Thank you! This is one of the photos that I love and have saved to my ideabook.

there is no better combo w/Saltillo then cobalt blue. love Phuns photo. but turquoise is nice and you can't beat black and white. what if you did the white or cream, black island, white or black granite and brought in a cobalt tile backsplash?

or,,,cobalt island, white everywhere else and black/white cement tile backsplash.

Thanks for your suggestions! I don't think black and white is our thing. But your comment about the cobalt blue is helpful. We have incorporated that blue in our dishes, pottery, etc. so I'm happy to hear you think it is a good accent with the Saltillo tile.

Thank you! Your pricing sounds right to me. We are reluctant to remove and replace the cabinets because we are trying to keep the costs down and we have many cabinets (not all visible in my photos). The cabinets are also well-made and in good condition. Do you really think the tongue and groove design is coming back and that perhaps new hardware would make it look less dated?

New hardware, some touch up of any worn areas, and an island color makeover would work with the character of the kitchen. It’s warm and friendly. And that vibe comes from the cabinets in combination with the floors. The doors aren’t dated because they are outside of trends all together. Which is a good thing!

Thank you again, @Sophie Wheeler, for this valuable feedback!

I wouldn't change those cabinets. They are very nice and could be spectacular. Update the hardware, as has been suggested, add good under cabinet lighting, and the big one for me - change the flooring.

Thank you! We are pretty set on keeping the floors. I am planning to get them stripped and resealed when the job is done. What would you suggest in place of them? And why is that the big one for you?

Another consideration. In the past, I have purchased new cabinet doors for a kitchen. The bases were solid and in excellent condition for painting. It was either from Lowes or Home Depot.

I've thought of this option but haven't really looked into it. That would certainly be less than costly than custom doors.

actually, going through the big box stores for refacing is not cheaper than having a local cabinet maker do the doors for you.

You could always paint a section of them and see if you like the look.

why don't you take a look at some of the kitchens on here or on other sites, with saltillo floors so you can get ideas? Getting them stripped is a good idea. did you know you can also get them stained? either a darker tone or a new color? You might look into that as well.

Thank you! If that's true, great, because I do have an area cabinetmaker who could do this. And a painter, who suggested painting a couple of the existing doors and living with it for a little while. Interesting suggestion on the floors. I like the color that we have but am hoping the stripping and resealing process will restore some of their natural beauty.

I replaced my doors and drawer fronts. It was easy, custom-sized white oak overlay doors from Lowes, about 12 years ago. I got them unfinished so that I could match the frames I stripped. Easy.

One thing you might consider: swap out just the upper doors with glass insert doors, using a patterned glass. Gets rid of some of the oak without a wholesale change and looks great (But I'd swap out all the doors. IMHO those look very dated.).

Thank you for your feedback. I am struggling with keeping vs. replacing the doors and oak and am concerned that if I don't do something with the doors and/or oak that when all is said and done I will be disappointed. So it's helpful to get all these points of view.

The key here is whether you really like the look of the doors to start with. If not, then move on. Get the estimates for each application, then make your decision. You will see these doors every day of your life! Please keep us updated.

That's excellent advice @phuninthesun. Going into this my preference was for replacing them with a Shaker-style door and painting them. And I must say the photo you sent is a great inspiration. Another option is refacing them in a warm wood tone, without the oak grain. Now that some people here and also friends have suggested keeping the doors, I am confused. I will definitely post my decision and photos after the job is done!