Do they want to change out the appliances? What I think needs to be done first is the floor. It does not add much at all to the kitchen. I would do a large porcelein tile set on the diagonal which makes the place look larger than it is. Get rid of the flourescent light fixture. Put in cans about 2 feet out from perimeter of kitchen, plus pendants over the island. A deeper wall color, maybe even a green or a blue or a pumpkin shade. A new more exciting backsplash with color to work with new floor and cabinets. Take down all country stuff on top of cabinets. Woven window treatments - no vertical blinds anywhere. Countertop is ok but depending on the budget upgrading to granite or a quartz would add a lot to kitchen. First they have to come up with a budget. Then the choices begin.

Good luck.

As a fellow lurker, I'll weigh in on this one!

I love the new floor. I'd paint the walls in a warmer golden tan that I'm seeing on the floor. I think a black granite countertop would look nice with that floor, also.

I'll leave the rest of the kitchen to those who know what they're doing!

Thanks for the ideas. I have forwarded them along. I'm sure they will log in and add some input themselves.

I'm not sure if they would be replacing the appliances. I don't think so.

The flooring is new and won't be changed. The flooring is a vast improvement over the previous flooring. Most importantly my inlaws love it.

I like the idea of more colour on the walls.

Since the floor is new they aren't going to change that, as you mentioned, but I think the cabinets could use another color. They seem to clash with the floor.

BTW, is that a Ragdoll cat? We have a blue point mitted one who looks just like that kitty! :)

I would not nix the floor. I think the money is better spent elsewhere. If you are doing something big-budget, I would invest in new countertops.

I'd change out the hardware (maybe something in an oil-rubbed bronze); get different bar stools (overstock has a few that are nice-- I'd get them in a darker color to tie them into the floor); definitely a different backsplash-- something that can pull the room together; and a different paint color (maybe a richer beige/gold or something like BM Night Train... or a combination of the two w/ the darker color used as an accent).

And, RUN, do not walk, to a lighting store to replace those fixtures. Or, you can try rejuvination or schoolhouseelectric to get some ideas on attractive lighting.

Google finished kitchens blog. There are tons of kitchens in all different price ranges on there. You can get some wonderful ideas.

Both the kitchen and family room appear very white. If they really like the artwork that is above the love seat, pull a main accent color from it for some large scale decorative items and window treatments (even if it is low impact such as valences).

A simple, free thing I've done in my kitchen is to simply remove the doors from the cabinets above my fridge and stove (I can't reach into them anyway, and I don't need the storage). Then I put decorative items in that space. That gives some depth to the cabinets (similar to the glassed cabinet).

Great kitty! Looks like a very clean and neat kitchen, which should help a lot when the time comes to sell.

I tend to notice small details before taking in the big picture. For example, is that a pass-through to the left of the stove? If so, I think it detracts from the aesthetics of the kitchen (and dining room?), even if it adds functionality.

Symmetrical cabinetry flanking the stove usually looks most appealing to me. The m/w shelf is a consistent height above the countertop, but it does not read as symmetrical. I have seen photos of m/w's fitted with wooden doors with either metal perforated inserts, or wooden doors with holes drilled in the wood. Alternately, the m/w shelf might be more functional mounted over what is currently the desk. The desk's slanted side supports looks unfinished to me -- Maybe something like the corbels supporting the island countertop would look better.

Usually a consistent window/door height looks best, but the patio door is lower than the windows. Fabric panels hung at same height as other window treatments would look great, and be an opportunity to add some color, pattern, and softness. A chandelier hung lower over the table (rather than ceiling fan) would bring a lot of bang for the buck.

The overhead kitchen lighting is definitely dated, altho' they do work great (I've yet to switch out mine out for that reason). Finally, I bet the family room would get whole new lease on life if the big TV were replaced with a flat screen.

All in all, it's a perfectly nice kitchen, but we all want to 'leave our mark'. (Hopefully not the kitty.)

One of my favorite color schemes is blue, white, and yellow with occasional touches of black. I believe if they added some bright blue accents, it would look good. And paint the forest green legs of the stools a bright blue.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I would stain the cabinets darker but leave the crown molding the same color
so it will "pop" . I would change the appliances to stainless . The countertops look like they are in great shape and if they are going to be selling in the next few years - I wouldn't invest in granite . The walls definately need some color .
I would also put in a nice parson chair in the desk area instead of the little
stool and new stools for the bar area . As for the light fixture - it looks like it's the only one and it throws a lot of light so it would be hard to find one that gives off as much . You could definately put a different one over the table and chairs though .

Sorry I don't have time to read all the posts so if this is a repeat answer my apologizes.

Cabinets - think they are beautiful condition so I think changing the color would update them and add a little of thier own personalities to it. I love cream cabinets but that is just me.

Window treatments are a must for this room. I am not sure how much they 'love' the picture in the family room above the love seat but I am thinking of trying to find a way to tie these rooms together - more of a flow and purhaps it can be through color. Just a thought.

I think the flooring has a nice tan/coffee color that can be pulled into the paint color which would tie things nicely together and add a ton of warmth to the room.

