Other than the pain I feel for painting a maple cabinet (I'd go for a dark stain). I think a color you love- and CANNOT see yourself tiring of- would be a fun way to go :)

I would paint them! It's a huge project, but there are many websites and blogs to help. I understand that maple is luckily so smooth, and will look great painted. Make yourself happy! And pulls/knobs can be expensive or very inexpensive, and still very functional.

I would leave the nice maple cabinets and finish the kitchen with a backsplash, under cabinet lighting and change the counter material on the island. Perhaps swap a few doors to glass ,as in the corner....it's a nice feature.

Paint them the a color that you want, especially if you plan on staying in the house for the next 10 years. A 16-year old kitchen will likely be on the remodel list for a new homeowner, so do what you love.

Go to the paint store and get lots of sample pots, though, to make sure your cool-toned greenish paint doesn't clsh with your counters and floors.

You could also just paint the island

I understand the urge to paint, I'd love to paint my hickory cabinets but were replacing our laminate counters, hardware and backsplash to update it instead. Just keep in mind that painted cabinets often show dirt more than wood.

but, i love the look of light gray/taupe or navy, both with brass hardware

Or you could mix your wood cabinets with paint:

I'd hold out for the new counters. I'll guarantee you, once the cabs are painted, you'll start hating the counters because they won't give you the look you want. Ten years is a long time to hate your counters! Also, I seem to recall Linelle mentioning what she paid to have her cabinets professionally painted and it cost a lot more than what you'd pay for new quartz or granite countertops. Then you could remove the short splash and do an inexpensive subway tile, maybe in the blue-green that you love.

I almost missed this.

I had my 10x10 golden oak kitchen cabinets professionally painted in 2012, including new maple doors and drawer fronts. I live in the north Bay Area and paid $4300, more than the Caesarstone counters I got at the same time. I'm grateful I was able to afford both together.

I originally had white tile counters which I didn't hate at the time but I'm pretty sure I'd have been unhappy to have a fresh new look for my cabinets and the old counters. I like Mayflowers' idea of maybe doing the counters first and then seeing how you feel about your cabinets. You might be surprised.

My cabinets were spray painted with some smelly lacquer thingy that has worn like iron (except the tops of lower cab doors where my cat opens them). I have also brush painted cabinets, not my own, and the finish is different but passable.

I love your inspiration photo. Paint 'em!

What's the estimate for having the cabinets painted?

What's the estimate for new counters?

How are you feeling about possibly painting the cabinets yourself?

We haven't gotten an estimate for painting the cabs back yet, and I didn't consider it would be as much or more than new counters. The estimate for new counters was $4600, and I am not certain that included a new sink, faucet and other random costs.

I had a friend paint her cabinets herself, and her kitchen looks amazing, but it took her 7 years! That scares me a little, and I am not a great painter.

Although, I could experiment with the island.

We've been here 3 years, and I keep debating what I can do with this kitchen. I want a backsplash, but then hold off because I'd have to do it again if I got new counters. I like that reminder for under cabinet lighting. We looked at some of that at Lowes, and seems something that can be done on a narrow budget.

You all have GREAT opinions.

I agree - don't paint the cabinets, get new countertop and undercounter lighting. You can then later paint the cabinets yourself if you want. It's really not that hard. My late husband and I both hated painting but we managed it.

The new countertops will be what makes the kitchen look updated. Please do consider using White Corian. It's cheaper than some of the fancy Corian designs, goes with everything (you can later paint any color you like!), and wears like iron. Mine are now 32 years old and look like new - so good that I did not replace them when I redid my kitchen.

Probably looking at a similar cost to paint cabinets and replace counters. I like doing the counters more because your cabinets are pretty nice and the countertop adds functionality, not just cosmetics.

My suggestion would be

new counters

backsplash

paint the island + walls

I have no experience with this paint but someone posted here, raving about it. The guys at woodworker shop I deal with occasionally also highly recommended it (they actually used it for a DIY kitchen project).

Maybe start with the island?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3485219/cabinet-paint-rave

If you want to duplicate the color of your inspiration, it looks like this blend with more of the white (and maybe a bit of the lampblack) added would do it:

Your kitchen is lovely and I totally understand people NOT wanting to paint pretty maple cabinets.. But I'm totally for paint in your space. I'm not a fan of wood touching wood (ex-hardwood touching wood cabinets) - I like contrast and you mention you have lots of wood. Paint would lighten up your space. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your inspiration photo. You could totally pull off a fun color like that.. Blue green gray yellow.. You name it, it could work. And your current counters are neutral so don't worry yourself.

