That's why I asked about column location...to see if they could be incorporated somehow. It's always best to work with the structural elements, making them part of the design, if they have to be there. I like how the colors are arranged in your inspiration photo... Mostly medium cabinets with light counters and light hood and hutch. (I think I might do the dish hutch light and leave the pantry the same as the cabinets or just a tad darker.) The island is a tough one. It is big, so if you make it light, it'd be a big focal point. If you leave it darker, the details of the island will make a more understated impact and let the hutch and hood stand out more. It's a matter of preference. I think I'd leave it darker, since it's size and out-front location already give it so much visual weight already. Although, the light counter on a light island is an elegant look that I really like, and it could set a nice tone for the room, too. Obviously, I could probably be convinced that either was the right decision!

Am I going crazy or am I seeing FOUR Calendars there? Oh dear, that can't be helping the serenity need one bit. Like a continuous honking reminder of the full time work and stress levels. Even if they are not calendars but some other necessary info providers, get them out of your face and consolidated somewhere else, maybe by the table. Then put something simple and really beautiful over that sink. Store the little pictures and most (all?) the decorative things on the counter. Whew. Much better. On the decorating front, seems you have several styles (country/contemporary/traditional), color schemes (green & lemon yellow v black & white & mustard), and focal points or themes in competition (arched window, glassware collection, B/W bistro checks, sunflowers). It is like too many directions at once, any of which would be fine alone, KWIM? There needs to be more dominance of one thing and then supporting roles - does that make sense? Like if the check/sunflower accessories are going to drive the show, then the wall paint maybe could be more mustardy and less lemony. And the window treatment maybe a lighter or darker solid mustard tone edged with the check in the same scale as the accesories. Maybe hammered copper sunflower embossed pieces at the sink and range. And store the glassware because it neither supports nor enhances the main themes and colors. It all gets much more harmonious and less fragmented. Disciplined editing and a few minor tweaks will solve much of what is troubling you visually. Prioritize among the colors and themes and go for it. Employ the Sweeby test method (see FAQ ). As for function, sounds like you do miss your island. There are many free standing narrow island pieces that could meet your functional need in the short term. It may be possible to patch your flooring and put in a larger more functional island down the road, plumbed for your DW and with a MW spot. Take your time and explore options before commiting to a costly change. Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: FAQ - look on left for Sweeby test link

Do you like gardening/maintaining landscapes.... or is it a chore? If the former, and if it was my place Id leave the lower grassy portion near water as is for now EXCEPT take down the fence (what purpose is it serving) and I would want to come up with a jazzier /more colorful design for that blah border planting in front of the stone wall (to left of stairs in pic #2 (what are the shrubs that are in there now?). I would put in some sort of grouping of 3 of something taller / more vertical at the very left of this border (tall enough to balance out the weight of that hydrangea). If its to the side it wont block out that much view and besides you could go quite tall maybe even up to 15 ft without blocking any of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd floor windows. (I assume the bottom level is a walk out basement?) I would bump out that border to be wider, with taller flowering shrubs in back and perennials in front); Front - is that literally the road in the pic or is it your driveway? The grass area is too small to read as a lawn or anything useful and tends to turn into a weed patch - id put in a bunch of low growing, easy to grow shrubs like spirea which can be use dmore as a ground cover (instead of the usual row or border.) I was going to say replacegrass with stone work or pavers with some sort of stone sculptural piece and/or windowboxes/planters as Nancy suggests but if that's the road and not your driveway I don't want to confuse the drivers by having paving right up to your house - there would need to be some sort of clear border between the paving of the road and your house!!! (for obvious reasons - all you need is one tired driver to wreak havoc)

I wanted to provide an update! First off, we found some very trendy-looking laminate flooring for 84 cents per sq ft. We will be using underlayment that costs 25 cents per sq ft. So, for only $1.09 per sq ft, plus the cost of a few new tools, we’re redoing the floor. My husband will install this with some help from his brother, so we’ll save a ton on labor costs. As for the ceiling tile, I came across “smooth” 2x4 ceiling tiles online for only 76 cents per sq ft. Nothing fancy, but worlds nicer looking than the “basic” tiles that are only marginally cheaper. Add these tiles in with our ceiling grid covers, and it’s going to look fantastic! With new paint, new recessed lights and new light/electrical switch covers, and we’re going to have a room that looks great. Last piece of a very large puzzle to get our home truly move-in ready for a quick sale at top dollar! There are a few somewhat nicely done houses that just popped up on the market by us. One is about a half mile away, new construction. This house has contractor grade everything, including kitchen and bath, and is only slightly larger than ours. Looks nice and new, but we’ve got something that is quality where it really counts. I am hopeful we can list at or even higher than what they listed at. Can’t wait for our agent to see the finished product! Our fingers are crossed for a bidding war!