Honestly, the main thing in your kitchen that looks dated to me is the backsplash, you might consider keeping the cabinets unpainted ($$) and just replacing the backsplash ($) and maybe the cabinet pulls. Otherwise, I guess I'd go with a cream color paint to match your trim, and maybe shift the paint color from the current pinkish tone more toward a gray, but keep it a warm gray so that it doesn't make the floors look pink by contrast. Then replace the lights with something more current.

Livingroom... I'd take the mantel off the brick, if possible, as that will give it a more modern look (and honestly that surround doesn't make much sense). You could leave it empty or replace with a rough beam mantel. I'd leave the wood above the fireplace and just hang some nice art there, if desired. If you really don't want any wood trim, then you can paint the door frames and base of the stair railing (I'd leave the bannister and newel post wood either way). That can get tricky if this space connects to a bunch of other ones, but it looks like your baseboards and door frames are already white, so it might not be terrible. Still, I think you'd get more "modernization" mileage from getting rid of the two-tone walls, as the beadboard wainscotting looks crazy in such a modern open space -- pull that off and just paint one color. (I'd personally do the same in the kitchen, but that's up to you.)

I agree with acm. I would first change the backsplash at the very least. It is dated and eye catching. If you really want to brighten and update the space, I would also replace the countertop (even though you are not wanting to) since it is black. I don't think painting the wood will give you that "modern and bright" look without addressing the more pressing issue of the backsplash and black countertop. A new backsplash will help modernize and the new countertop will help brighten. I would also replace all the light fixtures and paint the walls a soft white.

For the living room, I would update the fans and strip everything off the fireplace. Then, add a more updated mantle. Love those double french doors! I would probably update their handles as well, but that doesn't seem as pressing.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the feedback. Out of the many, many....houses that we saw, this was the only house that actually looked better in person than the pictures. Although I couldn't agree more about changing backsplash/counters, it can't happen right now. The idea to take off the bead board, is great!
Would painting the lower half of the cabinets/island a different color than the upper be a thought?
Thoughts on:
If we take off the beadboard, paint the walls a warm shade of light grey, the upper cabinets white/cream, and the lower cabinets, possible a few shades darker grey???
We were considering painting brick on fireplace???

I wouldn't touch the fireplace. Paint the room a color you love but preserve the woodwork around the doors and above the fireplace. It is what makes the room special.

Honestly, take the money you would use for painting and get rid of the backsplash.

If you do gray and cream, you will be creating more of a disconnect with everything else.

I wouldn't fight the floors, go with a compatible color, I doubt that gray is your answer. I agree, skip painting the cabinets & redo the backsplash & do something with the fireplace... I'm not sure but I think I'd try to have the upper woodwork & mantle on it removed & replaced with a new mantle. I'd leave the woodwork alone.

I agree with Penny. There are ways to modernize a house without painting anything gray. Your house does not call for gray. It is warm. Keep your cabinets, get a new backsplash, get black hardware, change the lights, etc. These are simple fixes.

For sure I would change the backsplash, lighting, and add pops of white (cabinets, mantel). New wall colors. These changes will make a huge difference. You have a fair amount to figure out here, consider bringing in a designer for some consulting hours. Gl! :)

The backsplash and lighting are the weak links here. Leave the cabinets. Paint the walls. These stone backsplash tiles are peel and stick, a definite diy.

http://aspectideas.com/installation/