Oh, nice view out those living room windows! The first thing I would change would be the window treatment, as it looks country. For me, contemporary would be less accessories. If you really like to use canisters for being practical, how about something glass or lucite with maybe a metal top?

The clock and accessories on top of the cabinets are homey, but they tell me its a country look.

I love your living room paint color. What is it???

I love your pears. They have a contemporary feel to me with the very clean linear placement of them. Are they candles?

Are you attached to your window treatment. I really like it becasue I'm a plaid girl at heart. I've noticed a lot of the kitchen renovations that have a warm yet up to date feel have bamboo shades. I am toying with using them myself.

Your kitchen overall is beautiful. Here are my suggestions if you want a more contemporary look.

I agree with changing the window treatments. If you want to try different canisters, you could try clear ones like chinchette sufpggested or you could try stainless steel or black. What do you have in all the canisters? It seems like a lot. If you change them out, coukd you keep some of the smaller ones in a nearby cabinet? You could also try grouping them in the corner instead of a linear arrangement.

I also like the pears. Maybe you could put them in a cool glass or bamboo long narrow platter to guve em some more presence on your island.

Another thing you could do is change out your plug and switch covers to stainless steel.

Over time, you could switch out baskets up top for colored glass vases, painted gourds, etc.

Good luck and have fun finding new accessories!

I agree with canisters, window treatment, decorations on top of cabs and would add the clock. These items say country to me.

You're going to have to define what you mean by "contemporary" because I don't think you mean the standard definition. None of your choices reflect any modern design aesthetic. All are traditional. Maybe a cleaner lined traditional, but traditional.

If what you mean is a clean lined traditional, then the first thing to do is to eliminate the plaid and the cannisters and the stuff on top of the cabinets and windowsills and countertops. Less is more and you've got a lot going on already. Contemporary design isn't about "stuff". It's about "lack of stuff". Your "oomph" comes from the strong linear statement of the cabinets and countertops, not accessories. If there are accessories, they are very few in number, on the large side, and provide "architectural interest".

If you like your stuff on view, then you need to restate your style to incorporate a style that includes more accessories. Maybe "modern country" or "streamlined traditional", or maybe your own term that describes you. But, find that definition and let it guide you in your choices.

I also love the pears, they look like stone to me. I love stone. I was thinking that if you had one of those bamboo plants there with two pears on either side, that might help - but the four all in a row are more modern. Maybe you could put a bamboo plant elsewhere. If you do as MichiganRachel suggests and put the pears in a tray, maybe you should add some glass pebbles for them to sit in.

I agree the non-canister look is more modern. The fruit could go in one of these fruit hammock-style holders (below).

I agree, no baskets or china displays, but large, decorative platters might work. Those colorful Polish or Italian styled ones come to mind. Or art work.

There is another thread on Kitchens currently that asks about what kind of dish or tray to get to hold things next to the stove. That may be a more modern look. You could put your salt and pepper in colorful or stainless shakers and have them on a tray by the stove with a few other things. Repetition or groupings seem to be a more modern feel. You have done this in the living area quite well, and your pears have you starting on that road in the kitchen. Just a few more tweaks and you will be there.

Here is a link that might be useful: fruit hammock

Def stainless for the canisters. Maybe square shaped.
I am with everyone else on changing the valance and removing the knick knacks.
I like the idea to seat the pears on some sort of long serving dish or platform. I think IKEA has a candle base that would fit the purpose.
Your LR is more contemp than your kitchen, but is still transitional of sorts.

Well, I think your home is charming and you do have a beautiful view. If you like a country feel and you're happy with most of your accessories, I would change the cannisters to stainless steel, black...or the green in your pears. Everyone seems to like those and they're a very pretty color.

If you really want to change your style to being more contemporary, I would change (over time) your barstools, cabinet hardware, accessories on top of the upper cabinets, new cannisters and window treatment. I would bring in black or stainless steel hardware, maybe black or stainless steel backless stools, take all the accessories off the upper cabinets and the little plants, replace the cannisters with black or stainless steel, and take out the window treatment. Either nothing or a blind, or very tailored valance.

