Hi Sofia, I would keep the dishwasher black to match the wall oven. Not sure if you are opened to painting the cabinets, but this would be the most dramatic update on a budget.

Think I'd also consider painting over your brick in the alcove, believe it would freshen it up and not compete so much with your countertops! Good luck!

This is just how I see it, and maybe not for everyone. While your brick isn't necessarily "current" it is totally "classic." I think it's quite handsome, particularly the herringbone accent. I wouldn't touch it. Trends come and go, but this contributes to a more enduring, "old money" look.

In that vein, I do think the floors look a bit dated (but not in a classic way). Since I think your black double oven dictates your other appliances in black, I'd throw in some black background oriental rugs. I have them over the hardwoods in my own kitchen, and with a daily Roomba and occasional trip to the dry cleaner, they're fresh and clean, even with a tweenager and Great Pyrenees in the house.

Since your budget doesn't allow for a backsplash at the moment (and when it does, consider brick at least in non-splashy areas), you can paint -- I'd find a color shared by your brick, the rugs, and I was going to say window treatments, but I think the trim over the window gives them a finished enough appearance to leave them alone, assuming you like your view. Non-fussy translates to a more modern classic tone.

Normally I'm not a huge fan of oak, but somehow with the beefy trim work and ceiling beams, I really love it in your setting. It will benefit greatly from a careful color choice.

If you search and study English and Spanish kitchens, I think you can take this one in either direction -- using dhurries rather than orientals if you go Spanish.

You could go a little more dramatic with lighting but this gives you the flavor, pun intended:

Understand what barnhartgallery is saying regarding your brick, but check out this pic.

What a beautiful and light-filled kitchen! Definitely update your cabinet hardware and don't neglect the exposed hinges. Rather than paint all of your cabinets as Dytecture suggested, consider just the island for contrast.

$500 isn't much. So this is just my opinion here. I would change the sink and faucette to match the hardware. Wood window treatments and your out of money...................... No window treatments? Go with warming the area with rugs. Out of cash.
I agree with barnhartgallery. It is a classic look, especially over the stove. Leave it. You have a black double oven you should stick with black.

Having a professional refinisher paint your cabinets, you will be over $4000. Do it yourself....about $300 with Rustolium Cabinet paint. Then you would want to paint your walls and doors. Money is gone. Unfortunately, after painting the cabinets,the moulding and ceiling beams in oak, won't look like they belong there. Gloss white for these eventually. This is experience talking. Refinished my oak cabinets myself. Just snowballed from there.

If it were me, I would hold out for a bigger budget :)

Painting your cabinets would be great, I'd still be realllllly tempted to paint the brickwork, if you didn't like it...can always be sandblasted and removed!

Hi and I also think you are fortunate to have such a large light filled kitchen. Here is what I did for a kitchen very similar to this one. Have the cabinets lightly sanded, paint with a warm creamy white, lightly sand again to reveal the wood along the edges then glaze with a warm caramel color similar to wood but a bit darker. Rub off the glaze leaving it only in the grooves where the panels meet. Choose new hardware for the cabinets in a oil rubbed bronze, try a ReStore for a good price. I would then look for rugs in black cream and perhaps a warm red to add some relief to the large expanse of floor.

I love brick and this treatment would enhance the brick color. I would also suggest a warm caramel color for the walls if doing this treatment. Find a color that works with the brick and the countertop.

Best wishes for the kitchen you will love.

I love the brick - above the range is so in right now with the chevron pattern and your cabinets have great dimension with the detailed trim!

I would pick out a soft gray or cream from the brick to paint the cabinets. DON'T PAINT YOUR BRICK it is actually a nice color (I typically do not like brick but yours is actually quite chic looking)

Paint the island black as well as the buffet/desk area that is left of the range.

Keep your appliances uniform with the black, stainless is so over done and is on its way out. Your dishwasher is panel ready which is great and if it works paint it the color of the cabinets. If you can get a panel ready fridge - this again is becoming back in style, you can switch out the panels with styles!

Remove the hardware in the middle of your door fronts (your eye goes directly to the hardware) have all black iron hardware, handsome.

This kitchen has great bones and can be a beautiful handsome, sophisticated space with a small amount of money! For the floor add a 2 tone colored runners, could repeat the chevron pattern above the range.

Wonderful windows - dont' cover them up unless you need them for privacy.

Have fun!

Sofia, I sincerely wish you luck, I was trying to channel your taste through your ideabooks. Common themes seem to be light, clean lined, airy, modern with a touch of rustic You've received plenty of great ideas, but stick to your vision!

That's a pretty nice kitchen, I wouldn't change too much. I love the idea of painting the island black as suggested above, that's right where my eye went. Bring in some rugs/runners for a little color. I would also add some art on that wall just beyond the desk area, next to the big windows. Possibly wire for a light fixture over the island and I think yor're good. I really like the brick and wouldn't change the other cabinets. Good luck with your project. Charmean Neithart

Here's a nice compromise to the question whether to paint the 80's brick! I'm really going to try let this go, as it seems I'm losing this debate...just food for thought.

I think the two things that date the space are the cabinetry (including the hardware) and the floors. It looks like a lot of square footage, so $5000 may only cover the cost of the floors. A larger tile, would update the space and make it less visually busy. If you are open to painting the cabinets, that would definitely update the space. You can fill in the holes from where the hardware was and re-position them. I like the brickwork and it can be used nicely to pull colours for the rest of the space... floors, cabinetry and wall colour.

That is a nice size for a kitchen and so much cabinet and counter space! With your budget I think that the hardware could be updated. I like the idea that Jamieson had using a brushed nickle look. You would want something that has a more modern style and doesn't stand out on the cabinets. I attached a photo of a drawer pull and you can look here to see more: http://rusticahardware.com/series-298-cup-cabinet-pull/.

I just love your kitchen as is,but then I'm not a professional just wanted to share my humble opinion

Nice pick Mr. Rustica, you have a great selection of really neat hardware!

Wow! What great responses. You all had wonderful ideas. I am so grateful. I will upload new photos when the remodel is complete...think I am going to focus on floors, rugs, and cabinetry hardware. (And yes...I took the budget up to $10K by postponing the pool so I could do the floors!) Thank you everyone again! - SP

Hmmm, depends how grey you're going for the cabinets, think you'll need a contrast. Look to your countertop and (cough) unpainted brick for inspiration! Good luck Sofia, and keep us in the loop!

Note the hardware in the first two pics. Believe that they'd look great, also fairly inexpensive. Wouldn't bother to change the placement, just make sure the measurements for hardware will be the same. This will save you from having to fill holes, or not matching finishes after sanding. Hope that helps! Sorry you're losing the pool, but new floors...hey, who could blame ya!

How's the project going, Sofia? Any updates? Would love to see how it turns out!

Hi Sofia! I'm interested to see the 'end' result! We are in a similar situation with some appliances staying, and a low budget to change up a dated kitchen. (dated-ish). Did you paint? What color did you go with? What did you do for window coverings? Did you leave them bare? Did you change the hardware? Please post some 'after' pics!

Agree with painting the cabinets -- if you are willing to do it yourself. A warm, mid-tone grey would look lovely. Best of luck!

Great space! I would definitely replace the floors first.

To stay within your budget, I would recommend painting first then flooring. I love the counter and it matches with your cabinets.

Probably they came up with something in the intervening three years...