Erin's fabric idea to me includes a trim valance - this hot pink might tie in your modern light with a traditional pattern:

Santa Maria Fabric, Desert Flower · More Info

Pizelle Fabric · More Info

You may have to go to a local window shade shop to get roman shades in prints. I know that Blindsgalore have like 42 colors in solids. How big is your window?

One way to add color is to find a colored ceramic or melamine tray and put your counter thing on it. Then bring out that color in linens and flowers/fruit.

There are undercabinet lights that won't break the bank, but strip LEDs would be worth the splurge. Your kitchen is so pretty it's a shame not to show it to advantage.

The fabrics were for valance, but have you showed him a flat one, with no ruffles? Where's a photo of a vapor stool?

Roman shade - any chance you'd lower it for night privacy? Otherwise it'll look about like a valance anyway [being up].

sub, my bad...Blindsgalore also have tons of printed fabric shades, more expensive of course, but check out their website. With that beautiful new space it would be a shame to not go the extra $100 for the perfect shade.

If you really want to bring in more color the bar stools would be a good way. With the stools, the shade, you just need one more hit to be in perfect style :>) Add some canisters to the counter or it that passé now? Here are 3 sample fabrics

Blue barstools

You have many options. You should invest in the under cabinet light. I agree with juudean, IKEA has affordable ones. Check it out. Paint the walls with a less neutral color will help. Accessories, including small appliances, with bright colors will give a nice touch. Another element that you can add is a glass door. You can remove the central panel of your wall corner cabinet, and change it for a piece of glass. Use the cabinet to store colorful china or glasses. If you can afford, add an interior light. Another option is adding a wall decal, like the one below, on the back splash below the hood. It will call attention and create a fun spot.

My kitchen window dimensions taken inside the casing is 34 in 42in.

lbhales they are ET2 fizz lights. We took a splurge on them. And of course hubby's choice.

miacometlady three hits make more sense now. Thanks.

These are all great ideas. I have to go shopping for colorful stools. I have to add some kitchen accessories as well, I might as well go for some splash of color when I chose them.

I am thinking of going with retro blue color, aqua, sky blue color family; something like the color of mixer that miacometlady shared earlier in the post. susan2494 , I really like the style of barstools you have shared. Do you have any suggestions on similar style in the color combos I mentioned?

Blindsgalore has printed roman shades in your size for $230.

3 more prints

I'll look up barstools

The only ones I could fin in aqua or turquoise were $400-600 :>) Might have to stick with these

Consider roman shades, barstools, or even changing the hardware out.

What about blown colored glass pendants?

I have a blog post that may help you out.

http://timothyriversinteriors.com/2015/06/04/kitchen-lighting-that-will-not-break-the-bank/

Happy Designing!

BTW, a lot of the barstools I posted come in a bunch of different colors, pink, yellow, red, orange. black, white, green. Just no aqua.

Looking for valance, found this stackable in 6 colors. Valance in several fabrics:

Blu Dot Hot Mesh Counterstool, Simple Blue · More Info

Window Valence CV-1, Robert Allen Premium Fabric - True Blue, 54" Wide · More Info

Try theshadestore.com for roman shades. They will send you fabric sample free.

Wyndham Area Rug, Lavender and Ivory, 2'3"x9' · More Info

Linon Home Decor Vega Bar Stool Agean Blue X-U10ULB45041 · More Info

Scooper Barstool, Blue · More Info

Lumisource Spyra Barstool, Multi · More Info

Roman shade & throw rugs in front of the sink, stove & fridg with new counter stools all in the same colorway with under cabinet LED lights from IKea would help you so much with the all white "blues"!!

Check Overstock.com for roman blins "tullahoma" nice ikat pattern in blue. Check for your size are on sale.

I vote the lights, there are very inexpensive at Ikea, lowes and HD. Also, I did my own shades in one kitchen, my windows were all roughly 30" by 72" long, old house, no 2 identical. The windows faced a neighbors driveway roughly 6 ft away. I made my own lined shades. I used cut to size mattress pads, folded my fabric over the edge and hemmed, top hem was deeper to accomodate the thin rods you use in doors etc. Then used window chain attached to rods to raise and lower to appropriate height attached at appropriate height on cup hooks, always gots lots of light, but neighbors could not see in. I sewed gross grain at the top hanging down both sides so I could tie them up. tons of times I had 3 ft of curtain in the middle part of the window. Bottom part up so kitties and puppies could play chase bunnies. Top part down so I got more light, but not enough showing for the neighbors to peep. When it was very hot or very cold, closed all or most to keep the temperature out. Can't say the number of times I peeled those things off my frozen windows!

It's a nice kitchen, and I'm sure you'll find some nice accent pieces to brighten it up. As one who loves color, though, I see this question on Houzz fairly often and I wonder: if one chooses neutrals... white, cream, gray, greige exclusively, it's no surprise that it's bland. How can it be otherwise with NO color?

The lights are a great idea, but as pdk says the lights will brighten the kitchen but it will still cream, grey and white. At this point the only way to bring in color is with accessories. Bar stools , window treatments and items with color on the counters. I hope your shopping trip results in some things you like to bring in more color. You have a beautiful kitchen.

Thanks for all the great advises. I will make some changes and post some pictures soon.

One last idea, I meant to put earlier, must have swallowed it. Those easy made home made shades allowed me to pick the fabric I wanted, and though I often don't do this, but love it when I do, remember, that neutral allows you to do turquoise in summer and maybe Christmas red in winter. using fabrics you only need one box: seat cushion, towels, shades, and maybe a fruit bowl and vase or creamer. A whole new room twice a year and cheap to update or totally change too!

Choosing a kitchen focal point? Here is a great
article that might help: Kitchen
Focal Point

As many people have said here, we often suggest that you add color through accent items. This could be curtains, towels or furnishings. Things that are easy to add or swap out and you won't have to work around with if you want to change the feel of your space in the future.