While a contemporary look would match your backsplash, tile surround on the fireplace, artwork, and maybe the coffee table, your lamp, sofas, throw pillows aren't very contemporary. Your shelves look very nice, but you'd probably have to streamline them a little, for a truly contemporary look.

Now, all this being said, I think the country look is warmer, suits your view and seems to be what you feel comfortable being around. I prefer it, myself. As someone said earlier, you may just be looking for a more streamlined country/traditional look. If that's the case, streamline your accessories, look for a more tailored valance and I'd try the pear-green for the cannisters :)

I think that live wire oak hit the nail on the head. Thats exactly what I was thinking but couldn't figure out how to say. When I read her post, I immediately thought of the Ethan Allen catalogue. Some of the looks in there are very updated warm not really "contemporary" but have a more modern or updated spin on transitional or "country". I really think you would like some of their photos for ideas and inspiration. In fact, I think they used to have a line called Modern Country.

Are you really just trying to refresh or modernize your country instincts and make them more exciting? Maybe bolder? Maybe add in something that is a surprise element? If so, maybe you could paint your stools black, get a more linear but warm window treatment. It could be plaid, but tailored. Maybe one bold accessory on top of the cabinets. Maybe incorporate an antique accessory or a found object. Would that be more you? It would go with your cabinets. And check out the thread that was mentioned here regarding kitchen accessory near the cooktop. I love your granite.

Wow. Thank you, all!

chinchette,here's one of the views out our back windows. It's why we built this house. We can actually see five mountain ranges from our windows. We're up on a ridge, which is why we have 40-mph winds today, not so wonderful!

summerfan,thanks. It's SW "Sagey".

irishcreamgirl, I love the pears too. I got them from a catalog, can't remember where. They're onyx, I believe. I googled "onyx pears" just now and several sites came up. Mine might have come from "Ten Thousand Villages". I see they now have onyx apples too, think I'll get a couple of those. I like plaid too and I thought it would be okay but I agree the curtain and clock (gift from DH) have to go. The canisters were also gifts from DH but he's okay with me changing them.

Maybe "contemporary" isn't what I mean, although I think it's something in that direction. This is the first house we've built, and unfortunately we chose a builder who is extremely traditional (which we didn't fully realize) and who talked us out many of the ideas we had for what we wanted the house to look like. When he said, "Oh, you can't do 'X'" we believed it. Our fault, of course; in the middle of everything going on we just weenied out I guess. Of course money was also a huge factor, and I had lost the photo of the house I wanted. Our choice of builder was a huge mistake (especially since our deck fell off entirely this year, covered in another post, and all is okay now!) All that said, we are enjoying our house.

michiganrachel, thank you. I wondered about stainless. Thought bronze might work with the trav color but so far haven't found any. I'm not a big shopper; just need to take my time, I suppose.

livewire, maybe I don't mean contemporary, although the home I was hoping to emulate was contemporary for sure. Maybe "warm contemporary" is what I mean. I certainly like clean lines. The space on top of my cabs is quite tall, seems to me that I have to have something there, but maybe I'm wrong. I haven't tried it without "stuff". I do like "less is more", but keep adding stuff trying to get it right, which isn't working.

nancy, I'll find the thread you mentioned, and thanks for the kind words. I do like bamboo. Thanks also for the link.

dianalo, I'll check out the IKEA tray. I prefer square or rectangular shapes to round; maybe clear canisters with stainless tops would work, although if I put the standard flour, sugar, etc., in them it won't add any color.

lavendar, I think live wire may be right in that it's a more streamlined traditional or transitional look I want. What if I could find onyx canisters? Now that would be a coup. Can't change the granite cab hardware; I love them, they're the same granite as my countertops, and cost $500. DH would go into overload for sure if those went away along with his gift canisters and clock!

