What colours do you like?

If you go to surfaceview.co.uk you can have custom tiles made that would look lovely as a background - try some horticultural prints which are reminiscent of portmeiron. It will take some fiddling to find the right backsplash size but it is worth it for a feature. Of if not look at http://glass-houseuk.co.uk/items/printed-glass-splashbacks/4/0/index.php for printed glass backsplashes and see if you can custom print your own picture designFor your upholstery why not introduce a stripe that is reminiscent of your blinds

If you don't need the blinds, I would remove them.

You could paint the cabinets and plaster the backsplash, both are affordable changes tat yeild huge design results

love your kitchen. very pretty.

your banquette is huge ... that is going to cost a small fortune to reupholster. do you hate the green (I actually kinda like it)? Is it worth trying to incorporate some of that color into the wallpaper and backsplash to make it work in the space?

Also -- the chandelier and especially the mirror come across as a bit shabby chic -- is that your style? I'm not sure it is working for me with the art deco lines of the banquette and cleanline kitchen. But if you can define your style, maybe it can all be pulled together with wallpaper and accessories.

[houzz=]
I love the hints of Hollywood glam that r in the pic with the banquette. The glass table should look awesome there. It seems a transitional design is what you are leaning towards. Great start but I do think that the window treatments need to go, they seem a bit "country" in that great kitchen.... :)

I think the mirror doesn't really work , the chandelier will look great with the glass table, I agree the window treatment has to go. If the green upholstery is in good shape why not keep it and use the color as a base for the new color scheme. There are lots of glass tiles that have that green in them and then wallpaper with just a touch of the green and you can save the money from the upholstery and get really nice tiles and wallpaper. The kitchen is really nice .

I agree about the mirror. I would do one of two things on the wall:

-mirror the entire wall

or

-paper the wall

That is a great alternative that Brenda suggested about not recovering the banquette. Maybe it is in bad condition, but especially with all of those channel-backs, it is not going to be cheap.

One thing you could consider, if you reupholster, is to eliminate the channel-backs. The advantage would be no crumbs stuck in there an reduced cost. The disadvantage would be that you would lose some of the charm.

I think you'd all agree that I'm lacking a 'style'
I appreciate all your comments

Essentia There isn't really a colour unlike, I prefer things very simple

ASV I will check out those links, I'm not sure about keepin the blinds.....

Cdr I like the idea of the mosaic the pictures are both lovely and I think a dark charcoal would be nice

Arlene the light in my kitchen is quite dark and with the dark floor I'd be nervous about painting the cabinets darker

Brenda yes I don't dislike the colour but the fabric is awful as it was brought second hand and is very tired, I agree with your comments I do like shabby chic and Art Deco and the style of my whole house is very confused. We have lived here for a few months and have brought all our old furniture and tried to make it work within the house some more successfully than others

All 4 show, this is a great picture, I do love the hints of Hollywood glam., this picture probably best sums up my vision going forward

My thoughts so far are to go for a mosaic tile, and change the blinds, if the seating was charcoal what type of window treatment would you suggest

I'm not a designer but looking at the pictures I think that having both the mirror and the chandelier seems a bit crowded.
I love the mirror but like it had been mentioned above, the clean lines of the kitchen define a style very different from the mirror.
The window treatment seem to somehow match the style of the kitchen but I think it's not really working with the banquette. I think removing it might help bringing the two areas together.
I'd go with a light color for the back splash like acqua (green or very light soft blue) or even plain white. I love white kitchens and I know this is a personal taste. But the wood coutertop and the black knobs do provide some detail already.
What about a neutral color for the upholstery with no channel-backs? and a geometric wall paper, for example white with green lines - not too busy. So that way the chandelier might really stand out as being a unique piece.
What a beautiful kitchen area banquette area!!

Backsplash and banquette seating ideas:
http://houzz.com/photos/1076616

Do a search for banquette seating and there are plenty of options.

The kitchen looks fine but it may be improved by removing the crown moulding that cuts across the cooker hood. The stainless backsplash would look better covering the entire space behind the chimney with no gap on the wall between it and the cabinet.

Cabinets, walls, oven, etc. are neutral. Based on that I would pick a backsplash that had more impact. A mosaic, colored glass subway tile, etc. This could then give you some colors to take from the backsplash and use throughout the 2 spaces (I consider the kitchen separate from the eating area) to bring them both together.

Window treatment: do you need one? It looks like you could easily do an inside mount, if you need a window treatment.

My concern is balance on the other side of the banquette. Can you take a photo of that other side?

Since the wall to be covered with back splash is relatively minimal, and the majority of the finishes and other fixtures in the kitchen are neutral, I would use a brushed nickel splash to honor the integrity and period of your home. I would also source a solid lighter fabric in a for your banquet seating area. I recommend placing a graphic wall paper (perhaps with a similar motif of the back splash) on just the wall with the mirror and painting adjacent walls. I've attached some images for reference. All the best! Hope this helps!

One more thing……

I would remove the bridge from in front of the exhaust. Then, I would add crown to the top of the cabinets, bringing them to the ceiling. See the deep crown in "Deluxe In Alexandria" photo above. It would look something like that.

White beveled subway tiles might look nice. They are modern and traditional at the same time. I also think a nickel backsplash as suggested by Ecstaci Davis would look nice as well. Good luck!

Can you take one more suggestion?
First... I love the chandelier & mirror. But I am going to suggest some tweaking.
The banquet reupholstered in bright turquoise with hints of flax. use a small print ( to hide food stains, crumbs etc) in a washable indoor / outdoor material. Paint the walls flax to keep room bright.
Now here is where you can add accent colours. Paint the mirror turquoise or any co-ordinating blue if you like the blue theme. But if you want to really go bold, maybe "lime" ?
As for the tile backsplash, white is always a good solid choice or any of the accent colours for fun. But remove what is behind the cooker and the crown molding on either side of vent. You can paint above the cabinets turquoise too!
Simple Roman shades for window treatments, & co-ordinate with wall colour.
Have fun with this & post photos!

I'm blown away by all your fantastic ideas, thank you ever so much you've all given me a lot to think about.
I'm going to see if I can out the mirror in another room, and remove the blinds
I like the idea of no channel backs on the seating I will look I to that.
I hadn't thought about the crown mouldings/bridge I think that would make a big difference

Ecstaci Davis I will explore the nickel backsplash-I haven't seen that before it's beautiful

Kmdodge your idea does sounds fun but I'm scared of anything too bright esp on the seating as its going to cost a lot to have done I'd prefer to have a colour that's more adaptable less statement

I've attached a couple more pics

Neutral on the expensive items is the way to go. You can always add accents in colors.

What I would do is to buy a simple square mirror about the size of the window and place it on the wall opposite the window. If the view is not so good, then art.

What is that above the chandelier? A recessed ceiling? If so, please take advantage and paint it in a metallic paint (pewter or charcoal)

Hi fellow Brit !!!
Why not throw a couple of floki ( bet I've spelt that wrong ! Shaggy Greek wool rug?!? ) rugs over the upholstery or reindeer hides - add a few vibrant lumber cushions and it will be comfy and easy to shake clean ?!
Your furniture isn't THAT bad - but if you really didn't like it - the doors are std size - you could easily change them ! :-)