I'm not trying to be flippant here but if your taste runs to contemporary, why would you have purchased a home with such traditional millwork and windows?

Some photos of what you consider a contemporary look would help garner better input from the community. For example which of these might be more aligned with your vision of contemporary?

Cabinet hardware, pendent lights, backsplash changes could help modernize, but cabinets, floor and counters are all pretty traditional too.

@Brenton Champagne Gotcha. Tastes and likes change and evolve. No harm there. Were any of the pictures I posted close to your vision of contemporary?

It is what I would call the fluted pilaster type things with the cornice and rosette pieces that make it not contemporary. As long as they stay it can only look like a traditional kitchen to which someone has added a contemporary back splash or bar stools. You might try to disguise the trim but I suspect your windows and doors are trimmed out that way throughout the house. The built in paneled refrigerator seems formal to me.

I like your kitchen very much as it is.

I would change the cabinet hardware and might paint the island

I am not in the know, but will post a light I'd probably try! Called transitional and aren't those old-fashioned bulbs... W 31.75" / H 22.5"

Arden 6 Light Chandelier in Polished Antique Nickel · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/arden-six-light-2-tier-chandelier-polished-antique-nickel-clear-glass-prvw-vr~123973331

24"

Effimero Stem Hung Chandelier With Clear Glass Cylinder, Brushed Nickel, 5 Light · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/effimero-stem-hung-chandelier-with-clear-glass-cylinder-brushed-nickel-5-light-prvw-vr~54948979

Just my two cents as someone who has done a lot of thinking about modernizing without gutting her own kitchen: brighter white paint on cabinets and island (if you think it would work with the granite), brushed nickle modern cabinet hardware, subway tile back splash, new light fixtures over island and new bar stools. If you wanted to take it a step further, maybe a new island all together with a more modern countertop material and modern shape/less trim detail? The island is really the focal point and the rest of the kitchen is not bad at all and could be brought into 2019 with a few cosmetic updates. I've seen a lot of kitchens lately with an island that has a different countertop material than the rest of the kitchen.

Do you have photos of a window elsewhere in the house or a fireplace to show how elaborate or simple they are? Would you be interested in a contemporary color scheme and more transitional style?

I think your current kitchen is lovely as is but recognize that it isn't your current taste.

I don't think anything you do in terms of changing the color of the cabinets is going to significantly change the feel of the kitchen so personally I would not undertake expensive fixes but just update with more contemporary touches. There is no reason that traditional can't be "married" with more contemporary touches as that is done all the time in well designed homes.

Swap out the hardware as those handles are extremely dated. Change the lights. Find a backsplash tile that is more interesting than the current beige tiles.

Hardware, lights, and backsplash are definitely going to be replaced.

I'd add to those items also changing the shape of the countertop on the island -- remove the curve and go for straight lines.

I'd also remove the curved piece on the bottom of the base cabs to the left of the entrance to the dining room.

What will the areas open to the kitchen look like?

I'd be careful about using a brighter white in the room because it could bring out more of the pink in the granite and flooring. Unless that's what you'd like.

I do think the items that need updating the most, and would make the biggest difference, with your plans for the rest of the house/main floor are the countertop and flooring.

No, I didn't purposely ignore the OP's statement. I just thought it was worth suggesting, considering the scope of the work being undertaken and the fact that from the photographs provided it looks like an an open plan layout.

To me it seems that repainting all of the cabinetry properly and professionally, for lasting success, would likely be more complex and expensive than changing either the countertop or the flooring. Weighing the expense and results is worth consideration for such a project. Your mileage may vary.

I like kitchen cabinets. I would change the floor - this tiles are really out of fashion. And of course backsplash has to go. Otherwise I like this type of kitchen and I would not change the cabinets (if I had money, I would replace countertop).

Without changing the cabinets and flooring.

I would change the Frig. - It looks dated to a stainless.

I would change the microwave to stainless.

Change chairs

Replace counters if possible.

New Hardware.

Fresh Paint.

