Another picture

Hi!

I think your kitchen is beautiful!

To make it look modern though without changing the cabinets, you would have to completely change the flooring, granite countertop and the backsplash.

Maybe get some minimalist pendant lights? or change the style and color of the chairs?

I love your chairs by the way.

Here's some inspiration photo for you.

Good luck!

Larry

This kitchen screams tuscan. I would change the pendants, and see if the hood manufacturer can sell you a straight piece for the bottom to hide the scrolls. At least it would be a step towards simplifying the kitchen. Major changes are needed if you truly want to change it. I would also have only 4 barstools around the island, it seems very cramped.

how much can you spend? the floor is very traditional. the island counter is a bad color w floor. the hood is a statement and its impossible not to focus on that and everything going on with the island. if you have some money a simplified stainless hood with white subway tile backsplash and a different island counter top would correct the visual focus right down the center of space. of course.....changing the pendants and barstools would follow any bigger ticket endeavor. The hood , altho possessing detail isn't in line with your goal. You can probably sell it for some good amount.

I think you need to be realistic. You have a beautiful kitchen but without a major remodel modern is just a wish.

I think you could achieve at least part of your goal (at an affordable price) by going with a plain stainless hood and by changing out the backsplash.

Define what modern means to you. On trend? Or non traditional? What you have is a classically beautiful kitchen with well coordinated finishes. It isn’t the trendy white quartz on white or gray shaker, but that is a style trend that will date kitchens in a few years. I wouldn’t change out a backsplash that coordinates perfectly with the floors. And I wouldn’t put plasticy white quartz on those beautiful cabinets. The on,y thing that looks odd and out of scale is the table area.

If that is your only other dining area, I suggest getting a chandelier and rug to define space more. If you don’t NEED a table there, I would get a round rug and a few armchairs and small table for a conversation space by fireplace

Maybe some glass in some upper cabinets to reduce the heaviness, new stainless steel hood and simpler pendants. Less heavy stools. If you can I would remove the little drawers under the corner cabinet for more counter space. Embrace this kitchen for what it is.

I actually love the hood - in a different kitchen, without the other Tuscan elements here, it would look totally amazing. I would not change the hood - in any case that would cost a fortune.

Simple changes would be the pendant lights and the counter stools to something sleek, unfussy, and not-black. Also, do you need so many counter stools? It makes it look crowded - even deleting one of them would help.

Next step would be changing the black sink faucet and pot filler to either polished chrome or stainless steel finish to go with the appliances and add much-needed gleam. Also at the sink I would exchange the faucet with separate spray head to a faucet with an integrated spray head - a much more current look. Use the hole that the separate spray head was in for a soap dispenser instead. That way you could remove the fussy tray with soap bottle that is on the counter now. So two birds with one stone.

Next step would be the backsplash - this would be expensive because you have a lot of backsplash. But it is the thing that bosses the rest of the kitchen around for sure. Whatever you replace it with, do not do a "design feature" behind the range.

If you do decide to change the backsplash, also get receptacles, switches and wall plates in a color that matches the new backsplash. They are made in many colors today and would blend in better with your backsplash rather than the glaring white you have now. If you do not change the backsplash, you can still change those receptacles and wall plates to a color that blends with what you have.

Finally, you have a lot of cabinet space, much more than most. Yet you have so much stuff on your counters. That amount of counter clutter ages your kitchen. I am not saying your counters should be completely clear, but much of what you have on there can be put away, and your kitchen will look a lot better. (Same for your fireplace mantel; take off half of what's on there, or all of it, and add 1 or 2 items with color, like a ceramic vase in a bright orange or jade green or similar.)

I agree that the range hood and the pendants are the place to start. Ideally the counters and backsplash should be changed as well. If that is straining the budget, definitely the backsplash is the priority. Look for a warm white sleek tile that picks up the white speckles in your granite. Stainless hardware, too.

However, because of the floor and the cabinet style and various heights, this kitchen will never be completely modern. You can absolutely move it into the "transitional" category, however.

Good luck! Nicole

Thank you - I think “transitional” is a better word, and I probably could have cleaned it up a little before taking the pictures lol

I will call the hood company and see if changing the skirt is an option

We built this house in 2012, and it seemed that within a year or two the gray and white trend took over 😳

"it seemed that within a year or two the gray and white trend took over"

The gray trend is already gone, so don't worry about not having a gray kitchen.

Don’t chase the gray trend! It has went and gone! Changing your hood, your lights, and your stools will be a great start. Then…as time permits, maybe your backsplash, with something creamy and neutral. One step at a time.

I've been online for the last two weeks looking for update ideas for my wood-stain kitchen. Look at theses links for before and after. Owner did a beautiful job without redoing the whole thing!

https://mariakillam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/kitchen-pre.jpg

https://mariakillam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Kitchen-post-5.jpg

Thank you Chris- backsplash made a huge difference, along with the other touches, but it really brightened up the place

I love the before and after but doubt the lighting fairly represents the difference between before and after.

I'm pretty sure changing the backsplash (and pendants) didn't make the cabinets that much lighter. 

Here is a screenshot of the before and after side-by-side.

Beautiful Tuscan kitchen. I’d embrace the Italian.

Smamattacker, you make a point about the cabinet color changes. Another on that thread said the lighting was blown up for the 'after' pic... While I agree the lighting is definitely different, and possibly enhanced in photo, if you read the thread, the cabinet color wasn't changed.

Anther tip I read on Maria's site for a minor change with big impact related to Charlene's kitchen is painting the dark grout (done correctly it can last many years) the lightest tone in the floor tile. Also, painting the window trim a very light color that matches the undertones of the new backsplash; right now it competes, not contrasts, with the kitchen.

It's a lovely kitchen. With the right changes, I believe you can make it a timeless and enjoyable space you will enjoy for years to come.

I agree. Backsplash , lighting, barstools and hood.

I also might take out the two cabinets near the windows. To open the space a drop. Ideally replace with larger windows.

Can you paint the window trim? The white is too stark.