You should look at what others have done in the same size space and get some ideas of what YOU like: Here are a few images

The kitchen doesn't look dated at all! It's wonderful and has much more character and is more welcoming then a white painted cabinet kitchen. As far as the built in's I think you could go either way. Yes you can see the kitchen from the living room but it's a separate room it doesn't have to match the kitchen. Personally I would probably pick white for the built ins, but it's honestly just personal preference, no logic put behind it.

I didn't even think about the trim, now that you mention that I totally would go white, other wise if you go wood I think you should switch out your trim too. Now I have some logic behind my opinion lol.

I would make the built-ins white to match the trim.

I think you should do the built ins in white and leave the kitchen cabinets. Not every kitchen needs to be white, and I am a huge fan of white kitchen overall. Those cabinets may be dated, but they are still nice.

I would not match the built ins with the kitchen. Not into big matchy matchy style

I think it's all about what YOU like. Some say it looks great as is and some say go white. Which do YOU prefer?

I would do white, I don’t think the two should match. Even though it’s a great room it’s really a separate room. And your kitchen cabinets are certainly not “dated” ..... a word that is overused, often incorrectly.

I would search online for people that painted the "oak look" kitchens a white or another color and you will see how much better they look.

http://homecrack.com/before-and-after-kitchen-cabinets-painted/21584/before-and-after-kitchen-cabinets-painted-on-1024x683-paint-kitchen-cabinets-white-before-and-after-home-furniture-design

If you paint the cabinets and the ceiling the same color white, the ceiling will look higher. If you put the subway tile on that you have propped up in the picture it will look even better.

Yes, there are a lot of white kitchen but there that's because it is a classic look and stayed in style for very, very long. Unlike beige walls.

I have ALWAYS had white kitchen cabinets, yes, they are classic but so are stained wood cabinets. Even though I will most likely have white kitchen cabinets in my next home should I move, the trend ( where I live anyway) is moving away from the white kitchens, just like gray, it’s considered somewhat passé in my area. But I really don’t let trends guide my choices, I go with what I like.

The trend is moving towards no top cabinets, either with or without open shelves. If you do that you can have darker lower cabinets like black, dark wood etc and it will work. Other painted cabinets work great too; light gray, light green, blue...maybe not red, purple or pink.

white

I say do white. The trend is moving away from stained wood.

White built in cabinets would look very nice! Maybe you could add some colorful artwork and vases to the shelves for more color! It would save you a little money not having to replace the baseboards! Would love to see the end result! Keep us posted!

gcostaki

"The kitchen looks very dated. "

Nonsense! The kitchen looks very nice!

The trend is moving towards no top cabinets, either with or without open shelves.

LOL!! If I got rid of my upper cabinets I would cut my kitchen storage in exactly half. If it's a trend, I couldn't give a rats patooty. It makes no sense for most people.

I happen to think your kitchen is gorgeous! As I read through the comments I became confused so I went back to your originl post. Poor you. You wanted an opinion about which finish to use on your built-ins in the adjoining room and you got alot of opinions on your beautiful existing cabinetry.

Back to my original comment go with what you like. I have respect for construction workers, remodelers, and decorators and they all offer great advice stemming from their knowledge. But at the end of the day this is your home, as you stated, your 'forever home' and the only ones you need to please are the ones who live there.

Best of luck and as stated earlier by Stecki Construction please share the pics when completed!!

@chess I don't know what the rat comment means but yes most people need some upper storage. That is why open shelves are so great. The kitchen looks so much bigger, it costs less to install but you still have the storage. Honestly, most people have too much stuff and this is a great way to cut down on stuff. It is a great option if you have low ceilings as well or a really small space.

I don't believe in following trends in decorating but some trends actually work. This one is actually a return to pre-modern kitchens when people did not have upper cabinets.

Stain to white

Open shelves? Now that is something that always looks better in staged homes than in real life. . And yes, they are just dust & grease collectors. I hate them ... I too OCD for them.

gwc1973, Just so you will know, not giving a "rats patooty" means I could not care less. :-) What you call a "trend" is nothing more than a look that is seen in Home design magazines. It is "form over function" and for most folks, simply not an option or even a desire. Besides the reduction in storage space, it INCREASES the cleaning that must be done. Like we need that??

"most people have too much stuff and this is a great way to cut down on stuff. It is a great option if you have low ceilings as well or a really small space."

LOL. I am sure there are some people that do have too much, but it's a bit presumptuous for you to make that determination, quite honestly. Speaking for myself, I use everything I have, and I am probably far more focused on not-having-too-much-crap than most people are. Have more storage is really more about being able to have more functional organization. Yeah all these kitchen threads here are sure about finding ways to reduce storage and get rid of kitchen ware. Sure. Ok.

Back to the OP's question, I would go with white.