I think it's beautiful. Not sure how to make it POP for you :)

It's a beautiful space but everything is the same color. The walls are neutral but you might consider finding a beautiful color for the wall to break up all the same color

It needs some contrast to set things apart from each other, Everything is too close in value. Maybe do the island in a dark brown. And use an actual color on the ceiling. It can take it since it's so tall.

Hi aledoux -- Congratulations on a fresh start in a beautiful new space. It seems a shame to re-do something so new, and if you go that route, I hope that there's a Habitat Re-Store in your area so that others would benefit from your reno.

But I think you can work nicely with what's already there, particularly if budget is a concern, and I like that you're thinking of painting the island black, or a darker tone. While I wouldn't recommend the duo-level island for a new kitchen, it's there, and it is counter space. Unless that whole bar area is full of guests, you could easily remove a couple of stools and add a large cutting board on one end to designate is as work space. As a tall person, I actually like the one taller counter we have at my summer place for prep -- also like to sit a spell for tedious tasks like de-stringing peapods if I can't sit outside to do it.

A window or one huge, fabulous thing on the peaked wall will give instant character to the space -- see what you can find.

This is a beautiful space. I would recommend living in it for six months or so, and then, reevaluate. Paint is probably all you need!

I think living in it and seeing how you actually use the space, as well as how your belongings, accessories, coffee maker, etc. end up fitting in the space is important before renovation. You may find things you really like or can't stand. It's better to know what things you really need to change before you start drawing up new plans or you may end up with the same problems because you weren't aware of them till you used the space. Also your belongings will bring more color and character to the room.

Your space is unique and beautiful. I would be in no hurry to change anything right away. I would, however, be very interested in choosing appropriate bar stools. You could add color with them. Then repeat that color in some art glass or framed art elsewhere in the space. Good luck.

Just agreeing with the rest of the world: great space, don't remodel the kitchen yet. Try adding color with paint and furnishings and see where that takes you. Also, the current kitchen looks to be in such good shape that redoing it right now will probably not add any value to your real estate investment. Instead, consider improvements that would make it more fun and add value (gas fireplace perhaps to make gathering near kitchen more cozy?).

I'd be tempted to paint the walls behind the kitchen in a darker colour to provide more contrast with the kitchen.

You could do that without making any huge commitment and it might help you decide about what you would like to do with tile etc. Get rid of all the stuff you are inclined to put on top of the cabinets and just paint up there too, maybe some rope LED lights.

I would suggest living in the space for a while, get to know how you would use it, in terms of house you cook, your lifestyle etc. I like a contrasting color on the accent wall as carolins above did, also, I think some great lighting over the island and making that look more built in would help as well. Good luck!

I would suggest painting the back wall (main wall in kitchen) a warm brown, adding a single wooden beam in the ceiling that goes across the island with oiled bronzed pendant lighting with some brown accents in the globe (at least six; two at each angle of the island evenly spaced). You could get more visual grounding if you were to paint the island beadboard surface a darker color (maybe a dark coffee color). Also add tile to the back splash using glass brown tile accents.

Add a nice large painting, accessory, or a written mural on the accent painted wall.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am going to take your advice and let it be for now! I will paint the island dark brown as suggested (Memphis, Barnhart, Bodhli) . The granite has black specks but I agree that the dark brown would look good. Does anyone think that black would be better? Bdohli1, do you have an actual dark coffee color you have used that you would recall name of? I like the idea of a mural! Hmm are word murals out of style now? Love the suggestion of the glass tile back splash and painting the island. I also thought about using brick tile back splash. Any feedback on this idea? The outside of the house is a red brick. (see below) Should it be the same or match with it? If I went with a color on that wall instead, could any of you share some pretty colors (the actual color name) that you've used. LOVE the look of the accent wall, Carolins. But I do want to stay away from grays, they make me sad. It may be that it is showing gray on my computer and it is not gray at all. But any other color choices? name brand? Lighting: Cure Design and Bdohli1, That is what is missing!!! There are no lights! I will start search here for lights. Will show you what I find. Would they hang by a cord over the bar? LOVE this idea. You all are wonderful. Bdohli1, could you explain the beam a little more, Would it lay against the ceiling? Or go straight across like a rafter? Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate you all. What wonderful feedback!

I agree that introducing a darker paint color will go far in dramatically changing the look of the space. They tried to add interest by staggering the heights and depth but the problem is the scale of that back wall. To introduce a WOW factor I would remove the microwave and the cabinets on either side and install a larger (36"-42")decorative mantle hood in a contrasting color. You could introduce the contrasting color on back of the island while keeping the island cabinets in tact. Great Space and Good Luck!

I actually 'painted' the back wall of your kitchen SW 7520, Plantation Brown.
So it isn't grey, but a warm brown :-) If you're going to paint, always test colours out in your room first.

Sherwin-Williams French Roast on the walls and Black Bean on the Island

SW Turkish Coffee on the walls and Black Bean on the island

SW Turkish Coffee on the walls, Black Magic on the island

Black Magic on the island

I think you could do a much better job with the wall cabinets. They look like a shrine to the OTR microwave. Great space, though. It's a kitchen designer's dream. I vote for a redo, but make sure you have the budget. That's a lot of cabinetry.

What a great kitchen and breakfast nook! Great suggestions above! Good luck and enjoy!!!

I dislike microwaves above stove tops, it is the "department store" look, something you would not do as "custom" .... I think at this point the cabinetry looks nice, have a range hood in a contrasting color (warm browns) would add a custom look. The mantle idea is the way I would go for sure. They appear built in and woudn't be a huge expense but a gorgeous upgrade! The color of the island needs to compliment the range hood. Maybe not the exact same color, but I see mochas and coffee colors,,,, not black!!! You say no greys, so do not do black, they are on the color palle, with off white cabinets, you need to stay with warm browns for sure!!!! Browns are warm and cozy, inviting in a kitchen. Your kitchen is on the soft side. Black isn't soft...... mochas are what compliments off whites and creams. White compliments blacks,,,Greys compliment black...
As far as yous island, it needs to appear as a piece of furniture, not the edge of your kitchen, the color will make all the difference for this to happen. along with new seating. Soft fabric on your chairs, not metal bar stools. Something that has a chic design and has comfortable cushions ,,,,, FURNITURE not bar stools. Now you are bringing comfort to your kitchen, then it becomes inviting and peaceful,,,, black won't do that.
My husband is a painting professional, I've seen homes from small cottages to the millions!!! Kitchens are my thing, it's also the number one spot for everyone to be in a home!!!! Think about what impresses you when you first see a home!!! Make it feel comfortable and inviting!!!!

By the way, it's only paint! You can change it as many times as you want!
Candles and lighting will change your wall colors in a flash...... Add pendant lighting with some bling!!!! That will speak to you all day long and beautiful in the evening too once it's lit up! On Houzz site, Gallery sells some fun crystal pendant lighting, very affordable too.

I think it is a lovely kitchen. I like the calm, monochromatic feel and would prefer appliances that blend rather than pop out. I would live with it (happily) and make seasonal changes. I, too, find grey depressing and feel the same way about dark walls.