Thanks Sophie for the suggestion. I am not sure what you are saying about the warmwoods/colors thought. "by back as a backlash against.." do you mind clarifying?

Get rid of the floor, back splash and add new light fixtures. Granite and cabinet colors are nice together.

This isn't what you need then ,if you want modern you need to change the whole thing, floors, colour, cabinets, backsplash .

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Definitely not looking for that...

Backspash and floor are very busy. A simpler look will update your kitchen nicely.

I believe Sophie meant "Warm woods and colors are coming back as a backlash against all of the depression era gray." She's said it many times before. Probably an autocorrect glitch.

Leave it alone for now then ,whoever decorated over did it , is that floor ceramic tiles, or stick on vinyl? Its your money!! I hate to see all that new stuff broken and replaced, sell the house and find one that has modern décor .

It is ceramic tile

Yes, darn autocorrect.

Cold colors and grays started to uptick during the economic downturn/Depression. Now that the country has recovered, woods and warmer colors are trending upwards, as they always do during the boom times. Your natural wood and warm granite are classic. The visually complex floors and backsplash are not. A black slate floor and a cream ceramic tile backsplash and add under cabinet lighting. Your look will be classic and never look cringeworthy as some of these homes with all gray will look in retrospect.

That is an excellent suggestion Sophie. And thanks for the clarification :) How about painting the trim white? And going to a darker roller blind? Does that work with the classic style?

exactly what Sophie said, I was going to suggest. the cabs are fine. don't touch them. that backsplash and floor have to go.

these are all black slate tile floors and would look very nice w/your wood cabs.

this slate plays well w/the warm granite and darker accents in the stone.

for the backsplash, something simple and clean looking.

these are the color tiles you'll want if you go w/the black slate floor

these are a glazed brick from CleTile,,,,on a similar color granite,,,click on the pic

and please take out that florescent and replace w/a simple flush mount light

you could white wash that brick if you like.

for the window, the dark charcoal that's in the granite would work ,,,maybe in a pattern like this

Ok Beth, you are hired! I need you to tell me how you got the layovers on my photo, is that through Houzz? New to this. Love the Lancaster tile!!!! Just what I am looking for. The black slate looks nice, would want a nice big rectangle uniform pattern like the second picture. Do you have a link to the flush mount ceiling light? Thanks so much

ok,,so,,I'm on a mac,,,go to preview,,click to enlarge pic,,,the click and copy on whatever you want to superimpose. hard to describe, easy to do! there are much better people who photoshop.

I have slate tile in my kitchen and really like it. you want a gauged, black slate, or Montauk slate. (I think Lowes carries some slate tile). this has to be sealed prior to grouting (i use an enhancing, penetrating sealer. only seal the tops, not the sides or grout won't adhere). If you want that pattern, just search around for it. it's easy to find.

the lancaster tile is from tilebar,,,they have other ivory tiles,,,will send you 5 samples for $5. also check online at Lowes/HD,,,sometimes they have decent off-white tiles.

can't find that exact light again!

home depot has this one (you want something with at least 150-200 watts of light)

If you really want a bargain,,go here

http://www.lampsplusopenbox.com/close+to+ceiling+lights-category/search.htm

check weekly, as it changes. I've ordered a few lights from here.

as for the pendants,,

you can find some on here for $50

http://www.lampsplusopenbox.com/chandeliers-category/mini+pendant-type/search.htm

I am not sure your cabinets are maple due to the knots - I am guessing maybe Alder Wood as it has been a popular cabinet wood in recent times. It has a resemblance to pine. However, there is such a thing as knotty maple - so maybe. In general, most maple cabinets do not have knots.

Cream backsplash would be light and definitely cozy. I love mine and definitely under cabinet lighting. The most functional change I made in my kitchen is the under cabinet lighting.

The microwave looks new, but backsplash time is also the time to think about changing the micro out for a pretty stainless hood. If you decide to keep the micro for now, either take it down and tile behind it then put it back up, or be sure to reserve enough tile to fill in the gap down the road.

It looks like some of the trim has already been painted white so go ahead and do so in the kitchen. I have white trim with wood cabinets and interior doors, and it is fine.

Cream / Bone backsplash - many sizes and styles, but keep it simple with the wood:

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I would suggest that you paint the walls a soft white and all the trim a bright, glossy white to bring brightness and a bit of contrast into the room. I would suggest you change out the back splash tiles and replace them with plain white subway tiles for a less-busy look in the kitchen. You might want to consider a wood plank ceiling that is stained the same color as the cabinets.

Definitely get rid of the backsplash and the floor. Change out your knobs/pulls to something modern. Because your counter pattern is so busy, I would go with a very simple, plain backsplash (even the grout lines of a subway tile might be too much); like a sheet of stainless steel, or glass. Maybe flooring in the gray family.

I wouldnt paint the trim either. It goes well with your cabinets, and looks to be in nice condition.

I agree with the others about the cream backsplash and changing the floor, however the floor could be a pain if it goes under the cabinets.

Getting rid of the faux brick wall in the mud room area would help. You might also look at changing the cabinet hardware, ORB or black and different style might help. We changed our hardware last year and I was amazed how much it changed the overall look.

I agree that the backspash and floors are too busy for the granite. I would change those items and the lighting. Consider a natural woven roman shade for the window. Cabinets and granite look nice. The paint you are considering will change the space considerably. We painted our office Alabaster. It has a lot of wood trim and built ins and looks great with the wood while making the shady room seem lighter (many trees right outside the window). I'm curious what others will say about the trim. Congratulations!