Here are a few pictures I found to help showcase your beautiful kitchen. You have a lot to work with and there are a lot of options! Maybe a variation on some of these kitchen ideas. Photo 5 reminds me somewhat of your kitchen. Love the granite in photo 7 and the last picture is a nice look too. Good luck!

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Minneapolis Cabinets & Cabinetry CliqStudios Cabinets

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Glen Ellyn Kitchen & Bath Remodelers The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn

[

[Craftsman Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/craftsman-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2116) by Doylestown Architects & Designers Raphael Architects

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Wilton Architects & Designers Rob Sanders Architects LLC

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Evanston Architects & Designers Stuart Cohen & Julie Hacker Architects LLC

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Charlotte Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Case Remodeling

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107)

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Bethesda Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.

[

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by London Photographers Chris Snook

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by San Francisco General Contractors Podesta Construction

This post was edited by gr8day on Sat, May 24, 14 at 8:24

It's a very nice kitchen. I'd try to add some oak molding and go with a simple backsplash and counter. I'd say whatever is the most durable and maintenance free. So, perhaps black counters and a lighter BS.

Example of molding.

And if you were really looking into more sprucing up, perhaps some upper glass doors and new hardware.

Thanks so much! This forum is wonderful!

Gr8day, the photos are all great, extremely helpful, and making the task much less daunting. Lots of great choices. I really like 1, 3, 5 and 7. DH particularly likes No. 7 (and now understands why I like GW so much).

Nosoccermom, great ideas on updating the cabinets without a total gut job. I hadn't even considered that.

Let me throw in another question. Not kitchen related specifically, but this is an open concept and we've never liked the fireplace in the great room. Below is a photo from the listing. For context, this is in a Colorado ski resort area so a nicer fireplace would be a big plus. Any ideas for a facelift?

Thanks!

How high are the tops of the windows? I think I would add a brick or stone surround all the way to the ceiling, and then raise the curtain rods and install longer curtains. - it just looks stunted to me as-is.

Sj -- I absolutely agree that it looks stunted and your suggestion of going to the ceiling is kind if what I was afraid we will need to do for the best look but might be more than we want to bite off this year. Stacked stone, maybe? I can't tell the height of the windows -- I'm in another state and won't be out again until August and have only been in the property once in 2 years but I'm guessing around 6'8" -- 7' (DD is a property manager full time and lives in the neighborhood).

One of our new tenants is a retired ID and will only living there a year while they build. After she lives with it a while, she may have some ideas to share on the fireplace.

Something like this without a hearth that takes up so much space. Stacked stone, the fake stuff is perfectly fine for your application. It's light weight and looks good and it's not your residence so it doesn't have to be absolutely what you would do if it were in your own daily living space. It would do a lot for your space. I also like the ideas for the curtain panels as suggested upthread.

[

[Traditional Bedroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2107) by St Louis Architects & Designers House Plans and More

I'd start a new thread in the decorating forum with this question. What is it you dislike?

This post was edited by nosoccermom on Sat, May 24, 14 at 16:01