I love the cabinets, and I think it would be foolish to remove them. Replace the backsplash and counters.

I’d be working on that bonus /

nook space. Decorate it ! 3 double hung windows? Bookcase , small game table for flex use, lighting , rug, color. Maybe a small cabinetry section for entertainment function. It’s your opportunity area and I’d do something before assuming the kitchen needs huge alterations. You could even narrow the opening into kitchen a bit if you work that area left of fridge / desk Removal? Look at your2 spaces w some measurements on graph paper.

How much do you hate the wood cabinets? Without the backsplash and countertop, they could be lovely. Adding black hardware will give it a more “Tudor” look, but do one thing at a time. Painting the cabinets is always an option, but the layout seems fine. Anything more than these three ideas is getting into “total renovation “ territory and lots of money. (And what is on the floor?)

The wood cabinets themselves are very lovely. In an afternoon, you can paint the backsplash and replace the cabinet hardware. Or even remove the cabinet hardware and spray paint it a darker metallic, then replace. Google for instructions. Very low cost and low effort, and it will make a huge difference. Especially since your granite goes up the wall a bit, the backsplash gets very little wear. You can always replace it later. With a new house you probably have lots of demands on your time and budget.

IMO a kitchen needs to be functional for this century and yours is better than many I have seen That backsplash and the 4” piece need to go. The center light needs to be replaced with something better. The cabinets are nice they look like good quality . I agree some more tradional handles would work and if you decide to paint the cabinets then better trim above the cabinets to the ceiling will help. Add some more vintage type accessories you could do some glass doors on some of the upper cabinets. I for sure would not change the floors. I would need to see a to scale floor plan to know what to do with that space next to the kitchen and also some pics of the other spaces to get a feel for the house.

I love this kitchen. Well laid out, very clean. I hate the backsplash. since It’s a new house, you must have so much to do, so enjoy it. But if you have time and money,

1. Take down the backsplash and paint the walls. I love the green in live wire’s picture. Creamy white if you don’t like green.

2. Replace the hardware with something you love that evokes the Tudor look.

Done.

3. If you have more money and time, replace the counters with soapstone or marble,

The cabinets really are beautiful and look from here to be good quality. Maybe replace a couple doors with glass front doors.

I would concentrate on replacing the backsplash and counters, to something sleek and neutral, and replacing the bland overhead light with something sparkly. You might have second thoughts about your cabinets once you do this. Personally I love your cabinets. I have white shaker now and find keeping the reveals clean a challenge. My next cabinets will be slab without hardware.

AuntThelma and I are thinking along the same lines. Does your microwave have true exhaust (not just recirculate)? You could replace it and the cabinet above with an exhaust hood and put a microwave elsewhere.

With different countertop and backsplash, some glass doors, you'd love your kitchen feel.

It is very nice and livable. In an older house there are probably tons of other things that need more attention. Removing backsplash is not that cheap or easy of a job. If you really are looking for just a quick change, paint the backsplash with a quality oil based paint and replace the hardware. This may be all you need until you’re ready to take on a bigger project.

Honestly, if you absolutely hate it... save. I don't like doing piecemeal projects if they're only going to be torn out later. It's a waste of money, imo, to replace a backsplash now if there's a change you're going to replace it all again in a few years. I've lived for years in worse kitchens where they were literally falling apart.

Save your money. Figure out what you want in this kitchen, what style appeals to you. Whether or not the layout works for your lifestyle and go from there.

Love al the feedback, you all rock! Here are some more pics of the flex space as it is now mess and all, just with a table we threw in.

Here’s photos of the dining room and formal living room, my fave two rooms

My husband will never be on board with a gut job... so change hardware, new backsplash and someday counter maybe...
would cup pulls look ok with these modern flat panel cabinets? Any inspo pics? Any paint ideas if I felt like painting cabinets?
Yes the flexspace... I’d love to do arm chairs, drink cart or something but the room size is small, about 10X10

I think turning it that flexspace into a bar/library may be fun use of the space. You could even build a dry bar with bar stools or do a bar cart with chairs be the window and drink table in-between. Leave the middle empty since it's a walk-through

If a gut job is out of the question, I'd start by getting prices for everything you'd like to do: paint cabs, replace hardware, replace splash and possibly counters. Then prioritize. But certain things on that list should happen before others.

don't paint if you don't have to -- you'll be covering above-average wood with chippable paint. you could maybe do cup pulls on the lowers and drawers, but I think they'd be strange on the uppers. maybe you can find some pulls you can live with. (I'd say knobs, but you already have two holes...)

maybe pewter?

