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This kitchen is actually more beautiful than the inspiration pic. I am really glad you shared it. I am re-doing mine in much the same way. I hope you enjoy it for many years!!!!

@Cindy Warren Fialka, Hi! After considering every possibility, yes, we are getting new cabinetry. We talked to refinishers and considered re-facing, painting, etc. In the end, I knew I wanted an updated kitchen with a new layout, mostly drawers for storage, a double oven that will be easier for me to use as I age (66 going on...), a more open layout and a brighter space. My daughter and SIL live in our area and can use many of our cabinets and all of our appliances in their builder-grade kitchen so it's a win-win. Otherwise, we would have donated them to our local Re-Use center or Habitat for Humanity. We are refinishing the cherry floors with a warm, medium dark stain to help diminish the red; will install beautiful new custom white cabinetry and we just selected a gorgeous Taj Mahal quartzite for countertops and backsplash. We are also making some other cosmetic changes to the adjoining rooms which will bring our main floor into 2020 and I expect to love it and enjoy it for the next 10 years! It will also be a big selling point when and if we choose to move some day. Good luck with your decisions!

I wouldn't do the patterned tile. Nothing dates a kitchen more than that kind of tile. I live outside NYC and that stuff is already on the way out. I'd do the subway throughout the space. They have so many choices in colors of subway, I'm sure you will find something that goes with both your floors and counters. Take your time - you can use your kitchen without a backsplash.