yes, painting the cabinets is a good idea. However, do not use subway tile, which is a trend that has already peaked. The style of the cabinets appears to be at odds with the (more contemporary) style of the house; and so you should consider putting new, modern doors on them, and only paint the frames. If you do that, remove the crown mouldings.

Excellent advice and I thank you. Do you have a picture of " modern doors" or can you steer me to link, so I can research?

I'll draw some fire here, but, subway tile looks like something for a rental house.... your tile is fine. If you are bored of the "Golden Oak" age, paint or wash those cabinets... they are fine.The island also needs paint or paint/rubdown bead board...? Floors are beautiful!

Well, I have very modern taste, so I would steer you to http://www.bulthaup.com/ , http://www.allmilmo-us.com/ , or http://www.scavolini.us/ .
However, even looking at the Ikea website could be very useful for you.

To replace doors, you have to consider the type of cabs you have (frameless?) and then make a list of all the sizes. Get an idea of the look you're going for, and shop around.
You can buy them from makers who specialize in door replacement, or work with a local woodworker to make custom doors.

And of course look through the Houzz collection of photos, where you should be able to find almost anything!

The arched door on the uppers presents a dated look. Depending on budget, consider replacing the upper cabinets with a more updated door style with possibly a painted finish and maintaining the base cabinets.

Not sure what style direction you want to go but the island would look nice in stone or slate veneer.

Consider adding hardware to the doors and drawers too.

Only thing wrong with this kitchen is that it is not mine. Seriously just add your color accents with decor and paint the wall of the island. Sure you could change things to the next fad or trend but it will just be dated again later. Change only what you think it bothering you not what everyone is pushing as new trend. So what color do you want to add?

I think Kathleen is right... you have a beautiful kitchen... just add color (too white for me) and maybe some hardware, and I think it will do the trick!

I agree!

I agree with Kathleen.

You are hired! Thank you for great insight.

Hi Mike burch, I agree with the above comment--> love the floors, paint the uppers white or cream and lowers and island dark--> either mushroom, grey or espresso (mushroom or dark grey is more "modern" than a traditional stain like espresso) to make the island look more integrated that has to be wrapped in Wainscoting molding and painted to match the bottom cabinets, this makes the island look like full cabinetry. The countertop is fine, but the worst is that backsplash. Its awful and definitely not even builder grade, more like big box left over. I would do a herringbone pattern tile in your two cabinet colors. Add a huge island light fixture (pendants are dated), Hardware to match the faucet cool backless barstool like the ones above or "tractor" seat style.

I do think that the floors and cabinets compete with each other. I would paint the cabinets and change the backsplash. I happen to like subway tile. I know it was trendy at one point, but I have never seen a house other than on tv that has it. If you like it, do it!

Subway tile is going out as fast as it came in. There are a lot more attractive backsplash options out there. Your kitchen will look great when you add a dash of colour here and there and tone down the bright white island. Maybe white/creme wash would take it down a notch. Otherwise you don't need to go to a lot of expense on this one. Get some good looking bar stools for the island and a solid hanging light fixture or three pedestal lights over the island

I disagree with sgmw. I think it is a classic look. Just because something was trendy at one point in time, doesn't mean a year later it's out. It's all how you use that tile, and what surrounds it. You can do it vertical, horizontal, bright colors. Just breathe some life into the kitchen and it will look amazing! I agree about the island, doing a cream wash, or covering that in tile would look amazing!

I wouldn't jump to painting your cabinets unless you are really hating them. Why? because it is actually pretty difficult to get a professional level painted finish on cabinets and a lot of work. If you are going to pay someone to come in and do it that is a different thing altogether - there are lots of cabinet refinisher type places out there. My question would be -
1. what is your style/what is the rest of the house's style? Do you like contemporary, country, victorian, do you want it to look like a 100 year old house or a retro 50's diner style? I think the arched doors do lean a little "dated" or "country" but not so badly.
2. what is your budget - are you up for a total redo or are you trying to keep costs really low or middle of the road.

A "middle of the road" option (or at least a gradual one) would be to
a) paint the island and
b) replace the backsplash. I agree that is is terrible.

Backsplash: Subway is timeless of you are going for the 100 year old "this old house" look. If you want more contemporary/transitional take you might go glass. If you are worried about glass subway dating itself you could go with the smaller squares. If you want something more natural stone and "current" in look you could go with travertine. Most of all make sure your backsplash pattern/color doesn't fight with your countertop! I'm assuming that is granite and you are keeping it so....I can't tell what color it is from the pics but I used the sherman williams color visualizer tool (free online) to play with some color ideas for you...

on the right I picked a "travertine" color to give you an idea of what that would look like. the real thing comes in lots of varieties and has great textures and depth. On the left I picked "ruskin room green" to give you an idea. The more yellow based greens seem to do better with the wood than the ones that are more red based. I have this color in my guest room and it is a good muted color. in actuality you would pick the backsplash first and tie the color to that! Like the pic posted just before me with the green subway backsplash.

I really appreciate your thoughts and will strongly consider.

I suppose I should tell you that free advice is worth every penny! I'm not a designer just a homeowner who has completely redone two houses including kitchens. Cabinets are mucho expensive and those are actually not the yucky dated oak - and look to be in great shape. Painting the walls is much easier / cheaper / and you can try out several things. But that backsplash... it's gotta go (no offense to readers who have that and love it).

You can upload your pic to the sherman williams color visualizer tool online (free) and play with colors there. It only took about 10 minutes for me to do the pic above. It's easy to use - you just outline the area to fill and pick the color and drag it over the area and voila!