I would have to see a picture of what you're looking at. But my initial reaction is that the chocolate brown counters would look better with a lighter cabinet. I picture "Walnut" color painted cabinets with those counters both being dark brown with not enough contrast. Can you post some pictures of your countertops and the flooring you are considering?

I just finally figured out how to send pictures! Thanks---I am going to go with a lighter wide plank oak flooring.

I think they would look great painted a creamy white rather than brown.

I would not go brown with your cabinets. Your counters are quite dark and there won't be any contrast. I'd stick with creamy white and maybe go with a medium color on the floor

How grainy is the oak? The prep on some oak's grain makes it not easy to do...

I'd go with a creamy white or a very pale, buttery yellow.

They look like maple to me rather than oak. Do a search on General Finishes Milk Paint (it is actually a water-based acrylic and it is very easy to work with and durable). If your cabinets are indeed oak, you must be prepared that the grain will show through.

Someone very recently painted their cabinets with milk paint, which looked amazing.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3485219/cabinet-paint-rave?n=14

Alternatively, look into General Finishes gel stain, perhaps in Java. There are lots of examples on the Internet. It's easy to use, not as labor intensive as paint, and looks great.

The color is actually not quite as black, depending on how much gel stain you use.

Or Brown Mahogany, link below with lots of pictures.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2412155/general-finishes-gel-stain-update

Patsy, I know you did not ask, but have you thought about removing the lone cabinet over the peninsula? It would help open up the space. Just a thought.

Thank you for getting back to me. I love the Java gel idea and shared it with the professional planning on painting my cabinets. I have extra cabinet doors stored from some being removed earlier in remodeling. She is going to test one and see how the honey oak absorbs it. I love your picture of showing me what my kitchen would look like with the java stain. Do you have a way to show me how the kitchen would look also if it were painted the creamy white color I am debating on. Great way to see how things would turn out. You did say that the cabinets would look more like the single cabinet picture and not as black looking as the larger kitchen photo you sent me. Correct? In regards to moving that single cabinet---Where the pendent lighting now is---when I first moved into the condo there were cabinets that went all the way across there that I had removed. I really have to keep that cabinet because I have no storage room for dishes now. But I agree---removing that would totally open up the whole area. I really appreciate your advice and time! Thanks!

Your uppers are fighting against every attempt to make this kitchen contemporary. I would remove the uppers and buy three or four new cabinets--one between the fridge and range, an over-the-MW cab, and a cab that goes straight to the window wall. On the wall to the right of the window, another cab or two chunky shelves. You can get these in a light paint and gel stain your base cabs. For more money, you could buy new door and drawer fronts for the base cabs. You can get ready to assemble quality cabinets for the uppers and matching doors and drawer fronts from places like Barker's Cabinets

Yes, mayflowers is correct the arch in the upper cabinets definitely date them. If you are not willing to change the upper cabinets don't stain the lower.

gel stain is more paint like, not like a liquid stain, so you basically control how dark to go, depending on whether you use a brush or rags and how much you wipe off again.

Google General finishes gel stain. Then click on images, and you'll see lots of examples, including what cabinets look like after coat 1, 2, etc.

Same with painting white: Google painted oak cabinets

I don't see an arch in OPs cabinets. In fact, the glass makes them look like IKEA oak cabinets, i.e. more contemporary IMO.

No--my cabinets do not have the arch I will attach a picture of what the cabinets look like on the outside

While I have to say a big thank you for all your ideas and really can tell you all know what you are talking about---I feel comfortable asking advice for the final two things to do with my bottom floor condo. I am leaning towards going with the Java gel on my cabinets instead of the white. I am needing ideas on what flooring would be a contemporary look to do in this entire area. I am removing the LVT from kitchen area and removing carpet in the living/dining room area that faces the lake. I do not want to go with dark flooring because the reflection from the lake shows everything on dark colored interior. In my masterbedrrom on 2nd floor that faces that lake---I have walnut furniture and it shows everything! Even after cleaning----so I know I want to go with something lighter throughout the bottome level for flooring. I want contemporary and modern look. What should I do????? I also want to modernize my fireplace surround with something contemporary. Any help or advice would be so appreciated. I have attached 4 pictures of living/dining area. My earlier posts show my kitchen and hopefully you will see how it all flows together. thanks!!!

I was referring to the big diagonal corner cabinets, which are very boxy and dated, and not the door style. Contemporary is all about clean lines and sleek materials. Your furnishings are sophisticated but then there's that dang box impeding the view into the kitchen and blocking the full effect of the mosaic tile. I believe that's chicken wire in the corner cabs too, so it adds country style into the mix.

