Better lighting, white subway tile backsplash & new counter would help

LOL! The popcorn and boob lights are going, for sure! Okay, soapstone or quartz countertops, I like it, but what kind of colors? Stay dark or go light? White, or gray? Any way to incorporate color? I have an end grain butcher block table that I built with hubby - it has teal-turquoise legs - shall I incorporate that color into the light fixtures? Or keep everything neutral?

I love the idea of the subway tile, that's actually what I was thinking, but was afraid it would not go with the hickory cabinets (like two conflicting looks - that's why I'm here!)...do you think I could do a pendant over the sink? What kind of light fixture goes in the not-quite-center of a friggin kitchen? Recessed cans? Is that the most sensible option?

Also, I have seen lots of hickory cabinet inspo from this site but it's mostly just brown, brown, brown. Some black. Some copper. Brown, more brown. I want color and life!

oh I hear ya. I despise brown! you can do any color you want. do you have a pic of your kitchen w/the butcher block you made? I hope you got a counter depth fridge and not a monster like the one in the picture! I would also paint the wood trim around your window and lose the curtains. If you really need something, try a roman shade.

Because your floors are somewhat busy, as is the cabinets, you might want to stay w/ a solid countertop and backsplash. Do you like more modern? If you did a soapstone, you could certainly tie in the teal or an aqua shade. Maybe glass subway tiles or the arabesque shape? You could do a solid glass sheet that has the back painted (any color,,,say your light teal shade or any other you like).

here is the back painted solid glass...in teal!

Kitchen remodelling in South Bristol · More Info

larger format glass tiles instead of the standard 3x6 subways..

Bathrooms · More Info

And yes on the recessed lights. That would look the best. They have the 4" LED canned lights. We just redid all of ours in those. Gives off a lot of light and they stay cool.

so here is black countertop (looks like absolute black granite or maybe quartz) that they took up all the way as a backsplash. You could do this with any stone you like.

Kitchen · More Info

This one is actually soapstone. They left it un-oiled so it has more of a gray tone to it. When you apply the mineral oil, the black deepens and it looks so cool. They even have shades of green in the veining. It's really pretty. You just have to shop around for different slabs.

Oceanfront Cottage · More Info

apparently these people aren't afraid of color w/their hickory cabs! now imagine if that glass tile was in shades of teal and aqua?? and you had a black quartz countertop? That would look cool. I would do the copper sink too (I have one so I'm partial to them!) But the copper looks amazing w/black and the hickory wood.

Portola Valley Contemporary · More Info

You have very pretty cabinets:)

My cabinets are not hickory, but they are wood. I have seen very pretty wood kitchens with both light and dark counters. I went with light. I found cream subway worked a bit better than white with my wood tone.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087

If you want to keep the rustic feel, you might want a farmhouse sink. The Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style can be installed on a standard sink base so its often used in remodels. I used it in my kitchen refresh:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~54988842

Love love love this!! Jhmarie, that was a concern of mine - having to cut the lowers down for a farmhouse sink but I'm so relieved that they can be purchased in a short apron style! Thanks for that!

And Beth, you are awesome! Copper is very tempting, as long as we get rid of the rest of that brown overload! How it is with wear and tear? I cook and bake a LOT and can be pretty hard on my stuff! Anything special I should know about a copper sink? And thanks again, SO MUCH! What beautiful ideas I never would have had on my own!

Suzy, I love my copper sink! And I got a killer deal on it. (email me for further if you are serious about getting one,,,I'll let you know what specifics to look for). I just helped a friend redo her kitchen and she got the copper farmhouse sink and the soapstone! The soapstone was her idea as she always wanted that type of countertop. She has off white cabs so she is trying to figure out what backsplash to use.

The copper is a natural anti-bacterial. I use it a lot and after 8 years, it still looks great. It will naturally patina and get darker. so if you like the new penny look, you would have to keep up with the wax sealer stuff they give you. I don't. Or, you could pour some lemon or orange juice all over it, let it sit awhile, and poof! Brand new shiny copper!! But within a week it's back to its normal patina.

Here is mine when I first installed it. I had the cabinets put in about 9 years ago and had a black enamel sink. Loved the look but man, was it hard to keep looking nice. After a few years we took it out and put in this one I found on clearance for a killer deal of $400! And it's a 14gauge (which is what you want. its heavier.). don't buy off of Amazon or the other cheap spots,,,they use 16 ga and the copper is from China. Just no. Mine is from Mexico which is a better quality. Ditto for the one my friend got. Where do you live?

i don't have hickory, but the color is similar.

Ditch Grandma's curtain right away. Agree with counter depth refrigerator. Can you post another pic when your stainless appliances are installed? I would also suggest painting the window trim the color of the walls, there's enough wood in the room already. New countertops, new backsplash- bye, bye cabin!

Some people love their copper sinks, others not so much. Do a search of Copper sinks and pick the "design dilemma" option and you will see how many opinions there are:)

The only two farmhouse sinks that I know of that come with the shot apron option are the Kohler Whitehaven, which is cast iron and comes in different colors and has a two bowl option and the Kohler Vault which is stainless steel.

Great advice, thank you so much everyone! Yes, the window trim (and all the wood trim throughout) will be painted immediately! I hate wood trim!

Try painting some of the cabinets...( BTW.... not all cowboys are into brown and cabins) I am sick to death of them unless they are awesome Cypress wood lodges... anyway, work in color by taking the backsplash out and changing it... it really is too brown. Add rugs and accessories with color.

As suggested, I'd change the lighting, backsplash, appliances, and curtain and then decide about other things. Those floors are gorgeous. You might also consider changing the cabinet hardware to stainless/brushed nickel...Good Luck!