I love white kitchens. I think they look clean and fresh. You could add some warmth in backsplash. Maybe a ceramic tile in a color? Also, you could add color in bar stools, wall paint and/or window treatments.

Thanks kelleg69, I will consider that. Most of the rest of my house has warm tones. I get inspiration from catalogs like Pottery barn. Am I making a mistake by going with this marble look countertop.?

Also use color in small appliances--KA mixer, toaster, ceramic pieces, linens.

Oakley, your choices area beautiful, but I'm missing the checkerboard floor already. :'(

Well, you might just google "Pottery Barn kitchen" and similar and try to find some inspiration pictures. This is the literally the first one that turns up:

I'd say that is the very definition of a white kitchen that is still warm. Ideas from this photo that you might consider:

• pick a darker counter top
• cream color on the cabinets rather than a bright white
• that shade of green (or any other warm shade) on your walls
• repeating shades of brown around the room -- this has dark brown chairs, lighter brown chair cushions, a tan on the ceiling, etc.
• plants/greenery

No checkerboard floor! Haha. I'm picking all white because I couldn't decide on anything else. I do have red small appliances ( kitchen aid) .

I started out with cream cabinets but my husband prefers white. I was also going to pick honed absolute black counters but KA really thought a marble look was a better decision. I can't seem to make decisions !

I'd say hardwood flooring in darker tones would definitely help.

Use a warm paint color- greens are great for this. My favorite is Georgian green, personally. Or a miss color of you want something more bold. If still looking for a backsplash tile, look at fireclay tile. They have some fantastic colors that would warm up any space. What you have so far doesn't seem to cold to me as long as you add small warm accents. Maybe keep a wood cutting board out or have a window treatment with some color. Bringing in something that looks like it should be out in nature will always help.

A medium wood floor will really warm the place up. I have unstained red oak and it made all the difference with my creamy white cabinets and dark gray counters.

Speaking of counters, dark counters with white cabinets is a great look. However, I find them harder to keep clean because I can't see anything, like drips or spills. Some may consider that a feature, but I like clean counters and often I don't find something until the next day. You need to run your hands over the surface to find things. Also, I think a dark background is harder or more tiring to work with. I don't hate my counters (Caesarstone) and they have held up very well, but next time I will pick something light, either carrara or a quiet quartz.

Great ideas! Thanks to all of you! Well, I am soapstone kind of girl but my husband said definitely no because of the potential for scratches and chips and having to oil it . Won't even consider it. I think the wood cutting boards are a good idea. I am not a real fan of gray, although I do like black. I have black Hitchcock chairs and black area rugs with some tan/ gold in them . I am definitely keeping the chairs and probably the rugs. Maybe I should do black hardware? I will look into that paint colr ktj459! I really can't change my cabinet color . I've changed it already and have to stick to it now. This is not as fun as I thought it would be.

What do u guys think of black hardware? Too harsh?

Taupe backsplash, if you have an island you could do a different countertop (maybe even wood?), I think black hardware would be good

I wish we did black hardware and may paint our brushed nickel eventually. Our kitchen is grey and white (and soapstone - which we LOVE) and I have been trying to "warm it up"! We have a live edge cutting board in center of island and put some acacia wood accessories around. Also bamboo shades (which we lined ourselves) give an organic feel . We are just now finishing the upholstery on our seating area and chose bright, fun colors. Our contractor insisted we have the hardware ahead of time but since the style we chose came in black too I wish I had just ordered 1 of each size in both colors to see preference and for holes to be drilled. Try to see your kitchen together before deciding that.

I have two massive end grain cutting boards and bamboo blinds on the windows. I find this helps to warm things up a lot. Fabric also helps if you have seating or other places you could bring in a natural fabric like cotton or linen in a warm tone.

I don't think white kitchens look cold - it's really a matter of what you pair it with in terms of all of the undecided parts! I would prefer polished nickel hardware to match the faucet, but certainly either could work. A warm colored backsplash or paint will make the kitchen warm and cheery. I have white cabs too and a mostly white backsplash, but painted the kitchen a bright yellow that makes the whole kitchen very cheery and not cold at all (at least for those of us who LOVE yellow).

Some contrast: cast bronze pulls? darker countertops? darker finish on the lighting? something copper? what is your window trim?

Some texture: bamboo blinds, cutting boards like daisychain01 suggested; baskets; fabrics (even if it is just hand towels); books

Some life: greenery (herbs?); flowers; fruit, etc.

Your wood floors really will warm it up. Would you consider antique brass hardware and perhaps lighting?