Change pendants.

I just took a look at your Ideabook for kitchens, and given what you envision for that room and what your plans are for the rest of the house, I'd consider not making any changes at all, except possibly for the island pendants, to your kitchen for the time being so you can save up to do a proper reno in the future, including running the same flooring through the main floor.

Look at various IKEA Bodbyn to see what can be achieved with this kind of cabinets. Personally, I'd say it's the counters, light fixtures, white MW, and the paneled fridge, which you might sell on Craigslist.

@Filipe Custom Woodwork

Thank you for your comment. We will definitely take all of that into consideration!

@beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally

We understand this as well. Thank you!

@nosoccermom

Thank you! we will do that ASAP!

I have big doubts that painting bring some modern vibes

@celerygirl

thanks a lot for the visual. this helps. going to DM you.

Haven't read posts, but want to share imo that many kitchens are a simple box-room of practicality and yes expensive appliances and such.... but maybe you'd like to do something different with nearby rooms ? We'll help !

;-)

You're never going to be able to change that kitchen to one that reads contemporary, IMO. Best thing is to aim for transitional. The case work/ fluting/ crown all needs to go and be replaced with clean angular lines (including the fluting & rosettes on the island.) Ideally, the counters need to have a square edge/ no double ogees. Single bowl small radius sink. No divided lights in the sideboard cabinet doors. No raised panels in the fridge surround. No panels on the fridge. Replace the pendants. Change the cabinet hdwe.

Houzzers on the transitional train, so here's a few:

Rizzy Home T11584 11"x21" Throw Pillow With Zipper Closer · More Info

German Silver Table Lamp · More Info

Brenton! Any updates, photos? Did not see your DM, option was turned off. It was Mirage ( aka Chimera) rug.

Yes a lot, I could post either tomorrow or Wednesday

You have a really nice kitchen. Would not go bright white with your cabinets. You could paint that top cabinet trim the same white as the ceiling.

If you paint the cabinets, consider a pastel color instead of white or off white. Then, unless you prefer the darker island base cabinet, paint it a bold shade of the same pastel color your choose for your cabinets.

Make sure the new hardware does not require new holes for the handles and/or does not let the old holes show. You might choose very plain straight bars for the handles.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/635922409866404596/

Raising the pendant lights when you change them would be well worth considering. If you can find some with your favorite colors, consider those. You might even consider a single rectangle fixture instead of two single pendants.

If you keep the darker island base cabinet, you might consider something similar to this:

https://www.wayfair.com/Latitude-Run--Shiv-5-Light-Kitchen-Island-Linear-Pendant-B14256-L6087-K~W002051852.html?refid=GX380614830877-W002051852&device=c&ptid=821487175416&network=g&targetid=pla-821487175416&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=80498964&fdid=1817&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI76ma9-i25wIVxICfCh3jVAUDEAQYAyABEgJxUfD_BwE

Like the Tiffany glass

https://www.amazon.com/Tiffany-Ceiling-Pendant-Restaurant-Lighting/dp/B07V2KZZF8

While some rectangle lights are intended for over a pool table, that they have color makes them worth considering. If you're great sports fans, you may find one i n your favorite teams colors.

This one could go with the off white/cream cabinets you now have

https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/millwood-pines-dake-3-light-pool-table-linear-pendant-with-wrought-iron-accents-w001852540.html?categoryid=215423&placement=1&slot=0&sponsoredid=8deacbfefb33b623861a7794c12045e31da27016d110d6824ebc0aac93167a68&_txid=I%2FWEwl441eElLwvc1qGpAg%3D%3D&isB2b=0

Let us know how your project turns out.

I hate to say this, but I don't think you'll get a more modern look with a paint job. Cabinets are white so just change the hardware. I'd spend my money changing out the floor and the counters.

Here is a download link to how the kitchen/house currently look. We still have a lot to do. Need to replace current kitchen table and light fixtures

https://we.tl/t-nXwfMCfS2u

The link is taking an extremely long time to load.