I am sorry you don't like it - I think it's really nice and warm. Really like the cabinets!

I'm thinking your easiest route (someone else chime in), could maybe be to do a sheet of stainless steel over the granite behind the stove. Maybe with a shelf half way up to break it up?

That would cover the largest expanse of wall granite in a way that makes sense and will definitely change the look of the kitchen.... if you're sure you want to! : )

Learn to love it - it's a beautiful kitchen!

I thinks it's lovely the way it is. An easy and practical solution to break it up a bit would be to run a narrow stainless shelf between the two upper cabinets on either side of the range and hang a bunch of stainless cooking implements from the bottom of it. That solid piece of granite is so much easier to clean though than grout in that area.

I thinks it's lovely the way it is. An easy and practical solution to break it up a bit would be to run a narrow stainless shelf between the two upper cabinets on either side of the range and hang a bunch of stainless cooking implements from the bottom of it. That solid piece of granite is so much easier to clean though than grout in that area.

Leave it alone. It's fine as it is. You just need to get used to it. By the time you can afford to do something to it, you won't even have a problem with it.

I would also live with it first. It would also be easiest to try a different wallcolor first.

I would spend some time with it to get used to the space. In a few months, you will love it or hate it but you will have a better idea of what you want.

I won't tell you to get over how you feel, since you are buying a beautiful home, you want to love the kitchen, I so get that.

You could put mirror or stainless up for the time being to see if you like that.

I agree with you, it's a lot of the same tone granite. Very pretty, but more than I would choose. Ask a tile expert if you can tile over it. I wouldn't do it until you have lived in the space, but figure out your options.

Here is kind of an idea what it might look like with less gold tones.

Jodi, this is great. Thank you for posting the picture. I did something like this in Photoshop but my version didn't look this good! Kathy

Although I like it, I agree:

Live with it for awhile

Try a different color paint on the walls

Perhaps some stainless sheeting or glass behind the range.

You might want to try changing the under cabinet lighting. LED lights in a brighter, whiter light might make a big difference in toning down the golden color. It looks like you have a gold colored pendant light or chandelier in the left of the picture, I would change that too. if you have recessed lights in the ceiling look into halogen or LEDs there too. you might have to try different brands and color temps to find the right ones for your space.
It is a beautiful kitchen.

I really like Blondelle's idea: "An easy and practical solution to break it up a bit would be to run a narrow stainless shelf between the two upper cabinets on either side of the range and hang a bunch of stainless cooking implements from the bottom of it".

I really like cabinets as they are. I would suggest changing out the gold paint and living with it for a while. I usually have similar reactions of being bothered by too much gold tone, but overall it looks fine to me. I think changing the paint would make a big impact.

I'm not sure exactly how low your budget is, but what about just changing the island granite?

I think it is a beautiful, warm space. How about using some command hooks to hang some artwork on the backsplash to break up the gold?

Agree. Too much gold. Like the OP said, I would give it time to decide what you really want to change. In time, I would probably save to change granite & paint cabinets. I know that is probably over budget, but you could wait until you are ready and it would completely change the kitchen!

Yeah, wait to change it out. But frankly, that photoshopped option of white is far worse than the gold.

too much gold for me. i couldn't live with the backsplash as is. look for neutral tile that works with counters. i don't know if removing bs would harm counters, so check first. and even though i'm currently not in a dark cabinet phase, they're very nice, and in excellent shape. GL!

If you combine the 3 relatively inexpensive changes suggested--change paint color, do a different granite just on the island, and do something to the area behind the range (shelf, backsplash, etc.), plus maybe try putting down some rugs in front of the cooktop, fridge, and sink--you should be able to neutralize a lot of the gold and improve the overall look.

Anne

I would change the wall paint and backsplash. I would put wood on the island as there's enough granite for 2 kitchens there. The cabinets are really nice and it looks like you have excellent storage possibilities.

I would post this in the decorating forum too. I'm not too versed on color theory but I think green walls would help break things up. Also, as mentioned above, changing out the lighting may help too.

Changing the island top to a wood would be an inexpensive change. I hesitate to suggest painting the cabinets but you could consider painting the island. A backsplash change would be more expensive but it would make a huge difference.

I'd change the top ledge on the perimeter cabs and the island top. No way I would paint those cabinets. You could try and remove the backsplash on the outside perimeter(sink run?). There is no reason it should damage the granite. I kinda like the idea of bringing in green tones to play with the gold. Might be cool to think about slate on the island and overhang. Easy for us to say... we're spending someone elses money!

to be honest, i like the kitchen, but i do see your point.
i would not change the b/s..
i would change the paint color on walls and ceiling and use accent pieces on counters, what you have now offers no interest, just blends. how about some art work somewhere.
maybe a runner in front of cooktop to introduce a new color.
different pendants, if that's what's on the left side.

i think your cabs are fine and would not get into all that work.
maybe change island top, that's a great idea and should be relatively cheap. you don't have to go with granite, so many other choices.

i think jodi in so cal mock up looks worst that what you have. i would not mix SS with what you have, just too hard on the eyes. you have so much warmth, to add that cold element would just not work in my eyes. to tile over b/s in just crazy..granite b/s is just the best for cleaning, so easy!!!!

live with for awhile and then see how u feel in a couple of months...

Can you take out the island? It looks small, not very useful, in the way, dated, and adds even more wood and gold. Hoping they tiled underneath it!

I agree with may-flowers! See about taking out the island.

You could also easily change bar pieces to wood, and tile that short splash, then, if the larger piece on the stove side can't be removed, make a hanging tile element to go there.

Pretty kitchen!!

Nancy

There have been some great suggestions so far - I would also be tempted to cut a piece of thin wall board to size and paint it and mount in the back of those glass cabs (that way you aren't permanently changing anything) to lighten up the upper cabs and call attention to whatever you want to put in there. Wallpaper there could also be fun, but I get the sense you are tryng to tone down the busyness.

Even a huge white ironstone platter behind the range would help to break up the granite.

It is a nice kitchen, but I totally get that you are not loving it. I think with some of the changes folks have mentioned, it will feel more like yours.

Cut a sample piece of beadboard (or stainless) and see if you like the way it looks. Maybe it can be installed over the granite backsplash.

If you don't want to or can't remove the island, consider painting it and changing the top.

An fairly simple and inexpensive change would be faux-tin ceiling tiles over the existing granite backsplash. The tiles can be found at HD and Lowes and come in metal tones or colors can be ordered. They an easy DIY project, cut with a utility knife and they attach readily to a smooth surface with double sided foam tape, which will also make them easy to remove.

You might want to stick with the granite behind the stove, or try a plain stainless panel just for easy clean-up.

I also agree that changing the wall color might tone down the gold a bit. Good luck!

The cabinets look like Mahogany. I would not paint them! Down the road you can change the granite if you hate it. I like the suggestion of hanging art work by command hooks or putting a big platter behind the range.

Thanks to all for such great ideas. All ideas appreciated. This is how the house looks as for sale. We haven't moved in yet. I am now excited about trying some of these fun ideas. Kathy

My Photoshop mock-up would have looked much better had I had the time to actually add subway tile or some other type of backsplash, but really only had time to do a solid background.

You missed the part that you haven't moved in yet. Live there awhile before making any permanent changes.