I think that it is YOUR house, and you are planning on staying there for years, so paint the cabinets and ceiling! If the dark wood isn't your style, you should make it your own. White is always a great choice, but grey is another idea. Go for it!

If that photo is of your kitchen, I think it's beautiful.

You have a lovely, large kitchen but it is a bit dark. I'd research your local design community, find an interior designer who reflects your esthetic and buy some of their time to consult with you on some economical solutions that would help to brighten up your kitchen. For starters perhaps changing out the back splash with a more reflective tile or glass, changing out your chandelier to something more vibrant (lowering it too so it reflects your surfaces a bit more) and then using bar stools that complement the chandelier and which have more reflective metal. You could also have a two-tone kitchen and simply paint or refinish your island with a brighter complementary color.

i love it also. (agreed it is a bit dark) simply pain the inside of the coffer or box ceiling. Use something light and in the same color scheme as the backsplash. this will highlight the lighter color in the backsplash and the chandelier. i would also lower the chandeliers as well. Light barstool with natural fabirc such as white leather and or linen would also lighten the space some. i would also add a white area rug if there is room. something fluffy and deep like llama wool.

Hi lbradford, I found a photo with white cabinets, dark island and black countertop, which should give you an idea for just painting the wall cabinets perimeter. The other ones are white countertops with dark island.

We looked at this house! Loved it....would love to see what you ended up doing with it.

I counsel thee to paint!
I think the current owners picked the wrong trifecta, dark floors, darker cupboards and the darkest colour to be on the ceiling. The floors look beautiful and I think they will be stylish forever. However, the cupboards look blotchy and variegated in an unnatural stain that does nothing for the wood. Painting would calm the look and you could even choose gray if you like it. The details and height of the doors would suddenly stand out, rather than the crazy-blotchy wood. The ceiling would require so much light to see the cove details, let alone how much light would be reflected into the room? What is the point of details in darkness? I'm straining my eyes here!
I think stepping down the colour from the top is more natural looking: white/light for the ceiling, mid-tones for the cupboards (choose a colour from the granite that you like, then the granite will look better to you,) and dark for the floor.
You have great bones in the room, and paint is the only thing standing in your way to loving this kitchen.

Sweetie I am going to tell you what you already know. If John Wayne became a vampire he would love this kitchen. Have faith in your own belief.... Put your own style on it.

I think the money is in the cabinetry, not necessarily the ceiling which doesn't work with the greyer tone of the cabinets. Paint the ceiling first and then re-visit. I'm not a big fan of oak, but I find those cabinets to be quite interesting.

@lbradford: after you moved in 19 months ago, what did you decide to do?

Lol, I didn't see how old this post was! Decisions undoubtedly been made. I just love how so many poster just take the advice and run!

A definite improvement, in my opinion.

Wowzers! What a fabulous improvement!

Beautiful transformation!!!

Wow! Looks great!

Wow! Beautiful! Thank you for the update

Wow, I love it!

so much better, you did a beautiful job!!