Wood cabinetry for kitchens, etc. is very much 'in' these days + is classic. If it were my kitchen, I would change the hardware to black, and bring in some new pendant lights.

https://www.shadesoflight.com/products/bentlee-pendant?color=Brass+Black&via=57e1330169702d78ae0000a5%2C59091cb86170702c9900b53a

I might also simplify the backsplash, and one cost-effective, flexible + easy option is Smart Tiles - peel and stick tiles.

https://www.thesmarttiles.com/en_us/tiles/

I like your cabinetry as is and as the other commenter noted, wood is back :-) Your cabinets are nice and work well with the countertop.

First of all, your space seems very dark. Take advantage of the reconstruction and improve the lighting situation - add can lights and under cabinet lighting. Replace the pendants with something more up to date. Maybe replace the backsplash with lighter, more updated tiles.

As to the floors, isn't it oak currently? New white oak may be a bit lighter but will look similar to what you currently have.

Hi. My observation is that there are a lot of dark elements. Paint, cabinets, floors.

Are you sure your hardwoods need to be replaced?

You might consider lightening the floors (since they have to be refinished anyway) and the wall paint and leaving the cabinets as is. The backsplash is dated and changing that would be a good idea. The pendant lights could use a change also.

Here is what to do

1) Post photos in your ideabook of rooms you like. That is where you need to start

2) Once you have ideas of what you like, narrow it down to the best.

3) Decide what is financially the best choices, considering what your design goals are.

This place could look fantastic! All the best to you!

Your current flooring is beautiful (not sure whether red or white oak, but oak, and very pretty one at that), I'd try and see whether you can get similar one for the damaged spot and refinish to match. Of course I don't know the degree of damage.

I feel your pain! I like apartments and condos, and spent most of my life in them, seemingly you have to maintain less-but someting happens to the neighbors, and then affects you ,or something happens in your place that affect the neighbors..

Your cabinets are beautiful. please don't paint. Agree with everyone-different lights, hardware, and backsplash (maybe. I say "maybe" because I'm lazy and would leave the backsplash, knowing very well that a different one might be better).

If you do change the backsplash-don't forget to remove both, because currently you have two-the granite strip, very nice btw, I like when they are shorter,- and the backsplash itself. You don't need both.

Actually maybe you can leave only the short one, and install backsplash behind the stove only? You know better, because you know how you work in the kitchen. On the other hand, something like glossy ceramic tile will reflect more light and will make for a brighter kitchen. And some tiles are quite wonderful, so that might be a perfect opportunity to introduce them. I love handmade tiles and think that in many occassions it's money well-spent.

Beautiful home.

Thanks for the encouraging comments, I really appreciate your feedback! I've had two different flooring companies come out and they both say that the flooring is engineered hardwood with too thin a veneer to be refinished, and the type of flooring that's down would be difficult to match. The mediating company removed the wet portion of the floor around and under the refrigerator, so right now there's just concrete in that area. An option would be to replace just the kitchen floor maybe with tile, but would that make it look choppy?

I'm afraid it would look choppy, yes-it's small and open..and no definite line as where to start/finish the tile..

I know people get creative in all sorts of ways, like here https://www.pinterest.com/pin/Ae2UsvCYgdHCZqUt4WvDF8IV8zwqi4cWaNBTACsmHzqf4ZMftzdyLdQ/

or https://www.pinterest.com/pin/69735494219626241/ (sorry they don't let saving pictures that easy,hence links)

or (more like finding a transition fo the whole kitchen) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/ASd8L--LtiIoy-mvkb7xLNxAtnmR8bybA-dv6kWelnjhiC6Tkw2PIQE/

but these all seem to be big enough?

in your place might seem a bit like an affectation..except the last one maybe..it will be chopped, but maybe so nicely, it'll be worth it?

The thing is your flooring is great, I'd never guess its engineered from the pictures(I have engineered myself). And these manufacturers, they tend to change everything they carry every 5 years or so, so it might be very difficult to match indeed. I'm not saying "impossible" but very very hard. That's why this time we just bough more flooring in advance, but the first time around it just never occured to me I wouldn't be able to match the flooring.

I don't know..it's just a pity to go through such a big job and inconvenience because of the small area..are you sure you don't have several planks left somewhere? By you/previous owners, if weren't you who installed them?

If you still decide to change everything-I don't see the reason why white oak wouldn't work.

If you do decide to tile and figure out the transition..you need a really good flooring guy. The more complex the job, or even-the moment the job is a bit non-standard-you need somebody good. Somebody who enjoys what he does.

Thank you aprilneverends, those are very creative and interesting! My floors are 17 years old and I don't have any planks. Parts of the floor in the living room are deeply scratched from my 70 lb yellow lab, so replacing the floors would also take care of that problem. If the floors are replaced, I'll take your advice and keep some extra just in case.

The repairs on the condo are finally finished and I'm pasting photos of the renewed spaces! The living room appears so dark in the photos but is not as dark in person, but I do need better lighting behind the sofa and in the right corner. I also need a larger rug in the living room. Your wonderful ideas are always appreciated!

Very nice and inviting. Great decision about the backsplash too. So pretty. Thank you for sharing with us. Enjoy your home in good health!

Looks much better with the lighter walls, floors and backsplash!

Here is a better photo of the living room: