I apologize for such hastily taken photos but these will have to do.

Wood is very much en Vogue now + is classic. Hard to tell for sure from these pictures, however I am guessing that your cabinets are also in good condition. So I would say if you want to replace something, replace the countertop. Also, if you don’t have under cabinet lighting, definitely install that. Maybe new paint. Your walls appear grey on my monitor, but I’m not sure. If walls are grey, I would probably change paint to a warm white. I’d install some pendant lights over island.

I would invest in countertop and painting the cabinets. Valance has to go. Backsplash and new hardware you can get later. Plus rug.

I would also say new countertops and new knobs for the cabinets. the wood helps downplay the tile floor and I think white cabinets would highlight the floors more. the countertops look dated to me while the cabinets look current

I would leave the cabinets as is and replace the hardware, countertops, better lighting and get rid of the valance. Good luck.

Following because I’d also like to lean more French country. What colors would be best for her cabinets? I’m thinking a warm or even creamy white is more French country than bright white? Or a soft blue, which might go well with the floor.

With painted cabinets, copper hardware would look French country. And a modern style, to lean contemporary. I found some I really like at Target, of all places, very sleek and not highky polished but not antique, either, but they are too big for some of my cabinets (they would bump into the dishwasher, other cabinets, etc.)

Not sure about counter tops, but butcher block would remind me of the charming alpine Swiss apartment we stayed in, but if she keeps the wood cabinets, that would be too much wood.

If you are looking for French Country, I agree that a creamy white (heavy on the cream) or a lighter blue would be perfect. Perhaps painting the island would be an option? Lots of ornate details, window treatments with swags. More ornate cabinet hardware. I'd do a Google search and see if that's really what you want. Very pretty.. it can definitely be achieved!

French country style is so much in the styling. Plates on the walls, displayed dishes, canisters on the counter, the lights and hardware you choose, pleated and patterned linens, etc. etc. Do you have any inspiration photos?

5k can take you far in your kitchen because it’s such a small space. I would use beadboard as your backsplash, as it’s inexpensive and relatively easy to install. You could also add beadboard to your island and paint it blue?

Invest in new counters...even white corian would look better than what’s there, or butcher block...new farm sink and/or faucet

Ikea has inexpensive farm-style sinks

inspiration

When ever I have been in real kitchens in France they were light wood, think pine never painted white. To me these are french country.

I would paint the walls a creamy white. Get a nice woven shade for the window. A simple white inexpensive subway tile backsplash. One big, colorful piece of art for that right wall. A runner in front of the sink to break up the tile. And then style the counters with a nice lived in look - wooden bowl with fruit, fresh flowers, potted herbs in terra-cotta pots....you get the idea.

paint the walls a brighter color. even a soft white would help.

remove that valance and blind, and get a nicer roman shade, woven wood, or some other type of blind.

remove that backsplash tile. (belongs on the floor) and replace w/a simple subway that matches.

And, if you look into Pre-Fabricated granite or quartz countertops, you could prob redo all of your countertops for under $2500.

they look like this, (pre cut and finished into 6,8, or 9' lengths) and should be available at any place that sells slabs. (they even make them for island sizes)

Beth gave you good idea as well

I am absolutely awe-struck with everyone's suggestions - THANK YOU!

I am more in line with @roarah 's interpretation of the French country themed kitchen. I basically prefer to have a contemporary yet classic kitchen aesthetic. As much as I dislike the cabinet wood color, I'm thinking it's in favor of cost to keep them as is due to their decent condition and maybe opt to change the hardware to add a modern touch to a classic cabinet.

That leaves the valence, wall color, fixtures and back splash - those I intend to change for sure. I don't prefer the on trend subway tile - any backsplash ideas and counter top color suggestions to match the current wood color?

I think you have a nice neutral kitchen to work with.

My list would be -

2 stools

rugs

art on the large blank wall

paint if possible

change out hardware

And lastly most important would be to put a pendant over the sink. They have pendant kits that should make it easy to just screw it into what is already there. Something with some heft would be good. Nothing dainty.

I would lighten the walls like others have suggested. I wouldn’t do a dark countertop. A lot of countertop places have quartz that are much cheaper than other lines. (I prefer quartz over granite.) I think you would be able to do the countertops, backsplash, new window treatment, and paint. new hardware would be great too. It just all depends on budget. You might even get a new sink because sometimes they throw in a sink for free.
Ask. Negotiate. Also see if any of your friends have connections at places. Stretch that budget.

live wire oak, , 99%? come on. Pre fabs have been around for 15 + years. It's not like Calif is the only state to have them. If they import from china w/the slabs, and the slabs go on trucks to get shipped, then why wouldn't the pre-fabs go w/them? Oh, that's right, they do.

Floor and Decor carries them. (limited choices, but they do have them)

And why would you shoot that down without even knowing specifics?

OP said she only has 5K. She said she disliked the countertop color (and prob thinks that she's stuck w/them due to her limited budget) I'm giving her options.

Should I just assume that she doesn't I've in Cal? or maybe assume that the rest of the country doesn't carry any of these and not bother to give her the info? That's a little weak don't you think?

I tell people on here about pre-fabs because they're good for a small budget, and small countertop areas. I've used them many times on cheaper/smaller remodels.

