What a large wonderful kitchen. There is no minimizing the dark side, its there. Your own personality added to the space will change what your eye focuses on. A super cool light fixture or maybe a pair, over the island. Large statment assessories above the cabinets would be a start.....I don't know if you want to dig deeper right now .......Backsplash, paint, new appilances? Congratulations on your new home and good luck.

Tiled backsplash with a shine would look great, Blue and Silver mix would be my pick. Change the Kitchen sink faucet to a nice Kohler one with a high arch, that is about $150 to $200 depending on what you choose. Nice kitchen rug, I saw some nice ones at Crate and Barrell. For your island, I would spend a little more there to makeit the focal point. Put up some hanging lights from the ceiling, something modern or traditional depending on what you like. I like chandeliers in modern spaces so I would probably do that or a drum style pendant. It could be a centerpiece for the kitchen so the eye is taken off the things you don't like. Also it can brighten up the space which is always great for a kitchen. Finally, I would put some nice jars and flowers on the island. I love the ginger jar from Winwarddesigns.com at http://www.winwarddesigns.com/collections/home-decor/products/winward-ginger-jar-18-tall. It also helps to put away the clutter. Flowers are a must to keep the room looking great all the time. Another favorite that I have in my kitchen is http://www.winwarddesigns.com/collections/flower-types-orchids/products/white-phalaenopsis-orchid-garden.

Also look at some under cabinet lighting if you can (you may not have a light rail). You also probably have the option of rope lighting on top of your cabinets.

When the time comes to replace the countertops, a color similar to what you have now in a quartz or corian with a waterfall edge over the island would be spectacular!

Is there any way at least the fridge can be replaced with stainless. It's too small for the space and also contributing a lot to the darkness. Could you sell on Craigslist possibly? I think that would make an enormous difference. You can save money on backsplash - there are so many options, sheets you can find on clearance at Home Depot or lowes.
West elm and crate and barrel have reasonably priced runners for that area Between the sink and the island.

Here's a pic with a white backsplash

I'm not in love with stainless, so I personally like black appliances. Having said that, why on earth did they put that tiny apartment sized fridge in there? Awful. I would get rid of that for sure and replace it with a fridge that actually fits the space for it. I agree with others about some under cabinet lighting if it's in the budget.

There's always paint. Not sure what adjoining spaces you have in terms of color or what furniture you have, but this is so neutral it would help to interject color somewhere. Either with a backsplash or wall color.

I would put some yellow or bright green in there. Backsplash, paint, and LED's under the cabinets. Just a thought

What about a wall decal on the area over the panty? The photo below is a stencil - but there are a lot of great looking decals out there in a variety of colors.

Paint! Your favorite color in the brightest shade possible will do wonders.

Wonderful suggestions! Many, many thanks. Oh, that fridge was replaced with a side-by-side that fits correctly, and the black stove is there now. Love the ideas of: adding silver hardware, adding under counter lighting, adding back splash tile/color, and making the island a focal point. All quick and inexpensive ideas. Maybe my collection of Talavera pottery might work to add color too. Thank you all again.

I suggest you remove the 4" laminate backspalsh which is typically adhered to the wall and caulked at the countertop joint before you apply new backsplash. This way you can have an uninterupted vertical surface of a single material and diminish the laminate look.

Consider removing the island top and replacing it with a budget-wise laminate color that coordinates with the new backsplash or as an accent color. Is there enough room to have an overhang?

Or, keep the island top and prep it to receive tile or remove the top and install a larger substrate for an overhang . Houzz has photos showing some great looking tile tops in mosaics and brick patterns. This would be coordinated with the backsplash.

Perhaps a kiln fired ceramic tile mural to add color. Actually your kitchen is beautiful and so nice and new looking. Good luck and have fun with your decorating.