change all the cabinet hardware.

could you stain the beams?

is that island moveable, or could you take the bar like part off?

I went with a light quartz counter and cream subway tile to refresh my oak kitchen. I also got a Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style farm sink which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. My kitchen is in a vintage / cottage style.

Before going with new countertops, be sure you will spend at least 10 more years with your present cabinets and that the layout is also one you are happy with.

If this was my kitchen, I might remove the cabinet over the sink to lighten up the sink area. I might exchange it with another cabinet , if there is one the same size, and put a plate rail in the shelf space.

If you don't have under cabinet lighting, consider doing it before the backsplash goes in. I only did a little and love how much it helps me see what I'm doing.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784291

those recessed lights,,,,why are they in back of that open ledge part? I can't imagine you get full light out of those. If you could move those forward a foot and get directional lights, I'm sure you'd get more out of them.

Agree about the color of wall/ceiling.

Since the beams are so close to the cabinets, I would keep them the same color, unless you want to paint them (the beams or the cabinets). Especially since you have dark wood on the wall where they end and a dark table.

However, if you're up to painting the cabs white, then darkening the beams and putting in some wood beadboard or TG wood would really give it a great look

or, do a white TG to brighten things up a bit. Any chance of putting in a skylight?

this pic has glass in the doors, under cab lighting, soapstone perimeter countertops, white subway backsplash, wood tone island w/quartz countertop (you could make your island one level like this one and trim out the face like they did here)

New cabinet hardware, better placed recessed lighting, and lights inside the glass uppers. All of this you could also do.

To upgrade the cabs, why don't you put some glass in a few of the upper doors? It will do two things, cut down on the dated look and give the appearance of 'opening' things up a bit. You could do an opaque or frosted glass if you don't want to show the inside of the cabs. This is easy enough to do yourself and would cost about $50 per door.

I would do a Honed Opalescent on the perimeter and something fun on the island. I would also cut the island down and make it one level.

I honestly don't see how you can marry the contemporary style of your dining room to the traditional style of your kitchen. If I were going to try it, I would paint all the cabinets (possibly skipping the island) a medium gray and then get a spiffy counter like Astonia is showing, or something else with cool tones -- could do a soapstone-looking quartz too; there are some in blacks or medium grays with white veining. I'd drop the raised bar on the island down to regular counter height, and get a couple of industrial-looking stools, and consider one or two funky pendants. That might just do it.

I'm imagining a paint job about like this:

Northern VA Kitchen · More Info

With a vibe in the direction of some of these:

Central Texas Custom Home · More Info

Industrial Kitchen · More Info

L O F T · More Info

Kosas Pennie 30" Counter Stool · More Info

Office Star New Castle 26" Metal Bar Stool in Antique Copper · More Info

Revo 26" Counter Stools, Set of 4, Black · More Info

Wave Stool · More Info

Generation Lighting Lighting 1-Light Pendant, Stardust · More Info

Metal Sifter Pendant Light · More Info

If you level out the island, maybe you can put a larger slab on it to overhang a bit and act as your barstool area?

Yes, thank you. I was planning to do that. Do you think I could paint the island and not the other cabinets?

yes you could. what countertop material would you do the island ?

What do you think about a dark cutting board material on the island?

butcher block? yes. a nice walnut.

floor and decor has these w/many different wood selections.

this if FD Acacia

So frustrated with the recessed lights. They put them in before the cabinets went in. I was too young to demand they remove them. So... they are ineffective to say the least. This is my first time looking for help on this site. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for responding. I don't see how to respond to each one. Some just say like or bookmark but I appreciate all the feedback. IF, I can afford to paint the cabinets, does it matter if I do it before or after the counter top. I keep looking at White Macaubus Veincut. Do you think that would work?

Macaubas is gorgeous, and very expensive! It's a quartzite, so it can be a bit more finicky than granite. all depends if your slab is prone to etching.

The lights can be moved and the old holes patched. not a big deal. if they screwed up, demand they come back and redo it.

I would paint before doing the countertops just in case you have to do something w/the base or boxes. If you will be painting yourself, there is so much that needs to go into prepping, so make sure you do your homework. there is a ton more than just sanding and painting. if you do not prep properly, the paint will chip within a month. Hiring out someone qualified, would prob cost 3-5K.

you could always do just the island and see how you like it before committing to the others.

Honestly, if I were you and was going to choose that quartzite, I'd have the cabinets refaced by a local carpenter. if you can keep the drawer fronts, great, just have him make you some new doors, try and match the grain of the wood, and paint everything.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate your advice.

I think the butcher block would be great, you kind of have a farmhouse already, so changing the island up, new counters backsplash and pulls will help a lot. I agree about painting the ceiling and walls all one color. I also think if you do plan to change or paint the cabinets doing the beams can help tie the spaces together.