What kind of budget are you trying to stay within? That will drive what we can suggest. What you have said so far is a substantial scope of work. You might start small and get the island cabinets by having them painted a great night color. Then, plan next step. Maybe you leave hood but paint it same as Island. A blue gray would be nice, or if you really want more color perhaps a great green. Los of possibilities. Please post pictures of adjoining spaces.

Replacing the vent hood and tile above the range would open up the space. I would not paint the cabinets. Do you already have under-cabinet lighting? That would brighten up the area.

I love your kitchen as is. I would declutter the counter tops (so you can see the backsplash), add runners to the floor (that are light and bright and colorful), undercabinet lighting (try low and high color temps and see which you like). An area rug for the eating area? Where and what is your eating area furniture?

I think you can paint the cabinets as it will in your budget and enhance your kitchen's look.

Wish you had turned on the lights for the photo, but I think you'll see an immediate difference if you remove the oversized hood and the dark light fixture. I would avoid shades in a cooking area. Right now the hood and the island just look like two huge looming boxes in the space. See about installing a down draft vent system and then tile the entire wall, even above the cabinets, on the hood wall. I'd replace the island top as well. Perhaps you could extend it to make room for some stools and a spot to grab a snack, do homework or chat with the chef over a glass of wine.

I agree with Kris Mays. Your kitchen is really nice and I would not paint the cabinets.

I agree with most of the other comments. Paint island, change island counter, replace hood, paint walls. Cabinets are really nice

You should definitely change your countertops with white granite and I think Aspen White granite would look particularly beautiful in this space. You can also try painting your vent hood and going with open shelves on both sides of the hood. This way, you'll minimize the shades in the cooking space. This would definitely open up the kitchen.

I would caution on removing the hood. This is not going to be easy. It will impact cabinets on each side and doing a downdraft at this stage would be physically probably impossible. There are elbows in those systems and you can only have so many per linear foot, and other "specifications", plus unless you have a basement below, the distance to an outside exit could be long. So, you can get a contractor to come in an examine your specific set up, but I see more problems there than I would want to take on and they you could be in "scope creep" territory. You might be able to "face" the hood with a metal surface that would bring some "reflective" qualities into the space and that might be a better way to expend your resources. Just creative thinking here.

In looking at your photo (and I wish I had more photos), the ceilings look fairly low and the wood trim crown molding brings them visually down even more. So if you paint the walls and trim, I would paint those to get the visual wood look cooled down.

I wouldn't put any paint on a wood of that kind..I love the natural looking of a wood.

However, with regard to what you're facing, too much wood and too little light...may be you can try to remove/ replace some wood.

For instance, the central table could have its counter top removed and replaced with white marble..Or you can add a new layer of cover on top on the wooden floor covering the kitchen (carpet , may b?) with a brighter colour to light a bit.

Too little light is only ever ameliorated by the services of an electrician. Add a lot more lighting. LED. And use it.

Lighting, de clutter, new top for the island, maybe a rug or two, like runners. Shades off chandy?

I'm looking real hard at your upper cabinets and are they hung
a bit too low?
I would remove the hood fan and get stainless too and new backsplash and new counters.

Look into changing the backsplash to something lighter and brighter.

Agree with Kris about the hood IF it could be changed without destroying the surrounding cabinets.

A couple of runners and a big rug would break up the expanse of the floors.

Clear off all the counters.

Can you show pictures closer up of the counters and backsplash, please?

Are those figurines displayed on the counter? That's not a good place.

I agree with the changes msteezy posted and I think that's as far as you need to go with cabinets. Also definitely paint the crown molding a light color and the French doors. If that involves painting trim in attached area I would still recommend it. It's an easy change that I think you'll be happy with.

Just noticed, would also paint door frames (and door, I'm assuming) in kitchen along with baseboards.

Painting the cabinets or the trim would be a last resort unless you want to change it throughout the house. Try everything else to downplay the wood before taking such a drastic step.

I think the crown molding, trim and doors go with the rest of the trim in the house. I would leave it.

Get an electrician. Get undercabinet lighting. Get some very light runners. Remove the stuff from the counter tops.

I just remodeled to an all white kitchen, but your kitchen is really very pretty. I could live with that kitchen.

I really like it, but too much wood. Paint the hood and the island.

Thanks for all the great comments. Some of you asked for a lighter picture and to see the room the kitchen led into. As you can see, the honey color of the cabinets, window/door frames and molding extends into the adjoining room. So, I don't know what to paint. I just know there's too much of the same wood. Would appreciate any other thoughts you may have. Thanks again!

It is very pretty.

I would change out the fixture for a lighter one.

http://www.kitchen-design-ideas.org/arts-and-crafts-kitchens.html

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/cherry-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~44238[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/cherry-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~44238)

I know this sounds hokey, but...you need a "pop of color"!!!

I don't think it is that you have too much wood, but everything is the same tone. The backsplash blends into the cabinets, which blend into the floor.

That is why I suggested bright runner rugs.

https://www.wayfair.com/Majesty-Area-Rug-CHLH5838-CHLH5838.html?piid%5B0%5D=19192918

https://www.wayfair.com/Hammam-Maxy-Home-Floral-Garden-Ivory-Area-Rug-5079-RUGN1092.html?piid%5B0%5D=14483177

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Mohawk-Home-New-Wave-Boho-Stripe-Runner-2-x-8/9194090/product.html?refccid=QLSIFNH7JUPZSCSP6GD27KY6RM&searchidx=9

Would you consider just painting the island & change countertops? With under cabinet lighting I think you will see a big difference. If the painted island isn't enough to break up the wood you could still paint the rest of the cabinets.

What color would you do the center island top - black or cream?

I would suggest just painting first (your island and hood) and see how you like it. I like the wood top on the island. You may not want to change it.

for your backsplash consider copper tiles copper tiles

I wouldn't paint the cabinets yet. The window over the sink seems to not let in much light, covered patio perhaps?
Paint your ceilings with a brighter white. Consider a paint color change, update lighting and change backsplash and all countertops. Some changes may help help the wood cabinets feel updated, as wood is not "cool" right now. I think your cabinets/ rooms are beautiful.

A professional in house visit is ever a bad idea.