Do you want to do a full remodel?

If so, or even if you need a partial remodel, you are going to have all your problems solved in the kitchen forum. Read the "New to Kitchens" thread, sorry I can t link to it. They'll need your measurements, layout of the downstairs area, and some info about how you use the kitchen.

Is this the thread?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4306041/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first?n=221

I'd skip painting and save up for a gut. If the layout isn't working, no point in sinking money into cosmetics!!

Allymeg, don't be discouraged. People here will love to help. Read the thread that sandplum linked. If you can move things around at all, it is really worth your effort to post in kitchens. You'll get the best help from people who have great skills and input.

I would post your layout in the kitchen forum and ask for help there. You can do a kitchen gut with reusing your appliances and new cabinets from Ikea for not too much money.

I thought I did post in kitchens and crossed referenced in design dilemmas and remodeling. Its my first time posting here so I don't quite have the hang of navigation yet.

I would love to gut the kitchen and have a designer fix it but my husband actually liked the little spindle railings on the top of the cabinets and he thought I was nuts for wanting to paint over the wood. He doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong with the kitchen. I do want to put in new flooring because carpet in a kitchen is just wrong, I got the hubby to agree with me once he dropped an egg. But that's were the updates stop with him. I would still have that stovetop if he had found the parts to repair it. I still have the ovens because those parts were more universal.

I am working on a layout mock up now so that I can post it.

Hubby would be buried in the backyard at this point. If he isn't the cook, he barely gets a vote b

Recurring theme: the romantic attachment of husbands to Natural Wood... [swoon]

Floorplan and we'll see if a better layout is possible. The combination of no landing space around that cooktop with no nearby counter as backup would make me crazy!!

allymeg: In case you haven't made your way there (I skimmed quickly, but didn't see your post), this will take you to the Kitchen Discussions forum. Good luck with your remodel!

Ah, somehow I missed that forum. I am headed over there to post the layout. I have really enjoyed the feedback! If I couldn't change the layout or remodel should I paint the cabinets? Its so dark I really want to brighten it up.

If you really can't wait for a better fix, you can paint the cabs with chalk paint and apply a poly coat. Its a lot of work but it will brighten things up for now.

Forget aesthetics. The lack of function would drive me batty.