How much are you looking to do? Is everything other than cabinets fair game?

I like black counters and hardware to update oak cabinets. I would also consider removing the cabinets over the bar. Add some more contemporary stools. If floor is staying, I would add a rug. New light fixture.
http://houzz.com/photos/34613

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2140414&categoryId=cat280014

http://houzz.com/photos/44766

Yes, everything is fair game. Floors have to go and I'd prefer solid surface countertops. Love the idea of removing the cabinets above the bar. What about above the sink too? Drop some pendant lights and running the backsplash to the ceiling? Paint the cabinets, but what color?

I really can't see keeping the cabinet color since they are raised panel... If they were craftsman maybe... Just don't want the expense of buying all new doors. I'm replacing all of the hardware and hinges too

If everything's fair game and you're willing to paint cabinets I think the world is your oyster :) have you been searching the houzz kitchens and putting an ideabook together? I like your idea of opening things up around the window and running backsplash around it. Personally I prefer a recessed light as opposed to a pendant over the sink. Maybe add some pendants over the bar if you remove the cabinets.

Keep cabinets. Remove from over bar. I would stain a expresso, with long stainless pulls. Update to granite. Something with movement. Backsplash is boring. Go glass long tiles in a color. Pick up color from wall paint. The grays are big now. I like free standing range instead of stove top. Looks dated. Adds value too.

http://houzz.com/photos/2026051

Remove range hood replace with vented micro wave in stainless.

http://houzz.com/photos/2391488

Remove built in ovens replace with cabinets and wine refrig. Add glass to cabinets over sink. Don't remove. Add inside lights.

The tile on floor is dated should have 24" or bigger. But I would replace with a med color wood in ll rooms. Pendant light over sink and over bar. 3. With glass with some color maybe red.

If you want to save money and don't mind your oak cabinets, I wouldn't touch them. Also, your backsplash doesn't look too bad, so if you can get that awful countertop up without damaging the splash (use an experienced contractor), I'd recommend a nice stone countertop to replace it. Maybe go with a Golden Persia or something with some golds and blacks in it, with maybe the black being a vein running through it. This will echo the dark graining that is evident in oak cabinetry.

I usually recommend some nice undercabinet lighting (to show off the beautiful new countertops) and I think you could really improve the look by doing something different with the floor - get rid of that nasty dark grout! Think about higher sheen wood (to mix "textures") or go safer with a larger tile than is on there now (like 12"x12") and do it on the diagonal to make the room look bigger, as oak cabinetry tends to make things look more closed in, if you will.

Good luck and, most importantly, have fun - this is your house.

I'd rather paint than stain cabinets but I love the example you gave with recessed lights above the sink... going with that. Carpenter isn't keen on removing the cabinet above the bar because it's solid to the wall and will take some rebuilding of the connected cabinets but it's still an option. I agree it's needed.

Appliances are all new and staying. What about this color for cabinets?

I too would remove the overhead cabinets, add some pendant lighting and bar stools.

Oh my! Your floor is like mine- didn't know anyone else had this! Changing mine to hardwood asap. See my pic in above thread- I'm dealing with a similar dilemma. Don't want to change door style- just color.

I like your idea about taking out the shelves around the window and extending whatever you do for the backsplash up. What is behind that soffit? Is it possible to lose that also? Also like the suggestion of black counters. If you do paint or stain the cabinets, consider mixed tones - there is a heck of a lot of oak there now, and there would still be a heck of a lot of whatever new color you pick. Maybe dark on the bottom, lighter on top? Definitely browse pictures here and make an ideabook!

graymarcy, It sure didn't take you long to go from needing us for the new construction to needing us for the renovation! Glad to see you back!

I'm against painting much easier to stain. Oak is dated so needs to go painting chips

Easier to stain them? They'd need to be stripped first... Why are you against painting? The raised panel doors wouldn't look prettier painted?

Graymarcy, what is the quality and condition of the cabinet wood? If the wood is of poor quality, poorly maintained, in bad condition, or otherwise just ugly, then obviously, paint is better than stain. But if the wood is of high quality and very good condition, and the wood grains are beautiful, I feel it's a shame to paint. :)

They are not top quality. Sanding them isn't an option but they're in good (not excellent) condition.

@Ironwood That's right! Once I changed directions I was on the hunt! Found a couple I loved and wasn't able to buy, then found this one. I think I'll love it when I'm done updating it, if not I'll sell. :)