I'll answer first and then read the other posts. Pretty sure that you don't want to hear this, but I wouldn't be so quick to paint the cabinets and rip out the counters, especially not to get another "creamy white with granite or butcher block" (a look which I love, BTW). Once you've painted, there's no return without lots of work, not to mention how much work it'll be to do a decent paint job. I'd paint the walls (probably off white) and add vinyl floor tiles with a checker pattern or some checks n for starters. You have this cool booth, and I'd play that up. I love, love turquoise and would pick more shades of turquoise in accessories and also in that booth (white and a watery aqua, for example, or add a coral to the mix). Oh, and I'd get different window treatments. Lastly, if you remove that one wall cabinet, could you add a hood? Of course, it depends on what you like and what the rest of your house looks like. More info on the link below. Looks like they actually stripped their white cabinets to get the maples back. Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen remodel

One of my friends just got a divorce and moved into her own house. She was so excited about picking up a whole set of matching waterfall bedroom furniture at a flea market. I must admit, I was sketpical -- my experience with waterfall has been a lot like everyone elses here, it seems - old lady-ish, chenille, the whole bit. She moved it into her bedroom (a blank white box in a newly constructed townhome) and kept the accessories sleek and minimal -- she has a simple satin-y coverlet, some solid colored floor length drapes, and that's about it. Since there's nothing else to distract your eye (unlike some of those wallpaper patterns in the ads above - eeks!), the furniture has really become the focal point in the room. You really notice the lines and the beautiful inlays and hardware. Her lamps and dresser accessories lean toward vintage glamor -- a vintage dresser, silver hand mirror, crystal perfume bottle -- she even has some vintage makeup containers from the 40s that she's scattered here and there on the vanity. The room is vintage without being dated, glamorous without being over the top, and basically very much suits a midlife woman moving on with the rest of her life instead of screaming "granny furniture". Like I said, I was skeptical, but I'm a convert.....just keep the lines simple and let the furniture do the talking.

Overstock.com is another great place for bargains. They have everything, huge selection of drapes, pillows, furniture, rugs, you name it. Lots more variety that Ikea. Choose two colors you love that go with beige. Pick an area rug that has those two colors in it. Use those same two colors for the seats for the dining table, drapes and pillows. Obviously you can have patterns, doesn't have to be all solid colors. That's the easiest way, because it's so easy to get distracted with all the colors that are available. Ask me how I know. Don't think you have to get everything at once. Do the things that seem most important first. I would guess that in your case that might be drapes. Actually, maybe you can pick drapes in the color(s) you love and take your cue from them for pillows, covering for the dining chairs, etc. I would paint that coffee table, top and all. Gray might be a cool color to offset all that beige.

Resist the siren song of the sectional. It won't be a great as you think it'll be. An apartment size sofa and two small scale swivel chairs set on a cozy rug will provide plenty of seating for family movie nights. Add some floor pillows for those who need extra cushion when sitting on the rug. Seriously. Do not hop on the sectional train.