I would deffinately change the countertops. You have alot of it there and I know granite is not always in everyone's budget. However if they are planning on putting the house on the market in several years this would be money that they would get back in the price of thier home so this would be an investment totally returned at a later date.

It really is a lovely layout!

Some simple fixes I'd suggest would be to paint the walls, replace the fluorescent fixture and swap out the cabinet hardware to something in either a nickel or oil rubbed bronze finish. Perhaps also a new faucet. I'd also get new stools for the breakfast bar--something upholstered, swivel with backs. Just curious, if they use the desk--this is one of the most underutilized spaces in a kitchen and/or a clutter magnet. If it were me, I'd consider adding on cabinetry below. I also don't much care for the hood setup. I'd prefer to see it removed as well as the hood cabinet above and replaced with a chimney style one--or at least replace the oak box above with sheetrock and paint the same as the wall color so it disappears more.

If they want to consider anything more drastic, then I would paint the cabinets white with a glaze or use gel paints to stain them dark--either would look better than the oak there now and blend in much better than the new floor.

The first thing I would do is change the cabinet color. I like the idea of either a darker stain or a creamy off-white depending on which way they want to go.

Laurie

My answers are repeats of what others said.

If they are wanting to sell and wanting to put some $$ into it specifically for resale, I would:

Spend $$ on getting rid of the florescent overhead light & replacing with current fixtures.

Spend some $$ on new knobs for cabinets.

I would not spend $$ on any major overhauls. Everything looks really good the way it is. If a buyer is expecting the ultimate in granite and SS, then the house is not for them, but for anyone else, I'd be more than happy buying that kitchen.

I can see the potential in sanding and darkening the stain on the cabinets. That would be the "big splurge" prior to selling.

As for putting $$ into it for right now to cozy it up, I just think there's no personality or color. To me, it looks like it's up for sale right now. Neutralized and all personal items out of there specifically for showings.

I'd put colored dishes or display items in the glass-front shelves. I personally see red in there.

I'd pull off all the stuff on top of the cabinetry and re-do the decor with greenery, baskets/wicker, pottery, and splashes of color (red again). The items I would use for above the cabinets & throughout the space would be fabrics, and natural (non-shiny) touchable materials to tone down and cozy up the surroundings of the counter tops and appliance.

Excellent ideas above!

GREAT point about the stove hood -- switch to a microwave-hood there! OR paint out the very top part (near the ceiling) so it disappears. Turn the old microwave shelf into a wine rack or cookbook holder.

And yes -- change the knobs to oil-rubbed bronze. Check out "bin pulls" for a change too.

Paint the island in satin black. Add black kitchen stools to match the chairs at the table. Consider adding a lighted potrack over the island to make it feel warmer!

Go to Lowes.com -- check out the Portfolio series of lighting. We have a Portfolio fixture above the table -- made a HUGE change from the previous ceiling fan! And a lower light will make that whole area feel warmer. Change the overhead in the kitchen to a track-light -- again -- check the ones from Lowes.

Next add warmth through texture. Add a braided rug under the table -- as well as cushions and valances.

Add lamps to the family room area!

As for a paint color -- take a color from the flooring -- and match that tone to the walls.

Add a bulletin board over the desk area -- cover it with pretty fabric to match or work with the new cushions. Add a black stool there too.

LOVE the cat! :)

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Lowes -- the same chandelier over my kitchen table!

Here's an example of track lighting ....

Here is a link that might be useful: Lowes Portfolio track lighting example

Braided rug example

Here is a link that might be useful: Rug example braided

first i would remove the nick nacks from where they are as they are off balance, and the walls definately need some paint they are awfully light..with the golden oak they could use a color that will bring out the undertones of the oak..the white appliances go well with the white appliances so if they want to save money stick with those but add color to the wall and pay more attention to the placement of the accessories, esp the ones on top of the cabients..either remove them or place them in a more attractive placement, they are somewhat short and crowded together, so they don't really add to the beauty ..the white accessories will really pop with a different wall color..there are a lot of choices that you can make to highlight the golden oak, one would be a sagey green, as green will compliment the oak but there are tons of other colors..the tiles on the backsplash right now are great for the blend with the counters and appliances but white against them will not pop..so when you do the wall color, find a small kitchen type accessory that will pop off of the white, such as the cookbook on a cookbook holder against the white tiles..and a bowl of fruit or a green plant.you have green in the stools so a green, sage maybe, would work well if that is a color you like there..the grey tile is nice..and maybe a small green throw rug on the floor or some green valences or more green plants to tie the greens in..i guess i'm leaning toward sage green, but a lot of other colors would work for sure

Wow! What great response.

They have a great many things to discuss now. I've been suggesting more colour for years so it's nice to hear everyone agree. This is the lightest the kitchen has ever been, until recently there were blue valances which added a nice punch of colour.

The kitty is a Ragdoll and she is a sweetie. She's a new addtion to the family. Last week they all came over for a visit and our dog fell in love.

The kitchen has lots of potential and I'd start with putting some color on the walls. Then go from there if they think its still lacking.