I'm not convinced that sea foam green interiors is going to look good with your granite and natural wood paneling. But maybe a light ecru or some other color that blends with your granite? Otherwise I think your plan to lighten the look by adding some glass is good.

I do like ecru idea...but I'm worried it would be too much. I live in a log home and the colour of piney/beige is overwhelming. I have toned it down in places by using a light grey/blue paint on the interior walls. Here's a more exact look at the colour I was imagining. Do you still think it's the wrong colour for the granite?

Hold a chip up next to your granite and see what you think. Introducing a new color into the mix could be nice, especially if you've used it elsewhere and the kitchen would pick up those echoes, but it is almost impossible to tell from a computer terminal how it will look in relation to the colors in your granite.

its to bad the nice rail lighting isn't satin instead!

WOW nothing like a visual to really put it in perspective! Thank you flair lighting!

If you're open to painting your wood paneling white/off white it creates the same contrasting effect against your espresso cabinetry. It will give you more of a contemporary meets rustic look. In terms of hardware, a more industrial looking tubular / linear pulls in brushed nickel will complete the look. Best of luck!

What about mirror inserts behind the glass panels instead of paint to add light and reflection? Or even painting your ceiling white to reflect off the cabinets and some modern knobs or drawer openers to give more texture. Or even wall papering the inside wall of cabinets for brightness and visual, I love the look of your log home and from your pictures you have a good eye-good luck;-)

The track lighting has to go - it's cheap and doesn't work very well. Can you work your magic on a replacement suggestion flair lighting?

jberge2003 love all of your suggestions - you've given me lots of goodies to think about ;) I feel a weekend project coming on. Thank you!

You could lighten the walls and ceiling and darken the ceiling beams and island posts as
seen in the ref/inspiration pic

yes, i think it is the cheap Minka rail kits, or even Lowe's! I would keep the same concept, as your wood beams dont really allow for hole drilling! I would do the same idea, but in satin nickle, and a better brand. but that does equal more $$. Its hard to add into your photo, here goes... check out LBL lighting and Tech Lighting's gallery for low voltage rail.

Oh anne dee, we're on the same page. If my husband wouldn't have a coronary, I would paint the whole interior white. I live right on the ocean and the coastal beach cottage look would be so perfect. But, he's useful to me alive :)

Pendants or look around flea markets/consignments stores for vintage lighting, but recess cans might be the option w/pendants to highlight color and glass in cabinets

,Yes ,our mates are more important than any colour scheme.
But, you did ask how to lighten the kitchen and I thought my suggestion could be an answer.
Moving on ...;-)

I like the blue/grey you painted your walls against all the piney beige wood beams and trim. I would paint a piece of cardboard and try the color out in the back of your cupboards to see if you like it in there and whether it goes nicely with the granite. If the open dining room beside your kitchen has the same color on it' s walls with the pine, it would look nice pulled into your open concept kitchen. It looks as though you may have a touch of that blue/grey in your shade on the kitchen window as well. Beautiful home!

The glass inserts will look great. Instead of painting the insides, use your dishes in light colors to get the effect you want inside the cabinets, they will really show through.

anne dee it was an AWESOME suggestion and I'm going to save your picture. Thank you for your advice!

What about color cabinets like these? It would lighten up the space.