If you are looking for a Wow! factor, the fireplace has a certain Arts and Crafts potential with those brackets holding the mantel shelf. Flank the fireplace with two substantial built-in looking bookcases about 3/4 the height of the fireplace. The stone does not look natural - is it concrete? I would tile it over with earth-toned tiles with a hand-glazed look, all but the brackets, the shelf, and the tiles on the flat surface of the hearth. If only the brackets are exposed, they'll look natural enough. Perhaps a couple of decorative tiles in there also. Or you could stucco over the stone. Paint the firescreen dark bronze or black. A couple of sconces over the book shelves. There should not be that much soot deposited over the opening. Either there was a bad one-time flare-up or there are chronic problems with a smoking chimney.

I'm embarassed to say I didn't give this any thought when we chose creamy cabinets, but it's worked out fine. Our trim is more of a real white, the cabinets are more of a vanilla. We have a white-trimmed window between two creamy cabinets and I never notice they're slightly different colors. We also have white beadboard on a non-cabinet wall in the kitchen that's the same white as the window trim but different from the cabinets, and that doesn't jump out at me either. Our kitchen chairs are a different creamy white than the creamy white cabinets, and that also doesn't bug me. This might not help, but that's the report from a creamy/regular white kitchen!

Not that I'd add anything new really, but..I'd a) paint the walls b) put lights that I love. bigger pendants? a chandelier that brings with it mood that I'm after? c) style with things(useful and pretty) that I love d) maybe install some interesting hardware? and e) enjoy that very nice kitchen the stone, I'd change only if I absolutely hated it. I don't hate yours..but maybe you do? then it's a good opportunity to introduce new backsplash as well (no, not everybody is absolutely in love with white on white..and can't be since all houses are different and are of different styles and eras. homeowners are also different, and prefer different styles and eras. nothing wrong with loving white on white- it can be both appropriate to the house, and smashingly beautiful. But in order to get that look you more than likely will have to change your countertop, paint your cabinets(which I agree is either a very expensive or tediousl, hard job if DIY, and pay tons of money which you might or might not be inclined to do so, it's a question of your priorities) One more thing. Don't paint just the back wall. Think of the space as a whole..no need for an accent wall there. Choose the color you like for that whole space, and that will go with existing surfaces..I can see cream, off-white, maybe very warm gray..I can't see your countertops color very well but the wall color should correspond with it nicely..cabinets and floors, you need to consider, but these are much easier to work with. Nice wood. Obviously if you change countertops-then you have different range of colors you can /have to consider. Maybe bigger one, maybe just different. you have great cabinets and very nice kitchen. Whatever you decide-enjoy it foryears to come, and congratulations on your new place!

Are you painting the cabinets yourself or will you have them painted? It is an arduous task to do it right and expensive to have them painted for you. Do it wrong and you will have paint chipping and need to replace the cabinets. If you think you may do a total remodel in 10 years, your cabinets, if done right, might hold up to give you time to save up. Are you planning and can you afford to change the overall color tone of your home - with the gray wall color and white cabinets, it looks like you are leaning that way. The white alone is neutral, but start bringing in cool tones in paint or other surfaces, your floors will need to b changed - one thing follows another. You need to think of the big picture and the long term plan. I kept my cabinets, but changed counters, backsplash and sink. My cabinets are oak, but not the exact same style as yours: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 I would consider changing the ceiling light and installing under cabinet lighting before spending money elsewhere. New lighting will affect the way the wood looks - you may or may not like it better. The present lighting is not helping the wall paint of cabinets. I have a "wood kitchens" idea book and some (not all) of the kitchens are refreshed oak kitchens which may give you some other inspiration. There is no "should" in how you do your kitchen - there is what would get you to your vision in your budget. Sometimes, painting older cabinets does that, other times it is a disappointment because it is older cabinets painted white with still older light fixture, counters and backsplash. There is noting wrong with an older kitchen either, but white paint will not change that it is an older kitchen. You can make it prettier than it is without painting the cabinets.