I think the challenge is finding something traditional enough but not too patterned. Meaning clean. Plain but not modern. Hope I’m making sense.
I think I’d consider a black leathered countertop. Simple simple backsplash. And new hardware. I do happen to personally think changing the floor first would help...
Hope this was helpful:) nice kitchen already!

is this a new house?

I'm asking, because the countertops don't seem to be too bad. do you have a better picture of them?

Before I'd spend 6K on new countertops, I'd make damn sure you're happy w/those cabinets.

The glazing over the paint color really dates the entire thing. if they were painted in a nice white (not a super bright white) just a warmer white, it would immediately change the look.

simple pulls.

pendants over the island, and some woven loom style chairs

If you decide to do new countertops,

I'd remove the corbels from the island, paint it a darker contrast color, and do support for the countertop overhang.

Backsplash tile comes last. wait until you've got the countertops and / or refinished cabinets done. then choose a tile.

You have a very beautiful kitchen! Ironically you used the word “ busy” because my first thought was that the flooring is very “ busy”. Have you considered just changing to a wood floor? Even if you do nothing it is still lovely.

I agree with grapefruit- consider ripping out the tile and replacing with a beautiful wood. Your kitchen is very nice; very spacious. Putting wood in would take away much busyness and add warmth. Plus it’s traditional. Maybe play with that idea. Good luck to you!

Watch what happens when you make these changes

Wood flooring was our initial plan. Long story short, can't happen right now. What color scheme / design works with the flooring? Should I refinish cabinets? We want to modernize but like the classic feel. We appreciate longevity not trendy. Here's some more photos...

Yes, it is all too beige, cream, ivory. Have you considered painting the ceiling and non-tiled walls in a light-to-mid tone color? This is obviously a high-end home, but it lacks warmth which color and texture can add. You could add window treatments in a patterned fabric which includes a cream color, and a few runner rugs where you stand while preparing meals. You could use some colored accessories (towels, potholders, ceramic pots for holding cooking utensils, canisters. Consider replacing the counters and backsplash with quartz in a solid medium-tone color....not dark and not light. The outlet covers stand out visually because they are very white.
I think I would first look at replacing the floor tile with tile which looks like wood planks in the same color as the wood floor in the adjacent room. Your counters and accent tiles seem to have some brown color in them which would relate to a “wood” floor.

This is obviously a high quality kitchen. If your funds are limited, consider just redoing the backsplash. It adds to the busyness. Save for new wood flooring as that will warm it up and reduce the “too much beige ” feeling immediately. I like @felizladady’s ideas too. If you’re going to paint the cabinets in the future, I would not start changing everything else.

BTW you can paint the floor tiles. @Beth H can show you examples of that idea.

Thoughts on this option. Floors remain and we paint cabinets, change counter top then back splash? Would this idea work in this kitchen with dark wood island and floor as is?

Yes it can. Changing the hardware is also very important. What you have now is too outdated mostly in shape although the finish should be more interesting. Consider mixing it with some gold and/or black for an immediate transformation.

If I were to prioritize from "most outdated replace now" to "ok you can make it work" here is your priority list:

1.backsplash

2.stools

3.cabinet hardware

4.window trim painted in the cabinet color

5.countertops

6.cabinet paint/finish

7.floors

Luckily for you that is also the order of complexity...

Here is your transformation from existing to future

Painting the island black should be enough. Even though you can see painting the cabinets a solid color will help. Countertopz are Viatera Clarino, runner rug is Wayfair Jules Oriental Laggon/Brick area rug. Viatera Forte can also work for a slightly cooler look.

Painting cupboards is not a budget friendly change. Compared to wood floor change-up, it could be a wash. Your kitchen is lovely. Some warm toned accessories and a runner could stave off the “I have to change it now” feeling.