[sorry for length] A "contemporary" item these days is an implement rack hanging near or above range. Without drilling holes into your new tile, there may still be a creative way to carry this out. If you do, don't get the implements that have heavy handles--go leggy and minimal and very stainless or black-trimmed. Same with spice bottle racks which you can find in kitchen supply websites; avoid oak--go for something more contrasting in color and texture.

How about a spikey houseplant in an appropriately mod vase? Or a croton or two with those high-contrast leaves?

Agree with the idea of an art piece--two or three-dimensional. Again, you might not want to punch holes in the tile. I've had good luck putting one of the hefty size removable 3M plastic hangars on new walls. Don't trust a medium or small hook, though--it might come crashing down if the hanging item has any weight to it. And look for the ones with the narrow metal hook instead of the wide, clumsy plastic hook if you have a precise hook hole to thread into.

Is hand-thrown pottery a "mod" idea for you? Those areas above the cabinets could be an artesan showplace, but don't choose items that don't look good when seen from lower viewing area. A gorgeous bowl above each of the window-side cabs, perhaps? Or modern-design woodstuffs such as a couple generous-sized walnut bowl-ish pieces with an upside down volcano silhouette. Avoid oak, use a darker counterpoint wood.

Your light fixture globe is tasteful and matches other items but is not adventurous or colorful or trendsetting. For an affordable less transitional globe take a look at the Westinghouse globes that are sold separately for updating pendants and ceiling fans. There are some surprising items, just made for adventures. Also, there are probably some ways to introduce a stainless-type metal-look or stark black trim to a drum shade, a craft project. Keep this one so you can change back when you need a change.

If you're changing fabrics, having seen your piece over the fireplace, I'd suggest a large abstract print, something with a breezy, assertive feel to it. If you are able, could you work up napkins, chair cushions, apron, appliance covers, or runner or whatever in same fabric? Try using a fabric in the same colors that are in that sunset photo you posted above--bring the outside in! OR, use that favorite solid green of yours or a white to match marble but add a black trim in your granite color.

Look for a larger clock, one with an edgy mod-ness to it or a hand-crafter's clay or wood touch, a workhorse clock but also distinctive from a distance. Be sure the face is highly readable because you're going to look at it from many directions.

There will be good deals on the weekend after Thanksgiving on decorator and kitchen websites. Stick to budget: you might choose something for your Xmas present? I get the feeling that the really edgy modern is not "you" but you've caught enough of the modern fever to be discontented with a kitchen that won't seem radically different from the old one. Pick and choose from all these hints and mess about. We're just brainstorming here. Be sure to use that clock from DH in another place in the house, a better spot. A hall? laundry? office area? bedroom? That man has been very very patient and loving and generous.

That's granite hardware! I couldn't tell from the picture. That's neat...I wouldn't change it, either :)

What mountain ridges? I live in eastern Washington (five miles from Idaho) and can see the Bitteroots on a good day...if I climb the hill behind the house! LOL

You have a beautiful view. Are you in Montana? We have snow falling right now, but it's the big flakes, like when you shake up a snow globe. Just beautiful!

chinchette, thank you. I'll look at Ethan Allen; haven't seen their things in a long time. I'm really not all that "country", have always liked angular things, but some hominess and warmth and handcrafted ethnic stuff also, whatever that makes my style. I'm all for surprise elements; I once tried to talk the management of a winery DH and I worked for into putting a hippo in their lake instead of swans. They didn't do it, of course, and that was a good thing for everybody, including the hippo (who was available from a small private zoo near the winery).

florantha, thank you so much for taking the time to give me all these ideas. You are right, really edgy modern isn't me at all, but these things we've accumulated over almost 27 years are feeling a little tired to me and all together are just not what I want. Your last line about DH really made me laugh; I ran upstairs to tell him what you said because I knew it would make him smile also. He's all that you say and more.

lavendar, I live in Colorado. We visited friends who lived in the Bitteroots a few years ago-- what gorgeous country. And much of Montana was unbelievably beautiful to me. I'm glad to hear you have snow; it's much drier here than it has been for a long while. We've had no precipitation to speak of since July 25th, and no winter yet either. Much different from our usual years.

