We are remodeling our very 90's kitchen in our very 90's home. You name a feature in a 90's home we've got it. Orangey oak? Check. Brass everything? Check. Split level? (shudder) Check. The counters were replaced about 10 years ago with what I believe is Tropic Brown granite and we do not want to go to the expense for new granite as there is nothing wrong with this one. However, I feel like it dictates the colors for our cabinets, which we are having professionally painted in about a week. What I love is an open, airy gray and white kitchen which is clearly not in the cards. I love cool colors. But what can I do here to modernize it and feel happier with what I have? We've had the hardwoods refinished and they are more a medium brown than they look here - I believe the color was called Colonial. While the granite is brown and black, I feel like there's a tinge of gray (it certainly looks more gray when I take a picture) and it almost comes across as taupe-y. I don't want stark white or creamy cabinets but open to suggestions. I love SW Worldly Gray (I love the whole color strip, actually) and feel like it looks good with the granite, but I'm honestly terrible with color and not sure what tones to take with the cabinets, and walls. Do I need back splash? The appliances are black and I feel like they really pull the eye - I'm afraid white or very light cabinets will make that worse. Will get stainless at some point. Also, the window is north facing. Not exactly terrible lighting, but certainly cool. Have read too many articles and looked at too many samples at this point and feel like the whole thing has just become stressful and no fun. Help!