Thank you so much everyone! I think I will find a remnant of soapstone or wood to use for the small coffee station countertop. I don't have an island. My window trim is now wood, but needs to be refinished or painted. Will definitely get bamboo blinds- great idea. I will experiment with different backsplash tiles and paint . You guys may need to help me with that later!

I really do like the newer antique brass hardware and lighting , but will that look ok with the polished nickle faucet? (Already bought that)

Even if your ceiling is flat, you can do something other than ceiling white to bring warmth to the room also. In our last home, the kitchen ceiling was painted a pale gold (had dark walls). DR was linen white wall with green ceiling. What about using natural wood somewhere - hood, island and/or a hutch or piece of furniture. If room is large enough, leave some uppers off so you'll have wall space for artwork.

Have you posted pictures of your choices and floor plan somewhere?

My rule of thumb would be make everything that is permanent white. Your wood floor will both ground and warm the space. The wood floors will keep it from being too sterile. Paint is not permanent. Backsplash and counters are permanent. I love the look of a white kitchen with colored accessories. I use food displays such as fruit and nuts for my color splashes. I wouldn't worry about the space being too cold.

LG Viatera Rococo, a marble look quartz was my counter top choice. Absolute black was the close runner up. Either type of choice will be great and both will be neutral.

I like you have warm colors throughout my house and I have white cabinets, Carrara marble countertops, white bead board on the walls and white tiles over my range.

To warm up the kitchen, I added a terra-cotta colored Lacanche range, a wood island countertop, wood floors and a warmer, faintly green paint (SW Roasted Garlic). I have warmed the countertops and bead board with some wooden cutting boards resting again the walls and couple of wicker baskets next to the range. On my white, open shelving and my plate rack I display my very colorful Fiesta-ware.

I like having mostly white in the kitchen as it give you so many possibilities for change; just switch out your accessories and you have a whole new look. I also believe that a white kitchen is timeless.

So far I have picked white cabinets, Zodiac London sky Quartz and
polished nickel faucet with white farmhouse sink. Floors will be medium
stained wood . Haven't picked out cabinet hardware, backsplash tile or
wall paint. Any tips on how to keep this from looking too "cold"?

I know you say you've already picked the above items, but if you're concerned about things being too "cold" -- and I think that's a very valid concern -- I suggest you reconsider the countertop choice. A marble-look quartz with grey accents definitely brings in a "cold" vibe. A different countertop would make a monster-sized difference the feel -- and then choose something "warm" in your backsplash.

Not everyone has the option, but any way to incorporate fabrics or textiles into the room can really help it feel more cozy. I went with lots of white as well, white cabs, White Ice granite counters, grey subway tile b/s, some open shelving with all white dishware, but I incorporated a window seat to add a cozy nook and warm up the space, visually.

Jillius that picture you posted has become my new inspiration picture. The colors are perfect for what I'm trying to achieve.

Ha, cpartist! I ended up pinning it myself after looking at it long enough to post about it in this thread. It's an uncommonly pleasant kitchen!

Which picture CP?!

Thank you so much for all the tips! I especially love the idea of antique brass lighting. I am definitely going to incorporate that . I found a new inspiration picture from the Rejuvenation catalog which I will try to mimic . It has black and antique brass lighting and black shelving with antique brass brackets . White subway tile with dark grout and black hardware. I will add wood type blinds of some kind and I love large end grain cutting boards. Also, the gold ceiling color is interesting!

Allison0704: I did post a layout earlier. Some changes have been made since though. I am doing my half bath in black and brass, but it is only partly done . I gel stained my bathroom cabinet black, put a marble top on it and used antique brass hardware. I thought about doing some black cabinets in the kitchen but chickened out as I thought all white would be better for resale ( not that I plan on moving anytime soon. ) This is my inspiration picture for my kitchen from Rejuvenation that I found yesterday:

Hi Oakley, I think mixing metals adds a nice level of depth. I personally, have a brushed nickel faucet, brass knobs on my Lacanche, wrought iron light fixtures and wrought iron pulls and knobs.

I think your faucet will be fine. I love your choices. I would bring in the warmth with decor - large cutting boards propped up, fresh flowers, your red mixer. A medium to dark grout could help. Also choosing a darker light fixture like in the rejuvenation picture would help.

I love all white kitchens. Get some colorful art work, kitchen accessories, runner, cook books, fruit bowls with fruit.

http://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/kitchens/g649/white-kitchens/?

http://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/40-white-kitchens-that-are-anything-but-vanilla-pictures

I like your choices.

Just in case you misunderstood (or I was distracted by grandchildren and didn't explain well the first time), by gold I meant a yellow gold. Not a bling gold.