Thanks for the feedback guys....I truly appreciate the info. Not only are you all so knowledgeable about all this stuff, but it's great just to get others' opinions!! Whenever I post something, I sort of cross my fingers and hope that no one will reply back saying "what are you, crazy or something?!?!?" I just don't really know if my thoughts and ideas are feasible and make sense!! I also have a little situation where the hubby has a little bit of a hard time "seeing outside the box" so if I come up with something even slightly outside what he considers "normal," I have to be sure I can make a really good argument for it. He's always happy to ultimately go with my preferences, but I feel that I want him to understand and appreciate that I'm NOT talking crazy. (Perfect example: he was definitely set to go with the 4" backsplash as part of the countertop, rather than having the backsplash come all the way down to the horizontal surface of the countertop - I posted about it and you all were good enough to post pictures and opinions so that I could explain to him that either way was really fine.) Anyway, thanks again, and I'd certainly appreciate any other opnions or ideas you all can provide. SQ

your interest really was in the look of the space.....which is valid. Even after accomplishing the switch to a range or that kind of upgrade, one can still be unhappy with their space if every time they walk by or walk into it, the old surfaces jar your nerves and personal aesthetic. But the space really would have me looking at a whole appliance package, and ditto the range on the perimeter concept. Yes-fridge/dishwasher AND range....figure something out with above range microwave or hood with maybe small countertop microwave. And once that "package" got worked through the budget, think about the perimeter in laminate or solid surface and maybe a contrast for the island of quartz or butcher block . I might consider Ikea or a basic butcher block for everywhere-it can be really reasonable....knowing you may do a "gut" remodel later. Just enjoy the wood look, oil it up frequently right away....and just let it take the wear and tear knowing the counters and cabinets will be replaced. I would probably even just leave the painted wall for backsplash....with the decent cabinets and some new hardware and either laminate or wood on counters, and new appliances, you'd be really in a good position for a while.

If you like blue, you might try using a blue gray finish on your island cabinets only? It seems like so many try to attain a finished kitchen that reminds one of the old sienna color photographs. No one really wants to live in shades of brown and gray all over the world. That can be monotonous. I really like the backsplash slocoja shared in her photo. I bit of shiney is really pretty with the silver chrome appliances, but maybe limit it to one or 2 lines thru the center of your backsplash, and than use the choice for your countertops in the backsplash. I think you might enjoy that more long term. Especially since you have so many different heights of window frames, cabinet trim, lines of molded cabinet doors and vertical lines in your windows... Do a couple of lines of your silver, or even a dusty blue or blue gray even if you can find it(goes with any other color you can think of for the next 3 decades, like blue jeans do? LOL) if you like that amongst the backsplash which matches your counter top, and let your island be the color you have planned in your picture if so... That way your eyes won't tire of all the movement in the kitchen, so many angles on your backsplash, the reflection etc.. I would do it at the height that splits your outlets in half, one to 3 lines of horizontal mini tiles. Very pretty!!

First change all lighting to LEDs in 400K then at least colors will be true. The counters and backspalsh do not work with the floors or the cabinets now. Having cabinets painted properly is very expensive and I honestly do not think that kitchen as it is is worth spending the money on.You could improve storage and layout with new cabinets and just eat the price of new counters . I think a kitchen needs to work for you both in color and function and right now what you are planning is to work with something you don't like in a kitchen that could be better. My advice live here for at least 6 months , see how the space functions for you and then decide if you love it enough to keep it as is for function and storage. I do not like the counter backsplash combo myself and sure would not start my own decor with it. Just out of curiosity what is that fabric stuff in the doorway? Waht are the floors in the rest of the house? What is your budget for this ?