Redfeather, I lived most of my life in TX and I agree that silk greenery on top of the cabinets (and lots of it) seems to be a TX thing. We moved to the Carolinas 2 years ago and my kitchen felt so stark I put up several items on top of the cabinets to soften the look and make the kitchen feel more homey. Some of my neighbors have left the tops of their cabinets bare, but their kitchens have backsplashes with some visual interest. Personally, I like the look of the plants and I think it's a matter of personal preference and decorating style. I think your pottery would look nice grouped with greenery or baskets or some wrought iron pieces. I am posting a couple of my kitchen photos (hopefully no one will tease me too much :) ) Please disregard the tupperware and Halloween buckets! I also wanted to add that my original intent was not to put so much stuff on top of the cabinets and just do a few groupings instead. Personally, I feel like grouping smay work better in kitchens with taller spaces above the cabinets - but that's just my 2 cents : )

Great kitchen. Please don't let anyone talk you into painting those cabinets. You're fortunate to have the extra ceiling height and it does NOT look like a warehouse. I'd probably want the base -- kick wall -- of the peninsula/bar to be wood paneled or painted a darker color less likely to show shoe smudges but, as long as that's not a problem for you -- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies. If you want to minimize the visual impact of the space above your cabinets, consider painting that wall the same color as the ceiling. If you want to utilize the space for storage (and not necessarily for kitchen items), take some measurements and see if you can find wooden boxes or foot lockers to set in a row above your cabinets; or not wood -- perhaps boxes made of a lighter material and painted to add your favorite color to your kitchen. If the blank space is truly irritating to you, then adding interesting knobs to the cabinet doors could help draw attention away from the blank wall above the cabinets. and/or You may have room for a small rolling cart or wheeled table (round or square) painted in your favorite bright color to create a different visual focal point -- preferably a table or cart you could roll outside on a porch or deck or patio when entertaining outside. Alternately, consider maximizing the impact of that open space -- it's just two short walls. Are there any local artists you would trust to paint a mural -- even just paint a blue sky, perhaps with a bit of puffy white clouds and/or even a rainbow there -- over which you could add a row of small "windows"?

Love your cabinet! I agree that the area looks just fine bare. You have nice molding nearby, and not a huge empty space. If you decide it needs more, I’d do something like this. Simple and balanced (with the art going just above the height of the door). I like how this has a layered look: I do have art around my TV for something interesting to look at when the TV is off (it’s a big wall, would look awful empty).

OMG, I just have to tell you honestly, when I saw your first photos I thought your kitchen was older and ready for a remodel. I was so focused on the stuff above I guess I didn't even register the rest of the kitchen. My mind just registered "dated" and "clutter" and didn't look further. Now that I see the new photo, it's gorgeous! It really is night and day to my eye.