SFGate

inabunker I'd have to see more pics of the house to address the brick The brick actually adds some character and warmth to the space, but I don't know if conflicts with the function of the kitchen. It looks like you have adequate counter space.. You could always paint out the brick. It also looks like the center island takes up a lot of room. I'm not sure if that shouldn't be removed.

sam0705 I like the brick. Here's a link to a bunch of photos - I think it can work with many styles depending on what you're going for.
http://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen/brick-around-stove-

apple_pie_order Doors falling off the concealed hinges can be repaired in escrow. Cracked granite can be repaired adequately, if not perfectly, in escrow, too.

The brick should go; it's the wrong style for the rest of the kitchen and the wrong size for the range. If you need to live with the kitchen a few years, you could plaster over the brick and paint to match the cabinets.

Have you settled on a budget for remodelling the kitchen yet or are you in the idea-gathering stage? This looks like a good floor plan.

sam0705 If you are keeping the existing layout, I would get a counter depth refridgerator. That one is sticking out into the room a bit too much.

Jayme Hobbs Is the center island an actual table or an island? And is there also a table on the end of the room?

olldbobbi Dark hardwoods are a maintenance nightmare. They show every piece of lint, dirt, dust, pet hair, etc. I had them once and I'll never do it again. Love the brick!

mpoulsom Love the brick too! I would keep it. And Jayme brought up a good point. I was wondering the same thing...is that a table or an island? I personally really like the kitchen the way it's laid out, but if that IS an island, I think I would bring in a new one and add new pendant lights above it. Paint the base of it a different color or stain it something other than your cabinet color. And maybe even put a different top on it as well. And if you can't afford to buy a new frig, than perhaps you can build that wall a little so the sides are not sticking out. Just some thoughts!

Yarbro Home Improvement LLC The brick structure overwhelms the kitchen. Its very bulky. It appears that one needs to reach around the legs of the brick structure to access the counter. Is the countertop continuous or does it dead end @ the brick? I'd be curious to know why the granite is cracking. I don't see a wide self edge on the island. Typically, 1 reason you take a slice of the 3/4" stone and apply it to the underside of the same countertop material is to hide the exposed edges of the plywood sub-top. Is the stone on the island applied to a plywood subtop? Looks like the stone spans from the cabinets to the single support leg. Look underneath, and if you see stone and not wood, then its just going to continue to crack. Any repairs are temporary. Of course, photos are deceiving. Also, I'm nit-picking, the floor heat register is oddly placed.

Olde Wood Ltd. Dark hardwoods would look very nice in this space.

slsf61 Love the brick - and I think you will too when you fix the cabinets and granite. I agree that dark hardwood floors would look fabulous. Make sure to add an extra coat of polyurethane to the floors to protect against spills, heavier traffic, etc. Have fun!

AMN Full-height upper cabinets would pull that kitchen and the fabulous brick together.

Kelly Have you thought of putting in a commercial grade range? this would make the brick a focal point- I personally would paint the brick and do an aging finish to give it an old world look. Replace the island...something that looks like a piece of old furniture in wood tones. Wood floors definitely. I think the space will be amazing. Houzz has lots of ideas for stone around a range....this was just done incorrectly.

SweetRemodel.com I was advised against hardwood floors in a kitchen. They look great but they are vulnerable to water damage. If you want that look, you might want to consider engineered hardwood with a factory finish on the stain. Tends to be more durable and water resistant.
In terms of the kitchen remodel, if you are trying to save on cost you could just have the cabinet doors repaired. Might be a cool look to paint the cabinets grey and paint the brick white. I like the way the brick frames the range and I think it's just the color that weighs it down.

kristingrabowski Thanks for all the great ideas. Here is some more information, the kitchen is 13x10, plus breakfast area 9x8 and great room 20x15. Budget is 40,000. That is an island with seating and the back of it has microwave storage. Countertop dead ends at brick and granite is cracked at corner of sink. We have discussed painting the brick to match the backsplash. We were also thinking about crown molding on soffit rather than tearing out.

Cooknee Euro Style Cabinets I like the brick - it adds a nice focal point for what looks like a long room. I agree with another post that suggested painting it. If the cabinets are in bad shape you might think about replacing them if it's in the budget; also tearing out the soffits. Cracked granite can be re-glued. Two main things I would change is get a counter-depth fridge and run the counter tops and cabinets around the chimney brick (or remove brick from counter top height down -- this will give you more cabinet space too) instead of having it broken up like it is now. You'll have a more continuous line around the room. Good luck!

sam0705 Since it looks like the breakfast area is in pretty close proximity to the island, I think I would take out some of the seating around the island and limit it to a couple of bar/counter stools in whatever style you're going for. Otherwise I think it's looking a bit cluttered.
I would wait to paint the brick last and see how it looks with the rest of the kitchen. You may like the detail once it's done. If the rest of the kitchen was lighted up I think it would look great.
My vote would be to get rid of the soffit and go to the ceiling with your cabinets. You could still do a crown molding but I think if you put a crown molding onto the existing soffit, it's not going to look right (if I'm understanding what you mean). This is supposed to be a link to the jessica williamson "award winning kitchen in massachusetts" but I keep linking the whole search page somehow...
http://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen/brick-around-stove-/ls=5

Jayme Hobbs If I were keeping this kitchen and not totally remodeing it,..I think I would change the island/table. I would probably consider downsizing the length of the island/while making it taller, and either painting it darker or wrapping it with a darker material. Darker floor would look better. I would address the refridgerator and revise the cabinetry around it to cover it more. I am not sure I would keep the brick/if so, prob. would repaint walls a different color. Is there a vent or is it a downdraft range?

Custom Home Planning Center I would add an up light crown to help balance the dark floor.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Image+up+light+crown+molding&qpvt=Image+up+light+crown+molding&FORM=IGRE

kristingrabowski If we go dark hardwood floors and white cabinets should my granite be dark or light?

Kelly dark granite is my vote

bubblyjock I would remove the brick flanking the stove because it would drive me NUTS not having a usable workspace right beside the stove. Plus, it's dangerous - what if you have a stove fire? It's a really common, really stupid, design flaw imo - it's supposed to be cosmetic - nah, not in my book!

We've had hardwood (cherry) in the kitchen and we LOVED it.

allicusick If you change the flooring turn the island and move it closer to the table area and delete the seating overhang on it(it's dated looking and too close to the table area). Paint the wall above the cabinets the same color of the cabinets and fill in the gap with molding to give it a seamless look. I would paint the brick for an affordable update too. Get long, straight hardware for the cabinets at Home Depot. Change the pendant or atleast change the glass shade. Paint the inside of the glass cabinets silver sage from restoration hardware. Good luck and have fun.