I would paint all wood (cabinet, built ins and mantel) white or off white. They look out dated as does the hardware. Not a fan of the honey/orange tone they have and I feel like white is modern but also classic. It would go well with your countertops. Consider a new back splash and I would paint that brick on the arch. Stands out too much and I dont love that style of brick.

Painting the wood also helps reduce the amount of different wood tones you have. I see three (cabinets, island, and table); way too much. Make all the wood built into your home more uniform by painting. It would also tie in better with your beautiful white doors and trim.

White cabinets are classic, as is what you have, other than the island. THAT paint job and fancy turnings on the corners does not flow in your space and is dated, "Tuscan" is out. Maybe start slow and paint only the island? With all the white walls the contrast of the wood is very nice., and the wood tone is beautiful with your floors. Hardware, I can't really see but if it bother's you it is an easy swap.

I agree with arcy-- while all the suggestions (white, darker) might be nice, I do think the wood cabinetry is very attractive and good quality. I think adding the crown molding is a good idea and leaving it as is. I think painting the island would work to change it up and lighten it up enough.

Wow, look at all that nice space.

A total new remodel keeping the theme of the architecture with a bigger island would be so nice.

I would not invest too much into the current. To get by until a remodel, just Crown & a new hood.

I think a total redo would be a better investment in the long run.

I wanted to say your kitchen is a classic case for what happens when we go off script and individualize. The curves over the cook top and ovens, and the island are what DATES this kitchen the most. If you are spending the money and want it to span the test of time tread lightly with fads!!

Your cabinets look like they are in good shape and appropriate in style to your home. The island is a little over the top, and agree that if you want a change, painting it maybe a cream color would look good. You don’t need a complete renovation. See this recent post.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5178209/article-about-home-renovations?n=51

I think it's a nice kitchen, To me, role of molding is to connect cabinetry with ceiling, if it's on cabinetry..kida tie them together. Just adding molding that's not high enough doesn't achieve that purpose, and, again imo, is not needed and doesn't update anything.

Actually the only thing that'd bother me that's the backsplash decoration, but that's so personal. If bothers you I guess you can take it out find something instead, or evem put some art on top..tile art or something along these lines. I love tile art and one can find pretty amazing things if he looks for them.

Wouldn't add cabinets to the desk area but might add a shelf or two in the upper middle part. I'd be afraid to make all the area unnessesary heavy. Or: one can go with narrower cabinets with glass I suppose but I think will look a bit too forced, in that corner. I'd draw a bit first, several versions..try to imagine what'll read there as natural while increasing storage a bit.

I wouldn't paint..current stain is nice and works with the house's vibe, But if you really want to-paint just the island. And choose whatever color:) Just keep it muted enough.

You didn't ask about it, but I think I'd work with the furniture a bit..dining table might be a bit small here, thus the feeling the kitchen is heavier than it is. While the kitchen is fine; it just wants another friend as a dining table..:) And you might want to look into other surfaces, not just wood, or break wood with runners/tablecloths..small changes sometimes contribute the most. Obviously if every surface in the house is wood and brown it seems like "too much". But it won't be too much if you introduce other surfaces, add textures, art, plants. It'll feel just right. Like in the forest you know? Trees don't bother us, because forest has so much more. Besides tree trunks. You don't need to get rid of tree trunks to be charmed by a forest.

I'd also anchor the sofa with something..a throw? a narrow sofa table?

Actually maybe it's not your furniture at all..might be listing pictures. Lol. In that case, just disregard..maybe you have other things to work with. But the general idea: yor kitchen is part of the house. Changes in rooms that it's open to, influence your kitchen. And vice versa.

You can look into changing the dining light-will add to the cleaner look you're after, if you choose wisely. Lights are very versatile, and have great power to influence the room. You can look into bigger lampshades for your island pendants. Go with simpler barstools. Add modern art. You might be amazed with changes. Without going into expensive and, to me, unnnessesary hassle of painting the whole kitchen. It works as is. And it's a truly nice house. No, I wouldn't choose the corbels maybe or how these twisted legs on the island are called-but it's not a big deal to work around them, or maybe concult a carpenter how to change only those.

