I would remove the window covering that is over the sink and replace it with a 2" wood blind. I like the simplicity of a wood blind and the sun control that it offers. The bay window will be expensive to change so I'd leave it for now. It's attractive though somewhat formal.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

I agree, just a wood blind over the sink to lighten up the whole room. How about painting the cabinets white? There would be plenty of warm timber with the blind and that lovely floor. I also think the dining chairs look very heavy.

A washable blind over the sink.

Happy New Year!

I have been thinking about painting the cabinets. So happy to hear that someone mentioned that. I thank you very much for your help. I feel the oak cabinets are dating the room.

I think painting the cabinets a much lighter color would make the kitchen look more updated and modern. There are tons of nice looking hardware so the overall look of the cabinets could be turn out beautiful. I would hand a very nice window topper only over the drapes..once again...ton of nice looking toppers you can select. Also, replace the curtains at the breakfast table with blinds and window toppers only...no hanging curtains....the table cloth needs to be removed as well.

If you are contemplating painting the cabinets, I think I would wait on your choice of a blind for the kitchen window, (although I do support just a blind of some kind rather than curtains). You might decide that a cellular blind or Roman shade would be a better choice than wood, when you change the color of the cabinets. If privacy isn't an issue, think about blinds which just eliminate glare rather than block out everything. I have just installed a large garden window over my kitchen sink and will be looking at something that allows my view to be diminished but not eliminated. My personal choice would be to remove all the dark fabric at the windows, leaving just the glass curtains for now. I can't tell if you have shades of any kind behind the glass curtains, but for the time being, simple roller shades are cost effective and can be partially lowered if necessary, giving you time to live with a simpler window treatment before tossing everything. "Less is More" is not the choice for everyone, and if you don't like it, don't do it.

Regarding the wood blinds, I really had in mind white ones to match your trim. Regarding painting your cabinets, while white is lovely, there are hundreds of colors you could paint your cabinets. However, with your green walls, white would be wonderful!

I agree with Keitha that in your bay window area, letting your drapery panels hang straight, without the tiebacks, would update them, along with the removal of the valance, if that is possible.

Something else I suggest you do, and it won't cost a cent, is to change the position of your chairs around the round table. Instead of having each chair parallel with the kitchen walls, I would place them on an angle such as you see in the photo below. Let me know what you think about this minor change. Small changes can make a big difference!

I appreciate that...things like that I never think about, and I have removed the table cloth to have the glass top as well. Everyone is very helpful and I am excited to see the changes. I am looking into the plantation blinds,/off white, as they would match the blinds in the rest of the house. As well as changing the wall treatments. Thank you to all.

Check out www.rustoleumtransformations.com if you have time and elbow grease their product is getting great reviews.

Personally I would not put a blind over your sink. I used to have one there and it was always getting splashed with dishwater. I think a simple cornice board would look pretty, placed right up to the ceiling. I recently painted my oak cabinets and am very happy with them a year later. I used Krud cutter to clean them and zinszer oil based primer (no sanding!) then two coats of a Sherwin Williams trim paint.

I agree with the comments about a blind above the sink. They are sensible. I have a white aluminium venetian blind which is easy to wipe over and looks fresh and modern.

Lol just saw the pic that I posted with my earlier comment... Hit the wrong one! That's an oldie for sure :). Also about painting your cabinets... Check out Annie Sloan chalk paint on you tube. It's great to work with. I have done several pieces of furniture with it and love it. Here is a pic of my kitchen furniture that I did.

Do you already have a shade over the sink? Maybe that would be just fine if you took down the curtains. Great idea to lose the valances and love the changes suggested for the table and chairs.

dooenmabest---I am giggling at your comment about how fresh and modern your white venetian blinds look----In 1940 my parents were building their very first new home and my mom was thrilled with her wonderful new white venetian blinds----I was in high school and my job was to dust---how I hated those venetian blinds!!! Needless to say, I wouldn't have them under any circumstances, even though those of today spring back rather than developing a permanent crease when they were bent the least little bit. What goes around, comes around, as the saying goes. Jackiemat---follow your own star, even if it doesn't shine in my world.

Lol granmajb! So true! What goes around, comes around. The same has happened with the 50's and 60's look. It's all back and even though I like what some people do with it, to me it always seems 'old-fashioned'.