If you want to change your decorating direction take everything that was in your old kitchen and get rid of it. If you don't you will stay in your current decorating time warp. Look at your stove and the picture over your fireplace for inspiration. Those clean curved lines are a good place to start. For example - the fruit hammock that nancy in mich suggested is a perfect meld of the two and is warmly contemporary. They are clean lines without being the sharp edginess of true contemporary which can be quite cold. The curves are a warmer shape.
To echo everyone get rid of the baskets, the valance and the plates. Create a vignette of your taupe bowl( on the left of the sink) with the green pitcher on the right of the sink and add a taller vase using those colours and maybe another from the picture in your living room. The taupe and the green are already in that photo in a different tone - or you can add a vase in maybe rust/burgundy (can't tell exactly) That will start to tie the two rooms together.
Definitely get rid of the bar stools as you have too many different woods happening in the two rooms. You could do leather seats with either a darker wood frame or a dark metal frame which would update the space and again tie the two rooms together.
Purge the room and then look around and think about what you really want and have fun cause the hard work is over.

I do agree the cannisters, clock and plaid window treatment read "country". Ethan Allen is a good choice. Also look at Crate and Barrel and CB2 for affordable, contemporary accents. I think not only the fabric but the valance style of the window treatment is giving the country vibe. I would do a roman shade, and love the idea of bamboo.

We bought ours from American Blinds (google coupon codes because they are always on sale) and they are exactly like my sisters much more expensive ones through a decorator. That would give you an instant update.

As far as the stuff above the cabinets, again I associate that more with a country kitchen rather than a more contemporary one. I would try it with nothing up there - you may like it :)

Susanka,

Thanks for the info on the pears. They remind me of the glass iridescent green apple my husband and I purchased when we were engaged in Corning, NY.

I knew what you were referring to when you said contemporary. Not mod. Look at angel411's Finished Farmhouse Kitchen. I know its white but its a warm homey feeling that has an updated "contemporary" feeling. She used clean line counter chairs you can get from Target. She has very clean lined cannisters and very few understated accessories.

JBrodie's kitchen has one of the bamboo shades I was referring to. It is from smith and noble.

Cali_wendy has some beautiful sage green square canisters on her counter.

And that view is magnificent!!!! I am SO jealous.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Farmhouse KItchen

I bought a white 10 Strawberry Street rectangular platter that sits on my counter and holds items I want to leave out but appear contained. I love the look. They also make this Ridge Platter that would look pretty with your pears lined up in it.

I purchased mine at Steinmart but I believe that is only a regional store.

Here is a link that might be useful: 10 Strawberry Street Platter

When I first read your post, byronroad, I thought oh, no, I can't do a purge (some things that don't show in the photos remind DH and me of our travels). But then after reading it again I see the sense in what you're saying, which I think is that I'll keep trying to modify what I have if I leave the stuff in place. I think taking everything down is in my near future so I can get a fresh look at the room, and thank you for suggesting it. I can find other places no doubt for what we can't bear to do without.

athensmom, I love Roman shades; made one for a bedroom at one time. We have a white Duette shade behind the valance (I've already taken the valance down) and I may leave that up because I'm not sure the budget will allow for a change there after I do other things, and the shade by itself may be tolerable. But thanks for the American Blinds,Crate and Barrel, CB2 suggestions.

irishcream, I think you are exactly right about angel411's kitchen. I love those chairs, and Target does have them now, although not with dark seats. I found cali wendi's canisters; she doesn't seem to have a page where I could email her to ask for details. I think I'll be able to find canisters that will work though if I decide I still need canisters. Thanks for the platter photos too. Does your name come from a high regard for Bailey's Irish Cream? It's the only drink I ever have.