Jamison Pull 3" satin Pewter J2 Pull · More Info

Jamison Pull 96Mm satin Pewter J2 Pull · More Info

Jamison Pull 3" satin Pewter J2 Pull · More Info

or iron

Belwith Hickory 3 " and 96mm Refined Rustic Black Iron Cup Cabinet Pull P3004-BI · More Info

Stone Mill Hardware Matte Black Cup Handle · More Info

Iron Craft II 4 Inch Center to Center Wrought Iron Cabinet Pull · More Info

Richelieu 7440128903 5" cc Industrial Forged Iron Pull - Antique Iron · More Info

Good luck!

You can paint the backsplash with an epoxy for $50-$75. If you're not going to keep it in the long run, you've made your hubby happy and skipped the mess and expense of pulling it down and replacing it. That will give you time to save and decide on priorities.

I would focus on the back splash first. Get a handmade tile for a clean but interesting look.

I would think of a counter top in soapstone and maybe a section of butcher block if there is a logical place for it.

Grand Kenyon/Bradstreet Tudor · More Info

In the picture you posted above which includes a corner of the kitchen, the cabs look much less orange. In fact, although they are a slab front, they seem to be a nice color. Which color is correct? No cup pulls; instead I would change to an orb or black pull. Definitely remove that backsplash, it gives me jitters., to be replaced with paint or a light color, soothing backsplash. Undercabinet lighting if you don’t have any. Done.

Unfortunately it is the more orangey color, on a gray day with no light it’s more mellow lol

Aha, maybe your light bulbs are making your cabinets look more orange. Someone here can advise on that. Could the flex space have been a butler's pantry? Old house, it would have been between the kitchen and dining room.

Paint the back splash paint the Cabinets A light soft white

That has got to be the worst combination for countertop and mosaic backsplash I think I have ever seen. Sorry to say. It looks like glass. Could it be peel and stick? Probably not. It might not be that hard to remove. But it seem like the drywall always get messed up and needs replacing to move forward. I think classic white subway tile with light gray grout would give a timeless look. And I love the vintage pulls. I like the lovely wood cabinetry. Classic

The flexspace was probably a closed off den, where the desk is, it used to be the hallway/thoroughfare from back of house to front. Changed the layout when they remodeled the kitchen.

rachann61 yes I worry about tearing out the backsplash but agreed it is just hideous. I want to know who advised the former owners to do such a thing
The wood cabinetry with the flat panels and current hardware is so modern too me, not vintage or classic as is. That’s where I struggle

I love the idea of soapstone for the counters from houssaon. And if the cabinets are really orange, I sympathize and would suggest changing the color by stain or paint.

Removing the backsplash is kind of important. You’ll,have to fix the drywall anyway so better to rip the bandaid now. I don’t know why everyone is saying it’s so expensive. I had my backsplash removed, wall repaired and new 2x6 tiles installed for $1500 in New York (the capital of expensive workers). You’ll be sorry if you just paint the existing tiles. “Do it once; do it right.” Best advice I ever got when I bought my first house.

Hey Love. I think the backsplash is a good place to start, however, if you are going to change the counters down the road, just remove the mosaic tile, smooth the wall out and paint it. Keep the 4” counter backsplash until you are ready to change the counters.

The next step is to gather inspiration images that work with whatever surfaces you are planning to keep long term. I know you don’t love the slab cabinets, but they aren’t completely out of place in a 1920s kitchen. Here is one artist’s view of a contemporary kitchen in the 1920s.

If you plan to keep the cabinets, think about how you can do so while toning down the modern feel. Yes, you’ll change the hardware, but wait to choose it until you have a complete plan for the space.

Here are some images that might be useful. Start collecting your own images. The exercise is hugely useful.

I agree with eam44- just paint the backsplash area for now. Think about options for the cabinets and get prices. I actually think flat slab doors ARE old-fashioned. It’s the color that is difficult in this kitchen. First, figure out if changing your bulbs changes how they look. If not, your two other options are re-staining or painting. Flat panel doors are the easiest to paint, for sure. How much of this type of work can you/will you do? I also think the iron hardware would make a huge difference no matter which way you got with the doors.

Just to give you an idea how big a change removing the mosaic tile can make....

I‘m not advocating the yellow paint color, but hopefully you get the idea.

The range and microwave are out of character. I would look around at replacing the range with something that looks commercial or vintage. They can be so pricey. It seems to me the manufacturers have annual appliance sales for the July 4. The range hood and vent hood insert could be constructed by a cabinet maker and painted to look like aged dark metal. What do you think of this? This might be for the future
Make a real physical list of the things you hate the most and work your way down. That will help you prioritize. Maybe have your husband do the same. Then make a plan of attack

I love the cabinets -- for a modern house. you're right, they aren't right for you. at least the tops have nice trim.

removing the backsplash and getting new hardware will help tide you over until you can do a bigger reno. to answer your question: cup pulls could look good here -- put a few up and keep the receipt. you can always return them if you don't like them. be sure to measure the distance between the existing holes before you buy.

for the backsplash: keep in mind that if you do a new tile backsplash now and then change the counter later, that tile might get damaged. so you might really want to consider a new counter now, or like eam44 suggested, remove the existing tile, smooth, and paint the wall for now.

for the future: the cabinet color is beautiful, and they are a good layout. all you need to do for those is get new doors. but once the other stuff is done, maybe you'll like the cabinets as-is!

