I think your plan sounds great. Your cabinets look good to me and not really outdated with the simple style. They do need hardware, however and I would stick with mostly pulls, rather than the knobs that are in the mock up. Pulls add more interest, I think.

If you decide to freshen them up more, I would look into gel stains, which you can apply without a lot of stripping, but they look fine as is to me.

I personally like all counters to match but lots of people put granite on their islands and something else on perimeter. It's very fashionable to do that lately. I would go for a laminate there for the reasons you state. Butcher block would be an alternative, but wouldn't give enough contrast, imo. Since you can't cut or put hot pans on a corian like surface either, stick with a formica to save the money.

Yours is one of the kitchens I would say that could greatly benefit from a backsplash....great idea.

Have you considered painting the walls? I think I would do that.

Good luck!

The beauty of a stainless steel farm sink is that you can make it fit into any decor, tradtional, contemporary or even period. It would look great in your kitchen. Kohler makes a very nice, reasonably priced stainless apron sink. Take a look at the kitchen in the link below. It's really nice. There's one that's even less expensive made by Schon but the interior width is only 14" which I thought was a bit narrow.

Your cabinets look great but I agree that they need hardware and I like the pulls better too.

I wouldn't mix laminate with granite. I'd be afraid it will end up looking like you couldn't afford to redo all of the counters. How good are you at DIY? Could you possibly fabricate stainless counters for the perimeter (I have no idea how difficult this is; just throwing it out there)? Or butcher block on the perimeter, something really dark perhaps? Maybe you could find some granite remnants that would be big enough to do your perimeter (or some prefab pieces), and put a contrasting stone on the island.

Kohler

Schon

You have put together a great plan. And the execution shouldn't be too painful either.

Do you plan to get all new cabinets for the island? A farmhouse sink takes a different type of sink base:

Actually, I thought most farmhouse sink bases were made with extra supoort in the front, but maybe I'm wrong. Hopefully someone who knows will clarify this.

Jessie's idea of the gel stain is a good one, if you want to darken your cabinets. I'll bet you could scuff them up with a little sand paper, then wipe on the gel for a whole new look. Be sure to test this on an extra or hidden door though, so that you can get the technique down before moving on to the kitchen.

Have you checked out Ikea butcher block for your perimeter cabinets? Not too expensive and, if you got it in a color that was darker or lighter than your cabinets it would look great!

Shop for remnant pieces of granite for your island...you can get a deal. Also, were you the one who had a friend with extra granite tiles? Maybe use those for the perimeter. Just some random thoughts.

Can't wait to see you get started! It can be gorgeous when you are done.

Sandy

We did a minor update at our weekend lake place and kept the original oak cabinets. I like oak cabinets too and mine were in pretty good shape and very functional with pullouts, etc. We got new counters, cabinet hardware and appliances and a short tile backsplash - wood ceiling since it's a "cabin" and we painted. I'm quite happy with the results. Here are a couple pics.

BEFORE

AFTER

I don't have any good up to date photos of my kitchen which is (shudder) STILL a work in progress, but to summarize- I did keep my oak cabinets (I loved them when I picked them out in 1990 and I still love them.)... removed soffits, added crown molding, changed hardware, changed countertops to dark granite, added pendant lighting, and did a tile backsplsh(porcelain tile but it looks like travertine). I am waiting on undercab lighting and the BIG wait is figuring out wall color.
I will try to find a pic or two but they really dont do it justice, it looks much better in person. honestly.Oh and I think we may have the same range and microwave.
I am a big believer in updating and not ripping out if it will work. I think this will be more common thanks to the economy and I think it is wonderful...
Didnt want this thread to fall off. If I can locate even a lousy pic I will post it later.

I am linking this thread here- which is an ASTOUNDINGLY brilliant reno that did re-use the cabinets(althoug painted) and has different counter surfaces.

Here's a link to my redone kitchen. I kept oak cabinets, flooring, light fixtures, copper hood and appliances. Replaced countertop, sink, faucet, backsplash, took down wallpaper, etc. I have since replaced light fixtues also, but no photo. I will be replacing frig in the near future with counter depth model.

jstell - we can't link to your photos without a password. If you can post, I'd love to see them as I consider doing something similar.

We did a 'facelift' keeping our cabinet boxes (a very solid oak) but having new doors/drawers made, painting the boxes, and adding crown molding. No change in the layout; cosmetics only. I am going to TRY to post pictures but this will be first time so bear with me!!

Sorry, use the password jstell2008 That should get you into the pictures. If not, let me know.

jstell--love the countertop! Is it granite or marble? Great looking kitchen update.
Thanks-

It's jungle granite. I love it and it goes really well with copper, if you love copper. Lots of people think it's marble.. I'm on my ipod. Hard to type. Let me know if you have more questions.

It's jungle granite. I love it and it goes really well with copper, if you love copper. Lots of people think it's marble.. I'm on my ipod. Hard to type. Let me know if you have more questions.