Thank you for the lovely throw pillow suggestions! They are beautiful. I think my biggest dilemma is picking the main cushions for the chairs. This is the collection: I am thinking a light tone would be bad, because it would stain more easily. Maybe tan or grey? I like the idea of picking up the blue in the throw pillows, so I wouldn't want that for the main cushions.

yep..light wood is making a comeback, definitely so I'm still in my walnut and teak stage(and probably will stay there for a while lol), but I love some light woods too..maple for example...cherry.. I like the idea of mixing both:) some cabinets are light stained and some are white(or some other light color). why not, if the overall design supports it of course? I think the most important for kitchen is to make sense within the context of the style of the house. then it will always look like it belongs. second most important-that it makes sense with your own individual style and preferences. then it will a) be cohesive with the rest of the space b) will make you happy(you can switch a) and b) places)) I don't get this "looking dated" thing..either it's pretty/nice/beautiful/cute/gorgeous-or it's not whoever doesn't like it in ten years (including you), for any reason anymore-redoes it if he can afford it. and if he can't-he waits until he can. if the kitchen makes sense-one can wait for years. its the ones that seem to be glued to the house, stylistically disconnected, or dysfunctional-that you wish to rip out others, you work with. you like them despite being "dated" too. unless you're told day after day you shouldn't...)))

(thank you for your kindness especially since I actively dislike myself after each passionate post somehow prompted by oak cabinets..lol) Danielle I tried many warm grays and greiges..in the end I went with a custom color since all warm grays I tried were too cool for me. It does remind a bit Kingsport Gray by BM..in some lighting it gets almost taupe. It does remind your second gray in other light-it's quite a chameleon color. But my other elements, albeit warm are not as warm as yours. (counters, backspash) They're greenish off white, rather. Counter's more off white, tile-more green. They're not cream/beige..no golden note to them that I believe you have (btw I love warm grays and rusty golds. They work together. Just not every time. Depends on a surface, and proportion, and whatnot. Stones especially are capricious like that) Hence my belief that if you find your warm gray-it won't be, strictly speaking, gray. It'd be already taupe..something with more red in it. But monitors often don't convey the colors precisely..you're there and when it works you'll see that. Not only neutrals complex as such grays can look very different depending on a room-you also have other things that are staying. You love your backsplash-that's it, it's an actor in your play. Your counter stays for now-it's an actor. Whatever paint you choose-they should play together nicely. Your color might be oatmeal, or you check out creams and bone colors and almond and..just disregard how companies call them, and how I call them too-so many shades, so many names to them. The main thing: you need the one that will be the best actor, in your play. ( I painted bedroom with my custom warm greige too since I liked it a lot-and there it's kinda more brown lol. Different light..different surface. Semi gloss or lacqer on wood will reflect light differently from drywall painted in matte or eggshell etc..thus will look a tad different) now, while you don't need to change your countertop-if you're considering such change, you already have your future actor to think about. if the backspash stays-it'll still be in warm realm, your countertop. It might be lighter, darker, more uniform, different material-but the backspash will want it to play nicely together, like yours now does. You don't have to install it now (and to tell the truth I like yours. what is it?)-but if you want to, in your plan, it shouldn't come last. You should consider it already. With your inner vision. If you're seriously consider changing it-you already treat it as a part of the overall scheme. It's already your actor. Your future maple, if you're set on it-your actor. Look at your kitchen as a whole..everything that's more expensive to move, semi-permanent surface-they all need to give that performance together..it can be like a Broadway musical, or it can be a silent dance, loud or subdued, fast paced or quiet, that's for you to decide...yet you're looking for every element to be a successful part of that whole you want your kitchen to be. They'll boss you around some-and you'll conduct them ..accordingly:) You can ask your husband what bothers him about current wood and stain..disagreements can lead to interesting discoveries and conversations, and discoveries and conversations can lead to deeper understanding and agreements whether they'll explore new or decide to appreciate the old, or bring them together in a way both people love. Well in topics like decor, at least. World peace is more complicated..)) ETA: read your post. please share your progress with us!

I agree that my kitchen layout works well and I agree that I should work with the elements of my home. Part of the reason I chose the Aurea stone quartz was because it had a white background with subtle grey and tan veining that complimented the floors and cedar walls. The Formica counters needed to be replaced because they were stained and damaged in several areas. I feel like my kitchen would have a similar look if I re-stained the cabinets a more neutral brown to compliment the cedar and used a white counter and backsplash(because that is basically what the Formica looks like). I do plan on installing European hinges and replacing the hardware and getting an undermount stainless sink with a new faucet. We will also be moving the microwave above the oven and replacing the dishwasher. My contractor assured me that his painter was experienced enough that IF I decide to paint them, he would be able to conceal the grain. I do believe raw wood cabinets are pretty, I just want to make sure that if I leave the arches on the doors and leave them wood, they won’t look out of place. I have attached some of my inspiration picks below...