Most effictive and cost friendly changes to any kitchen is the cabinets! If they are in good condition staining or painting them can make the room look brand new. It is a great place to start. A white or grey tone can match with the countertops and backsplash

Removing the wallpaper will do wonders! Hickory is a good hard wood so it would depend on what shape they are in and what style you like. The cabinets appear Country French and the refrigerator and dishwasher read Contemporary, range is more traditional. If you are contemporary I would research new doors for the cabinets in more of a shaker or clean lined style without an arch. I would also replace the range with a stainless model with less black and without the attached backsplash.

If you like the Country French try new cabinet hardware that is more transitional to bridge the gap between style. I still would replace the range with one without a backsplash. You could probably sell the existing range on Craigslist to recoup some of your costs.

New lighting is another item that you can do at little cost if you replace with surface mount fixtures. You might consider recessed cans, easier and less expensive to do without living space above. With living space above you will have to bring someone in for drywall repairs.

Hope this helps.

Lynn, changing the hardware (keeping the country french look) is a better solution for us economically, at this point. Any links for hardware are welcome! The appliances are all Bosch and are in great condition now, so we are going to keep them. Maybe replace the range in a couple of years. Will also research recessed can lighting. Thanks for your comments!

i think you'll be so pleased to have the wallpaper out that you'll be all set for some time to come.

oh, and i forgot the fans. yes, one fan is more than enough, keep the one over the table if you must but not the one in the kitchen.

Thanks all, oh how I want to have that wallpaper removed. I agree, fans are ugly too.

In addition to the wallpaper removal, if you add a really nice harvest table, that will make a big difference. You could paint the window frame white and replace the fan at sink with a potlight. I don't think the hardware will make a huge difference and would wait - they look like a brass color and you could add a brass pendant over the table to compliment.

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Matthew Williams Adastra Pendant Light w/ 1 Light 100W · More Info

Don't take the fans out until you've spent a summer in the home as they may be one of the major cooling features of the home. If they are, you can always upgrade them.

Oil rubbed bronze hardware brings out the darker amber colors of medium tone woods like you have. You could go with an oil rubbed faucet as well to complete the look.

For the walls, match the olive green in your granite, and then go two to three shades lighter for an open airy feeling. Olive green looks wonderful with medium tone wood.

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Paint Color SW 6422 Shagreen from Sherwin-Williams · More Info

Thank you, really like the Shagreen :)

I agree with Tonia. The grain on those is beautiful. If you dislike the color, stain them darker or bleach even, but no paint. Paint is for crappy pine and other ugly woods.

Check Top Knobs website. They have a great sample program where can you order up to 3 samples for 5.00 each, no shipping.

They look to be in great condition. Hardware update and lighting update. As well, possibly changing the wallpaper or simply moving to paint. Maybe beadboard if you enjoy a nice wall treatment to keep the country look.

2 tips - Your color palette, and why you should consider white:

Putting together a kitchen color palette can be
confusing! Here is a great article that might help: Kitchen
Color Palette

Why are white kitchens top for 2015? Here’s a great
article: Top
for 2015