So this just makes me chuckle a bit. You are doing all this but you want to keep the wall color the cheapest change in the whole plan. IMO I would chage the island to one huge one with seating since you have counter height seating anyway.and have the whole island counter height. I think when you change the floors the whole space will be one big blond wood space without much interest so I guess I would paint the cabinets unless that was your plan in the first place . I would like to see the walls with a soft grayed/ green for some nice color but that is me

Thank, Patricia. The main motivation for the project is to replace the flooring and saw this as an opportunity to update replace the countertop. Both my wife and I like lighter flooring and thought maple looked the best. I am open to repainting the walls but the kitchen is part of a bigger space (attached new pictures for reference). Also, my wife is not a big fan of grey/cooler colors. I am stuck in deciding if we should repaint the cabinets (originally thinking white). I was open to changing the island but if we change the island, do we lose the separation of the space between the living room and the kitchen. The kitchen is pretty much visible from the front door.

Would staining the maple cabinets much darker be the answer and perhaps just leaving island. Lovely home you have

Maybe an option if you do want to paint cabinets

Thanks, Irene. I do like the picture from your first post. Not a big fan of the darker cabinets. This process is a lot harder than I thought.

Why don't you change the doors of your cabinets then match stain of what you have it looks like you want a more modern look I don't know what shape their in maybe their not in great shape. Can't see in picture but it would be big cost saving change floors and get a cool expensive light

I have older cabinets, but they are not maple - a slightly different wood tone. I very much like my light countertops and backsplash and "short apron" farm sink which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet.

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