looks very nice. what changes were made?

What features do you like least? most?

Is the budget for this phase $1000 or less?

Gold hardware was replaced with oil rubbed bronze hardware. sink faucet was replaced with oil rubbed bronze as well. And glass cabinets doors were removed to crest one open shelving section. Painted back splash because it had blue flowers on the tile.

Nice work!

I like the floor and the cabinet color the least. I would say $1,000 would be fine. My husband just doesn’t want to replace the floors or cabinets so just some cosmetic change. I was thinking of taking some of the upper cabinetry out and creating some more open shelving to lighten it up.

I'd throw some rugs down. Try to cover the floor up.

I'd just start saving up for a full redo. There's not many small changes that can be made here except maybe upgrading the light over the island (center it btw)

Thanks for info. If you want to lighten it up, start by changing out your stained glass fixture for a semi-flush fixture with at least three 75-watt bulbs (or use LED equivalents). It will be vastly brighter than now.

Then pick out a new off white wall paint to replace the greenish paint. Or use the same white paint color in flat finish that you have already for trim.

I agree with Benjesbride. You have space for a permanent island.

The cabinets look very nice in the pictures. Do you have undercabinet lighting?

Can you afford to lose storage space by removing cabinets?

If this was my kitchen my first change would be to add under cabinet lighting. It adds so much. Next, I would remove the over the range microwave and replace it with a hood - stainless with a little black trim if possible to tie in with the black appliance.

I always tell people, no matter how clean or messy their kitchen looks, to do a thorough cleaning and decluttering of the kitchen first - every cabinet. This is free - and freeing. Anything not used daily should find a home in a cabinet - including the trash if possible. Consider a pull out trash in the cabinet next to or under the sink. I know it is not a huge space, but it works for my family of six and trash gets taken out nearly daily. Accomplishing this task alone will make you like your kitchen better and help it to work for you better.

It looks like much of the trim is painted in your home. Paint the kitchen window trim too.

As appliances die, replace with stainless or even white if you dislike stainless.

It does look like you have space for an island (not built in) with some storage. This is over your budget, but you may want to save up for one. I bought mine many years after the cabinets and it just happened to be a good stain match, but one in blue, green or black - maybe even cream would work. I had an inexpensive butcher block top on for a few years and just changed it out to quartz a year ago.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

butcher block:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~71048330

thank you everyone for the suggestions. does anyone have any suggestions on where i can purchase a larger more permanent island? I do not have under cabinet lighting, does it really make a big difference? i figure i wouldn't remove all upper cabinets, maybe just that right side by the sink but leave the one above the microwave over to the fridge. Does everyone agree that the wood looks nice and that i shouldn't consider painting them?

Open cabinetry won't lighten things up much, so I wouldn't do that...you have to really be on top of the items on the shelves or things begin to look cluttered in a hurry.

My thought is that should add some personality in the space. I'd add a roman shade and replace the dark rugs with some that have navies, golds, white, etc. in the color scheme. Try a runner instead of the short rug by the sink. And I agree with Benjesbride - a larger island painted in navy would look great! Put a large vase of flowers or bowl of fruit on the new island to add visual interest. Maybe replace the stools with those that aren't so dark. And If you can spare the space, take out the open shelving opposite the window and try a large mirror or colorful artwork there...at the least, reduce the clutter or add baskets to visually clean up that area a bit.

Under cabinet lighting makes a big difference. What color did you paint the tile backsplash? It looks a little dark, also. Maybe paint it white/cream. I agree that you should change out the hanging light and center it. I like your wood cabinets. They look to be quality and in good shape. Add light and shiny surfaces.

Under cabinet lighting makes a huge difference! Hen New light fixture, de clutter

Sorry, hit send by mistake. And add a more substantial island with an overhang for the chairs.

I bought my island through a local Amish store. It was about $1200 without a top. It is very solidly made. However, I have seen less expensive ones online - not sure of the quality. Try googling "stationary kitchen island". You can also go to a home center store and have one put together using base cabinets, though you want to be sure the back of the cabinets which will face the seating and maybe the sides too have a strong and attractive surface. That could be more expensive - not sure.

Is that a table rather than a built in island; if a table, wouldn't paint it.

If it is a built in, you could make it the focal point by painting all but the top your favorite bold color.

You could also create another countertopon wheels by having a square cabinet built to house the trash -- if you cannot match the cabinetry, paint it and don't even try to match the countertop -- choose a countertop and cabinetry you'd want for your kitchen if your budget permitted you to redo it all. Then you'll know if you like it when you do remodel..

