Hi Ciboney,

This is such a great kitchen and dining room. Where are you based out of? If you would like to call and talk, we can come up with some solutions. I'd love to get to know you and your family, budget a little bit more to come up with solutions that works.

I saw your kitchen ideabook and the inspiration is very light and bright on there. I would definitely like to make the kitchen lighter and brighter. You have such great natural light coming in. and we should use that to our advantage.

If you really like something so crisp, think about painting the top cabinets... and this where budget and timelines come into play. Also, if you are open to it, I would paint the crown moulding white so the chair rail really pops and becomes a design feature.

where is the fridge? Do you want the stove in the island? I would move it back to the opposite wall and center it there. It looks like an electric cooktop, so moving it should be so tough.

To start -

Lets remove the wallpaper

Sink - I would do an undermount sink in stainless or white ceramic and the gooseneck pullout faucet in stainless steel or brushed nickel (champagne)

I would change the shape of the island countertop to a rectangle with adequate seating around the island based on family members. I would also remove the big light box on top. Instead do pendants over the island to make it updated. Oil rubbed Bronze or brass or champagne (brushed nickle) can all work for the finish.

I would remove all cabinets and valance on the window wall (sink area and take the backsplash all the way to the soffit. Then do floating shelves in painted white or the wood if it can be matched. This will create a certain lightness and you can put your pretty stuff or just lemons :)

Countertop - Pure White or organic white from Caesearstone and you can use that as backsplash or the classic subway tile in white as you suggested.

Paint - I would use the same color above and below the chair rail to make it pop even more.

Flooring - Depends on what you have in the rest of the house. Porcelain tile that looks like wood (light grays) can lighten the room. Go light and play with the layout of the tile - Wood floor look alike porcelain tile in a herringone pattern will update the kitchen but keep it classic.

Feel free to reach out if you want to talk. I am based out of New York, but we can talk / facetime and I'd be happy to help.

Good luck for your project,

Ruchi, DesignbyRUCHI

I put kilim beige in our house about 10 years ago. It had a definite pink undertone that I didn't like, but I lived with it until we sold a couple years ago. I would not recommend.

I just noticed the view. What a fantastic space!

Where is your oven?

Definitely a job for a pro. Just wanted to say amazing potential and lovely view!

It would be good to live in the home for several months before you begin serious changes - though I probably would start stripping wallpaper 5 min. after moving in:)

Your fridge has no landing space. Bringing it to the perimeter would be helpful. As has been mentioned, the stove top in the island is not the best and should also be brought to the perimeter. It is a nice large kitchen, but you don't want to run a marathon between appliances while cooking dinner. The area where the fridge is could become a pantry. I agree to see if the island can be reworked to a rectangle with seating on one side. Without the stove top there, it would be a great place to lay out a buffet or have friend or family gather. People do not enjoy sitting next to a cooking stovetop if steam or grease is too close.

You do have a large number of cabinets. You can remove the center panel in some and replace with glass if you want some for display. You can just remove some for a more open feel.

I recently added new counters and backsplash to my older, wood kitchen and those elements I think are flexible as to style. Pics are in my "my pics" idea book. I would recommend with wood cabinets to pick a countertop first and wait till it is installed to finalize a backsplash. Wood cabinets look best with a simple backsplash - a simple white or cream tile, depending on countertop and cabinet tone, would probably be best.

Strip off the wallpaper and remove the box light over the island. Paint the walls off white. Then live with it for a year to see if you want to change the layout.

Thank you all for your feedback. I am not quite sure how to reply to each response so I will list my answers here.

@DesignbyRuchi thank you, I am in Virginia. You can see the fridge better in the first picture it is white and to the right of the room next to the door. The stove doesn't have to stay on the island but I was trying to do a light renovation. You have given some great suggestions.

@benjesbride thank you, the oven is not pictured, but in the first picture to the right of the stair rail there is another corner nook of cabinets with a double-walled oven.

Beautiful kitchen with a lot of space...remove the wallpaper, remove the wood trim over the window and lastly remove the ceiling drop over the island and reconfigure the island and cook top so it is angular and fits the flow of the room....delete the cooktop and replace with an oven/range/stainless steel hood for a newer vibe.

I do not know your taste but have tried to find cherry wood cabinets with the same feel as the cabinets you have now....here are some pics that you might think about and see if they gel with your desires? Beautiful kitchen.

Traditional cherry cabinets with a contemporary vibe in finishes.

Elegant Glazed Cherry · More Info

Cherry Kitchen · More Info

Sophisticated Contemporary Escape in San Anselmo, CA · More Info

Palo Alto Traditional · More Info

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We definitely recommend removing the wallpaper and getting rid of the box light above the island but it looks like you need to hire a local pro for your entire revamp.

Contemporary Scottsdale Kitchen · More Info

Hilltop Residence - Kitchen · More Info