Nice place. You've got a great blank slate...stick with it and it will come. I agree about the kitchen backsplash, but I don't think I'd start there. There are a number of things I would think about, but first it's important for you to make the space work for you and your lifestyle. Do you need more storage? Do you entertain a lot and need more dining space? Do you cook a lot and need more surface area to work? Do you need more seating in the living area for parties and such? Or is the seating you have now adequate. So, for example, I would think about adding an island to the kitchen which people could sit at with their backs to the long wall. It would add storage below and work surface above and not block off the light from the living area. If possible, think about adding pendant lighting over the island. I would move the dining area so it is closer to the long wall. I would help define that area by using an area rug underneath. In the living room, you could use another area rug to highlight the space. The drapes look skimpy, especially with the knot in them, and the color isn't helping to bring in the strong colors from the tile floor. I would think about getting a bookcase style entertainment unit to add more storage and mass, and I would put that on the long wall...put the seating area more into the corner to make it feel cozier. If you're open to new furniture, a sectional sofa might be nice there. A lot of it will come with more wall decor as well. Right now there's only a few pieces and they are small in scale relative to the size of the walls. But you've got a good start.

Cabinets are fine and I like the idea of black hardware. If you choose slate look tile, make sure it's a warmish shade rather that gray as you need to compliment the ceilings with warm tones, not cool. Would you put rugs down? Dying to hear your plans for resurfacing the fireplace, please choose medium to light tones as you don't want to darken that area. If it was my place I would use wood floors only because it speaks to the organic look of the room. Keep us posted.

Don't have time to answer all of your questions but here's what I can suggest: 1) Lower the mantle on fireplace a little, as well as the painting in the niche. (See #2 here) Consider changing the mantle to something less rustic and paint in color A (see next suggestion) 2) Open spaces should be cohesive - which you can easily do with paint. Choose 2 colors or 2 shades of the same color and vary placement in different areas. (see #5 here) Consider adding a simple chair rail to the dining area. For example, with minimal effort, you could use color A below the chair rail in dining area, as the dominant color in window treatments fabric (I"d use draw drapes) , the back wall of niche, throw pillows, lamps ac, and maybe an area rug in living room, and in accessories (see #3 here) in living room and kitchen. I'd consider adding some of that color to kitchen also -- back of open cabinets for example, recovering bar stools and dining room chair seats to match drapery fabric and possibly slip covering one of the armchairs in the living room in a pattern that incorporates the wall colors with other colors in the space. You want to use coordinates, not just the same solid everywhere so look for different textures or patterns to add. Hope that helps. I've inclluded links to additional info about topics I mentioned that I think you'll find helpful. 3) see #2 - I'd choose lamps with either a base or shade to match color A. (See #7 here) 4) Add plants. If you aren't there often enough to take care of them, use artificial greenery.

i'm guessing you're still under construction? no real pics? Dove White or White dove? White Dove, really isn't a 'warm' creamy white. it's more of a dull white that leans on the warm side. I tried it on my walls and it was too dull looking. Dove White is rather yellow looking on the wall, but overall rather dingy. have you looked at a sample of your cabinet door next to the countertop you want to use?? look at it next to simply white and cloud white. the latter two are still warm, but not dull and dingy. I'd pick one of the other two for your cabinets, otherwise it's going to look rather yellow. I repainted the walls w/Simply White (my kitchen cabs are the same) This is what it looks like (with the lights on at night) Simply White is a neutral, warmer white. my lights are actually a cooler led, but seem to photograph on the warm side. Again, Simply White (or maybe one shade brighter) have you had your painter give you some samples of the Hale Navy and the Dove White paint colors on a small wood sample piece? you should really do that before you commit