Angela,
Well, we can start with paint color-Autumn Cover by Ben Moore. That will look nice with your cabinets. This kitchen is in a town home with no natural light coming into the room, so I used a high LVR color, meaning that the color doesn't absorb light, it reflects light back. If your room has lots of sunshine pouring in, this color might not work for you. By a 2oz sample and try it on all your walls before painting the whole room. the pendants are by Stonegate Lighting. You can customize with different fabrics to choose from. stonegatedesigns.com. Your white laminate countertops can be painted, not sure that would be allowed. Search ehow.com for instructions. Otherwise ask if you can add a backsplash that will contrast with your maple cabinets and white countertops, but at the same time, tone the white down. Hardware is easy-I used Oil Rub Bronze to coordinate with the stems othe pendants and add to the overall warmth of the kitchen. These are 5" pulls, from Top Knobs. I prefer for pulls for both top and bottom cabinets as opposed to knobs. Layered lighting is key, so add under cabinet lighting that will add to the ambience.
I hope this inspires you to creating a kichen that you love walking into everyday.
Lorraine

Lorraine,
Thank you for responding. Sorry it's taken so long to reply. First, yes my kitchen has natural light that comes in from the window above the sink. I have a color I was considering called "Chamois". I'm attaching a photo of the exact layout of my kitchen so you can see what I'm working with. I have cabinets where you have your pendant lighting, but directly behind those cabinets is a ceiling fan/light that I'm considering removing since I'm unable to open the cabinet doors without them hitting the fan blades if the fan is moving. I'm considering replacing the laminate counters all together which has been approved since these are the original counters from the year it was built in 1964 and need to be replaced. Yes backsplash is allowed as well. I was thinking a pale green mosaic glass material although the amount of wall space to cover is so minimal I'm not sure it would be worth the effort. Thank you again for your response. I certainly appreciate all your help.