You might consider repainting the walls and/or the inside of the open shelviing.

Like your light fixture but NOT where it is. Really -- it's not over the table or island. Rethink your lighting over the table/island.

Do you need a new light for the dining room?

Like your table/island but you could choose a larger table or one with a drop leaf side so it wouldn't be wider when you don't want it to be.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Inspired-by-Bassett-Country-Kitchen-Large-Kitchen-Island-in-White-Finish-with-Vintage-Oak-Top-BP-4202-942DL/305101290?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CDD%7CD29B%7C29-29_HOUSEWARES%7CNA%7CNA%7c71700000032305523%7c58700003835510657%7c92700030685132289&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIounTu9TH3QIVTVgNCh3ixAt-EAQYAiABEgLPL_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJPhh7_Ux90CFYt2wQodjY4JnQ

I would not consider painting the cabinets. They look really nice. I would try to remove the garage thing in the corner by the stove. It really makes the corner look cluttered and dark. Of course, then you'd need a new backsplash. I think you'd be amazed what a new backsplash and under cabinet lighting will do, though. Throw in a new island and I'd be very happy with this kitchen.

what kind of backsplash would everyone suggest?

What is your perimeter counter? Can you upload a couple pictures in different lighting and at different angles?

Definitely updated lighting and a navy or blue painted island with stools would be look great. You can play up the color with accessories..

Cream or white tends to look best with wood cabinets - depends on your wood tone and countertop.

You asked about removing a cabinet and doing some shelves. i don't have a problem with that except you do have a similar open shelf in one area - the left side of your picture. i really can't see the area - how are you doing on styling that spot? Do you find it easy to upkeep etc? That will clue you to how you would do with more open shelving.

I did retrofit one of my cabinets with a plate rail and some spice boxes - so you can change it up a different way too.

This is my wood kitchens idea book which might help you consider backsplash options:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

IKEA sells a medium-grey island that would be ideal here.

And I’d relocate that garbage pail. But first put the Tiffany lamp inside.

Yes - check out Ikea as jpp221 mentioned. I like the stenstorp shelves

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60323021/

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20359154/

A new centered ceiling fixture, bigger island, under cabinet lighting, runner in front of sink, new location for trash bin, declutter. Open shelves are fine, but only if they stay presentable - no clutter. Get a new floor when you can do it, stainless appliances some day. Add a few blue things to tie into floor, otherwise ignore it, aside from a runner or two. I recently put in under cabinet lighting, and it does make a huge difference! Make sure your ceiling recessed lights have LED bulbs and put dimmers on them so you can control amount of light.
Your kitchen is really quite nice. A few changes and your good. Your floor looks like vinyl, have you priced flooring? Seems like you could get a reasonably priced replacement in vinyl that looks like tile.

It’s acually tile. I’ve been told it’s a very good quality tile also. He granite counter is brown and black speckled with little hints of blue.. any backspalsh suggestions with that?

Others are better with the granite and backsplash stuff, but I'm thinking a light ivory subway or other simple pattern with a reflective surface if subway is too overdone for you. Grout to match the tile since the granite is kinda busy so you don't want to compete with that. Heck, to buy yourself some time, you could even just paint with a semi-gloss behind your counters since neither your stove nor sink are against the wall. I painted my wall behind the perimeter counters and it cleans up fine.

It is hard to tell what is there now, if anything. Do you have a backsplash?

I would paint the backsplash in the lightest creamy beige color seen near the middle of the first granite picture. (Sort of a rectangle shape, left of middle.)

A blue gray wall paint might lessen the blue in the tile. IIRC, I THINK two blue gray paint colors for walls are SW Coventry gray and Stonington gray.

I would keep the cabinets as is. They are nice and no need to paint. I agree with painting the walls a blue-gray to make the floors look more gray. Under cabinet lights are a must too. I also agree with replacing the microwave with a real hood vent and maybe putting a microwave in the alcove on the wall of cabinets. Do you still have the doors that you removed from that cabinet on that wall? You could get the glass replaced with something more to your liking. As is, it looks kind of off and cluttered. Maybe paint the inside white and show off some decorative things? I also agree on a different island light fixture and replacing the appliances with white or stainless as $$ allows. A fridge not paneled would alleviate some of the wall o' wood feeling. I also wonder if it would be possible to take out that appliance garage. It really eats up valuable counter space near the stove.