ceiling is l4 feet so I do think that some kitchens need something above the cabinets.

@tennisanyone: your kitchen is beautiful.

Tennisanyone, I would be inclined to do nothing with your kitchen. I tried to find the old picture, to compare, but you must have removed it. The above photo makes the walls look greenish blue (beautiful color) with cream-colored cabinets and that beautiful center island in dark shades. It looks so modern, especially since you did it 19 years ago. I love the contrast between the light and dark cabinets plus it's what many modern kitchens now offer. If you went all dark, like your island, it might be too dark. IMHO

thanks apple pie order. pickled was in the l990's but being maple cabinets does not show the grain so much. I'm not l00% tired of it. Maybe that is why I am conflicted about redoing them. I just don't know how the whole kitchen would look being dark magohony like the island. I thought I would start my own dilemma. @decororideas523, your ceiling has so much interest, not sure if you need anything on top.

Did you put anything on top of your cabinets yet?

No, I haven't finished the project yet. I am at a standstill. The tops of these cabinets were never "capped" off - either I am going to do this myself or I will be using some type of risers to elevate any decor I put on top. Previously, I used whatever I could find - books, blocks. I want it to be easier to clean. Also, I am in the middle of another project with some cabinets in my den (which attaches to the kitchen) - I have run out of paint. I am distressing with chalk paint that can only be ordered through a stockist - so I am waiting for my order to come in. Here is a pic of the half-finished cabinet.

I like the cabinet color, looks nice against your floors too. Post when you are done. I love your ceiling and would be interested to see what you do.

Love that coffered ceiling - play it up!