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

Hi ...Zaz I am not sure what went on here in Houzz .... While I have been away ..(sneezing coughing sweating) Whatever it was Move on from it !! as best you can ... Otherwise these things eat away at you ... And being on a downer that's not good for anyone ..........including you .... You have a Talent truly you do Lots see it ...... Even if you can't ....... So Put it toooooo good use If not for yourself ........ Then for others so they might enjoy it Seeing others smile from Something you have done Is gift.... I know I love toooooo Give that gift of a smile ..... Be it from writing or resisting my Poems Playing my little ukuele Painting So dust yourself off there's work toooooooo be done :@) Get your a@£& In that kitchen ... Today is the start of a new and better year ...... Of which only You Can make happen !!

I love the tall units but you need to go straight to the ceiling to prevent dust and dirt settling on the top. I would put a row of small up and over cupboards along the very top as an option. Very handy for unsightly bulky items. I don't like the end open shelves by sink very dated but what you could do is a long double shelf all the way along the island with a wine racking either side for balance vertically. I think shelving each side of the sink would be better. You have a lot of cupboards but no deep drawers which are highly valued these days. Good selling point. I Like your colour suggestions... The little Greene paint company have a lovely grey so does farrow and ball. Where are you sourcing your Quartz and what flooring? Do your ovens have easy open shelf doors ..handy as they retract so don't get in the way as you take food out..Neff offer best ones. If you want a better balance of tall you could always do fridge freezer one side and pull out pantry on the other with racking. Then on sink side don't go all the way along the wall just have it as centred space so you can pull out larder doors. On your island you will need your bin as this'll be prep area? What is the room opposite tall cupboards? Need the island to look good from that side as that is what you will see. Hope of help. I'm embarking on the same thing and have spent hours and hours researching!

Hello Houzz Ireland, We are currently renovating a 1960's build - so as you know, there is a lot of decisions to be made!! So it would be nice to get some gems of advice from the experts to help us through this daunting task. Areas where we would really like some inspiration for - small bathroom downstairs. I would really like to do something fun with this room and although small, I think it could work really well with some funky wallpaper or possibly tiles?! I'm just not sure what to do with it. Also - pulling a whole house together?! Where do we start? We have the bigger pieces of furniture but how do I know what nest of tables goes best with a suite? Or what accessories will bring a room together? I'm due a second baby in 2 weeks time so any help at this stage would be so amazing - to guide me on the right interior design path for our new house. Thanks, Laurie