Wow, beautiful lake view!!!

Here's a link to a recent gel stained kitchen in Mahogany Brown with detailed instructions.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3061990/finished-kitchen-with-gel-stain

Of course, OP knows better, but I think it's not chicken wire but glass with wire pattern.

Can you remove the door on that cabinet that's facing your eat-in area and just have shelves with some glasses, or is that a panel? But I agree that it would look more open without that cabinet.

I'd also add open shelves between the fridge and and the microwave because it looks like something is missing.

For floors: Do you have to replace the kitchen floors and carpet, or do you want to?

If it's purely for cosmetics, you could get rugs.

If you want to replace the floors, personally I really like light hardwood floors. They pretty much hide the dirt, which can be good and bad.

I'm really into white or off white walls with black and white rug and some gold/brass, and art, plants, etc.

Or you could look into bamboo floors. Costco's are supposedly very good.

Costco bamboo

Do you have examples of rooms that you like?

thanks for all your feedback. I would move that corner cabinet. ....however I do not have any more of that backsplash tile left. yes...I am planning on doing all the flooring in same design so I will remove kitchen tile and carpet in living area.

I think cream would look the best. If I remember correctly, Ben Moore Spanish White is an often recommended cream color.

Mayflower I like ur idea on floating shelf. Would there Be An Example or picture u could send me please?

I was thinking of going with LVT throughout bottom floor with 12x24 tiles that have a lighter contemporary style....any suggestions?

Here you go. You can do three because you have a tall window.

I just put Armstrong Trafficmaster Ceramica groutable vinyl tiles in a rental. It's easy to install and can be grouted with real grout. So far, so good. It looks very nice.

I ordered a bunch of different colors because the local Home Depot only had three colors on display and ended up with Coastal Grey.

Link to bedroom makeover with details on tile, etc.

I love that idea!!! Going to contact a person to see about removing that cabinet and getting floating shelves! Thanks!!! I love that flooring too! Do you think that would look good in my living/fireplace area with a large area rug under the sectional sofa and dining table areas?

Well, I like the tile, especially that it's soft underfoot and that you can grout it. But I'd suggest looking at the tiles in real life in your place. Personally, I think the grey would go well with your dining area (the lamp) and your living area, but you could also check the Roman travertine. I'd stick with as light as possible.

I just bought whatever they had at two of my local Home Depots and also ordered two colors they didn't have locally (coastal grey and concrete) , opened one carton for each color, laid the tiles on the floor and decided which ones I liked better. Shipping was included.

Then I lugged the cartons of the tiles I didn't like to the local Home Depot for return. They were actually quite happy because they now they could put some of the colors that are only available online on display.

They have a bunch of different colors, either in stores or online. Of course, the online colors look quite different from the real tiles, so you really need to see what they look like in your space.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Flooring-Vinyl-Flooring-Resilient-Flooring-Vinyl-Tile/TrafficMASTER-Ceramica/12x24/N-5yc1vZaq27Zdg2Z1z118bp

I'm going to bug you again about your other corner cab. I don't see much in that cabinet. It looks like decorative dishes. You could run shelves in place of that cabinet too. Now your window is wide open and your main prep area between sink and stove no longer has that hulking box overhead.

You could stop there, but I'd change the cabinets on that wall. You could add 12-15" matching cabinets on the sides of the MW hood. I did a price check at Barker Cabinets. A 12"w x 30"h Shaker cabinet in paint grade alder with MDF center panel is $132. End panels, which you'll need two of, are $60. The two door hood cabinet is $217. They do have the contemporary hood cabinet that flips up, but they don't have the hinges that hold it open, but that style would be cool for your kitchen. Or you could get oak cabs to match the lowers and gel stain them. You might get by with just one new 12" upper cabinet and new doors to match the other uppers in that case.

You would have to pay shipping from Oregon, so you may find a closer place like Scherr's or Conestoga Cabinets. All make high quality cabinets and doors. Or try a local cabinet maker. IMO it's a small investment for a big impact.

I just ordered (3) 24" x 10" x 2 Floating shelves in Expresso. Going to start there. I appreciate your cabinet idea. I really need to now put my money in the right flooring and going to test sample java gel stain on the cabinet that I am taking down now! thanks!

You could also go with IKEA glass cabs. I think the Bodbyn would go with the style of your lowers. They come in white.

Or you could go with the horizontal ones and aluminum edges.

Or IKEA Grevsta. They are aluminum. However, I'm not sure how this would work with the style of your lowers.

Actually, for starters, I'd take the doors of the uppers and see what it looks like. Maybe you can even get away with just upper shelves?

Lots of pics here. dark lowers and open shelves