Totally agree with Sabrina: good wood needs to be saved! I am curious, though, as to your opinion of hardware that is not "dated", or is popular now? I see you are in the heart of design nirvana in SF, so probably know all the trends. Thanks!

Hi CV: since she wants a more updated look, I'd ditch the curved pulls for something with cleaner lines. Bar pulls are a good option, for example.

I would change the hardware to something like a stainless bar pull with no curves or designs. Remove the backspash and replace with something that actually goes with the counter in a simple gray glass tile subwy style but stacked pattern , get a counter depth fridge in stainless and remove the cabinet where the desk is and install a wine cooler . I use these pulls from Lee Valley .After all that I think you will find the cabinets are okay .

Absolutely agree with Sabrina Alfin Interiors and CV & Associates, LLC. Change the counters and backsplash - the backsplash is more dated to me than the cabinets - but leave the cabinets as they are. Stained wood cabinets are coming back so keeping them will give you an updated look.

This kitchen's floor and cabinets are close to what you have but look at the difference new counters and backsplash give it compared to yours.

A Kitchen for Today in a Classic Craftsman Home · More Info

Your cabinets are lovely. I would not change them if they were mine, and I tend to prefer white kitchens. Painting them properly (ie professionally) is costly and will never be as good as a factory finish, and wood cabinets are not the best base for paint if you want to avoid cracking and peeling.

Change the counter and backsplash instead to give it a bit of an updated look. Something lighter and more modern. Change hardware to something like stainless steel/brushed nickel bar pulls.

Cherry wood that beautiful should never be painted. Invest the money in some hardware that is more appealing to you. Pick a gray that has some tan overtones. That will keep it from clashing with the counters and backsplash. Start with the inexpensive things, hardware and paint. If after that you still think something needs to change you could maybe restain the hardwood floors something less yellow.

I would suggest just changing the wall color and backsplash.