Nancy we were on the same page! Just was mocking this up. :-)

Put the microwave in the dead corner. Remove the cabinet over the stove and put in a non square hood. Try having glass doors on either side of the hood to open up the look. My suggestion on a chimney or something else hood is negative space.

You need negative space to offset the walls of cabinets. I like Nancy's idea of removing the plate rack cabinet and put in windows or just do shelves.

Dark floors are fine. It's all the dark color above that's dragging the eyes.

I will look into what it would entail to add a window. I would love some more light. I was hoping the white paint would add some light but a wall of light definitely isn't he same as natural light.

I agree about the microwave.

Send it to the corner where it belongs! ;)

I love your backsplash windows though, I've only seen them a few times and I've always been intrigued.

Pretty sure it's funkycamper that uncovered a glass block backsplash in her kitchen, definitely a feature!

I would just get a countertop model. If you don't like it, don't want it visible when company is there, etc just unplug and move.

I understand why some people want integrated appliances but I kind of laugh at, what I feel, was the appliance industry managing to convince people to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for an appliance that is less than 100 bucks.

Get a cute little microwave for the corner that you like the look of and don't worry further about it. I agree with Texas Gem in that built-in microwaves are way too much money so most of us don't have them. There are some nice looking ones these days.

And, yes, it's me with the glass block backsplash. :) I love them. And I think your little windows are charming. I wouldn't put anything in front of them so they can be a small focal point. Unless those items are short enough to sit below the window. That little two-tier unit on the right is especially distracting. They're unique and should be show-cased better, imho.

If you can put in a window about where Rebunky suggested, go for it! I don't think people can have enough windows. If not, I would change the two shelves above your plate rail to glass shelves and then put puck lights in to shine down on whatever pretties you store there. I think a window is better but if the expense is too much, I think this would go a long way to add light to your kitchen. Your kitchen is heavy with upper cabinets so I think this would also create a nice feeling of spaciousness.

I agree with beachem's idea for your hood and glass cabinets on each side. Put glass shelves and puck lights in them as well. This will also add to the feeling of light and spaciousness.

Most of us here are always pushing people to put in drawers in their lowers. I realize that's not an option for you but there are some nice after-market pull-out shelves for cabinets that are almost as good as drawer storage. You might consider this. I think you'll like the ease of access and the better storage they give you. You can do these a bit at a time instead of all at once so it doesn't feel like such a big expense.

I'm not real confident of my color suggestions but I'll just throw out what I'd do. I'd go white uppers and island, dark lowers, and light counters. I've worked on dark counters at friend's homes and I don't like them. I'm eligible for the Denny's Senior meals and notice that I have a bit of a hard time seeing on darker surfaces as I get older. If you'll be living there awhile, you might want to plan for that.

Oh, and be sure to put under-cabinet lighting under all your cabinets. On a dimmer switch. That will also make a huge impact and help lighten the room.

You have a lovely kitchen as is. It's going to be fantastic when you're done! I'm excited for you.

Thanks for all your feedback funkycamper! I have no problem saving money and sticking a microwave on the counter. That will solve so many problems! I've always preferred light counters too and never cared for black until I saw a leathered absolute black in a model home paired with a Carrara island. I've read that the black is a lot of maintenance, but I suppose the white is too depending on the material. I hope my kitchen turns out! I'm so scared to ruin it!

Someone posted a beautiful kitchen with stained lowers and white uppers. I know it was inset, though, but I'll see if so can find it.

I was going to suggest the same thing with the microwave. My in-laws were able to hang one from the bottom of their upper cabinets. Not sure how they did this. Not sure it helps with counter space, though. Probably just putting on countertop would work. I think there are some great suggestions here. I think once the cabinets are white, you could do a dark counter top if you want. Maybe a dark gray quartz instead of black...would look nice with a marble backsplash and with the Revere Pewter. BTW, I have been considering Revere Pewter. It looks great in your house. I also like the hood idea and the glass cabinets.

Since you're trying to add light maybe change some of your uppers to glass? I love the window idea!

Yes the missing cabinets all around the plate rack were being converted to glass. I don't love the cabinet wood color against the wood floor. Too dark for me. But I would maybe consider painting the lowers or the island a grey or a navy instead of white.

I love navy with white uppers but I feel like you would definitely need a window to pull that off. I hope you go through with the two-toned!!!

You have plenty of counter space for a MW. I think you'll be thrilled at how much you like not having that in your face over the range!

Does your MW hood vent to the outside? If not, now would be a perfect time to properly exhaust your new range hood.

Since you're doing this a bit at a time, do the upper cabinets in white first, and see how you like the two-toned look. You might find that white uppers and wood lowers are enough of a change.

I also agree about retrofitting your base cabinets. My Mom lives in a small apartment with cheapo cabinets, and I retrofitted pullouts in most of her base cabinets. She isn't very agile any more, and loves being able to pull things out so they are more accessible. I used Blum metaboxes, and it was fairly simple construction and installation (if you have some skills with measuring and drilling).

I will definitely look into the Blum metaboxes. So glad everyone is telling me things I never thought of! the MW hood vent does vent to the outside.

Another vote for a countertop microwave in the corner! I also love the look of "those three weird tiny windows"! If it was my kitchen I think I would just start by painting the uppers as Ann suggested. I think you can brighten it up a lot just by having the uppers white.... that's a really great look too, IMO.

I agree, do the uppers in white and see how you like it. You can always do more. You can find some really small microwaves for the counter, I think it depends on if you cook or just reheat most of the time.

Definitely white uppers. I think that all white cabinets and white counter would be beautiful, but a dark perimeter counter would work, too. You could use the dark leathered counter top on the bar, with white cabinets. Would that look good with the decor of the room beyond?

I'm glad you included photos of the adjoining rooms. You have a lovely home with lots of character. I love the arched doorways & that pretty hallway. With the interest of your adjoining rooms & your dark wood floors, I think you can pull off all white cabinets, a white island & white countertops. Add glass uppers as suggested above and a new backsplash. The wetbar appears to be separated from the kitchen? If yes, I'd consider something totally different with the wetbar - not sure what. A countertop microwave wouldn't bother me & you have a nice corner for it. I have white perimeter countertops & white cabinets. I don't find that it's too much white with accessories & backsplash. I have a second larger white island that separates the kitchen from the family room (you have your wood table & chairs). Even though it has more detailed moldings & a beautiful dark walnut top, I much prefer the look of the white top on the other island. That was a total surprise to me because I put a lot of thought into the design of the wood topped island. Are you planning to add a hood above your cooktop? I am also a big fan of the "weird tiny windows." You've got a great space for your dream white kitchen.

Thank you for the kind words romy! Your kitchen is definitely one of my favorites. I'm glad the little windows aren't a turn off to people. I will add some kind of venting above the cooktop. I like both of the hoods in my inspiration photos above. Not sure if it would look ok to just add some trim and the vent below the existing cabinet after I remove the microwave or if it needs more shape like the protruding one in the all white kitchen photo above. I don't know much about hoods. Yes the bar is a separate hallway to the right of the kitchen table. It would be fun to do something different there.

Encore Silver tile would look fabulous with the Revere Pewter.