Thanks again, everyone.

Wow! What a view!! Jealous here too.
I think the duet shade sounds great. I think your style is transitional- what you are calling warm contemporary. I've heard it called soft contemporary. The X back chair that you are liking on Ange1211's kitchen, the straight lines, simple lines but not modern. Maybe some "global" elements mixed in, hippos...hippos?

hi there,
Not sure this has been mentioned, but you might consider painting the white around the window surround the same color as the walls? I find the white there a bit jarring in contrast to the sleekness elsewhere - ditto the frosted pendant shade.

My attempts at photoshopping are pretty comical, but something like this?

chinchette, I think you and irishcreamgirl have named where I'm at. I wanted to say also that ethanallen site is a lot of fun, for those who haven't been there. There's a style quiz that's fun to play with and I come out mainly "global", so there you are. Where's my hippo?

circuspeanut, that white is the plastic or whatever-it-is window surround, as we couldn't afford wood, so it can't be painted. Your photoshopping efforts are better than mine, and I appreciate them. I just am beginning to realize I actually could do a drum shade pendant as florantha suggested, wow, it's a whole new world! All I've done so far is group the canisters into the corner, which looks so much better than the police lineup I had them in.

You guys, what you haven't seen is the railing around our dining area, which has one of the features I absolutely did not want but was told anything else would look too "heavy" by our GC. It's a colonial style (I think) oak and white railing going to the downstairs. A place where we really weenied out. Looking at the whole area, I'm not sure the Target stools idea might not work with that stairwell and the whole look.

Well, I'm going to go a bit at a time, and the first step is after Thanksgiving to give myself a clear space to start from. After all, I think this will be fun!

I meant to say I'm afraid the Target stools (or that type) will not work with the dining area so close.

I spend money on very little besides this house and yard. Maybe after we finish the yard I can redo the stairwell railing; it's bothered me ever since the house was finished, and the GC didn't build it right, so now it wiggles. I assumed it was the grandkids' fault, but the contractor who just put in our backsplash said it was the GC.

You may want to google "pics. of transitional kitchens". This will give you ideas. With what you already have, you may be happier. Enjoy you wonderful views!

You mentioned you might try taking down the stuff on top of the cabinets....I want to tell you when we reno'd our kitchen I did not put anything back up there. It is so freeing to be rid of that stuff. I don't miss it all. Perhaps you could add some rope lighting up there. That is really a nice addition.

Forgive me if this idea is horrible, but I can't tell what you have over your island, if that is a pendant light, would you consider replacing it with a more modern one? Maybe a beautiful glass shade in a color you love? There are so many out there that won't break the bank.

And I also agree that if you update the canisters you might be surprised by the change that that brings. Can you only keep out what you use frequently? This might enable you to get a more clean look on the counter.

I also agree about the curtain. If you are interested in bamboo roman shades, they are on sale at JCPenney right now. I'm ordering a 72"wide one for only $45, with free shipping. Smaller sizes are much less. I'll attach a link, in case you are interested in looking. (The custom sizes are also on sale).

Good luck and make sure to post updates

Here is a link that might be useful: Penney's Bamboo Roman Shade

I'll chime in as a fan of contemporary myself, and a not-so-much fan of country. Your kitchen definitely has a country look to it for reasons already posted. The natural color oak cabs unfortunately don't fall into any description of contemporary, but I would expect touching the cabs to be off the table.

If you need canisters for practical reasons (e.g. storage), then consider stainless steel. I got a nice set from Costco for not much money, and Crate & Barrel also have nice ones.

Your family room has a contemporary look to it (with the exception of the table lamp). If you look at the elements there in comparison to your kitchen, what you see are solid colors, clean lines, and a lack of nicknacks.

