I'd start with just changing the paint color on the walls. It would cost less than taking out the nice cabinets or doing something to that floor.

Also, the mix of stainless and white appliances give an inconsistent look.

Totally. Stainless steel appliances are on the "To Get" list :)

Can you take the stuff down from over the cabinets?

Will definitely take the stuff down! Would you like to see a pic without all of the garbage above? Or are you suggesting we just don't need anything there. I definitely don't think we need the circular weird things over the left cabinets, but that cranny above the fridge will need something (we were experimenting with some flowers elsewhere and then had to move them out of the toddler's reach...not a permanent design choice ;) )

Brandi, from what I can see Lime Wax appears to fill some of the wood grains with a white color making them look a bit more rustic. I quite like it -- Do you think it would create enough contrast with the floor?

I would paint the cabinets if that's an option. I agree all stainless appliances would be nice...as time/budget permit.

Would tile be a floor option?

I would do the Lyme wax, get a new countertop, & new appliances. That would make a huge difference. Hickory EVERYWHERE is my dream though...

If you're looking for a temporary quick fix, get rid of all the over cabinet accessories, generally declutter wherever you can, paint walls white for a Scandinavian look. Search for that look and see if it appeals to you. Your cabinets will go from country to clean:) Best wishes!

Yes, the least expensive option would be to replace the damaged hickory with more hickory. Whoever talked you into hickory cabinets with hickory floor should be banned from interior design! In my opinion, the least expensive option, if the cabinets are well made and in good condition and not more than 12 years old, would be to paint them. I don't mind the wall color, but there should be some contrast between the wall and cabinet. If new, lighter color quartz countertops are in our future (consider quartz or solid surface before granite, less busy) then you could do a slightly darker than wall color on the cabinets. And yes, I agree with everyone else, plastic plants don't belong there, and eventually replace the white with stainless appliances.

A really quick fix would be to paint the lower cabinets white to break up the woody look. Remove all the stuff over the upper cabinets, but you'll never get that Scandanavian spa look with the traditional molding on cabinet faces. New Cabinet fronts might be an option if they are otherwise in good shape; that's a lot of cabinet faces, I know!, but less costly than complete replacements, and it would really change the style. Pic is less than perfect, but maybe you get the idea. (Not suggesting multiple shades of grey paint on walls, just tried to cover the clutter.) I recommend replacing the stove with induction stove top, especially if you go with a grayish countertop, to create a smoother surface. Do you have the option of relocating the appliances? Stove/oven look really close to the refrigerator, to me.

There's the pic.

Lovin' the ideas! Hadn't thought of just painting the lower cabinets... and YES, new appliances are coming and the clutter is going away! We definitely want to stick with wood floor, not tile. We were totally on the wood print tile bandwagon but opted against it because of how much colder and harder it is (we've lived on tile before and prefer the feel of wood during cold winter months.) I dig the Scandinavian look from Chris Zec Photgography... will have to run it by the wife (she's more country!) Y'all are awesome. Thanks!

Here's a quick photoshop job of some of what we've been thinking. Thoughts?

Just fix the damaged areas on your beautiful floor. Use the money you save for a new countertop!

I love my hickory. Each board had its own personality!

The wood gives your kitchen warmth and personality. IMO the refrigerator seems out of scale with the smaller size kitchen.

I would focus more on the countertops and sink/ appliances and paint color, opposed to removing all the hickory. I myself have a hickory floor that we love! With oak cabinets. You need to break it up somehow in between.

This is what we ended up doing and we love it. (In this pic, the only decorating that had been done was on the fridge by our little boys )

Wonderful solution!