I would start with the flooring because you clearly have an open concept floor plan and in new builds and remodels the trend is to have continuous flooring to give rooms a spacious feel and provide continuity and flow between the rooms. The existing floor tile is busy and competes with the counters, the beige tile blends with the cabinets and ceilings, creating a "beige" out, in which nothing stands out. Matching the wood flooring in your living room area would give you a blank slate to choose finishes for your cabinets and countertop moving forward and would add to your homes value down the road.

flooring and backsplash. If you absolutely hate the countertops, you can do that, but it will cost a minimum of 6K, and that's going to get you the same stuff you already have. A slab of quartz can cost about 2300. looks like you need 2, maybe 3. now factor in the cost of fabrication which is usually 2K per slab. Adds up quickly.

The tile floor is the worst at the moment, and it's everywhere. changing it out to an engineered wood in a warm french oak would look fabulous. (or, if you can match what's in the adjoining space, do that. otherwise replace it all. )

Then do the backsplash. Personally I couldn't take those glazed cabinets, but that's me. They just look dirty. To get those all painted is prob another 10K.

The backsplash you can manage for 2K .

Interest rates are really low right now. is this a new home? did you get any extra tacked on to rehab?

Paint the cabinets to match the lightest color in the floor. Solid surface countertops in the darkest color in the floor. Concrete or matte subway tile backsplash a step or 2 lighter than the counter. No grout lines for a cleaner look. There will however, still be a negligible space between the tiles. Match the grout to the tile color.

Beautiful home and kitchen and understand wanting a change.

Keeping in mind future changes and budget concerns, my suggestions are based on minimizing the cost and impact to your things that must stay to add the color and character for a somewhat temporary state until you get to that point of making everything exactly what you want.

I would start with the island, a beautiful light sage green with a butcher block counter too and new stools.

Secondly, the back splash, I know copper tin can be glued over existing tile (not sure if your tile has a bump out where the accent strip is this might present challenges to work through.

If you truly felt the back splash and counter had to now then there are some great copper accent ones and a butcher block counter top would be great.

New hardware would be a great way to add color as well as rugs also.

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This is actually a better representation of the green for the island

Where would you get the most bang for your buck? If there is ANY way you can change the floor to a warm wood, you might fall back in love with your kitchen. If that’s out of the question, just do the backsplash and take another assessment. (And more photos.). A cabinet paint job is going to be expensive. And I don’t think you need to start with that. Lisa gave you some great ideas but some of it is $$$.

There are so many great ideas above. You have a beautiful space to work. Cooking in that kitchen will be a joy. The floors are busy if they were solid wood the entire space would change dramatically. If that is out of your budget start saving to get the kitchen you really want.

I am usually not one to say paint the cabinets but I am thinking paint could really change the look. The hard part about painting cabinets is you never get the same quality as factory finish. If you do paint find a quality painter who can transform the space. But be sure you like those cabinets as painting is not cheap and you don't want to throw good money after bad.

Look how floors change the look

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Thanks so much everyone! I'll be sure to update on decision and final look!!

I agree completely with most of the comments above, especially installing a new wood plank floor, not too dark. I like the cabinets, and was surprised that the distressed look to them would make the kitchen outdated? I'm seriously thinking of painting my cabinets to lighten up my kitchen that is windowless. Solid cream or distressed? I think I will spray paint the knobs more of a pebbled rustic metal, too expensive to replace. Any ideas on the backsplash?

@ideasfornexthouse your pulls and knobz are actually fine! Don't paint or replace, just reuse as is. I would paint the cabinets a soft white or off white, definetely not glazed or distresed, solid color. You can try SW Antique White or Creamy. The backsplash looks fine, just complete above the stove with a similar look mosaic. Get a new rug to help offset the floor something like this

Then paint the island black and done!

@ideasfornexthouse why don't you start a new thread... You will get a bunch of wonderful ideas.

I know I should have, but I got carried away, thanks!

ideasfornext,,,if you start a post, I've got a few ideas for you. just post some good pics, and tell us what you must keep

Please see my post dedicated to the flooring
Check out this discussion on Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6115284/floor-tile-that-looks-like-wood