oops...thought you could just see the 3 pics of the current state of the kitchen, but guess you are going to see all that is on flickr :) that's okay, you can see the old dark cabs before painting them BM Linen White.

FYI the link you provided requires that people login, so many people won't be able to view your pictures. There are instructions for posting from Flikr in the Posting Pictures thread, which is linked to from the Read Me thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: Posting pictures

THANK YOU chicagoans for your help/directions! I have finally figured it out with your help :) Here you all go....

from family room looking into kitchen (see the soffit over the peninsula...i think it needs to be removed, there were cabs over the peninsula with spindles coming down to counter top)

I think the window trim color is out of place.

I'd like to see a contrasting counter with your pretty cabinets. I see strong contrast with other elements in your kitchen and adjacent room such as the range hood, dinning set and accompanying hanging light fixture next to the frig, and the bold strips in your davenport - and of course with your black pulls and knobs on your cabinets.

Why don't you find some wrapping paper that sort of gives you the range of light or dark that you would consider and lay it out on the counters to see what you think. Then squint your eyes to evaluate the contrast you are looking for or not looking for. Squinting takes the color out of the equation and helps you just focus on the light/dark aspects. Even with the wrong colors you can still evaluate the light/dark-and if it will work or not.

I think soapstone would be nice.

I agree with enduring-I think a dark color would be perfect in that space. If you did something with browns, the window frame would flow much better. Soapstone would be very nice as well.

I like your idea of removing the peninsula and going with an island. That would certainly make your dishwasher more convenient. Nice job painting your cabinets!

just a few things to think about....

*the knobs are ORB
*the yucky hood over the stove will be going. I didn't even bother to tape off when painting, that's how out the door it is! i would love a new beautiful hood, like so many i see on here, but honestly, we are probably going to put our micro up there... i know, gasp!
*the window trim can be changed, just haven't gotten that far. guess i was waiting to see what counter top ends up going in.
*the couch! ugh, that couch. it to will be replaced in the next year as well. old, but getting us by for the moment.

what about the wood piece that is over the sink, that joins the cabs to the left of the sink to the cab on the right of the sink? i think its dated, but hubby said leave it to hide the light that is up there.

and lastly, you can see there is a big hole to the right of the cabinet that is to the right of the sink...thats from the old cabs we cook out that were over the peninsula. wondering if i can find a cab to put in there that would match or if okay just to keep it the wall color.

If you go with an island, you'll need to change the floor.

BUT if you go with an island, you can do marble on that top & soapstone on the countertops. I think that would be gorgeous!!! You definitly need a darker countertop.

How about mounting the micro under the cabinet where it currently is instead of over the range???

The soffit over the peninsula does really need to go.

A new light fixture is in order. And look at under cabinet lighting.

The window trim needs to be white, but then that means that you have to continue it throughout. I think it would look much better though.

The trim over the window is very dated. I see something that mimics the soft arch of your cabinets instead of that scrolly-y thing that's there. Any remodeler/woodworker/cabinetmaker can do this for you.

~Jeana

I think I would like a dark brown. It would work nicely with your ORB and trim around the window.

I would also like to see the cabinet doors that flank the window & the small doors over the range in glass. The same remodeler/woodworker/cabinetmaker that does your wood window valance can EASILY do this for you. I see seeded glass.

You COULD take out all of the soffits & have a deep crown moulding or glass cabinets all along the top.

~Jeana

I like the wood valance over the sink because it goes well with the arch on your cab doors. I think a new wt would perk it up as well as painted trim.
I'd check out Costa Esmeralda or Verde Fantastico for granites. They would add in some color but not come off as too dark.
For a while, everyone got the black granites (and also peach toned) and lately I see all brown tones. I'd try for something a little different.

I agree that that piece is dated. Have the same thing in my kitchen and I'm having to fight my hubby over removing it, too! The cabinets are gorgeous, as are the floors. Why is the microwave over the stove a bad idea? That's what we were going to do in our reno, should we be rethinking that? I noticed that the adjacent room is sort of a sage green. If you are planning on keeping that color, then I would suggest a countertop that compliments it.

