Refacing will cost nearly as much as new cabinets if done correctly. If you have virtually no budget, you can paint the cabinets, but realize that this is a temporary stop gap measure. Check out Ikea and think about a new kitchen when it's possible from a financial standpoint. Don't waste money on this one.

What’s the budget?

"cabinets need work"....start with cleaning, add hardware . I'd change to white or light cellular blinds, at large window [can get three on one rail] …. get a new backsplash before anything else. But....what are the deficiencies of your cabinets?

If the cabinets need work, replace them. They do not look like 35 year old cabinets.

If. the cabinets can be reused without too much repair you have to determine what will work. How to remove the finish once you figure out what it is. Whether to bleach the cherry or sand it to lighten it. How to keep it lighter in the future. Cherry naturally darkens from UV exposure. Talk to local cabinet guys. Especially those currently doing cherry for some ideas. If you have to replace consider layout changes and swapping drawers for doors on the lowers.

I agree they do not look 35 years old. Do you dislike the color? Are they in worse shape than the pictures show?

I second everything Aurora said. Your kitchen already looks lovely so I think you should be able to make it really beautiful without spending a fortune. Good luck and please keep us posted on what you decide to do!

Soft close can be added to these doors. Might not be fun, but it is doable. The drawer slides are a whole different matter. I have also done that and it was not pretty. Lots of lots of swearing on my part. Houses settle and walls and cabinets are no longer square. Soft close drawer slides have very, very little tolerance. You might want to consult a cabinet maker and ask if he/she has anyone who might want to make a little extra money on a weekend to replace the inner hardware for you.

Don’t paint your beautiful cabinets! Just replace backsplash. If you have enough money left over, you can consider replacing the sink and/ or countertops. You can get budget friendly countertops that resemble granite and higher end products. Good luck!

35 year old cabinets with full overlay? I think they look great! Add some hardware to start....

Cabinets are in pretty good shape, except for island. As you can see pretty faded. Husband tried to sand and refinish but just couldn’t get them to look decent. Cabinet under sink is also in pretty bad shape.

Possible to paint island white and have it look nice?

Stary, I think the island could look nice painted and that would be a manageable diy. Lots of threads on how to prep. My favorite primer/seal is BIN Shellac (after a good degreasing/cleaning). Followed by two to three coats of a good paint like Benjamin Moore Advance. Take off the doors and drawers. Don't paint with them on. Would you consider a butcher block top in a cherry wood to complement? Or are you interested in all new countertops? Do you indeed have Corian? If so, the color may be still in stock. Look up Anglo's kitchen. She did this. Added Corian 30 years later and they matched.

The gel stain can hide a lot of flaws. There is a current thread about the "resurgence" of wood cabinets. That might make you feel better about your kitchen.

New appliances in SS and a new light over the table and it is going to look really good. You are lucky to have such nice bones.

Think I will try to refresh cabinets, add some hardware, take down valence, add pretty light over sink. I have been very hesitant to paint cabinets even though I love the look of white kitchens.
Any suggestions for new backsplash? Maybe should look into new countertop?
Thanks for all comments. Keep them coming. Still haven’t decided on refrigerator wall arrangement. Will probably have to replace that bank of cabinets to accommodate new fridge.
Should I paint molding around window? I have this ugly pantry by the kitchen table. Thinking about making it look more like a buffet so I can open area up more to family room. I could have it a white also, or cherry to match cabinets?

Thanks for the encouragement, Aurora Tee. I agree I need some new lights. Would love to put some kind of pendant lighting over sink and , if possible, over island. Would like to also add some under counter lighting.
Any suggestions?
I do have several French antiques, House is pretty traditional, but I know I need to update.

By the way, yes it is 34 year old Corian. Know it would be expensive to change but might give kitchen some spark or interest. What about black pearl granite?

I think if you are trying to modernize and lighten it up, Black Pearl granite might be too dark. Anglo added new Corian to existing and Joe Cortlett is a pro that works with it all the time and finds it flexible and timeless. Before you go down that road, do you have a budget for new appliances and countertop?

Will a new refrigerator not fit in the current space?

I would keep the molding the same as the cabinet color.

I bet some others will chime in with some good suggestions on how to use your pantry. That would befuddle me.

I like it all including your pantry..sorry..)))

yes it's possible(and much simpler) to paint just the island

I'd change the valance for smth else(lighter? woven? ) or just leave bare..get appliances in one color..or-black plus stainless..I find somehow black plus stainless works better than white plus stainless..no reasonable explanation, just my feeling

frankly your backsplash doesn't bother me too..but that's a perfect space to do smth different whether subdued and simple, or more whimsy or colorful, if you're tired of yours. all your other surfaces are very forgiving-you're almost as free as a bird when choosing backsplash

do you think Corian needs changing? I like how it looks, maybe it's worn, hard to see. But in terms of colors etc-works great. If replacing-I'd keep to white/light, frankly

or if you want darker stone-maybe soapstone? looks softer..granted has its minuses but has pluses too.

I like your dining chandelier..and if you're into vintage-you can source some interesting vintage hardware if you want this kind of simple yet powerful update. Will be cheap but beautifully made

you can add those sliding suzans to your cabinets, if you don't have them yet

refacing is very expensive, your stain looks cool, at least from where I sit..touch up what you need too, paint the island (not only white will work)..no need to rehaul everythin if they're in good shape, your cabinets,and they seem to be. They're that versatile shape too, the doors.

My next delimma is the refrigerator wall, which I have posted under appliances but think should be in design. We have to replace fridge (ours died) and microwave/oven...oven works, microwave only does high.
Two people gave a suggestion when in my house....move fridge away from wall. However choices were:
move fridge and oven to center and put a pantry on each side or
Just move fridge to center.
Any ideas? We might have to get counter depth fridge, but am having a hard time finding a refrigerator that I like. Not too crazy about stainless, but not sure if white is the way to go either.

What would have the best eye appeal AND best use of space?
There is no other place in kitchen to put oven or fridge other than that wall.
Thanks for all and any suggestions. I really have appreciated everyone’s comments so far and answers are definitely moving me forward.

Search here for General Finishes gel stain mahogany or look at General Finishes milk paint. I highly recommend it, should you decide to paint. It required minimal scuffing and has hardened to a very tough finish (indoor/outdoor use).

Someone here on Gardenweb used it, too, including pictures.

I agree with others above. I'd add hardware, put my budget on new appliances. If you need to refresh the stain I highly recommend general finish gel stain. I did mine and I am still very happy with the results 5 years later.

I think your cabinets look great, although I see what you mean about the different colors. Keep in mind your only option with staining is to make them darker.

The island does look a lot lighter than the perimeter cabinets. If that's the case, I would probably paint the island.

You can certainly upgrade to soft-close hardware without any other work on the cabinets. The easiest is a hydraulic soft-close mechanisms that just slows down the door closing - you use it with your existing hinges. A nicer option, IMO, is replacing the hinges with euro cup hinges that have a soft-close mechanism built into the hinge.