Hi,

you have what looks to be a really lovely home but I completely understand being overwhelmed by wood.

I think you could do a grey like you suggested, but I think it needs to be a "warm grey". Think greige end of the scale, more so than a cold grey which leans toward the blue/black end of the scale.

I googled paint colours for hickory cabinets and saw some really lovely looks where they whitewashed the hickory. Wow, it looks gorgeous (had trouble, the pictures don't want to post) here is a pinterest link., but you can google it for yourself and see if it pleases your tastes. It might look really nice with your dark counters. Still gives the idea of the wood showing through but tones down some of the brighter colours in the wood.

I think I might consult a professional or at least do quite a bit of practicing before attempting it myself....but what if the lowers or all the perimeters were whitewashed with the same colour paint as the island which is solid colour?

Oh, and one finicky little thing - can you put a new switch plate cover on the outlet on the island so it blends in better with the new paint?

Is there budget at all for more than paint? I'm wondering if you might consider changing out your counters. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with them but if you are hoping to change up the look of the kitchen, that and some backsplash tile would make a big difference.

What is your budget and what is the condition of the cabinet boxes?

We have hickory cabinets that a probably a few years younger than yours and we are almost done replacing our counters and backsplash

I like the cabinets. You're right though that you have an awful lot of wood ... it's a lot of brown. I think you need an infusion of color. Personally, I'd leave the cabinets alone and go with red accessories. Red curtains, hand towels, a red kettle on the stove. Maybe some colorful pendant lights.

If your counters are laminate, then my vote would be to change them and add a backsplas. I was surprised how much it changed the look of our kitchen. I originally wanted to paint my cabinets, but now I’m glad we didn’t because the wood is easier to keep looking clean.

Our counters are Artic White LG solid surface (basically Corian) that were less than half the price of quartz. You could do a solid white laminate for a similar look if you wanted to keep the budget down even more.

The hardware was the other thing that really helped, they were nickel pulls before and the ORB looks way better (Umbrio is what the manufacturer called it)

https://www.build.com/top-knobs-tk773/s1210697?uid=2903735

https://www.build.com/top-knobs-tk740/s1211183?uid=2903612

I refreshed with new counters, apron front sink, under cabinet lighting and backsplash.

Oak though - not hickory:

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

In my non-pro opinion, the gray paint is not bringing out the best in your cabinets and may be contributing to the yellow tone. Also, check your lighting. I moved to a cooler tone of LED lighting and my cabinets look browner.

I love what richfield did!

If a few of your cabinets are showing wear, you might want to talk to a refinisher. My mom had a few of her cabinets refinished - matched the old perfectly, but then her kitchen is oak. It was not that expensive, but we live in the midwest where prices can be lower.

Normally I would say paint but IMO they just need a bit of a refinishing and the floor is what I would be addressing . Why not think not wood for the floors there are some really nice laminates that do not look like wood.Wehave laminate that looks like slate in fact even has some textured like slate . t has stood up well for 11 yrs with big dogs, not one scratch and IMO looks awesome.

I would not alter the floor or ceiling. I would change counters and add a backsplash if you want to do something. You have worked on the island, successfully...I would put more focus there...… change the pendant light...[bigger/more of a statement] .......could you imagine a new top for the island with more overhang? that would give you improved use there. When you say the cabs show "Wear"....can you address that?

your space is a bit problematic because by removing the walls that normally are adjacent to the stairs, you've removed a place to add color, and all you can see is wood floor and wood ceiling.

in future renovations you might consider adding a 'wall-let' someplace that would break up the floor and ceiling a little and make a place for art.

Painting that ceiling would be a crime.

And definitely no gray paint.

Since you’re itching for a change, I would paint the cabinets the same color as your island (although it does read a little cool for the space. Maybe pictures aren’t telling the whole story.) Save for your big remodel and call it a day.