I think I would remove the trim over the sink. How would it look to add some crown over the cabs? I'd take down the soffit over peninsula to help with the flow into the next room. I don't see a problem with microwave over the range. Sure it's not as functional as a hood, but it gets it off the countertop. I think a darker granite or soapstone would look best with the cream color on cabinets. Maybe you can find an inspiration picture (which you probably already have) and copy it. It's coming together, so hang in there!

Your cabinets are beautiful. Nice job painting them!

It was a great idea to remove the cabinets over the peninsula. Will you be able to create an island without messing up the floors? If you can it would look great.

You and your husband are both right about that wood trim over the sink. It is dated and it is necessary for hiding the light. I would probably lose the trim and replace the light with a pendant of some sort. Another alternative is to replace it with trim that is a simple arch or straight across.

Soapstone would look fantastic in your kitchen. It looks like it wants to be soapstone and it doesn't want to be anything else.

I don't think there's any shame in putting a microwave over your range. I love the beautiful hoods too, but they are expensive and not so necessary when you have an electric range. I'm probably going to end up with a microhood myself, because it truly is the most practical thing to do and sometimes I just have to be practical. If the rest of the kitchen is stunning (and it will be), the microhood is the last thing we'll notice. I'd save the money for a nice backsplash (which might be a way to sneak in that marble you love).

Thank you for all of your input, I so greatly appreciate it! I am on my own with all these decisions, hubby just says "get what ever you want" which is nice but also leads to my second guessing, so its nice to bounce my thoughts/ideas off someone else. The funny thing is my thoughts seem to be your thoughts!

The cabinet maker was here yesterday, and said he would make me a new wood valance piece as well as an end cab to fill in where we removed the cabs over the peninsula. He is going to quote me on making the peninsula an island, but doubt we will be able to do that ($$$$). He suggested the same thing I wanted - to turn the island so the seating would face our window, not keeping in same spot peninsula currently is. Yes this would be a headache with with the flooring, but it is laminate planks that "just" (oh how hubby hates to hear me say "just"!) pop back up ;)

We are def going to put up crown along the soffit where it meets the ceiling as well as where the cabs meet the soffit in hopes of disguising the soffit. I do have a kitchen bookmarked for those ideas already.

So, if I am hearing you all correctly, I am not wrong to put a darker counter top on? I just feel like my kitchen is small with little natural light. But, having the old white counter tops on now helps me to see what a light counter top would do, and I don't think that is the answer either. I will say I did find a granite I liked a lot, I thought it had a real richness to it, enough dark but enough light in it to pull the cabs. Same cost as soapstone for me, but I want something that looks more timeless or classic, and couldn't decide if I would grow tired of the pattern in granite.

Now THAT is a great choice!! I really really like that stone and think it will look fab in your space.

:) remodelfla...hubby and I picked that out together, then drug half my family over to see it, and they all picked it too, but I just couldn't decide it it was too busy or not. I bend towards vein-y granite, not speckled, which made it hard because honestly, the colors in NVG are what I know would look good in my space, but I just couldn't fall in love with the pattern in it. I will say the picture I posted does not do it justice, its much more rich in color, just more busy than say soapstone would be. Oh the decisions!

this is the other choice for stone, same colors as the above stone, just less cream color

but this is our fireplace, which is in our family room off the kitchen, so they share the same space essentially. this is what made me thing something more solid and matte would be more appropriate (soapstone). please know the mauve carpet is gone, the flooring is the same as what we have in the kitchen now.

"what about the wood piece that is over the sink, that joins the cabs to the left of the sink to the cab on the right of the sink? i think its dated, but hubby said leave it to hide the light that is up there.

and lastly, you can see there is a big hole to the right of the cabinet that is to the right of the sink...thats from the old cabs we cook out that were over the peninsula. wondering if i can find a cab to put in there that would match or if okay just to keep it the wall color."
*********

I agree the soffit should be removed, but I like the valance. :)

To match the feel of the valance, I think you could use an old-fashioned open-shelf end cabinet in the blank space, similar to this one in my kitchen:

Missy- I think the first granite photo you posted would look fabulous in your space. I like it much better than the second.

I agree, I absolutely love the 1st piece of granite that you posted that has some cream in it. I think it will look spectacular with your cabinets.

Here's a strong vote for stone #2 if not the soapstone.

Your thoughts on glass cabinets mixed in???

~Jeana

Wow, you've done a wonderful job so far. If you can afford it, I would take out the peninsula and replace it with an island. The flow would be so much better. I agree, you should have the stools, so you face the sink...looking out the window.

