What type of ceiling lighting do you have? Do you have cans? You have a lovely kitchen and home. I am not great with naming styles of homes. It reminds me of some of the homes in my area which is south central Texas.

Maybe you can add some sort of lighting above the top cabinets? Rope lighting or something easy.

For cabinet hardware sizing, I first selected the style I liked, then used painters tape to represent different lengths (side to side) and widths (top to bottom) on each door and drawer. Although I have five 15", three 17", three 27" and three 30" drawers and an assortment of 12, 15, 27 and 30 inch doors, I was able to limit the number of different sized pulls to 8-inch lengths for the 27-inch and 30-inch doors and drawers and 5-inch for everything else. I used this photo to guide me on size and placement. Maybe it will help you:

Do you have a 2nd. floor? if not then you may want to think about having a sun tunnel installed or two? Here's pics. of mine inside kit. no window also one in bk room adjacent to kit. Not a skylight no elec. all natural light.

Update lighting and pick a light taupe in the fireplace to paint upper cabinets. Change backsplash to a cream color close to your sofa shade.

Or, just start with the lighting suggestions and changing the backsplash to a light cream with adding something behind range with black in it to tie things in. A lighter brighter backsplash will lighten things up a bit.

OK, I think I have the idea about cabinet hardware, thank you Delilah. Does there seem like there are too many lights hanging down in the kitchen and little breakfast area? The wine barrell fixture is the only non home depot builders set Do you like it with my style furniture? Or should it go to another part of the house? The 2 big pendants over the island or the 3 smaller, which would you replace? Any ideas about light colored assessories on counters?

I don't know what your budget is but one option is to replace the counters. Black really sucks the light out of a room. Your cabinets seem to be nice and in good shape so leave them.

(Unless you just did this and then ignore the suggestion)

In my opinion you need better lighting to solve your darkness problem. Either you have most of the lighting turned off in your photos and you need to turn it on if you don't want the kitchen to seem dark and dreary. Or you need more/better lighting and need to use it to enlighten your kitchen. I personally wouldn't paint the cabinets and especially not the uppers as the popularity of that look is going to pass.

I agree with blfenton. Please tell us your budget. I would try, if it won't cause a hardship, to replace the counters. A pale Formica (it's not your mother's Formica any more, lots of improvements) or light oak butcher block would brighten the kitchen's appearance significantly. To see what it might look like, get white poster board from an art or craft store and lay it on top of your current counters to get an idea.

Beautiful view and backyard!

Yes, it looks so much better painted.

In my understanding, the house is traditional. Which is a very big umbrella word that has lots of other styles under it.

The fixture you have over your breakfast nook is more farmhouse I'd say. Farmhouse is one of traditional styles; however it doesn't mean it will go with other things you love just because it's also sort of traditional.

Also, there are no strict rules with lighting; unlike with more permanent elements, you have more freedom to mix and match as long as it makes sense within your home, and shares something similar. That something can be style, shape, sensibility..even "I like it":) We usually tend to like things that have something in common. Figure out that common-and you'll see how many things actually work together quite well.

So..give yourself some time..and if you don't like it that much-look for the light you love.

As for the lack of light in the kitchen. If I understood the plan correctly-the kitchen is kind of in the middle of the house, right? It's a very convenient plan; however it leaves you without strong natural light in the kitchen since windows are relatively far from it. Had similar plan myself-amazing layout, yet downside of having darker kitchen while all other rooms were bright.

Wouldn't do anything drastic as everything seems to be in good shape..but you need to add more lighting, as simple as that. Maybe fixture that looks up, light bounces off the ceiling? maybe stronger bulbs in new pendants? better under cabinet lighting?

(don't underestimate it..we have under cabinet lights right now that I love, use all the time..previous kitchen, I hardly turned them on. My ignorance in electrical though doesn't let me share the exact detail-why what we have now is so much more efficient. One thing sure-it is. So, I'd check it out..with somebody who understands in lighting, types of bulbs, etc. )

All of these?

And-a small lamp on the countertop will be useful- and look nice too.

And yes, brighter, shiny, light accessories would help-probably not when you need to prepare meal, but for the overall feel. Colorful tea towels? Shiny copper teapot? Light porcelain crock? The possibilities are infinite. And they will bring you everyday joy as well.

A bit hesitant to advice you on the hardware..until you figure out your direction.

I'd easily do colored glass knobs mixed with something simpler for the handles..but while it'd give that lighter feel, I'm not sure it's something you'd prefer.

Jaddie, it will all come together. I have no doubts about that. You have done a wonderful job with the living room. So, you have it going on! You just need to stare at the kitchen for a bit and figure it out. Give yourself a break, you just moved in.

I'd paint those cabinets in a skinny minute. That plus more lighting would help tremendously.

Freida June, as I consider the pics, I think changing the counter would make such a difference. I have never had granite and this black shows every crumb. Everyone, thanks! Please keep suggesting lights to replace that double one over the island. That will work with the wine barrel chandy over the table.

Does anyone recognize this fabric? Thank you.