My opinion - Paint the cabinets a creamy color or pale sand or light light beige. Pick a granite to grab the warm tones out of your floor. Put in a stainless oven and microwave that is stainless and black. That will draw your new cooktop into the mix. Update the hardware to be stainless if it is not - can't tell from pic.

I think it will look GREAT!

DON'T waste money on new cabinets! Good luck!

I don't think I explained well.....we are keeping our cabinets, and our oven. We will get a new oven someday. I am debating on keeping the cabinets the same color, painting them or staining them.

I am looking at pics right now of black cabinets and light granite...it looks great. Then that would eliminate the problem of white cabinets next to our white appliances.

I don't think I would paint your cabinets black....I just think it would be too dark in your space.

I do know what you mean about the white appliances next to white cabinets, it isn't ideal. But I do think it would be ok.

What if you painted the cabinets another color--say a dark green/grey color?

You could also try oil rubbed bronze hardware--maybe bin pulls on the bottom and knobs up top? Adding a large throw rug under your table would probably help too.
Maybe adding a back splash when you change out your countertops?

I would paint those cabinets in a heartbeat! I would keep the granite light and *cottagie*, A backsplash would make a world of difference. too. And, since the backsplash is your focal point, maybe a checker board pattern or some pretty accent tiles.
Not a big fan of microwaves over the stove, but it is what it is, and maybe the white cabinets will make it blend in more. And, can you always check CL for appliances. I bought a brand new fridge for $25!
What is at the top? Crown moulding, if it's not already there, is always a nice update.
How about a chandelier over your table?
I think, in general, you have a cute kitchen and it's just lacking a little *bling*.

When I replaced my old formica counters with granite, the harmonizing colors also improved the look of the 20 yr old cherry cabinets and "made" the whole room. Since you're unsure what you'd like to do about the cabinets, I'd suggest you first think about what you'd like for counters-visit a yard or two. Maybe a granite will call out to you. Then change (or not) the cabinets to best go with the new granite. If you don't get much natural light in your kitchen, I would try to keep the counters and backsplash on the lighter side.

Do the existing accent pieces reflect the real you? Are you seriously looking for a new look? Tell us what kinds of details you like...formal? glass? relaxed and soothing? metal and edgy? eclectic? Italian country? If you were to put a vase on that table, what would it be like? Do the tables and chairs reflect your taste? Who uses the kitchen? Will you be growing old in this space and if so, what kind of "feel" would suit you better than the existing kitchen?

Is that floor more like tan or brown?

If the countertops were not white and if the table legs weren't white and if there were a color between counter and uppers, there actually wouldn't be much white in the kitchen. If money is an issue, look hard at laminates--you can maximize your dollar and they're very practical.

Your cupboards would look different if you changed out the hardware. Consider something very different--shiny metal? granite knobs (cheaper than granite surfaces!)? cup pulls on the lowers? long minimalist rods? ornate florentine?

A distinctive color somewhere would really change out the look of the kitchen. Paint is cheap--just painting between the uppers and lowers would be great. Or consider wallpaper there--a fabulous monochrome texture would change the feel of working in the room and a pattern would be like a new companion.

How about using somewhere a redder toast color than the oak, one that works happily with the floor? (I'm working with lighter oak than yours, have decided on a granny smith green and a red-brown for paint colors.)

How gutsy are you? Are you willing to paint the cupboards a non-white color?

I've seen painted cabs done beautifully here (on GW), so that is one option. Another would be to keep the cabs as is, and just change out the hardware. A good friend kept her oak cabs (not sure if hers even has hardware), but put in a granite that worked absolutely perfectly with them. I'll try to find out which granite it is, but I know it's one that picks up the colors and the grain/movement of the oak really well.

Although your cabinets would look nice just changing out the doors on each side of micro with lightly frosted glass insertsÂpainting them in Sherwin Williams Grassland would look incredible!

>>>>Do the existing accent pieces reflect the real you?

Yes.....but I also love crisp cottage white, subway tiles etc...but only when it's in a warm space and not modern/cold. Love accents of black too.

Like beadboard, baskets, wicker,.....

I love my tables and chairs, I just re-finished that table recently from a garage sale, my heart and soul went into it. :)

My tile floor is kind of a tan.

I don't want to paint the cabs a "color". The more I looked at pics last night, I realize the black would be too dark. I think we will paint them white and just do the best we can with the appliances. If I don't paint them, and then get new counters, I think it will all look too brown/beige.

To an answer your other question....I don't know how long we plan to live here, probably at least 5 or 10 more years. I am married with 2 sons, 18 and 12. Our kitchen is the heart of our home.

I like the way this kitchen looks

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20282246_20629099,00.html

and this

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20391252_20794272,00.html