I need help with how to update my kitchen. I love the space, but the house is ten years old and I need to refinish the floors and probably the cabinets. It got me thinking that the kitchen is a little tired and needs a minor update. The cabinets are solid alder, but I've considered painting them cream, carmel or white. How would that look with the granite? I also thought about going to a dark stain for the cabinets. . I'd like to do the floors a dark walnut, though, and that is maybe too much dark wood. I have always disliked the granite, but don't know if I can replace it. I want tile back splashes to coordinate with a solid material countertop. If I have dark cabinets, I want a light countertop and visa versa. Could I just replace the backslashes? I plan to add pendant lights. The range top and all appliances are good, but the microwave is too high. I want to add a farm sink, maybe in copper, glass fronts to the cabinets on either side of the range, and a second dishwasher. I'd like a different range hood-something custom, maybe copper? And I'd like space for 8 burners instead of the current 6, but now I'm getting into more than an update because cabinets around the range would need removal and remodeling. I think I need to ditch the stuff above the cabinets on the soffit, but should it be bare? I love my Italian ceramic dishes, but don't know how to incorprate them into a new design.

All ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Anna