Pictures of the kitchen would help. We need to see the cabinets and flooring

Current kitchen

Dining area by kitchen for furniture and lighting

I think that would work. I'd keep the backsplash tile size on the large side. Showing you different impact of larger and smaller sized tiles.

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This is the herringbone backsplash I'm interested in. Not sure if it'll work with the look I'm trying to achieve. I do not want running bond subway tiles. I've had that for a dozen years in my last house and want something different

@CDR Design, LLC, I like the idea of a gray backsplash. Would that work when I do not have anything gray in this area? Should I stick to white? What can I do to connect the walnut furniture together with the kitchen?

Looks like you have grey cushions on kitchen chairs? Can you show more photos of the kitchen? Are the cushions on the dining chairs replaceable with gray?

Thanks! @CDR Design, LLC the dining chairs have replaceable pads.

You could replace them with gray pads.

Do you have a window in the kitchen? Can I see the other walls?

Also, what is the island clad in? Looks like drywall on chair side? Could paint that gray to pull in the gray. I am not big on an alternate island color, but that is a small piece.

I think what you are saying you are looking is a 2020s interpretation of what is currently referred to as mid-century modern. All white was not that original look. Have you thought about going with a colorful backsplash?

You said MCM-ish, which I agree this kitchen could be. The kitchen itself is basically transitional.

@CDR Design, LLC Excuse the mess. There is no other window. The windows are all on the dining room side. The island is not drywall. It's some sort of laminated surface.

You could clad the kitchen side of the island in walnut wood or a grey painted wood. Then add some walnut pieces to the counter.

Natural stone wasn't used for counters in mid century design, it was virtually all Formica or tile. I think you can do a modern look with white Corian that can bridge the gap between mid century/ MCM and today's interpretation of modern, but the pictures of your kitchen in this thread with Shaker cabinets (though lovely) are 2020s transitional.

Feel free to go in this transitional direction if it's what you love, certainly, but know that if you're asking for "mid century" and this is what you're picturing, you might run into some design misunderstandings along the way. Herringbone is a lovely traditional pattern that's in right now, but also isn't mid century.

@User you make a good point! Would sticking to the marble-look quartz and white herringbone work with the rest of the kitchen/dining? I wasn't planning on changing much else at this moment, just the counters and backsplash.

@CDR Design, LLC love your ideas. I will look into adding the walnut on the chairside of the island.

@julieste I haven't thought much about bringing in other colors! I have paralysis when thinking about permanent change in a color that I may be tired of later. Any ideas?

@everdebz thanks for the ideas. No rugs for now. Our kids are young and spill everything, and we have dogs that throw up frequently 😅😂. We like to keep the floor easy to clean.

If you want a mid-century vibe you want wood and pops of color. Gray is the antitheses of MCM.

People at that time were confident and secure and it showed in their design choices.

Clean lines and geometric patterns ruled.

I would use the blue chairs in the dining room as the inspiration. Use a blue backsplash with a strong geometric pattern.

Replace the counter with something with little or no pattern.

Clad the island in walnut. Get a Quistgaard teakettle for on the stove. Display a beautiful walnut cutting board and either a colorful or wood fruit bowl.

Check out the backsplash here https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/mid-century-modern-kitchen-remodel. This is the backsplash tile they used: https://www.nemotile.com/glazed-stack-dandelion-mosaic-sheet.html

They paired it with white quartz. You can go in this direction and as other posters said, clad the island in walnut.

Another option would be white quartz/white Corian countertop with back-painted glass backsplash using your MCM color of choice.

$3.... similar to shape of stools?

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@Lala David I think marble looks quartz and herringbone backsplash will go perfectly fine with your kitchen, although I'd go for a more colorful backsplash since everything else will be white (plus matching that many whites gets to be a headache). It just won't be at all mid century.

My understanding all along was that you were interested in adding some mid-century touches to the room, but want a neutral palette. Nothing wrong with that.

I tell clients this: nothing wrong with adding color to semipermanent fixtures like backsplash as long a 1) you know you won't tire of it or 2) you have the money and desire to change it out when you tire of it.

Otherwise, go with neutral for more expensive/permanent products.

@CDR Design, LLC you understood my inquiry perfectly. Neutral palette, small mid-century modern touches to tie in my furniture and lighting. Your advice has been very helpful. Thank you!

Happy to help. You've got a good start and are thinking logically on this one.

May I ask where the non mcm LOL (I am assuming a cathedral) the rose window picture is from?

Hahhaha! It's a Banksy ! From my previous home that was dark and gothy 😅.

Oh! Well, I got the cathedral window correct....and of course that is a gothic window.

Would a stacked backsplash pattern be too much with the ipe walls visible from all the doors?

Stacked tile would be just fine.

Update! Done!

Beautiful!

Nice!!

What did you end up using for the countertop?

and wall paint color?

@nataliaporch - the countertops were Ceasarstone Quartz - Alpine Mist

@everdebz our wall color is Sherwin Williams alabaster