well, it is a tough one because the dark busy granite gives this kitchen an 80s look already, only if you combine it with something fresh will it look more modern. If the tones of the garnite are greys, i would consider a grey stain (or paint), or make it a woody beach or darker tone, but that orangey pine is a no-no. I found this photo of a darker stain with grey granite.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=beachy+wood+kitchen&biw=1137&bih=622&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIsNDflrTAyAIVi2kUCh2RZQEo#imgrc=bYP8COV0_o2LcM%3A

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=beachy+wood+kitchen&biw=1137&bih=622&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIsNDflrTAyAIVi2kUCh2RZQEo#tbm=isch&q=grey+granite+kitchen&imgrc=juGYeEHkdJ4i4M%3A

There is grey in the granite, but I'm not a big fan of grey. A warmer greige may be acceptable. Thanks for your suggestion. And yes, the orangey oak must go.

There is not a lot of grey in the granite as the pictures show. A bit misleading. There are many shades of beige, wine. and a bit of black.

I would go with an almost black stain. If you don't like it, then you could reface.

Remember that the color of the granite is not what the individual colors are, but what the eye perceives as the overall color. Your granite is a cool color overall and your current cabinets are a very warm tone.

You can do the cherry or use a greige stain................beige with gray in it.

From your picture, the cherry color looks more dramatic, but not too formal. Thanks.

I haven't felt that the granite has a 80's-90's look. Good to get another's perspective.

the grey stained cabs look much more modern. The cherry only adds to the 80's look.

warm, brownish grey, like the first pic

Here is a kitchen we did with Creama Bordeaux granite. The cabinets are custom made and the finish is a multiple step process of staining/painting/glazing that created this look. They are cherry cabinets. With the glaze over the entire cabinet the overall appearance is a warm cream tone. Up close it looks a bit different. Good luck.

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

I don't think the granite looks 80's or 90's. I love it. I think that's the cabinet color doing that. I love the creamy grey Beverly mocked up!!!!

We will have a professional to restain if that's the course we take. Refacing would be a professional job too. Thanks.

I would pull out the cream color with maybe a glaze. I would consider a gray accent area of cabinets in one section. The creme color will last a long time. Add glass doors that are lighted to give the room a larger dimensional feel. Cream color will last a lot longer than the gray. That color will come and go.

I think doing a cream/gray color will really highlight the granite, relaxing the over kitchen, giving it more modern, but family feel. I do like the cherry, but they do tend to be a slight bit more formal.. Adding some glass doors will again modernize the kitchen, and add a new feature,

good luck

Thanks to everyone who commented. We had two companies give us estimates and both suggested going with the cherry color. Another 2 will be coming next week. I'm still leaning towards a light color as most have suggested.