I would paint the walls the GRAY of the backsplash, maybe just a tad lighter. The golden of the floors and in the granite and in the backsplash will be the balancing color. Because your appliances are black, I would simplyfy your palette with the goldens, gray and the black. I would remove as much as I can from the counters, and leave only that which is in my palette and layer in light neutrals-towels etc.

I would paint them..there is just too much wood in the space. Look at Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=cabinet%20transformations&utm_content={K_CREATIVE_HEADLINE}&utm_campaign=Cabinet%20Tranformations I would choose one of the whites.

If you are only refinishing the cabinets and keeping everything else as is, sanding and revarnishing is all that seems to in order.
If your question is in the context of a larger scope kitchen remodeling, than the answer would largely depend on the look you are after, your choice of counter material, etc.
Some more input might be helpful.

Should we do more drown molding to the top.what about the island color. Are any glaze finish appropriate

I have used a paint by varathan called plastic colors they have a satin black or white and they are very durable paints but they have removed them from the canadian market due to voc's but if you can find an equivilent to this is works the best. sand down cupboad and remove all oil and finish then paint, it will still show wood graining and it looks great. 2 coats should do it. I am thinking you could do white uppers and black bottoms including your island. now if u think black is to much u can tint this paint yourself. I have by going to the paint shop and getting some of their tints using yellow ochre and a bit of red it gave me a beautiful expresso finish. good luck .......

Found a site you may want to check out Varathane is now under rustoleum
http://www.rustoleum.com/can_home.asp?SBL=5

I agree with Barbara Griffith and carolemcc too much of the same. It looks rather drab with all the same color wood and similar color backsplash and counter. You need to go either darker or lighter on the cabinets and I would update the handles with either a brushed nickel or oiled bronze depending on the color you use on the cabinets. Basically your kitchen has great features just a little too monotone .

I'd brighten the kitchen up a bit with some lighter colors. Have your cabinets spray painted by a professional. Take the colors in the grout as your color guide. Painting a room with lighter tones gives it a more spacious feel! Good Luck.... Digital Imaging by Tina www.brentsinteriorpainting.com

Here is my kitchen done with this paint (black satin), my knobs are brushed pewter

Keep in ming the lighting was being fixed at the time lol pot lights are back in place now, and it was Chritmas 2 yrs ago

Looks great Carole.

I have the same back splash just designed differently. What color do you have on the walls?

You can paint the wall, tiles and the kitchen door white and the cabinets gray. Remove utensils from the counter. It will gain a lot of light. The other wooden pieces of furniture could be painted either white or gray.

I would paint door same as cabinets it will make your kitchen less choppy and the door will be part of your cabinetry look at my kitchen above I painted the pantry door same as cabinets

Do you have fluorescent lighting in the kitchen? If so, I'd look into updating the lighting. Fluorescent makes any material--regardless of how trendy it is or isn't--look miserable.
In addition, I agree with the conservative suggestions above (paint the walls, declutter).

Should I keep some of the area wood tone? Crown moulding to top of cabinets? And this desk sits in the midst of it.

Yes on the crown on top as for the desk hmmm that type of accordian door is almost impossible to paint.

If the desk is removable I would opt to put in a pantry style cabinet with the same classic cut door style.
and paint it out the same as the rest of the kitchen,

Carol, did you leave some of your cabinets oak?

What about doing the crown moulding black and also the island?

I don't think that's a great idea. I like the black island idea (or charcoal), but not the molding. I think it would end up looking like just a stripe.

I agree with losing the desk and installing a pantry-style cabinet.

Adding some under cabinet lighting would certainly bring some life to the space. Find it here: http://search.elitefixtures.com/search?view=grid&w=under+cabinet+lighting

No kkoeste all my cabinets are painted out black and as for the crown keep it the same color as the uppers.

We just launched a new line of ultra thin LED under cabinet lighting that could improve your kitchen too and lighten up the space. The line also has angled light bars that could be set in the back of the cabinet and shine forward onto the countertop, in case you are worried about the glare on the counter tops. The light bars also have built in diffusers too which helps eliminate hot spots.

All of the under cabinet lighting can be linked together and dimmed from one source. And best of all, it's very user friendly to install so you might not even need an electrician's help if you wanted to install the lighting yourself.

Complimentary design advice from our lighting specialists at (888) 880-1880 if you need any help!

http://www.environmentallights.com/led-under-cabinet-lighting/environmentallights-premium-modular-led-under-cabinet-lighting/led-under-cabinet-lights.html

I'd leave the cabinetry as is, it's great. I'd make only three changes to this kitchen.

First, paint. I think you should consider going with a grey/blue for the walls. I really like "nocturnal gray" by Benjamin Moore- http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/nocturnalgray

Next, update the appliances. It looks like the black appliances have seen some better days. I'd purchase stainless steel. The new appliances will brighten the room and make it a little more modern.

Last, install a new backsplash. My recommendation would be either mosaic or subway. Our backsplash options can install right over your existing surface, saving you time on demo and money. I'd go with the "brooklyn" mosaics we have- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/mosaic-tiles/colors/traditional-mosaic/

Good luck!