Look at the window treatments in particular. Solid color valence, and solid color drapes. Also look at the artwork over the fireplace. Dramatic dark frame that matches the color of the fireplace below, complementary colors in the matting, and a repeating dark brown mat towards the inside.

So ask yourself, "how do I bring these design themes to my kitchen?" Well, replace the window treatment with a solid color. I would recommend a dramatic color that matches some other elements in the room such as your counters. Vertical pleating such as you have now is more country. No pleating (like your window valence in the family room) or horizontal pleating (like in roman shades) are more contemporary. Although roman shades always have a summer beach house feel for me, but that's probably just me.

For the stuff on top of the cabinets, you should replace them with repeating items in solid or repeating colors. For example you could use a dozen clear/colored art glass plates that again match the counters. The key here is to use multiples of the same item in the same or similar colors, whereas currently you have a mix of disparate items (plate, jug, basket, bottle, etc). Anyway you get the idea - repeating elements, repeating colors, simple lines, no clutter. Those things say "contemporary" to me.

Good luck and I hope that helps a little.

psfw, thanks. I did just that, and found hundreds of pics. More after-Thanksgiving recreation, which is what I need to think of this whole deal as: recreation.

beekeeperswife, thank you. I've been following your "nervous" post on the decorating forum. I hope it all turns out well. Not ten minutes ago I found myself looking at the inside of our MB linen closet wondering how it would look painted in a bright color! Oh-oh.

I'm going to first take everything away above the cabs and then see how I feel. DH loves his hot oatmeal every a.m. with various fruit/nut combos, hence the # of canisters. At 4 a.m. (he's a pilot with frequent early flights) I find it hard to rummage through the small pantry, though I tried that for a while.

chiefneil, I appreciate your advice. I get what you're saying. What you list (repeating elements, colors, simple lines, no clutter) is just what I want. We have small innocuous pendant lights, thinking we had enough pattern in the kitchen already, but I'm ready to change them. Cabs do have to stay, and I like oak.

Just a suggestion for placing your travel momentos- (I saw it in a magazine and thought it was a neat idea) you have a table in your family room under the window (not the one with the figurines but the other one) and what you can do is get a tray about the size of your table top and essentially make a textured 3-D piece of artwork. Place your travel keepsakes on the tray in a way which creates a story. You don't have to put everything out but then you could change the pieces every so often. Maybe add a couple of photos of favourite places that you took and put them in contemporary frames which will personalize the space as well. That way, if someone comments on something, then you have a conversation going on about your travels in a form that you created.
I would also keep the kitchen clock. By itself it's kind of cool but it is reading country because of its surroundings. If you change your accessories to read more contemporary the clock will read transitional which will suit the kitchen.

Would you consider painting your cabinets a creamy white? That would look beautiful with your granite and update the kitchen significantly. I just had mine done by a local cabinet painter. Love it!

byronroad, thanks; that does sound nice, but our travel mementoes are too big, I'm afraid: Nigerian and Asian baskets, etc. I moved the clock downstairs temporarily but your advice is good, and it may fit back in when I finish.

ginad, I just can't do it, even leaving aside DH's probable cardiac event if I were to go that route. I know many posters have done that, but I prefer the natural wood look and it seems to me that white cabs would show finger marks and possibly chip, such a nightmare. I already find my dark granite and SS hard to keep clean, don't want to add the cabs. And I know everyone thinks white cabs update the kitchen, but I remember my grandma's white kitchen with cabs that looked just about identical to the updated look today. Thank you for your suggestions, though, and I'm glad you love your kitchen. I hope to get there too!

I think you are but a step away.
The photo shop makes it look completely different.

Yes, I forgot to thank ginad for taking away all my above-cabs "stuff". I was in BB&B today and had my eye out for repetition, which I already have in quite a few places in our house but hadn't particularly thought about. I'm going to try emptiness first, but had a thought that maybe I can still use my more unusual baskets in a row up there instead of all jumbled together as they are now. Or maybe not!

Happy Thanksgiving!