I can't help but take my cue from your lovely rendering of your home. I see your kitchen having warm wood tones a green backsplash, and perhaps a soapstone counter. But that doesn't mean you can't also incorporate white. The image below is from ayerg73's kitchen - link to finished kitchen thread is below (just ignore the blue paint on the walls). In this kitchen the perimeter cabs are white with a wood island. You could do something similar, or have wood cabinets on the perimeter with a white island. Here is a link that might be useful: Ayerg73

oldbat2be-I'm kind of thrown on the pink tiles. I don't think they quite coordinate. I've been staring at them all day and I've pretty much talked myself out of them. Now I'm back at square one on the backsplash. Not a huge deal, because I really don't need one. Behind the sink seems to be the only place that needs a frequent wipe down. I blame that mostly on using a horrible sink/faucet combo while waiting for the sink decision. I can handle wiping it down until I choose something else. Got any excellent suggestions? Cheap is the name of the game. Whatever it is will likely cover the entire sink wall up to the cabinets and the entire wall in the range alcove. Those tiny mosaics and more brick are the only definite nos I've got. The only tile I've looked in person were in the home improvement stores. Mr. MM liked some Dark Emperador Cafe tiles from Home Depot that we looked at. I think there is a better choice. He's leery of letting me loose in a tile store. I know I'd fall in love with something that was $500 a sq. ft. Like the first backsplash love that I've ever felt. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/new-look-for-an-exclusive-coastal-residence-mediterranean-kitchen-san-diego-phvw-vp~264799) [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by La Jolla General Contractor GDC Construction I had dreams about that backsplash for months. It also sings with the voice of angels. Really, in the end, I just want a kitchen that looks lived in. Comfortable and cozy. Something that ages gracefully with little maintenance. That's the vibe I'm going for, if that helps at all. The addition is much needed and has been discussed since we bought the house. The plan was to save up for a bigger piece of property and a new construction, but land prices went from about $3500 an acre to $10-14k an acre in the last 5 years. So we're going to stay put at least until the kids graduate. Most likely will stay put for good and just buy land for the future generations to enjoy. 5 people, two bedrooms, one bath won't work for many more years. The addition would be ripping out the old kitchen, and extending that out another 8 ft, digging a basement under that portion, fixing the rest of the foundation, and adding a second floor. We'd gain a proper laundry room, 2 bedrooms, and two bathrooms, and we'll have more than 2 tiny closets in the entire house. I think we're done expanding the family, so each child will have a bedroom, although I expect they will all stay in one for at least a few more years. They cried when I told them they would all have their own bedroom! I feel about the same as you when it comes to faucets. I'd like to love one, but I have yet to find one that truly makes my heart sing. Maybe a cheapy will do until I find the one. I think the Karbon might be a little too modern for the space, but I do get the urge to find one in a showroom just to play with for a few minutes. As far as lighting goes, I hadn't thought a ton about glare, just because I have exposed bulbs now that don't bother me, but moving them down a foot or two might change that drastically. As far as what I'm lighting, it would mostly be the island and the area directly around it. But if they lit up the entire room, that would be fine as well. Unless we eat around or after dusk, I don't even turn on the main kitchen lights. Just the two above the range. I like to be able to see what I'm doing, but don't require stadium lighting to do so. Maybe I should start a new thread on lighting and see where that takes me. I just hate to post too much, don't want to spam up the board for more important issues.

I used to get the magazine "Cottage Living" and loved to see what people did with smaller spaces. I loved the look of the charming and carefully done houses. Our house is not small as in cottage-like, but it is also not a mansion. I think seeing what can be done in a smaller space helps when designing for not so small. Your house is not small, but the look is more of a charming one that an exotic style. If you embrace how nice it is and what it can be, you will have a lovely place to live. When I was younger, I always wanted to be glamorous, but could never pull it off. I looked like the girl next door and wished I could be more grown up looking. Now, many enough years later, I am grateful that I look young(-ish) for my age and had never been at a loss for suitors before getting married, so I wish I could tell the young version of me to be grateful because if one is wishing for something else, they miss what they do have. I still can't wear red lipstick, but am ok with that now that I am wiser, lol. I subscribed to Cottage Living for the decor and appreciated the smaller scale once I started to read it. I also love the aesthetic of what were mostly charming homes and the variety of what could be done while also keeping their appeal. The nicer ones were not mini versions of big houses, but were their own proud more modest size. It was my one foray into house porn, so I can't recommend many others, lol. It is out of print now, but you may be able to see back issues at the library or if someone is getting rid of them such as on freecycle or CL. I finally parted with mine last year or I'd send them along happily. I tried their old website that was up past the magazine going under, but it directed me to another site, which looked cute too. Apartment Therapy may give you some ideas. You will have a larger amount of space to work with, but the feel may not be far off from what would work for you. My kitchen is fairly large now and yet it was done in a modest way for the decor. Its look fits with the overall scale of the house. If we had done fancy, there would have been a disconnect with the rest of the house no matter how much we updated it all. If you have seen a woman who is wafer thin where all the bones in her neck and ribs are protruding, and she is sporting double Es or more, you know what I mean. More is not always better.

Beautiful view and backyard! Yes, it looks so much better painted. In my understanding, the house is traditional. Which is a very big umbrella word that has lots of other styles under it. The fixture you have over your breakfast nook is more farmhouse I'd say. Farmhouse is one of traditional styles; however it doesn't mean it will go with other things you love just because it's also sort of traditional. Also, there are no strict rules with lighting; unlike with more permanent elements, you have more freedom to mix and match as long as it makes sense within your home, and shares something similar. That something can be style, shape, sensibility..even "I like it":) We usually tend to like things that have something in common. Figure out that common-and you'll see how many things actually work together quite well. So..give yourself some time..and if you don't like it that much-look for the light you love. As for the lack of light in the kitchen. If I understood the plan correctly-the kitchen is kind of in the middle of the house, right? It's a very convenient plan; however it leaves you without strong natural light in the kitchen since windows are relatively far from it. Had similar plan myself-amazing layout, yet downside of having darker kitchen while all other rooms were bright. Wouldn't do anything drastic as everything seems to be in good shape..but you need to add more lighting, as simple as that. Maybe fixture that looks up, light bounces off the ceiling? maybe stronger bulbs in new pendants? better under cabinet lighting? (don't underestimate it..we have under cabinet lights right now that I love, use all the time..previous kitchen, I hardly turned them on. My ignorance in electrical though doesn't let me share the exact detail-why what we have now is so much more efficient. One thing sure-it is. So, I'd check it out..with somebody who understands in lighting, types of bulbs, etc. ) All of these? And-a small lamp on the countertop will be useful- and look nice too. And yes, brighter, shiny, light accessories would help-probably not when you need to prepare meal, but for the overall feel. Colorful tea towels? Shiny copper teapot? Light porcelain crock? The possibilities are infinite. And they will bring you everyday joy as well. A bit hesitant to advice you on the hardware..until you figure out your direction. I'd easily do colored glass knobs mixed with something simpler for the handles..but while it'd give that lighter feel, I'm not sure it's something you'd prefer.