It's photos like your inspirational pic that made me paint my cabinets (mine were orange builder grade oak) so I didn't think twice. I painted over 5 years ago and I still love them today.

My advice is to create a space that you love.

I think that even if you paint, your kitchen is not going to match your inspiration in style. It could in time, but maybe not with your present budget. You can get the feel of the kitchen in your photo without painting, and then paint later if you still want to.

You will want to look into removing the microwave and getting a true vent in stainless or pretty wood hood. I did get a wood hood and stained it to match my wood cabinets - that is more expensive than getting a stainless, but wood is more farmhouse. It is a little easier to paint a wood hood than match the stain - but only a little.

You might want to consider having a carpenter or cabinet maker remove the center panel in a set of cabinet doors like your inspiration pic. A glass store can install plain glass or decorative. You will need to consider what the inside of the cabinet looks like - depending on how you decorate - or shirr a fabric behind the glass. You could also take a cabinet down and do a small amount of open shelving.

I did a plate rail retrofit - lined the cabinet with beadboard look material and used a plate rail kit. I also got a Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" farm sink. The "short apron" style can be installed on a standard sink base - but is an undermount and would require a stone like countertop. The Ikea farm sink is an over mount, but is less durable.

Kohler Whitehaven short apron style:

I like my wood cabinets and I think maple is pretty - but it can yellow over time. It also paints up better than oak. If you do paint - do the color you like - I think it is pretty. Just keep in mind that without those extra touches, it will fall short of your inspiration pic.

Here is my kitchen:

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

I also love your inspiration photo. You should paint them. You might be able to get new counters sooner than you think. I love painted cabinets too, and the way the paint contrasts with the wood floor. I just had white cabinets installed and often wish I had gone with a colored cabinet. You could paint the perimeter cabinets white and paint your island that beautiful aqua.

I too love your inspiration photo. I think you need to check a few counter top options and places. Home Depot and Lowes rotate their "sales" all the time. Make friends with the kitchen department. Go chat up a few mom and pop places and get more information.

You may be surprised when you actually get information.

I think all of it's doable on a smaller budget, you just need to get creative and put in some diy time.

If I didn't have the funds to do it all at once, first I'd replace the counters. Then paint the island (DIY). Then, if I still had the strength, the rest of it. Then the backsplash.

I would absolutely do the minty green you like.

I love your inspiration photo too, but with some caveats for your situation:

1. The long view: "This kitchen is at one end of an open concept layout, so there is wood for as far as the eye can see." In picking a color to paint your cabinets -- even one as delicious as your inspiration photo -- you should think in terms of that color having a large effect on the remainder of the space.

2. Light: Your photo is of your kitchen at night and minimally lit. For major changes, you need to think in terms of how it will look in daylight and/or with the full array of artificial light you would have on when using the kitchen.

3. Option for adding color: The "painted uppers only" photo that richfield95 posted blows me away, but I am not sure how it would work with less imposing uppers. You might think in terms of painting with more than one color, depending of the opportunities you find in your kitchen. E.g., from a kitchen that sort of evolved in process, after and before.
   

   
   
   
   

Had the turquoise turned out to be too overbearing, it could have been changed.

GF Antique White and Persian Blue

There are 26 colors.

There are 26 colors.

Yes, but they also have a page with formulas for many other colors you can make by mixing:

http://designs.generalfinishes.com/color-category/color-mixing-lab

That's where the blue-green I posted above came from.

Even better. Those are yummy colors. Thanks for this link. I missed it above.

Yeah, for me the basic 26 are mostly too strong, but I love a lot of the blends.

I was doing mine in a sagey gray color. Still love love love the color. I've done a change in my cabinet preference, but am using the color on the walls. Shoot. It's just paint. Enjoy it.

I understand how something can just sing to you! Mine is beaded inset anything. Angels sing, harps play, I make little squeeks of happiness. Or something. Might be wine, but it makes me happy nonetheless!

I love the colors discussed here. So pretty and fresh! I look forward to seeing what you do.

I love all those subtle blues and greens. Nosoccermom, it looks like it brightened up that kitchen quite a bit.