I like the white cabinets and with your fireplace and other details...soapstone or black granite would be excellent choices. To really pick up your black accents, I'd paint the island black and put a marble top on it. It would be wonderful for baking and would look amazing.

If you'd rather use wood, that would be nice too...but a marble top with a big wooden cutting board for prep would be my first choice, in your space. If you decide to upgrade your appliances, white would look nice or stainless steel would tie in well with the gray in the marble. It will give you lots of options and be practical, too. Honed marble is supposed to be a little eaiser to maintain, but with the right sealer, either should be a good choice, in your space :)

Ahh...if only money grew on tree's! The amount of money I have left to spend right now is exactly what it will cost me for soapstone-EXACTLY. That means no money left over for one single thing at this point. So, I am debating if I should just leave the current layout and slap on the counter top of my choice (either ss or one of the granites pictured above), waiting to switch out my appliances as we can afford to do so, or should I live with it like it is (sigh) and keep saving to get the island down the road. I don't want to put a lot of money into high end counter tops only to change the layout in two years. I want to do it right, the first time, and be happy with the outcome.

To be honest, I am having a hard time sinking $5300 into a COUNTER TOP! We are just average people, in an average home. But, on the flip side, I cannot seem to find something cheaper that I like nearly as well...something I could live with? Sure, I can find a counter top I can live with, but nothing I really like. I told hubby lets just put what is cheap on there (counter top), it will look fine, it will match. He said no way. We are not putting money into something you don't even like! I know he is right, but I am trying to find ways to make our money stretch, when I should probably concede to waiting and keep saving.

Missy -

I started to respond that you need, NEED that first granite and then I re-read your last post. $5300 is way over the top for countertops - unless you have a really large space to put counters on - or else an unlimited budget.

Save up your pennies and get what you need a little bit at a time. It took us a year to do it this way and it was *painful*, but sensible. I urge you to take it slowly, and enjoy the ride!

Thanks for the advice :) We do not have an unlimited budget, obviously, so I am not sure what we are going to do. Our current layout will take 56 sq ft of counter top (adding a 12 inch overhang to peninsula for seating).

Then wait! You have a functional kitchen right now, but I have to say that just a new counter would bring it up a couple of notches. That and changing to a curved wood valance. Take a look at all the kitchens in the Finished Kitchen Blog. You will find yourself being drawn to certin granites over and over again. Then you will have a jumping off point at the granite yard. Also, when polished, granite looks a lot different than at the yard.
I will say that when I was thinking about my counters, there was no way that I wanted a granite with pattern or movement! That said, here I am with a dark giallo ornamental with movement!

Another vote for the first granite sample...Good luck! The kitchen looks great!

Missy- My mom has laminate/formica countertops that look similar to black granite. They're easy to maintain, look great in her space and were not expensive. This might be an idea for now...while you save up for the next 'stage' of the remodel. I'd find out how much it would cost to take out the peninsula and fix the floor/soffit. The island can be added later (with beautiful marble top) but for now, maybe use a work table/portable island. Make sure you like the size and that the flow works well...then put in something permanent.

Later on, as the budget allows, upgrade the appliances, replace the countertops and add the island. Sometimes it's frustrating to do a remodel in stages, but it does give you a chance to live with things a bit, before moving on to the next big expense...and make sure it's what you really want.

I think soapstone would look great! If that is too chippy or dingy for 3 kids and your lifestyle, look at honed jet mist granite it has nebulous streaks of white that are very cool looking. good luck with choice. I can't make my mind up either. I really want soapstone perimeter, carrara marble island, but am afraid of upkeep and etching.

I have other threads posted on this, but I re submitted our dimensions to the soapstone people using ss on the perimeters only in hopes that will allow us to afford it. Then put something else on the island, like the white quartzite I posted a pic of earlier today. But, as much as I like those looks together (soapstone and the white quartzite), I don't want it to look too cold, still want a warm, inviting kitchen!

I am starting to finally get a vision for this kitchen, just need to see some quotes come in!

@InteriorStylist
You wrote: "If you go with an island, you'll need to change the floor"

Why is that?

