That is pretty, flyleft. I think the reasons it works are the very high ceiling, the continuing brick work on the wall surrounding the mantel, and the raised hearth. Although that vertical brick makes me wonder about maybe doing stone of some sort in a vertical brick pattern instead of the square limestone tiles. Too trendy perhaps?

I'm in the process of doing this very thing. Doing Bridgewood Skandia (full overlay)cabs in maple with wheat finish...black counter of some nature (granite? Quartz? Still to be determined) and, goddess help me, stainless appliances. The Husband likes the look of ss and he so seldom has an opinion and when he does, I usually let him have his way. (Unless I'm totally opposed.) My sister SWEARS that there's a new stainless finish that isn't a fingerprint nightmare. I hope she's correct. Here are the tiles we are leaning toward for the backsplash...(tiny samples...I've ordered larger ones but they've not arrived yet): From Tile samples So far I'm leaning to the micro-mosaic on the left. Colors are JUST what I'm looking for. I set everything on The Dreaded Black Shelves so that I could get a feel for how the tiles would work with a black counter. Propped my cabinet sample above...and that is what I have for a "style board" to date. Floor will be marmoleum...I've included a link to my pinterest board for my kitchen. I've found pinterest to be a great way to add/edit ideas. Here is a link that might be useful: mjsee's kitchen pinterest board

Franksmom, thanks for the tip on mixing styles. I hadn't heard that rule but it does fit in with the approach I am taking. There are multiple pieces I could have kept but I don't want MCM for MCM's sake. I want a very few select pieces that echo the era in which the house was built-- it is surely not by coincidence that the style and size of MCM furniture fits the size and scale of the rooms. I want to take advantage of what works best while bringing in some great design. I have been on the search for a few chairs to recover and for a dining table. I don't necessarily need "designer names" but I am seeing that the designer names have the lines and wood tones that really speak to me. If that means waiting a little longer for the stunning pieces that make a statement and set the tone, then I'll wait. The wood is very nice on the dresser-- much nicer than it looks in the photo. I think it will be fine in the LR. I will definitely remove/store the mirror. I do hope to replace the sofa sooner rather than later. I won't likely go with a very MCM style. I imagine a comfy sofa with square lines.. I'd love a velvet but budget is a concern at the moment. I am tempted by a velvet chesterfield sofa but much as I loooove it, it doesn't fit will with my plan.. well, at least not until I change it again! lol I know someone mentioned that the rug doesn't work at all. I do plan to replace that as well but I am just not clear on what I want on the floor. I have been leaning towards a pattern of grays and golds but I hesitate to start to narrowing down selections until I have everything in the room (and the walls painted, etc). I am open to suggestions though if someone has an idea of a pattern that straddles mcm and traditional. Thank you all .. I have put away the paint brush (for now).

Well you helped me pick the cabinet colors. Or should I say obsess about them. And here's a funny - The bottom cabs were originally going to be this bluish green - SW Restful. I bought the very expensive cabinet paint already in this color. But then it was decided that the Restful was too dark and too green and I should find something more Aqua. I agreed and decided I'd just cut my losses with that $70 gallon of unused paint. Bought more samples and with your help decided on SW Hazel. Bought another $70 gallon of paint in Hazel. Prepped the kitchen and started painting. Got all the lowers done (not the doors but the boxes). Walked by the collection od paint cans in the corner of the kitchen and did a double take when I saw the gallon of Hazel that had not been opened. AFTER ALL THAT I PAINTED IT RESTFUL BY MISTAKE!