@Flo Mangan - yes I agree on putting too much money in this house. I am looking for place in my neighborhood and my next food neighbors just sold their place. Most of my budget was targeted for master bath (it really needs it) I have very high ceilings and double story walls etc... painting is not a small job. However I do have an idea of what it will cost.
I really do appreciate all of the input I'm getting!!

Your floors look very warm to me, I don't think cool grey cabinets are going to go as well as they do in the photos because of this. That is a great Inspiration photo with the brass and grey but that floor isn't as warm as yours.

@bigangellover Where do you live - that is a great price on all that cabinet work!
Now that I have better idea of the direction I want to go I will start getting some quotes. Will let you guys know.

Hiring a pro to paint cabinets
Between 3-6k
You need a painter that only does cabinets.
Not a regular painter.
Usually they will take the doors to their shop where they will be sprayed.
And then come to your house and spray the remaining part.
You need to know what kind of paint they are using. PPC or PPG (can't remember exactly sorry) seems to be a popular one for cabinets.
But just like everything else shop around.
And get at least 3 quotes and check reviews and backgrounds before making a decision

@leemiller Yes the photo is an inspiration only. I will have to get samples and see what works

I am in southern Cal.

I think if you dig hard enough, you should be able to find prefab cabinets and counters for cheap. You know those HGTV flipping shows all use prefab stuff because they are cheap. If I can find them in southern Cal (not low cost of living), you should be able to find them where you are.

That is not to say I didn't have to do a lot of leg work. If you know any flipper realtor, it would be good to approach them to see who did their kitchen or bath, because it is likely low cost enough for them to make a profit but good enough to sell for higher cost.

Prepping and resurfacing cabinets is not an easy process so you will pay for time and materials and profit. Count your cabinets and do the math. My craftsman, who is very good and you get what you pay for, would probably bid this (not knowing how many total cabinets you have) probably around $6,000-$7,000 Pick up, prepping, priming, good sanding and cleaning after each coat, dust free painting room/reverse air flow for excellent quality, labor for probably 2 people for 5-6 days depending on dry times between coats, materials, and delivery and reinstall. I would leave some room for some additional painting inside as well, so could be another $1,000 or so for that part. Not a cheap endeavor. Be interesting to see what pricing you can get. You will have to decide on quality level you want, but kitchens sell homes, so I wouldn't go cheap here.

so here is a prefab company, you can get an idea of the stuff from prefab. Usually the limitation is size, since it's prefab, you have to play around to make things fit. But also because it is prefab, it is mass produced, so the cost is lower. I got my large 30" 18-gauge stainless sink there for less than 100. Bath sinks for 50 each. They are the same quality as those high end Franke. That's how you can cut cost.

http://www.fortistone.com/

Have you considered just getting new doors? That would be a lot cheaper than replacing everything or refinishing. You can get the same maple color but a more modern style? Like this? Flat doors, stainless steel long handles, modern sparkly quartz. Very mid century modern.

http://mobshield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Modern-Laminate-Cabinets-In-Mid-Century-Modern-Kitchen-Design-On-Brown-Wooden-Flooring-1024x720.jpg

Many custom cabinet companies order their doors from door companies too like this one:

http://www.decore.com/products/doors-and-drawer-fronts

Add lighting to your improvements: a pair of pendants over the island would add much-needed light and a bit of sparkle. Continue the sparkle with new knobs and pulls.

I think you have good taste. Painting those cabinets the taupe-y grey in your photo, replacing the counters with white Quartz, updating the hardware, and putting in a lighter, neutral backsplash would probably be money you would get back. If the cabinets are going to be painted, it would be trivial to replace the molding on top with something more squared off, but I don't think it is a big deal. BTW - shaker cabinets are transitional, and you absolutely don't have to worry about them not being modern enough. I like the area of adding new cabinets on top, but you might not get that money back. It might be helpful if you posted a few more photos, especially showing the fridge.

More photos would be good.

Unless there are damages to the doors and drawers there is no way I would paint those cabinets. Maple like cherry and walnut react to light and amber over time. If they were never cleared at all it would still be more dark/amber then a freshly surfaced piece.

Painted cabinets especially those not designed to be painted will crack and show defects with changes of temperature. This is where using mdf and other woods designed to be more paint stable comes in play. Painted cabinets crack at the center panels no matter what you do especially if done to floating panels like you have.

Gray cabinets will go out of style and after they are cracked, chipped and peeling you will wish you left your quality solid wood cabinets alone. I love painted cabinets but understand that even with a $8k paint job done on site there will be missed edges and other tell tale signs it was done on site.

Embrace what you have and hire someone who can get you to the end result with surrounding components such as counters and backsplash.

Here are a couple more photos.

The kitchen is open to living room etc.
I am removing the columns to open it up. They are not load baring.
I taste has changed a great deal from what you see in the this picture of living room. Less ornate more clean.

Nice place. Wannabath makes very good points and you should seriously consider them. I see you have painted built in in the family room with what looks like a light colored fireplace surround. Since those are "permanent" features, you might want to play that up instead of the gray? I understand the "look" you want, but wannabath is right. I also hate painting those wood cabinets. Guess you have to decide. Another question to ask realtor. I am going to hunt some additional ideas for you. Just for optional thinking.

@FLO - you are in Missouri City - I am near downtown Houston

OMG - yes, we are in Sienna Plantation. We meet folks from all over the World here, which I love, and here we are darn near neighbors. Fancy that!

@FLO - yes I was planning to change fireplace. It has same granite as kitchen.

