Yup, toats, that's exactly what I'd do, remove the valance and cornices. And that's probably all I'd do. The rest of the space looks great.

it is a very nice kitchen grover :) and i fully realize i am in the minority when it comes to the vintage valances. but the space is def dark, so much wood....

Here's how it would look in white (with scalloped valance removed):

Paint the paneling lighter gray.

Agree, toats, lotta wood. Maybe paint the paneling and shelves instead of the cabinets. Maybe I'll try that tomorrow. Bedtime for Grover here.

Hi. It's nice whatever you do with the valances. Slate floor? Creamy counters? I think I sense mountain air...anyway it just looks fresh and new! What would it look like to paint the backs of the shelves?

You could break up all the wood and just paint all the doors and window trim white, like your counter....(just the trim, window trim and doors/trim, not the scallop/valances)

One thing that really sticks out in all photos is the lighting, especially that long light box. Some overhead cams (with LEDs) maybe new light over island would make such a difference!

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions!! I think the white cabinets would definitely brighten the space. But I'm thinking I will start with the walls as some of you have suggested and start little by little lightening the room. Maybe just paint the wood panels first and leave the trim natural as well as the cabinets? Or will that look to Dutch or mountainy if not the panels are painted a light color?

Nice big kitchen. I'd change the lighting first. It can make a huge difference. Are you just moving into the house or are the new flooring and countertop choices yours?

What a gorgeous space. I'd leave the cabinetry wood, as it's lovely. Paint the paneling white or stone gray, remove the wood "valance" piece over the sink, and replace the light fixtures with something more modern (and possibly more of a pendant style). You've got it made!

I am planning on centering a large pendant light over the table and removing the one on the side of it in front of the right side hutch. I am still deciding on what type of lighting to replace the current "kitchen side" lights with, either more modern fixture or recessed lighting.

Is the kitchen Mahogany? If so don't paint it's way too high end. In my personal taste the only problem with the kitchen is the wood paneling around the walls. But like toats said you would want a pro on this, that is so much space and material and painting would absolutely not do it justice. You would want a white or colored base coat and a smooth lacquer finish, that would be the best way to keep it looking high end.

I would change the lighting. I just updated my kitchen with LED recessed lighting along with with pendent lighting. Could you remove the wood with the puck lights?

Can lights would be a great

Paint island lighter.

By looking at your pictures it appears your primary issues may be lighting. The soffit over your peninsula should be removed, along with your surface mounted light fixtures on the ceiling. 4 to 6 recess lights would be an appropriate amount of lighting along with two pendants over the peninsula, the curve valance over the window also takes away from the height of the room. I don’t know that we would recommend painting the cabinets, but painting the rest of the trim and doors around the room would probably make the biggest difference. The last thing that we would also recommend is a darker grout for your floor, where you now have gray/black tile but your grout looks almost white.

About the lighting: you don't have to replace the ceiling fixtures with pot lights, you could just go for more interesting flush mounts with pewter or satin nickel accents, in a more contemporary style. They would be more in line with the contemporary look of your large stainless range hood and back splash. Then you could use a chandelier version of them over your table. Of course a bit of crystal or sparkle would be attractive too.

The light from pot lights doesn't always fan out well, and it can be a pain to change the bulbs. Attached are some pictures, with lights that have several coordinating pieces. One has a fabric shade, which could be a problem with kitchen grease, but others have glass shades, which can be removed and scrubbed.

Also, do you have undercabinet lighting?

You don't even have to removed the light valence over the peninsula, it's really not that bad. Plus it ties into the crown moulding that goes all the way around the room. I wouldn't necessarily put pendants here if there will be a chandelier nearby, unless they are simple and unobtrusive (or matching).

Go with LED under cabinet lighting. Remove the curved valance & the over peninsula piece. Go from there. Take more photos after doing that & we will carry on.

Great choices so far.