What a lovely powder room - nicely appointed - Random window treatments - posting a pic of window would help http://www.gobreeze.com/products/fabrics/Musee-Toile-Yellow.jpg http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.timorousbeasties.com/mediaLibrary/images/english/1584.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.timorousbeasties.com/products/wallpapers/studio/62&h=300&w=300&sz=123&hl=en&start=105&sig2=_bfK4QyzxzDFY8wCD7UO2A&tbnid=IQC2N_610hu6mM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&ei=V47tR5qCC6HOiAGOibiHAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrown%2Btoile%2Bwindow%2Bshade%26start%3D84%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN http://www.smithandnoble.com/sn/photo_gallery.jsp http://www.smithandnoble.com/sn/fabric_category.jsp?sch_cat=Catalog%20Collections&nav_cat=-18586 Accessories http://www.themeyourhome.com/catalog/images/37559.jpg http://www.orangebeautiful.com/blog/pics/860.jpg http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/9/optimized/318739_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0amp;resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg http://www.selectbathdepot.com/images/BC800003070.jpg http://www.shopfosters.com/store/files/images/large/d_2775.jpg http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/5c/2/AAAAAjDvPmgAAAAAAFwg6w.jpg http://www.wrapables.com/images/gallery/C54434G.jpg An orchid would be lovely - not sure if you have enough light for a real one - Lovely space enjoy

Flipping through magazines and clipping picutres here on GW can really help. You can clip by saving to your "Clippings" the scissors on the upper right corner of your post. Visit FKB (Finished Kitchens blog) look at all the cherry and brown kitchens you can find to see what you like. I tend to agree with you that a cool brown not cherry is going to be easier to work with than a red cherry color. But this is just my personal love of wood tones. Keep in mind colors of floor, walls, counters, and the lighting will all add to the way the colors work. Meanwhile here are some different toned woods. Maybe you husband can start looking at what he loves the most and perhaps the two of you can find a dream kitchen. ~boxerpups Cherry Here are both woods used. A reddish tone and a warm brown island. Oak or fir (something with a rich grain) Maple Celebrity Cabinetry Strawberry Hill Millwork Cherry Luxury homes Delaware Cherry with a pecan stain Progressive Builders Mutschler Ktichens inc. Blake Sophisticated Stone Kansas City Lyptus Wood DuraSupreme Alectra Montego Door Lyptus Riemer Fine Cabinetry 11 If there is more of one color or type above let me know by responding and I will try to find more images similar to what you like above. Thinking of you and hoping you can find the right combo for your new kitchen. ~boxerpups

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I especially like those pictures of knotty pine kitchens. I hadn't been using the right search terms to find examples of something like ours. I think it seems like, regardless of what we do... that black or stainless will work better. It just feels like white will stand out too much against the cabinets to do white on all appliances. The dishwasher (in picture) is currently black and goes well as it blends with the knots and the iron hardware. I think the idea of black stainless is cool. I'll have to look into that. I didn't really realize that the hood might not work well and need to be replaced. I guess if not going with retro color then to keep it black. I also like the suggestion of stainless steel for farmhouse sink (if of course it fits the cabinets). Especially if going with black appliances, I imagine it will stand out less. Plus, I'd think stainless steel is easier to keep clean, no worries about chipping and less prone to dish breakage. I'm not sure for the countertops or backsplash. Like I said, considering keeping counters but if we do change... it's tough to settle on stone. We aren't against laminate but at that point, why not keep the yellow one since I do think it's a good color choice. But would love suggestions. My wife mentioned subway tiles (white?) as a clean look against the knotted wood and it would go with the farmhouse sink and rustic feel. Would that work with the black appliances and dark wood or stand out too much? The soffits can also be wall color (which has yet to be decided but likely a cream color) or something different. Again thanks for help thus far and I welcome more ideas and opinions!

Hire a local designer. Look under the Find a Pro tab.