Remove cabinets on both sides of stove and add a glossy beige subway tile similar to below . I would also, move refrigerator to end of run switching it with pantry and putting a cabinet above refrigerator.

Another example of beige subway. Maybe a a lighter granite or quartz could brighten things up.

CAR! OMGoodness, I was just thinking of you last night! How the heck are ya? I can't wait to see what you did. Glad you came back....

Have a terrific day! ;)

HI Car, Of course I remember you! :) Hey, don't worry about the pictures....life happens, right? lol :) Whenever you get to it is fine with me. I just found it so funny that I was wondering how you were and then all of a sudden here you are! :) Glad to 'see' you. :)

Just replace the island top with a lighter beige color either granite or marble. Cabinets are fine

Looks nice with the lighter walls. Did you continue the same color onto the dining room walls. Adding under counter lights around the stove area would certainly lighten up that that corner area.

Why not place a couple of the light colored dining table chairs around the island.. show us a picture... to consider possibly painting the island chair/stools a light color.. or even blue which would compliment your cabinet colors.

Hi!

What changes have you made?Definitely looks a lot less cluttered.

Awesome, very light & airy. That was a lot of painting!!! As I had mentioned a while ago when I had viewed the panorama picture (of kitchen & dining area) that the reason you felt the kitchen was dark is that the dining was so light. Also now I see that your living room was also light . Of the 3 rooms the kitchen has the most wood & less light .

When refinishing the kitchen floor will you be stripping the wood & staining it lighter or installing a different lighter flooring (ceramic)?

Kitchen update 2021

Gorgeous!

Wow. Looks nice I also am in same boat you have given me hope. Love it.

I'm so glad you didn't paint those beautiful cabinets! No matter what the "trend" is, the marketplace will decide in 5 years that something else is "in", and there is now a "trend" back to stained wood! The countertops made all the difference and makes the space look truly timeless. Good job!!

So glad you kept the original finish on the cabinets and changed out the black counters. The black was just too much darkness. Now it’s fresh and bright. Clutter comes and goes...no problem. We all clutter, too. I’m saving the ‘whole kitchen photo’ in my kitchen album.

Thanks everybody! I’m happy with the result. I toyed with the idea of painting cabinets but the wood is still in great shape except at the island. I may still just paint the island and leave the rest alone. Also, I’m happy I went with honed marble instead of quartz. I love the look and after sealing it’s actually easy to clean.

I wasn’t there for the whole journey, but wow! That kitchen looks amazing. And yes, you saved the cabinets. The whole space looks more open and inviting.

Hey Car!!! So great to see you again, and the kitchen looks awesome! Great job! 😍

I have to say, I was very excited to hear you say honed marble.. I want honed marble so bad. (I finally moved btw!!) New build, but long story... wrong color cabs/counters...etc. So I am back at kitchens again! Lol

I was really wanting marble, but was looking at quartz too. I appreciate you sharing that info.

So, enough about me... :)

Are you enjoying the new kitchen? Cooking it up like before?😊

PS I hope you and yours are doing well and stay safe and healthy!

Wow! I hadn’t seen your dilemma before but your kitchen is absolutely knock your socks off! You’ve done a fabulous job with the transformation. So glad that you did not paint those beautiful cabinets! Your home is spectacular in general but the kitchen transformation should be in a before and after article someplace. You might be able to restore the wood at the island?

@liasch yes, restoring is probably the way to go on the island. I might just do that all by myself because the idea of having any contractor in my kitchen again sounds literally painful LOL. But I think you’re right.

@zazfuzzroc HI THERE! Can you believe how long it all took me? It was also a matter of finances but glad it got done. I absolutely love my honed marble, it still has a tad bit of sheen but not too much. I really like the quartz too but didn’t like that it doesn’t feel cold to the touch like the stone... I know, I sound crazy. I’m still cooking although not as much as my kids have grown (one is done w college and moved away, the other about to start college sigh!) But enough about me!
Good luck to you in your new kitchen “dilemmas”, these are all GOOD problems. Nice that you have the opportunity to redesign your cooking space! Hope you are also well! And thanks for checking in! ☺️

Hi Car, well...perfection takes time, right? lol ;) The most important thing, regardless of the time it took... is if you're happy in the end, and you sound like you are. :) I think it looks great and good to hear you are loving the marble.

Wow, kids out the door, time flies doesn't it? Best to all of you..

Thx about the kitchen, if we stay in this new house (only a year and 1/2) I'll change it up..but if we build another, I'll make sure it goes the way I wanted in the first place. I totally feel ya when you mentioned contractors in your kitchen.. I feel the same at the thought. lol

Take care.. Xo

To me your island is a perfect spot to inject a little color... it is not a big presence and you already have lots of wood ... for some reason blue comes to mind... maybe a medium blue/green..or..colorful rugs?

Or any shade of your favorite color?

Your kitchen counters with the cabinets is gorgeous! You should be very happy with the outcome.

I just stumbled upon this thread and I love the transformation! The walls and new counters made all the difference!

Wow!!! It looks like you have a new kitchen,it’s so beautiful! I had Cherry cabinets installed 10 years ago and contemplated painting white,so glad I didn’t. Wood cabinets have so much character.I love the tips a pro posted above about cleaning/oiling.I’m going to try that.

What white wall paint color did you use please

Perfect! Cabinets great too. glad you didn’t paint.

Older cabinets often better quality and wood and once you paint them they look like anything else today. they look great rich in color.Great choice

@truttman I believe I used flat interior decorator’s white by Benjamin Moore

Hi Car, hope you and yours are doing well. 😊

Make sure your lighting is 4000k and you have under cabinet lighting what color is your floor?