Have the cabinets removed prior to floor installation and then reinstall them on top of the new floor. As far as the backsplash and countertops are concerned, the 3" strip of backsplash really should've been removed before adding the glass, so if you get new granite, you should also redo the backsplash.

Before you remove the cabinets, just check to see if the dishwasher will fit. I had a vinyl floor removed and replaced with hardwood in the kitchen and there was still room for the dishwasher. Just check ahead of time.

I have wood cabinets with hardwood flooring and I am fine with it. If you prefer a white kitchen, that is fine, but lots of wood kitchens have similar wood floors. I have a light quartz countertop with a cream subway tile backsplash. I also had a Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style farmhouse sink installed. I really love it. The "short apron" style can be installed on a standard sink base and is just as deep inside as the "tall apron" style.

My kitchen:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58830325

Hi Katie, I agree you've got a lot of wood going on here. And for a beach-themed home, that probably seems especially off. I like the idea of refinishing the cabinets with white. And I'm glad you're having a pro do it because I've heard (I haven't done it myself) that refinishing cabinets can we done well or poorly if you don't know what you're doing. If you redo the counter, be sure to update the backsplash, as the current backsplash likely won't match up quite right. You've got quite a bit of questions. To make sure you're pleased with the end result, have you considered collaborating with an interior designer? It's pretty easy to do online these days with platforms like Stuccco. I've found when there's a lot of moving parts, and the space is important, it's well worth investing a bit up front.

I think the top of the island is the biggest issue. If it had a different top, you might not think it was too much wood. What does the contractor say about removing cabinets to put in hardwood flooring, is this a standard or do most people bring the wood up to the cabinets?

I have had my sink almost one year. Still looks like new, but I am reasonably careful - not obsessive, but I don't throw my heavy pots into it:)

I had a cast iron sink for 18 years previous to the Whitehaven and it held up great. It wasn't all shiny after 18 years, but it cleaned up easily, nice and bright white and no chips - I just moved it to the basement kitchenette. I am hoping the Whitehaven does as well.

Katie, I had the same experience as jhmarie and did not need cabinets moved when switching from vinyl to hardwood. . You will need to decide about a finishing detail. We had quarter-round installed in the kitchen and cove moulding in other rooms and it all looks good.

I do not have the rack. Some do and love it, some hate it because stuff gets caught in it. I thought I would get one later if I was having problems with scratching, but since I am not, I haven't got one.

Here is a recent discussion:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/these-sink-grids-are-killing-me-do-you-use-these-dsvw-vd~4219978?n=22

I just bought the racks to protect my fireclay sink. I've had it for 1.5 years & just noticed two small dings/chips. This sink needs to last a long time, so I'm giving the racks a try. :)

you might like your kitchen cabinets more with stainless appliances... look at your photos... block the black stove and dw with your hand.... do you like the stainless fridge side more?

no need to rush out and replace the black but when they die, maybe transition to stainless?

ah, patience then. at least the fridge is stainless. black fridges look like the monoliths from the 2001: space odyssey movies.

[as a child, youngest in family - they took me to see it, it scared me...boo]

I think a new counter on your island and new hardware will look great. I would wait to paint your cabinets if they are only a couple years old.

A lot depends on your budget. It would look best to not have the short splash. Sometimes the old backsplash gets damage when the countertop is removed. The current backsplash tiles do look pretty with your cabinets. There isn't an extra box of them laying around is there?

You might want to keep in the back of your mind the thought of moving the microwave and putting in a stainless hood. The problem then is fining a new home for the microwave, though a cabinet might be retrofitted with a micro shelf. You can stain (or paint if you paint) a wood hood to match, but that can get pricy:

The trend now seems to be two different counters, but I prefer the same. I would remove the 3 to 4 inch piece of backsplash and just do a new backsplash all the way down to the counter. I agree with jhmarie about the range hood if feasible. Even though I prefer a range hood I actually have my microwave over my range for two reasons. #1- I couldn't decide where else to put it and #2-my budget did not allow it!! I learned to decide what was most important & spent accordingly.