Thank you so very much! I love the pic you included and the ideas. Maybe I could also update the 3 lights too above the island now that I am seeing this pic. Great ideas!

Yes, the island pendants should be updated as well.

I would keep the floor the same as it goes throughout the home. I would leave the counters but remove the backsplash 4" piece included and do a simple subway tile. And paint the walls

Hi HU-

So sorry about your leak ruining your beautiful wood floors!

Your kitchen cabinets and floors are really quite lovely and if you like them, I wouldn't change them.

Here's the thing, and of course, everyone has different tastes.

To my eye, the combination of the backsplash and the counters is just too too. Too much.

I think your kitchen would be greatly lightened up by changing out both the counters and the backsplash, but if you can't afford to change both, then definitely change one or the other.

It might be less expensive to change the backsplash.

If you change the backsplash I would pick a solid color in either a white or a light cream, whatever color is the paint color of your trim.

It can be a subway tile, or a glass subway tile, or the type of subway tile that looks like it it handmade, which is so much more interesting.

And I would get rid of that 4 inch piece of granite above the counter, that isn't done anymore.

Thank you so much Loobab

I was devastated by the floor mishap. I wondered what you think about keeping the floor at 2 1/4 inch or should I switch to 3 1/4 in size of the plank? I will definitely look for some subway tiles that are white or light cream and see what I can find. The glass type sound really pretty. I was thinking of trying to paint with Kilm Beige or San Tan I think it is . . . that is also a popular color for warm. Right now I have Ducon Latte which was really warm, yet I feel I need some light. Should I keep the 3 pendant lights how they are or do anything different? Thank you for your time. I am so thankful to you and all who have commented.

Is there a counter top that is cheaper than what I have that would lighten and still look good? Do they ever refinish granite like a way that puts on a new lighter color? I am sure you are all laughing right now...but you never know. New technology happens... Also, do I do 2 1/4 inch or 3 1/4 inch wood planks? I have 2 1/4 inch now in high gloss. Do I keep the 3 pendent lights the same over the island? Do I try to paint the island white or ant. white?

The kitchen is nice but very brown. The cabinets are lovely but that amount of brown is overwhelming. Here's my cost-effective suggestion. Instead of having all of the cabinets painted, have the island painted a light creamy color that's in the granite. Remove the granite trim and replace the backsplash with a handmade looking artisan tile that's the same or a similar color. The subway tile suggestion is a good one but arabesque tiles would look nice too. Introduce a pop of color with accessories. Either replace the barstools with ones that are lighter and have a metal frame or make them "disappear" by painting them the same color as the island and covering the top with a lighter fabric.

I suggest you keep the floor the same. You don't want to change the width in one room and not in others. I prefer a satin or matte floor to a high gloss, but that is my personal style. Your granite and your backsplash are both busy. If you can't change both, then changing the backsplash is the cheapest option, and if you do, make sure to remove the 4 inch piece on the wall and tile down to the countertop. I would NOT do an arabesque tile with your current counters. It is too busy and the feel is not cohesive with the granite you currently have. Stick to something like a handmade subway tile (it can be any length) in the lightest color you can pull out of the granite. Since the granite is busy you want a "quiet" shape so the eye can rest. The pendants can easily be changed out to a more modern style. The cabinet hardware can also be changed inexpensively. You certainly can paint the island, but I don't know that I would. If it is in your budget, I think you'd notice a real update and the biggest improvement by changing both counters and backsplash to something light.

Hi HU- I don't know anything about refinishing granite to give it a totally different appearance.

The person to ask about everything countertops is Joseph Corlett, LLC here on Houzz. Why not invite him onto this thread?

I personally don't like that speckly type of granite, it reminds me of "work" because it is present in so many office buildings.

But if you like your granite, keep it. It's your house! And it's a fortune of money to replace it, besides!

If you were going to replace it anyway, you could think about using a stone with swirls or some sort of movement, but one that is lighter overall.

Or go the other way, and use a very dark counter such as a soapstone, or a soapstone look-alike (and you could decide how much veining you want) and paint the walls a very very light gray in the kitchen.

(Soapstone even comes in green!)

Or you could even think about Corian. Which now comes in a dazzling array of colors and a very affordable price point.

Joe is a Pro, and really sings the praises of Corian which is versatile and lasts forever and can be repaired in ways natural stone can't.

As for the flooring, I would have the kitchen match the rest of your house.

What you already have down looks just perfect.

If you are really wanting to spend money on something, I would eliminate the space at the top of your upper cabinets.

Either make simple cabinets for things like trays, etc. or put up a crown molding to the ceiling.

The space looks odd and is a huge dust catcher.

I would not paint the island, the wood is too perfect.

You can add color to the kitchen with a floor mat, dishcloths, accessories, etc.

- Paint island and walls a cream color and reupholster stools to a light color that compliments your backsplash/counter.

- New pendants and if you went with black you could update your hardware to black, which would match your pantry’s hardware

- Roman blind and rug and remove plants from top of cabinet

- If you feel it’s not quite right, change backsplash to a cream subway tile.

Staircase: Stain to match floor (seem very red), white spindles and new runner and could do white risers If you like that look. Also suggest painting upstairs hall same color as lower, for a more unified and expansive feel

Thank you so much to all of your comments! I love them all. I need to figure out how to invite the granite guy to this thread. I had never thought of painting the spindles to white that are now cherry, but that would definitely lighten things up. I guess you can paint over the stain just fine? I need to do some research. The entire floor is getting ripped out so I could do a different floor. if necessary. I have 2 1/4 inch cherry high gloss planks. Most of your suggestions are to leave it the same, but iif you think anything would be better I can check on that as long as the price is right with the insurance company. I will check on the 4inch granite backsplash being removed and the backsplash that is busy. The draw back is they put the 4 inch granite right on the side of my oven wood panel and I am a little worried what will happen or what the wood will look like when removed there.

Maureen... what about the runner and lights you sent as suggestions? Are they available to purchase any where? I did like them a lot.

Any thoughts at all are welcome. Thanks for the help!

Maureens pics are what I was going to suggest. I love the white countertop/white backsplash tile. The flooring could easily be done w/tiles. ( I have the perfect tile choice for you)

painting all those cabs will be north of 5K, just so you know.

I think you could live w/the wood if you switch out countertops and backsplash (and don't get the 4" piece up the back).

as for the floors, is insurance giving you allowance for ALL of the floors, since they all match or just the kitchen? if the latter, then maybe look at doing a lighter 24x24 tile?

I can’t find the exact rug again, but the shade and pattern are fairly common. In regards to lighting, they are from the UK; Pottery Barn has a similar look, but are quite expensive. This style is very popular and I‘m sure you won’t have trouble finding.

I found the examples on Pinterest, searching beige kitchen runner and black pendants.