Yea, you have the "change décor" disease for sure! One thing leads to another and another! lol I think the granite around the fireplace is not a problem. But is it wood? or stone?

Wood mantel

I wouldn't mess with any of this. It looks new and fresh and neutral.

After looking at the whole picture, I agree with the others. Your place looks fine! New hardware and light would probably be enough to update. Maybe new counter and backsplash if you really want to update. Honestly even the granite looks pretty good. I don't think mid century modern kitchen would go with your place because the rest of the house is very traditional/transitional.

new counter and blacksplash will give you the change you crave to beat the cooking doldrums. leave the rest.

(had you just moved in, i'd say let it all ride, but i know a change in scenery helps daily chores a lot).

bigangellover thank you. Everything you see is 16 years old (furniture and all finishes) and soooo want/need a change.
The pictures are dark however this whole area gets a ton of lights as there are huge windows everywhere.

Ok sooo I have come full circle back to my original design thoughts. I feel like I can go in the directions of the pics below.
Taking out the arches, changing back splash and counters, and cabinets pulls. Lastly painting space white.

Like painting white but not pure white. Just a tiny bit of brown tint to be comfortable. I would buy a maple finished door similar to yours and experiment with your ideas. You will be happy you did that because as many have said here, painting or staining wood very tricky especially maple. I can give you referral for my cabinet guy. Best in Houston area. If you want. Email me at manganflo@gmail.com.

Think about painting your island or white washing it or chalk painting it and replace your island countertop with your fav white and grey Quartz. Also replace perimeter countertops and backsplash. Leave the other cabinets and see if this makes enough difference for you. It would cost a lot less and you could always do rest of cabinets if you wish later. Just a thought.

It would look something like this, only instead of waterfall the island could be done with white sides?

You could do a white hood too. Something like this, or you could do white, but I think with your floors I would rather do the stainless. Notice the gold trim on this hood! Gold is coming on strong as the newest hardware. I am beginning to "see" this now, how about you?!

FLO I actually have first pic saved in my favorites. Still love the waterfall :(
I love the clean gold hardware. Just don't think will look great with the maple cabinets.
What do think about removing the columns? They are not support beams. I think it will really make a difference.

If you’ve been looking to remodel but don’t want completely new floors, hardwood floor refinishing is a great way to give your maple floors that brand new look once again...

Sami - sorry I missed that picture in your idea book, you have so many! I am also realizing that you have your cooktop I the island, so no hood! But, about the "columns" are you talking about the arched openings to the dining room? The issue there might be that the wood flooring just goes up to the columns and not under continuously, so if you knock those down, you could have a big flooring redo on your hands. Probably have to go to a corner unobtrusive area, and pry back the shoe molding and base board and see if they put those up over the flooring. I doubt it because flooring usually gets done toward the end of a build, but you can check. I have also been really thinking of how to get you your dream of the waterfall on the island. I have been giving this serious structural consideration. I don't think the weight from that piece (one of each end) is going to be an issue. First, it would be "on end" so the weight is specific" and second, that piece will be something like 24"deep by 36" high so that isn't that large a piece of stone. Even if it was over 100 pounds, heck you might have a friend that weighs 200 pounds and stands at the end of the island and the floor supports that. I think you can do it. You would have to get an "expert" opinion, but I just think you can do it. With a white countertop/waterfall though you have to replace your range top, right? So, would you do white, or stainless? Tricky question. Those are my mind wonderings of late today! So, I think we could re-invent the island, new countertops in some form of white, redo backsplash in white and paint in off-whites and completely get close to your dream. Not perfect, but darn close!

You could leave the counter tops and just paint the cupboards bottom dark grey and uppers light grey. Walls very light white grey.

Oh, please. No more gray.

@FLO. I have some of the wood floor planks. I will DELA with floor but those columns have to go. As far as waterfall - the counter depth is 48". So each side will be 48" x 36".
I have someone coming Thursday to look at everything. Work tomorrow so won't have much more time to spend on this during the day. I REALLY appreciate your input and ideas!

Let me know what they say. Good to have experts put eyeballs on things. The weight on waterfall side stone to be reviewed is weight per square inch because the weight in vertical and only is being spread over the bottom edge. It is bigger than I thought but still not that big. There might be some other cantilevered brackets that might be used. So, good to explore!

Get new cabinet doors only.

Sami, I like that kitchen photo for you. This might be as simple as changing your splash. Wouldn't that be nice?

Teal or green paint & subway tile in cream.

I like that idea. They have a piece of glass behind the cabinets and have the countertop up the sink area. You could use paint or light tiles behind the cabinets.

I love a good subway tile too :P

Any new developments?

I just joined this conversation as I have the same kitchen cabinets, counter and floors. My taste is the same that you are trying to move in and I have the same concerns. I would love to see how the project ended. Thanks!!!

Cj, I would post a new thread. Find pictures of kitchens that you like and speak to you and put them in your idea book. Then post pictures of your current kitchen and what you would like to change. Be ready for all kinds of ideas!!

I think that would get you more ideas than if you tried to piggy back off of this thread.

Cj, I also am just jumping in. I would look at a matte black finish or a matte gold finish.

Can you send a photo of the cabinet?

Sami - are you doing another project? I'm confused?!

Have you finished your kitchen yet?

Just realized this post was still up. I did not make any changes but sold the home. New home as a gorgeous kitchen. Only thing I’m going to change is the lights. These pictures are from previous owner. I have changed the dining table and stools.

That’s a GORGEOUS kitchen! Congrats! Sometimes it’s just easier to move into what we really want instead of going through the pain that it remodeling (just remodeled a very similar kitchen to your old one). Glad it worked out for you.