Will you be changing the countertop color? The reason I ask this is because if you are painting cabinets white I think a darker countertop would look better, plus a backsplash added for another color to incorporate the whole look. Or did you consider painting the bottom cabinets one color and the uppers in white?

I think some pendant lighting would look nice above the island as well. :)

You can put in a cool backsplash and then even copy that product over to the back of the island. Here is a cool splash we put in, and that would also work great on the back of the island and provide a hard surface that won't get destroyed from people kicking it...

First determine if your door is a solid wood or veneer center. If its veneer it will need to be very lightly sanded. All the cabinets should be cleaned well and primed before painting. I would also suggest doing the island in a different color. White is classic but if your a little more bold, black or grey cabinets are popular options as well.

I also love these pictures. My best friend and experienced DIYer/ architect is coming In for a week and a half to help me tackle this job. She thinks two different colors could slow down the job. And with the short time frame we have I'm not arguing :-) although I may have to push for it bc I love it so much.
Also I worry about being to trendy and resale

I will add in some pictures of my living room which shares space with the kitchen. Soon

I have a very similiar kitchen. What I did to update it is I had my honey colored oak cabinets stained darker (cherry color), put in granite, and replaced my island like yours with a longer island which I love. I did use oak cabinets for the island, and they match very closely. I think you could definitely change you island to a much longer one. Your space looks large. I have been very happy with the outcome. I also have wood floors the color of yours.

Painting cupboards is a big no-no. My dad did this and you could always tell they had been painted you're far better off just changing the cupboard fronts.

Your kitchen is made from rotary oak, a process that yields the most material (cheap) and gives you that wild grain. For cost paint is an O.K. alternative to replacing cabinets or doors. Doors represent 70% of the cost of a new cabinet! O.K., get ready, paint that rotary oak a matt black. You will get a great look, I know, I've done new kitchens this way. Do pay a little more to have a good paint job though.

The first picture that you love, is the way you should update your kitchen. It is not too trendy, and will be fine for resale (although I would not do this if you are planning on selling right away). It may take a little longer to paint the upper cabinets white, and the lower a blue/gray, but it will be worth it, and that color looks good with light countertops, which you have. I would put in a bead board backsplash, and put bead board on the back of the island. I would also remove some of the doors from your upper cabinets to make open shelving like in your inspiration picture. Finally, I would change the lighting over your island to something more decorative. Painting the cabinets is a lot of work, but worth it, and you can love your kitchen without spending too much money.

The kitchen progress

Island detail

So what counter top is the next question. I want nice and relatively inexpensive. I was thinking Granite.
Steel gray, ubatuba, or Santa Cecilia.

Well done. The third option looks well w your floors as well as cabs. First option will give you drama. Middle option least interesting of the three.

I would repear the same moulding treatment you did on the end of the island over on the dishwasher end--more cohesive.

I like the third one (under the outlet) provides a lot of interest and movement in an otherwise very static kitchen.

kind of like the 3rd one! great job on the cabs!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with making your island bigger, if you can. At least the top with some posts or corbels.

I would recommend the steal gray granite or black absolute. If you use granite tiles it will save some cost but give you the benefits and look. With the dark granite tiles, a dark grout can be used, thus giving a more seamless look.

I agree with how you should have a darker colored cabinet for the island if the others are white. I prefer an espresso color. Take a look at this picture for an idea.

I would also go with different countertops to pull the color of the cabinets together.

If you dont have a chair on the side of your island why dont you build a bookshelf there and paint the island?