That thing hanging from the ceiling is impressive, what is that?! Why would someone build that if they weren’t trying to hide something??

What are the counters in this house? I have white Corian counters and have zero maintenance...

Oh my gosh, that light!!! Wowzers!

I'm not sure what the counters are made of, good to know that Corian is a non issue. The house was a custom build in 89 and hasn't been updated at all, I suppose they liked the light fixture back then, lol, it's the original owners so maybe they still like it?! I think it's insane for sure.

That thing is really overpowering. As for counters are you planning on keeping the floor? I think you need more lighting and make sure all of it is LED in 4000K before choosing any colors for anything. A counter depth fridge for sure when you get around to the appliances. IMO I would remove the monster and do new lighting and then wait . Those cabinets are so dated and honestly you can do so much better with all drawers for base cabinets I would wait until you can do this right and the fridge needs a panel to close it in and that would be done with new cabinets. I always think it is a good idea to just live with stuff in a new home for awhile to see how the whole place functions.

I don't mind that the cabinets are dated, they are in great condition so I don't feel any need to replace them, potentially I would be open to painting them but really I don't even mind the color, I would obviously change the hardware. I totally agree about the lighting and the fridge. I actually really like the floor and plan to keep it yes.

That light fixture is an impressive size. It’s almost as if they built it to hide something.....treasure, or maybe a body, lol.

Agree that your white countertops will be low maintenance. However, they will always look dirty unless you get into the habit of wiping them down after every use, no exceptions. As to a replacement color and material, I’d probably go with quartz and possibly in a very light off white or beige tone to blend in better with the floor.

Quite a light fixture!!

Have you considered soapstone or a leathered Virginia Mist granite for the countertops? From your photo either would seem to complement the style and colors of the cabinets, island and floors.

Is the sink integrated? If so you would need to replace it when you replaced the countertops and backsplash, so would want to include that in your budget.

Nice size kitchen, by the way. Congratulations on your new home!

I disagree that your cabinets are dated. They look like someone who enjoys wood could even pick today.

When doing a new kitchen, yes it is recommended toput in all drawers. They function better. But, you have a nice size kitchen. Looks like ample storage.

For me, light fixture aside, the elephant in the room is the floor. When choosing a new counter, you have to take into consideration the floor.

I sort of agree with Mom’s idea of black. But, black comes with its own issues.

I like the idea of either a white or black countertop. And you really can’t beat Corian in terms of repairability and inconspicuousness of seems. And Corian also has a neat little way for you to add, invisibly, wireless phone charging “zones” into the countertop. I think that’s the just the coolest thing and, frankly, am really surprised at how few people know about it! As for the cabinets, you can always upgrade the functionality of the base cabinets by adding pullouts or drawers behind the doors, and replacing the drawer slides with ones that are full-extension. (FWIW, I happen to like the flooring, too!)

Thank you all for the input! you know I hadn't really considered black but I actually think I would really like that!

I looked at a house not that long ago with similar floors/cabinets, and they had talavera knobs and bright blue tile countertops. Tile isn't fun to maintain--but it was stunning. More realistically, I agree with white corian or a black option. I'm not sure I'd do black until/unless you are going to change the appliances though. The white will really stand out if the knobs and countertops go darker.

I'm definitely planning to change the appliances to stainless pretty much immediately, they are sooooo old.

Congrats on your new house! And good for you for keeping those cabinets. No sense in replacing if they are in great shape! I like the idea of black counters and SS appliances. I’d also install black cabinet hardware on the cabinets if you can find some in the same size.

Yay for keeping the cabinets - it's amazing how easy it is for some people to spend other people's money. i.e. rip out something that is just fine to have the latest whatever. The only thing that I would do to them is update the pulls as others have suggested.

Before you pick black for your counters, I'd do a mock-up and cover a good part of them with something black to make sure you won't find them too dark. Black trash/yard bags work well - just lay them or tape them on the counters and see what you think.

I also would live with the current counters (if they are in good condition and you don't hate them) and see if they are difficult to keep clean. The white looks very nice and you might think about adding a backsplash to liven things up a bit.

I agree the white looks nice. I have white counters in my current home though and I am so over it. I want no more white counters. lol. I love the idea of covering them in something black to see how it will feel! That's a great suggestion thank you!!

I actually did a mock-up as olychick suggests! I had NOT planned on dark countertops at all but then decided to consider them. Just by coincidence the flooring for my kitchen had arrived and the underside was charcoal. So I laid them upside down on the cabinets and it really helped me visualize how the finished product would look. I would recommend doing something similar regardless of what colors you are considering.

What do you think of them dark? Post us a pic?

I like the white, but you might change the backsplash to a pale gray, or to a taupe tone that ties in the floor while giving an updated sense to the main area. Also, if you can figure out what the counter material is, you might replace the island too. Love the other finishes! Have fun.

Attached are photos (sorry, somehow they got uploaded in reverse order) of the mock-up and the same view of my small kitchen

as installed. The island is Fusion quartzite (polished); the perimeters are leathered Virginia Mist. I had fallen in love with a gorgeous quartzite called Fascination but it was unavailable. I dragged my poor daughter and teenage grandsons all over 3 counties looking for alternatives and got a lot of polite “that’s nice” comments. Then the boys saw a photo of a kitchen with soapstone and said “Wow! That’s awesome!” Soapstone wasn’t available either, but Virginia Mist is very similar.

@acm: The current countertop is a laminate.

wow that's gorgeous!! I do think black looks awesome. thanks for sharing the photos!

ah, I'd skip laminate, but I do love cherry cabinets with white counter and gray backsplash. I guess I'd get some samples of, say, Corian and a warm white quartz and beat up on them to see whether you'd have the same upkeep issues you had before. I have a white counter (has some interesting grain up close) and have never found it to be any issue at all. But stone is definitely different from laminate!

New Kitchen 2016 -- wall 3 after · More Info

New Kitchen 2016 -- wall 1 after · More Info

I think this is Cambria Newport, but I'd have to look it up to be sure.

I have to agree with olychick and others on the cabinets. They do indeed look to be great shape and they have nice simple lines. The chances are good that a late 80s custom job is a lot better built that most of the stuff you find today. If the drawers are dovetailed and the cabinet bases are plywood instead of mdf I’d shout hurray! Lucky you :) Please don’t paint them, either. They are beautiful as is. I also don’t get the current obsession with all drawers and nothing but drawers. As an update though, definitely adding aftermarket sliding trays/shelves and soft close hinges in higher use cabinets is worth it in terms of function and wouldn’t cost a whole lot.

Re counters, a honed or leathered granite in a medium to charcoal gray could look gorgeous. I have soapstone, which would be beautiful too, but it’s harder to find and I think it needs a fabricator who specializes. Be sure to take a drawer with you when looking at slabs to get an idea how the counter will look with the cabinets. Great kitchen and I really love the floor too.

Mom's black counters look very nice, but the fact that her cabs are white plays a big role in that, as possibly her flooring (not seen) would too.

With your strongly colored floor, I would go light with the counter. Corian (it really is easy to care for, as is granite and quartz - my laminate counter would stain) in white, pale cream (make sure it looks good with the floor and cabs), a gray green (I really like the backsplash, cab and counter combo that acm posted!), or a medium to light warm gray - or even an unoiled soapstone look - I think any would look good.

I think your cabs are fine. You can indeed add some accessories to make them especially the lowers more functional.

Patricia prefers 4000k lighting, I find that edging toward too blue - I like 3000-3500k. Lowes and Home Depot, and most lighting stores, have displays where you can see the differences.

You all are being so very helpful I am very appreciative of all the amazing feedback!! thank you thank you!!