Nice cabinets. Perhaps Get New counter, lower raised bbar, paint walls, more lighting!

The cabinets don’t need more than a wipe down…they are very good looking!! Yes, paint the rooms something other than yellow…perhaps some version of white…no gray at all. Look at new granite, but that can wait a while if the current granite is in good shape. A lighter color granite with some inclusions of the cabinet color would be a nice change in the future, when possible. When the time comes, have the counter granite used for your backsplash up to the uppers, too. The white trim molding look beautiful. Do you have a breakfast area other than the raised bar? I like patterned area rugs in the kitchen and breakfast area: they add some color and help keep sound muffled. Is the kitchen lighting sufficient? Will you need window treatments for privacy or sun control? Do you think you have enough counter to work/prep on? Your new home looks terrific. Enjoy it!

Move in and live with it for at least 6 months. During that time you'll start to get an idea of what isn't really working for you. In the meanwhile you can start shopping, do your research and get a feel for how these changes would fit into your budget. If you feel you need to make one change, I'd repaint unless the yellow works with your furniture? The yellow isn't working with either the cabinets or travertine flooring. So painting would help you kill 2 birds at once, so to say.

Pink floor and yellow walls don't match. The cabinets are great, don't paint them, change the countertop and put in a new backsplash. To bring these cabinets to life you do not have many options, since a different design is currently relevant. But these cabinets are timeless. Here are several options. Roughly.

Your cabinets are beautiful! Please don’t ruin your beautiful cabinets by painting them. Find a flattering color to paint the walls first and I think you’ll be surprised at how much nicer your kitchen looks. I would also replace the hardware with pulls rather than knobs.

At some point you may want to renovate the kitchen so you have drawers instead of lower cabinets because they are so much more functional. Changing out already beautiful cabinets shouldn’t be the driving force in a remnovation or remodel but function is another story.

As always I suggest you live with the kitchen as is for at least 3-6 months before spending any money there.. See how that space functions for you and write down everytime something does not. It seems like a small space so down the road maybe taking cabinets to the ceiling will be something you think about . Right now there is nothing wrong with a fresh coat of paint and I would choose something like a very soft grayed/ green or just a nice white. I am not a lover of those ceilings but that will depend on your budget and also your style. Please no matter what get that YV off the FP and make sure all your lighting in every lamp anfd fixture is LED 4000K. I agree you will need area rugs and unless you have all furniture you love now I would get inexpensive rugs until everything else is decided.This is one of my go to colors for a nice neutral if you want something lighter then just cut it 25%

Very nice place you have! Am intrigued by the coffered ceiling. Is your place concrete construction? The view to the exterior is awesome! Some suggestions I have for you are eliminate the arched openings into the kitchen. They make the kitchen looked dated. As for cabinets - they do look of good quality but the cherry finish seems out of step with the rest of what is shown in the photo. Was going to suggest pickling them but, in this case, I think solid coats of paint might be my preferred suggestion. Would also suggest replacing countertops when you are able. The black also looks dated. Good luck!

As suggested by many live in it a few months.
You can paint before you move in, but the rest is wait.
I’d personally prefer to do a full remodel and make a space into something I’m absolutely obsessed with and have to wait for it.
Than to do something ok and have it right now.
.....

If your not in that category you can consider the following changes (in the next 3/6 months)

Maybe have the countertops leathered?
New hardware for sure.
I might paint the cabinets to something more creamy. Light a grayish creamish beigeish color.
I also might remove the upper cabinets (don’t especially care for the arches on the doors) and do open shelving if you don’t have the budget for new cabinets.
Remove the two tier
And possibly the posts.
This is an awesome space. So many cool features. Lots of potential. Start with what makes the most sense for you and your family. Good luck

No grey. Definitely not with that floor. Paint the whole house to get rid of the yellow, which doesn’t work well with the floor or cabinets, and is probably 15 years old anyhow, so likely ready for a maintenance repaint regardless.

I think the kitchen will look totally neutral at that point (not fresh and new, but not offensive either). Then after a year, if theres nothing about the layout and function that bothers you, you could repaint a creamy light color and get a new countertop. Its not a huge kitchen so I bet it wouldnt be too expensive.

if you decide to paint, you might glean some info from this article as she talks about travertine and paint colors. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/paint-colour-ideas-to-update-your-beige-tiles-or-carpet/

Thank you everyone for the great advice !