OP said she didn't like what she has. I gave her the info. She can check into for herself and see if some are available in her area.

I honestly don't know why you always shoot down prefabs on my comments. you've done it elsewhere too.

Prefabs are everywhere here too and stone yards have “bone yards” (places usually outside where they store leftovers from other jobs and sell them for a lot less per sq ft.). Selections are limited but bargains can be had.

Ikea has pre-sized counters as well, and they are everywhere.

I loved the style of homes on the French countryside when I visited Europe years ago. They are old, rustic, and so very charming. True French country, or English country, or farmhouse, is a “make use of what you have” approach. That’s why you see weathered wood and stone, chippy paint, valanced cabinets, exposed piping, and the use of eclectic, everyday items as decor. Everything else you see calling itself French Country is wannabe. With that said, you can do no wrong. Find some inspiration photos and have fun.

so I'm thinking about a backsplash that lends itself to the Inspo pics from roarah that you like...what about brick, im thinking 1/2 brick concept for the backsplash and the wall to the right, maybe whitewashed or german schmear? basically wall under and above cabinets and the. the right side wall? bringing in the rustic...

you could choose to go lighter w/a creamy white quartz pre-fab

A 9' piece in a similar color like this, should cost less than $500. (they also have 3x5 and 4x6 island pieces)

Then, hire a fabricator to cut it to fit to your kitchen dimensions. Total should be under 2K.

this is a granite called Jet Mist or Virginia Mist. it can be polished, honed (shown) or leathered.

I like this black one Celerygirl mocked up for you. the black looks great w/the wood and the floors. Woven wood blind is nice too

You could bring in a creamy white wall color, some new hardware for the cabinets (a very soft brushed gold or maybe an ORB or venetian bronze)

And a creamier white backsplash tile. since you have a solid countertop, you can easily do any type of design or mosaic.

Check on Blinds.com for the woven wood blinds, or something like this Classic Roman shade. they have tons of colors and patterns

they also have these other blinds (a bit cheaper) that come in many colors. I used these in a soft green over the kitchen sink for a house we flipped.

Oh look, another Pre-fab. Galaxy White by Stone Contact

this is a creamier white granite and would actually be a nice choice w/your cabinets

Find out if you have any fabricators warehouse or shops in your area, or check your local stone yards, and see what kind of remnants they have. You may luck out and find a 1/4 slab left over from another job that you can use. Maybe you could do something solid for the perimeter, but bring in something more dramatic for your island. Remnants will give you that option. (offer to pay in cash for a discount on pricing)

Prefab is available here in flyover country, as well. MSI does them, and has a showroom in Chicago. There are local dealers who can make that happen, as well, although the options are somewhat more limited.

While I agree that wood tones are coming back into vogue, that particular stain might be challenging to work with. So, counters, paint the cabs, new 'splash.

I'm guessing the overwrought American interpretation of "French Country" isn't quite what you're looking for. Especially since you paired it with the word "modern." That suggests you're looking for something a little more pared down and cleaner.

We still need to work with that floor. Explore some of the soft blues and greens that can play as near-neutrals in the right room. Here's a thought. (Just color-wise):

What about a tumbled travertine backsplash?

This is an ikea kitchen by the way, and very well done in my opinion.

You could also look into DIY rustic ceiling beams. I’d still consider a blue island with butcher block (you can get faux at ikea) as well.

live wire, i get what you're saying. But in OP's situation, she could do a pre fab, hire a fabricator to come out to her home and fabricate that 9' piece on site for a lot less than purchasing a whole slab. I've had my own fabricator (legal) come to the homes we were working on and do just that. It really isn't a big deal.

like I said, the pre-fab cost between 350-600 for a 9' piece. Fabricator guy picks it up, transports it to the home and cuts it on site. For her kitchen, it would be in the $700-1500 range.

She has a very simple countertop to do. It's a straight shot for the sink countertop, with no corner matching.

for the island, also easy. all he does is fabricate around the stove cut-out. Since these edges are a very simple square cut, he also finishes off the edges on site.

Now, on a more complicated, larger kitchen, that would require precise measurements and seam matching, a CAD fabrication would be used. But that's not this type of kitchen. That's why I mentioned it in this case.

You'll never see me recommending pre-fabs for a larger kitchen or one w/multiple L shape countertops.

Actually, I forgot about this kitchen in our rental we did about 9 years ago. We got pre-fabs for this entire kitchen. Even the island was a pre-fab. All of these countertops/island cost me about 2K TOTAL and it's premium granite

At that time the 9' prefab of this granite cost $350. the island piece was about the same. If I remember correctly, I paid about 900 for all of the granite, and the rest was fabrication cost.

painting + new counters? for $5k?

I think I'd stick with the wood and add some light counters. it's a good look, but more midcentury than French country.

New Kitchen 2016 -- wall 2 after · More Info

live wire, I agree with you. but you didn't read what I wrote very well. You're talking about seams. I said the OP's kitchen doesn't have any. it's a straight piece. It would be very similar to doing a countertop for a bathroom vanity.

I'm not here to argue. I know many homes that have pre-fab and everything is just fine.

But hey, if she can walk into a stone yard or home depot and get exactly what she wants for 2100, then have at it.

Again, I give people options. That's it.

I appreciate this conversation and learned so much from both Beth and LiveWire.