there's a lot going on in your question -- e.g., the "sideboard for keys" and butcherblock questions seem unrelated to the rest.

I think you'll be ok with lighter tan (even something like good ol' Antique White) paint and new pendants. put some art over the dining table. then live with it a while -- you can always, say, paint the cupboards if it's really feeling oppressively dark, but you have pretty good lighting here. some simple pulls will moderninze your cabinets too -- I'd go with nickel for more light accents, even if you keep your pendants dark. your island also has room for seating, which maybe helps with your breakfast idea (??), so you could get some stools there with light upholstery (or just light metal overall).

as for the rest, if that door in photo #1 is an entrance, then put a narrow console table near it on the left wall (can't really see enough) for keys and mail. then for eating get a table that's lighter wood, or even has glass and light metal going on, as well as light chairs. I think all of this will go a long way.

hope this helps.

thanks acm. i like your suggestions... especially the pulls.

I like your pendant lights but not the drippy chandelier light. You have a huge window, and also pot lights, so brightening the room up should be easy. Perhaps just painting the island and adding a while farmhouse table will do the trick. I would place a padded bench seat under the window that can be easily moved for extra seating

thanks charlee. I like the idea of a bench seat under the window :-)

thanks elle4maison. The spindle and cabinets are the same wood and now that you point it out I can see that the spindles are quite imposing. No idea how to paint the wood... but I can do some research. The lights are certainly being updated ;-)

I'm in full agreement w/elle4maison. will post some examples of tables & chairs & buy the table & chairs separately (not as a set). Go
with normal chair height as well.

thanks for the pictures sandradclark. so much shopping to be done!

would it be best if the island and wall color were the same cream or antique white?

I think I'd differentiate them -- even if the island were a couple of shades darker, it would still be a ton brighter than it is right now!

buffet & roman shades

A build in bench would look great and with some pillows more comfortable. Purple wodd look calm and warm with brown. Ask a locak carpenter to help you build the bench to mach this corner.

Chose some light chairs and barstolls, some modern lighting and flowers, treys, mugs with urbs and teapots make the kitchen inviting for comfort an entertaining.

Trinevig... would you put the bench under the window or perpendicular to it?

I'm going to just chatter away. IMHO...

You can buy or make a giant butcher block top. I could see a real chunky one that spreads from top to bottom of island and maybe 2 feet wide on the fridge side...or opposite what ever works for flow. Having one this big you can chat with your extra help across from you :) Also nice and big for hot plates,

If you go with antique white or similar on your island take a look at the lighter cream color on your granite top - Perhaps a distressed look. If you do decide to go with a light color on the island I would go with a different wall color than island.

Wall color. I personally would stay away from cooler colors like grey/blues. Your kitchen cabinets have a warm feel (yellow undertones-oak) so you don't want to mix cool with warm except for pops of color. Again these are just my preferences. :)

What would get me excited is black paint on the island, it would look like a piece of furniture. The dark color would be a striking focal point for your kitchen - go with a glossy black and it would go beautifully with your granite counter tops - so classy. At a later date as $ allows you could attach some generous sized black cabinet and drawer pulls. New black pulls would tie in nicely with the black island and light fixture metal above your island.

YES, new chandelier. Love the one above (I actually almost bought that!!) ... it would be a nice tie-in with a black island. (wink-wink). Plus the light above doesn't take as much eye level 'air space'. Keeps the feeling open.

One trick is reflective surfaces because they bounce off light. How about a large mirror on the wall behind the table? This mirror will reflect light from your door window into the work area. A big glass bowl on your island with fruit (or ?).

Other thoughts:
How about a lighter color rug under the kitchen table?

Light colored window curtains/valance.

Light colored table cloth.

Do blinds really have to stay on that back door in the arch? Or paint it a lighter color...

Light colored chair pads.

Lighten room in back next to fridge.

A light on wall behind the stove-top?

Just brainstorming. All really good ideas from other posters!!

OK, shew...I'll stop.

GOOD LUCK and Congrats on your new home.

Catvone... love the stream of consciousness. Lots of good ideas. I will think about the black island but am concerned about my ability to pull it off :-)

I would suggest not painting the island black because it will appear visually more imposing and undermine your goal and the need to lighten up and modernize the kitchen.

If you leave the uppers/lowers in their natural state for now and you initially just paint the wood on the island cream as I had suggested, I would suggest not changing the island countertop because its current countertop matches the other countertops which will help to continue to tie the island to the rest of kitchen after its painted. Otherwise, the island will look like it was added later vs. installed at the same time with some cabinet differentiation.

I would paint all the cabinets if good quality and functional. Lots of work sanding, priming and putting finish coat. If you've done painting and have a steady hand and patience you can do it. Without seeing first hand hard to say color I would choose. If there is enough contrast with other surfaces, ie: floor, granite, I would go a cream. Unify the lighting between the two spaces and get a new faucet. Lots of potential. Good luck!

You have a beautiful kitchen! I would not paint any cabinets until you add some personality with rugs, new lights, furniture, cabinet hardware, drapes, art work, etc.

First, remove the window shades ( and the one on the door) and get rid of the gray walls! Natural light adds so much to a home. Everyone has become so enamored with gray paint that they use it even when it does not work at all. You could look at SW Practical Beige or Kilim Beige. Grommet top drapery panels are very versatile and washable. You can get blackout if you need to close them at night for privacy.

Have fun with your new home!