If you do decide to paint your cabinets, I'd suggest painting the crown molding and chair rail white and also the window casings. I'd remove the fake vines and everything else from the top of the cabinets. Remove the pictures over the door and put the clock that's over the refrigerator under the cabinet to the right of the window. I bet you have a hard time with those white floors, yikes. I think hardwoods would look great in the kitchen. I would ask that you consider soapstone counters...just take a look, please. Maybe a light gray. Your kitchen will be much darker if you go with hardwoods and black granite. It might give hubby too much of a jolt. You can throw that old ugly refrigerator my way. I'll be glad to take it off your hands.

How about a light sage green for the walls? Floors?

Forgot the sage green. What do you think of the soapstone above?

Oh all of the wood trim is definitely going! I like the sage but this opens to a great room and might be a little much. I do like the soapstone but was thinking that by doing the island a white granite and perimeter white, it would brighten up. Hubby is ok with the black. The attached link is from this website and I absolutely love the look- what I'm kinda leaning towards. https://www.houzz.com/photos/712-w-bauer-traditional-kitchen-chicago-phvw-vp~2077771
Thanks for your thoughts!

Here is an idea

I do love this as well and have looked at it many times! I guess my biggest worry lie in painting my cabinets after being told it is a bad idea. Need to make granite decision by tomorrow and stressing it!

sbak24, you are not crazy. If you are fine with these colors (lots of black and then lots of white) and have seen pictures of this, then go for it. Some people end up feeling they got a checkerboard look and didn't want that. I don't think that is necessarily going to be the case, but I would consider choosing a floor that doesn't have white or black in it. It wouldn't hurt to pay a local interior designer $300-$400 for some professional advice, and would be well worth it. You don't have to be afraid of them, some of them would be willing to give you 4-5 hours worth of help choosing materials (in those colors you mentioned) at that price and then recommend top local contractors/fabricators if you are unsure of who to use.

Get on ASID's site, or call some realtors you might know who have been in the business 10+ years and can recommend an interior designer to you.

Thank you! I am planning to go with hardwood flooring- and the white for the island is not solid so hopefully won't be checkerboard- but I see where you are coming from.

Please post pictures when completed sounds perfect

Will do! Hoping I'm not going to regret. Not usually a big risk taker!

Your husband is stuck in the 80's, I recommend you paint HIM as well.... Seriously, go ahead with your plan. It will look much fresher, you will love it. I would imagine you do 90+% of the work in there anyway.

You're not crazy. A painting will definitely freshen up the kitchen. Post pictures when you're done!

Yes! Paint those cabinets. Definite 80’s vibe going on. Love the idea of white cabinets and black island with opposite granites. Hardwood floor will keep it from looking checkerboard. Grey walls would be a great neutral. Love the photo that inspired you.

I think refacing or painting those cabinets is a good idea. The kitchen does look slightly outdate to me. I like your idea of painting the kitchen, either blue or gray. Benjamin Moore has a lot of great options, I'd go with something close to Pewter for your kitchen.

I like the idea of going with a new wood floor, I think a darker old world plank would look great! Like the picture I've attached. From there, I'd go with a java for your floor cabinets, and an antique white for the wall cabinets. You should consider going with a professional though, refacing is probably the best option. You can learn more about cabinet refacing here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/blog/kitchen-remodel-the-cabinet-refacing-alternative/

Finally, I think I'd go with a lighter countertop, if you end up installing a wood floor, painting the kitchen blue/gray, etc. My recommendation would be our King Ivory granite countertops. You can see a sample here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/granite-countertops/colors/

I hope that this was helpful. Good luck on your kitchen remodel!

Painting the cabinets is a great idea. When dealing with budget and already excellent cabinets which you have..painting and changing the hardware will give you a completely new look. Its also a great way to "test the waters" If you love the new white cabinets then when budget allows reface or replace but you have great cabinets to begin with. With all the dark you plan to keep I think a nice charcoal hardwood would look best or 10x24 chacoal tiles if you wanted to get into retiling.

Good Luck!

Thank you all! Feeling reassured!

Please post pictures as you proceed!

Just one other tidbit. When you paint your cabinets you have an opportunity to change not only the knobs/pulls but the placement of them. Holes can be filled and redrilled to change style, size or placement. Now's the time to do it.

I love black granite but if you have or you're going to add undercabinet lighting, please be aware that the lights will be reflected into the granite and much more noticeable with black granite than lighter ones. Doesn't mean do use it, just be aware so it isn't a surprise.

I think the change will take years off the perceived age of your kitchen. Good Plan.

Thank you all for the suggestions and encouragement! And I probably should have included this question initially but are the cathedral type cabinet doors out of date? I don't really see them used often. My cabinet maker says they are actually an upgrade? I'm thinking not. I have thought of replacing the doors but don't want the extra expense if not needed.

sbak, you are not crazy and your husband is not stuck in the 1980's, either. Some people, like yourself, prefer the painted cabinet look. Other people, like your husband, prefer the natural wood grains. If your cabinet wood is of poor quality or badly maintained and looks ugly, then, yes, by all means paint it. But if the wood is high quality and the grains look beautiful, I think it's a shame to paint over it. It has nothing to do with the 1980's. I like the look of beautiful natural wood grains and I think it's timeless.

Ed, you do see the difference in what you posted vs her kitchen, right? The cabinets you posted are fairly modern and simple, whereas hers have an arch at the top. Hers are more traditional in style and the oak looks dated. Painting them lighter or glazing them darker is the only way to bring this kitchen current.

Yup, apples and oranges.

Don't stress about under cabinet lighting with black granite. I have absolute black and UCL and I've never even noticed a reflection....don't worry.

If you do black granite, definitely hone and take the polish off of it. There is nothing worse than shiny granite with acid marks and all on it. I've warned several clients about doing honed instead....that didn't listen and months later were complaining about water , crumbs and all dust that shows, etc. Honed Granite looks like suede and feels and looks luxe. Also when you put lights over it they don't show as "hot spots". What I do like about your kitchen is that your island lines up so well with your window and that there is some symmetry. Try to keep this when you redesign.

I use a cutting board to cut lemons, limes, pickles and other acid foods. After 13 years of constant use there are no acid marks on my counters and my husband is a maniac cook. I like seeing were the crumbs and spills are so I can wipe them up...it's my kitchen counter and I want it clean. To me, it's not like a floor where you don't want to see every little speck.

Thanks for the update! Very nice! Looks like you opted to paint the cabinets. Really brings them into the here and now. Congrats on the new kitchen.

Wow!

First off, the maroon drapes have to go. They're making the kitchen look so much older and I agree with changing the color of the walls. I think white could work for the cabinets, add a modern looking backsplash http://www.glasstilestore.com/collection/pearl-shell-tiles/south-sea-pearls-mini-brick-pattern-tile.html or http://www.glasstilestore.com/tao-toffee-marble-glass-tiles-taotoffee.html and hardwood floors.

Lol- hubby said I was right!

I actually liked the original cabinets but I love what you've done with them. Great job!

Dark counter tops are very difficult unless you enjoy seeing crumbs. I have had Ubba tuba for years along with a chocolate marble and a black marble bath they all are very difficult to keep looking their best.

Really beautiful transformation. I would like to,suggest a pendant over island if possible.
http://houzz.com/photos/730408

Thanks- and I plan to get a pendant soon!

Here is another suggestion for light fixtures. Check out www.tjferrie.com for other ideas.