I think this is a really nice kitchen - you've done a nice job. The only thing that is throwing it off are the two different floors in dining and kitchen area. I'd like to see the same flooring continued through both areas. I think you'll be very pleased with the difference it makes. Since you do not like the wood or the tile, perhaps a porcelain 12x24 tile would work for you. It's very durable, so you wouldn't have to worry about the Newfies scratching it and very easy to maintain. You'd could opt for one of the wood grains on the market or one made to simulate stone. I think a greyish color would work well.

My 2¢ worth: first of all replace the dark blinds with translucent cordless single cell blinds in ivory or off-white--they let light through and provide privacy + some insulation from cold or heat. Clean, crisp look.That alone will brighten up this space. #2: clear the counterspace!--so much clutter! Where to put all these appliances that get little daily use? Get yourself a ss 24x20 or larger cart on wheels (see Amazon.com--Seville classic ss cart) and store little used, bulky appliances on its shelves--and roll the cart into a nearby coat closet--out of sight and way-- to be wheeled back when needed or individually carried back as needed. 3#gorgeous blue tiled walls.Don't touch them. #4:Walls: keep as is if off-white--not same as trim white white.Just a fresh coat needed.To make it "disappear," paint the radiator the same color as the wall behind it. #5Keep the white trim white--looks bright and clean.Keep kitchen door white. You might want to stop here and make no further changes #6Cabinets: I like Gast pic above on right, but too much blue for your blue-tiled kitchen...IMO. I'd go cooler and lighter...consider the light gray of the beadboard in the Gast pic above right. Beautiful hue. Don't go for the white white everyone clamors for these days.Too stark for your kitchen and too contrasty with the blue tile, too country kitchenish. #7. cabinet hardware: Look like glass knobs in pics. Go for knobs/pulls like in the Gast pic above--or similar in pewter or ss, my preference. Those "modern" ss bar handles don't work with your cabinets. #8 the round table is not a good fit against the wall. Get a small sq or rectangular ss or butcherblock-top table for that spot. Chop off the top tier of your chairs to shorten....and match their tops as they are now so's won't appear to take up so much visual space and still remain comfy--don't replace w/ uncomfortable stools.Keep white. #9. Do away with wood valance over sink window.Too country. #10 Countertops--solid color Corian type or laminate--depends on budget--don't want busy stone textures of quartz, etc. Consider a medium value cool gray. (Or maple butcherblock?). Can't see color/texture of floor.... hope some of this helps. Good luck! lisianthus' pic tho nice is too busy-cutesy for your minimalist aims IMO

Can you post some photos? It would be good to see the marble color and pattern in particular before brainstorming about the backsplash as you don't want anything busy if your marble has a fairly busy veining pattern. But even without a photo, one safe choice could be matching subway tiles to your cabinet color. This would make the brown marble counters stand out as the feature of the kitchen.

Oh wow! Thanks everyone... So so much... I would never have seen some of the things that you have pinpointed. I have already got the cabinet and under cabinet lighting, it was turned off when I took the earlier shots. I totally get the suggestion to remove the cabinets etc near the window but would prefer not too just yet... I am back pocketing that for next year! I will add some items on top of the cabinets, and the artwork that you suggested too in the meantime. The window seat I had in mind was for the living room area, instead of the two seater. Would that look better than the two piece, with colourful cushions, and if so should I add a built I cabinet for the tv (right beside it) in the same painted wood colour as the window seat? Also should I put curtains either side of the window seat if I opt to go with that, or stick just with colourful roman blinds? I will look into fixtures for lights and have already started the fabric hunt for curtains/roman blinds/ cushions etc. Also, what colour would you recommend to accessorise the room with?