Sure, lighten the cabinets, but whatever you do, get rid of all that distracting and irrelevant 'cuteness' hanging on the soffit and above the island. Yikes, that looks horrible.

I wouldn't hang decorative items on the soffit. I think that is a decorating mistake and looks cluttered. I would also take the objects off the top of the high cabinet. Stay simple. Put stuff where you want to draw the eye. There is no reason to draw the eye to those places...

You can have light counters and light colored (painted) cabinets together. It is a clean, simple, peaceful look. You could also think about painting the cabinets black, which would be a contrast with the light floor and black cabinets is very trendy right now...

Painting wooden cabinets, however, is a huge job (lots of work) and you can't "undo" so think such a move over very carefully before deciding. I think the color of the wood, as it is, is very pretty. But, that is just my taste.

Don't do anything major until you have lived in the house for a while… Sometimes my immediate ideas aren't right and better ideas come after I study a room for a while.

You could put some brighter or shinier objects on the counters. Put color into the glass cabinet… Sometimes, small subtle changes make more impact than you would think.

Happy Decorating!

Have you ever thought of just simply tiling the backsplash? Adding a tiled backsplash will change the whole over all look of your kitchen just like that!

Thank you for your help. I will take the froo-froo down from the walls, live with it for a year, and possibly think of a new backsplash. I think I need some color instead of shades of brown. What color curtain or window treatment would you suggest?

It's a good looking kitchen. I like the cabinet color, especially with the light floor. Remove fabric and wood valances above the sink and take everything off the tops of the upper cabinets. Remove everything from the counters and install a tile backsplash. Tone those white walls down to a greige--in the same family as the floor color--to lessen the contrast with the wood.

A bamboo or woven wood shade (I know, more wood), or a roman shade in a natural fabric would look good on the kitchen window.

I'm not sure why so many people cram three stools next to a kitchen island for seating, and I see it all the time. We keep two benches for seating, purchased online at Grandin Road on sale for $99 each and free shipping. The leather upholstery comes in a variety of colors.

As you see in this photo, I have three windows in the kitchen on the same wall (one is on the door), so I made simple curtains of the same semi-sheer white fabric for all of them. The door curtain is on two rods, the other curtains are held back with a simple fabric tie. I have vinyl blind underneath that are pulled up and out of sight during the day.

I also agree with the poster who said live with your kitchen for awhile before you make drastic changes like painting the cabinets.

You asked what color to use on the backsplash. I would stay neutral with everything. Then, add color in objects that are not attached (like a cookie jar, cookbook stand, etc. stuff inside your glass cabinet).

If you pick a color and put it in your backsplash, when decorating styles change your backsplash will look dated. Put in something with staying power--like a light colored subway tile---That traditional look will be stylist for a long time

I do like the idea of some more color on your walls (even though your kitchen doesn't have much wall). Painting will help a lot. I like the idea of a geige, but buy a sample first and test it before getting a gallon. Choosing paint is hard! And, it's difficult to know how it will look in your house--your lighting---until you actually see it...

Good luck and Happy Decorating (And, thank you for agreeing to declutter your soffit. It is a good decision on your part)…

I like the cabinets, but I'd take down the clutter on top of the cupboards. Tile the backsplash a bright tile that reflects light, and the accessorize with a vibrant colour.

I don't even like stools and islands. I would prefer a table. I'm short, and the cabinets in the kitchen I have now are lower and easier to work at than these are. The stools are not comfortable for short people.

I recently switched out hard, wood stools for the upholstered ones which are quite comfortable...I am about 5 ft tall. My kitchen also has a table and chairs.

I think this kitchen is gorgeous, but there is way too much stuff around and it is dark. I would warm up the paint color with a nice light golden hue and remove the window treatments. I might even consider something like a limestone or tuscan tile for the backsplash. Then add some canister lights over the sink and the back wall where the big built in with the ovens is and replace the ovens so that they match.

One of the ovens is a microwave, so I don't think they could match. I'm getting lots of good suggestions from everyone.

I too would live with kitchen for awhile before making major changes. I tried painting my cupboards and it was horrible to maintain and in the end I refaced all my cupboard with dark walnut. One quick and easy idea would be to add bar stools that are light and airy either stainless look or light colour seat backs or pop of colour but get rid of the wood ones. Change the window treatment add light stone backsplash and more lighting. Sit back and enjoy and wait for more ideas to unfold over the next year.

I love your cabinets, however I would add under counter lighting on a dimmer, I would get better looking hardware, switch to 2 barstools like some one else suggested and paint. I would remove wood valance too. Then after 6 months to a year if you still are bothered paint the cabinets then add tile to back splash:). Congrats on your new home.

You have a very nice kitchen . After you de clutter, I would get new cabinet hardware to update and comfy chairs for the island. Have fun!