Betty M UPDATE August 2022:

So we painted the walls throughout the main living and kitchen/dining areas (SW Aesthetic White) and updated lighting above and below kitchen cabinets. Also added roll out shelving and hardware (which will be upgraded and changed in next step...sample color only in pic) We are now almost a year in and definitely want to get rid of dark counters and add single bowl sink. We will also be dropping the counter for a bit more working space. Although I did originally think painting or replacing the existing cabinets was our only option, I really am not a fan of all the gray kitchens that seem to be everywhere. The existing cabinets are in great shape although admittedly no bells and whistles as in a new kitchen but they function for us at this time with the minor updates we installed.

At this time, looking for input on countertops/backsplash and painting upper cabinets.

Note we do have the same wood in the main living space (bookcases- which will be updated with mirrored back and glass shelves). Came across a Sky Fall Dark Quartzite which I think would be way too much for the whole space but maybe on the "island" with a much more subtle counter near the upper cabinet area.

Alternatively The new Calacatta Laza Gold looks like that would work... but some concern over that too being too busy for the entire space. Open to tile backsplash but would prefer one piece just for maintenance.

Looking for thoughts on these options as well as suggested paint color for upper cabinets (again we do want to brighten the space) and/or other suggestions for countertops? Pics attached. Thanks for your time and help!

Did you change the floors? They look so much better than before, but maybe it is the lighting or how the paint (beautiful) is reflected in the shiny tile. It looked so pink before, now it looks sleek and lovely. Everything was lifted by the white paint, so, good job! Your planned changes to the kitchen should continue the transformation. Just a thought: I think the fixture above your dining table is not the right style for your furnishings; it is more traditional/mediterranean looking, which you have moved away from. Also, are the arch supports framing the kitchen structurally necessary? It would be so much more open without them.

I'd prob get the cabs refaced. it really isn't that much more to do. Have you called in a kitchen cab painting specialist?

I painted my cabs. However, I did want the top drawers to match the shaker style. the painter said for another 2K, I could get ALL new drawer fronts/doors (with the soft close).

since you have those arched doors, maybe it's something you could look into. (you don't have a lot of cabinets to do)

I'd also look into doing some drawers on the lower instead of the doors. better for storage.

I'd also think about taking the cabs up to the ceiling w/add-on boxes.

I advised this onen poster about doing that and she went forward with. Said it wasn't that expensive

you could do add ons w/door, glass, or keep them open

I do lowers and uppers in white and think about painting the sink area a diff color

I would also remove the corbels and add some trim work to the back and side of that sink area.

It could be plain batten trim, beadboard, tongue and groove, whatever.

here's what I mean

even simple trim molding would give it a finished look

as for the backsplash, I like tile, and you don't have a lot of room, so consider doing that.

That one natural stone you have is better known as Blue Roma. look up some pictures of it.

btw, you could also do panels on the front like this, that match your doors if you like.

if you get that up the back, Make SURE you see the how the fabricator is going to cut it so the veins match up. unlike this:

Here's what the calacatta laza looks like up the back:

Idk if this came up - could it be possible to add a nice wood hood above stove, and add backsplash same as counter? or other.

Another kitchen with glass uppers, hood:

Williams Residence · More Info

yes. I like that one everdebz.

betty horrible photoshop, but you get the idea of what I meant by taking it up.

It will help to make it look larger and fit in w/the rest of the house. For sure get a custom vent hood instead of the SS one. Plenty of inserts you can buy. the painters should be able to build a hood around it. that's how I got mine done. I added the walnut to it.

You're only going to redo this kitchen once, don't do it part-way. Get it done once, get it done right.

Different house yeh,. bit similar tile... idea for medium/ toasty doors...

Whisper Rock Residence · More Info

The house has enough formality that the stove can have a wood/ plaster hood.

Starts at $575, no vent.

Castlewood Chimney Style Range Hood Front - H 30" | W 30" | D 7-1/4", Red Oak, N · More Info

Castlewood Arched Valance Chimney Hood - Maple, 36" · More Info

Picturing "midnight spruce" by Dunn Edwards... nice with your floor and new counter... ?

Mayfair Kitchen Update · More Info

Mayfair Kitchen Update · More Info