When I look at homes for sell on Zillow in areas like Carmel, CA, (a girl can dream) I often see kitchens with a lot of Spanish influence in very expensive homes. I like the range vent because it is not just like all the others - I am rather tired of seeing the same kitchen everywhere with no individual flavor.

One thing that would bother me is the large paneled fridge - which is probably very good and expensive - I just don't like the way it is paneled and that is just me. I would remove the microwave on the shelf - mostly because I am short. In my own home, I replaced the microwave with a plate rail. I prefer lighter countertops and if there is no undercabinet lighting I would have that installed. I am not overly fond of black appliances and would change the wall ovens to a different color. I would simplify the backsplash - if there is a 4" countertop splash, that should be removed, and if you stay with wood cabinets, a simple cream tile backsplash would look good. You have a pretty good layout which to me is one of the most important factors. I like wooden cabinets and would put my money towards other changes then having them painted.

I think the comparative scale of several items are throwing things off. Of course, I’m not actually in the room, but from the photos, the pendants over the island, and the dining set seem almost doll-sized as compared to the boldness of the kitchen cabinets. A larger dining set to hold up that end of the room and larger pendants would take away some focus from the island.

Painting the cabinets white would not solve the issue but would create several new problems. Adding crown to the cabs is not a bad idea, as they look almost unfinished and have less weight as co pared to the exuberant island.

(It seems I was writing as April posted. I swear I didn’t copy you, April )

not worried blubird..happens to me all the time))

What's funny is this is pretty much the look I am trying to achieve in my kitchen. What I would do is swap out the light fixtures for something iron, get a new dining table to coordinate with the island(looks a dark brown to me), add a butcher block countertop to the island in a wood tone to match the honey oak and if you really want to play up with the Spanish style (I notice the arches and some iron accents)

It can seem big to some if there's bit of counter used as backsplash.... for yours that's dark, I'd probably remove it... what about these looks, showing pattern from a distance?

Chestnut Street · More Info

Modern Simplicity · More Info

Have you considered wood shelves to replace uppers on the long wall [with stove]?

Add striking tile, or not....

Antic Sensations Ceramic Wall Subway Tile, Griggio · More Info

This blue-ish nice with new dark-steel frig? leaving lowers as they are, blending with floor, etc.

Antic Special Ceramic Wall Tile, Gris · More Info

I really like cheerful colors! Is your island a muted forest green.. maybe this?

8"x8" Baha Handmade Cement Tile, Green/Yellow, Set of 12 · More Info

I would add the molding (even if it doesn't go all the way to the ceiling).

What's the stone over the hood? Brick? I'd just white wash them.

While I love white kitchens, I wouldn't paint the cabinets. The grain will still show through and it'll just look like painted oak. However, I'd probably consider adding some glass uppers.

I'd seriously consider painting the island with General Finishes milk paint. It's super easy to use and not like your regular milk paint.

Swap out the counter stools to something more streamlined.

I'd also look into replacing that desk part with a wine fridge and make this area more side board like. Again, I'd look into glass doors for the uppers. Or just use it as a library wall.

I'm also in the don't-paint-the-cabinets camp and I also like the idea of adding some glass fronts to some of the uppers. The backsplash is very busy -- if you replace that with something with a cleaner look you can also use that opportunity to get rid of the cobbles. If you spring for a little drywall repair, you can also get rid of the bricks over the stove; that way the arch would be simple like the one over the ovens and those in the family room. And I would paint the island and replace the stools with ones that are simpler Maybe a carpenter could remove the turned legs? Also agree that a larger dining table and new light fixtures will go a long way to changing the feel of the room. (BTW, great room! Amazing space and light!)

Thanks for all the comments. I would love all new cabinets, but we will have to wait awhile for that. The furniture isn't mine and the table is really small. I also think the realtor's wide angle lens makes things a little bigger than they are.

Following.....

It looks like swapping out all appliances for SS, updating the hardware, stools, backsplash, and painting the island will give you a nice updated kitchen.

Cascade Mountain Home · More Info

I think going off of the smaller space comment, a lighter paint job with dark accents might make the space seem or feel a bit larger than it really is, so that could be a possibility if you want a more spacious feel.