Wow. Just removing the backsplash visually makes a huge difference.

I'd take out the backsplash for sure, the paint the area, or epoxy over it w/a color that works better. Could epoxy the counters as well. Few hundred dollars and tide you over for a while. I like the cabinets quite a lot...maybe they could be stained a different color?

There's no downside to painting the backsplash. Inexpensive and quick. And if you decide to remove the tile (next month or next year), it's no harder to do so after it's been painted. Epoxy paint.

FYI I have a tiny bit of your backsplash tile as trim in my master bath. The person who selected it probably saw a few tiles as a sample, but didn't realize how busy it is in a larger area.

Seriously. All the feedback is amazing! Thank you for the rendering without the tile! Wow! @Eam44!

I’ve painted cabinets before, curious about possibly restraining them, never done that.
Painting the backsplash is intriguing but it
is a very bumpy uneven texture so I worry about painting.
I have zillions of inspo pics if I did a gut job.
How would I go about replacing some fronts with glass?

Sure u can stain them.

You’re welcome. I love your inspiration image.

Let’s talk about your cabinet doors. If you’re sure you want to change them, 1.) You can stain them. 2.) You can get some stile and rail glass doors for the uppers, although you need to finish the interiors in those cabinets. 3.) In fact, you could get new shaker style doors for all of your cabinets and keep the slab drawers. It just depends on the budget. Before you re-stain anything, get a quote on new doors, and get samples so you know the finish you are aiming for. I’m getting my doors from Scherr’s. Other popular options on this forum are Barker Door and Conestoga from the Cabinet Joint.

Your inspiration image has an off white subway tile backsplash, a light colored marble look counter material, and a farm sink. You can have all of these when you change your counters and it makes sense to make those changes together.

The first things I'd do would be to remove the tile backsplash, smooth and paint the wall, and change the knobs on the cabinets. Those pulls are modern made worse by weird orientation. If you're keeping the cabinets, you could also consider dummy hinge straps to break up the flat door and add some Tudor style.

I would also remove the cornices over the windows. They are overkill and a too-busy detail. Depending on the look you are going for, you could use beadboard or tin tiles as the backsplash, either of which would be forgiving once the tiles were removed.

Painting cabinets is a huge undertaking as a DIY. I did mine and am really happy with them, but spent a couple of months, a few hours a day to do it.

I agree with the others that a change in hardware could make a big difference. My cabinets had no pulls, and I love the change in atmosphere they helped create.

if you stain. General Finishes gel stain is the way to go. Super easy and looks great and lasts.

Here is an image of the tin tile backsplash I suggested. There are lots of finishes available, not all of them so bright.

I wish you liked the flat panel cabinets. They look like good quality to me.

The really bad thing is the back splash.

Do not go with a busy metal tile backsplash!!!

Other than the unfortunate backsplash, it's a very nice kitchen. And in your picture (not the listing photo), the color of the cabinets looks like a nice warm medium brown, not the orange in the first picture.

I would just remove the mosaic tile and fix/paint the wall. Or remove the mosaic AND the granite 4" splash and have a new backsplash installed. An elongated subway tile would look nice and would add a lot of warmth.

your most recent inspiration pic is gorgeous. the glass doors and black cup pulls are perfect! I say do it!

if you do decide to move forward with staining, go to a paint store and ask for advice. staining over a finished product is not truly staining. it can't penetrate the original topcoat and just sits on top -- so it's more like translucent tint. those look like good quality cabinets, you might find that it's worth it to wait until you can afford a professional job rather than diy.

if you were super tempted, my advice is to do a subtle change. the darker you go with the new color, the streakier it's going to look. do a big patch test on the back of a door (the entire door so you can really see the effect). make sure you can apply it evenly. once it fully dries, see if it can be easily scratched off.

After years of cool colours and gray gray gray, warm tones including warm wood tones are coming back. My decorator always told me to look at the latest European offerings, which take awhile to filter to North America, to stay a bit ahead of the curve. Don't change this just before it comes back into style.

I saw this picture on another thread and had to share with you. These Shaker cabinets are very close in color to yours, but look how great they look with a black counter top and these wonderful tiles. They are from Subway Tile.

some inspiration.

subway tile with dark grout. or even 4x4 square tiles. You could add a decorative border with the square tiles like in the last photo too.

I love the one with the modern wood cabinets, blue range and classic square tiles!

New counters, backsplash and hardware and it will be a new kitchen!

Start with the backsplash. You've got 100% of the group voting to get that off. Then think what's next.