I am not sure either mratner. We will either pull up the planks (sigh) or more than likely we will simply put the island on top of the existing floor. I told hubby they make cute little furniture feet, so it doesn't have to be on the floor. That being said, I am not a fan of a movable island.

Any of those pictures of the counter-tops would look nice but I am liking the first one and the last two!

Thanks lynn2006. Thats the debate...blacks and grays (the soapstone with the quartzite) or browns and creams (granite perimeter with wood island top)? I really love the look of soapstone with marble, but I think the wood island top would suite our home better probably.

still debating! please tell me i am not the only one that has taken 3 almost 4 months to pick out a stinking counter top! its embarrassing when friends and family ask me "what did you decide on for your counter tops?" and in shame, I hang my head and say "i haven't decided yet." or when i walk into the slab warehouse and they say "the gal out front said you have been here several times." yep...that's me!

so, today, this is where i am at...

1. Bianco Antico on perimeters, darker wood island top.
2. Black perimeters (soapstone) and that white quartzite that I could like it's so luscious.

In my head, option one is what will match our kitchen the best. But, option two is what I really want. I think our floors are too cherry for the black, white and gray colors of option two, but would match option one. So what's a girl to do? Is there a way to make option two look beautiful?

oops, lick, not like ') and obviously we have decided to detach the peninsula. we are starting in two weeks on that project.

Why not the soapstone perimeter countertops...with the wood island top? That would go well with your floors and the fireplace. I haven't been following all your threads, but can you keep all the cabinets white? That would make the two countertops really stand out. Just my two cents :)

Here's a white island with wood top...and dark perimeter countertops (probably soapstone or granite).
{{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

And here's a black island with wood top. This is a big kitchen, so in a smaller space, all white cabinets might look lighter, but either choice would be beautiful :) {{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

Do option two, the one you love. It's not like it's a crazy choice, it's just a bit less safe. If a famous designer did it, we'd all say it had an interesting "twist".

You live with it every day and it costs a lot of money. Do what you love, Make it work.

thanks guys. i just want to love it when i am done with no regrets, but realize that's probably not realistic. but, the counter tops are really are only big purchase, so hate to have that as my one regret!

lavender lass, thank you for the pics, i have considered ss with wood,just wondered if too dark for our size of kitchen. i have a few pics bookmarked to look at. you said your mom has black laminate/formica. do you know exactly what she has? i am really considering doing that on our perimeters if we do the super white on the island. it just seems silly to spend $110 sq ft (yes, thats our ss price!) for a black, matte counter top that isn't the focal point of our kitchen. i am looking at lower cost alternatives right now, knowing i can alwasy install ss down the road if i choose too.

I saw that you asked earlier about someone's statement that you'd have to change your floor if you detached the peninsula. It depends on whether your existing flooring extends underneath the peninsula (ours doesn't). If yours doesn't either, changing the floor would depend on whether you can patch in that bit. (We can't, but that's because ours is a laminate that is very unlikely to still be in production -- HW is a different matter.)

FWIW, I think your Option 2 would look great and there have been a few threads here with photos of fantastic-looking black laminates. I'll see if I can find a couple. I like your wood valance too :) but I can understand if you want to change to a more contemporary-looking one.

Missy- I'm not sure what the countertops are named, exactly, but I'll see if I can find out. They've held up really well and she loves them. They're so easy to keep clean, no maintenance and the seam (you see so often with light colored laminates) blends in completely. As you said, you can always upgrade, down the road...if you like the dark countertops :)

Here is a thread with links to some black laminates:
Laminates that look like soapstone

Brickmanhouse's kitchen has inexpensive wood countertops stained black:
1840 working farmhouse

Missy- Here's a cute kitchen with formica countertops. It even has a little valance, like yours.

I have a question...on Steph's post, you said you like your peninsula and it worked really well, but you thought you should upgrade to an island. I thought the peninsula was an obstacle in your kitchen...but if it's not...are you sure you want to change it?

An island would be nice, but if the peninsula works better in your space...maybe put on a new formica countertop and live with it for a while. It's a cute kitchen and if it's functioning well 'as is' maybe (just maybe) the island isn't the best idea.

I'm really not trying to make this choice any more confusing, just wanting you to think it through, before spending a bunch of money...especially if you actually like the peninsula.

Anyway, here's the picture and a link to the rest of the pictures, on HGTV.com :) {{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to kitchen