I think painting the cabinets will be counterproductive.
Wait until you can do a complete remodel. Even if that’s 10 years.
The wood looks like it’s on great shape and beautifully done work.
I think keep it for now.

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Yes change the floor.
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Maybe change the hardware also.

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And when you can, countertops, backsplash and lighting.
Great project :)

The wood is in great shape so i’m thrilled about that. I don’t think I’m really planning on painting them I really just want to tone down this warm orange color. I plan on changing the hardware and possibly swapping to hidden hinges. Any recommendation on toning the warmness of the color down without completely remodeling them or is that even possible?

This is my inspiration. It obviously will not be the exact same but i’d like to try to achieve something close if i can

You cannot restain them darker. They are already finished. To restain, you would need to completely strip them down to bare wood, and sand them very well. Its an enormous and time consuming job. Stain has to be able to be absorbed into the wood. It can not do that, when there is a finish already on them. There is nothing wrong with your cabinets, they have a nice finish right now. Leave them, and fix whatever else needs to be done.

I would be asking myself, after living with them for a while, just how functional they are for the space. Even if my grandfather had made them, if making changes would significantly enhance the usability of the kitchen (especially in a small kitchen), I would seriously consider replacement.

Otherwise, first give them a really good cleaning - often there is a layer of oxidized oils on cabinets that changes the appearance of the wood. Then think about what wall color change might also make the wood color more attractive (search for pictures of similar cabinets/similar color in kitchens)

I wouldn't touch the cabinets. They are charming and can really set the tone for the home. Not every house is meant to be modern and trendy. The mosaic tile floor would be a great idea. I found this link historic hex tile patterns to give you some ideas.

I would update the floor, countertop and backsplash but choose finishes that add to the charm of the cabinets.

as per your comment: the house needs a "ton of work" so let the kitchen be. I might have to wait and see about living with the old cabinetry or not. I might get new formica ....pretty it up.....and white porcelain knobs etc...... I would go more the french country feel with this.....a wee bit anyway. Can you swap a light fixture and do some window treatment/floor runner and call it a day? You may decide later more realistically what to do and that is regarding the cabinetry mostly. I would not paint or alter the cabinets.

Is that brown square on the floor what you plan to replace the floor with? if so, it doesnt work with the kitchen at all. The undertones are all off….

If that is your flooring sample in your photo, it looks similar in color to the transitional cabinets in your ideabook. That's not going to happen with those in your kitchen. Wrong style, wrong wood, wrong finish. Maybe take a step back and reconsider what you could choose to compliment what you have. The grays in the backsplash, flooring, counters in your 'like' will fail with the tones now there.

What is wrong with existing floor?

The grays in the backsplash, flooring, counters in your 'like' will fail with the tones now there.

This is what I see with the existing wall color - it is too cool for the warm cabinet tone. Often surrounding wood cabinets with the right colors (and I do NOT mean tan/beige) is all that is needed to "bring them to life" and look more modern.

So… my boyfriend and I have decided to live in grandfathers house that was built in the 1930s.

If your name isn't on the title then you don't do anything to the house. Certainly nothing that is not reversible. Which means that you live with the cabinets as they are. Even more so because the grandfather built those cabinets.

They look to be nice cabinets, well built and in very good condition. Appreciate them for what they are.

I have decided to completely delete this app. Other than a few of you that i appreciate the majority of y’all are rude. We have full permission to do whatever we want to this house otherwise I wouldn’t be doing anything. Yes the cabinets are in good shape which is why i plan on keeping them and not replacing them but THEY ARE NOT OUR STYLE. None of you can make me like the stain of cabinets just by telling me to or telling me to leave them alone. At this point nothing is set in stone as far as flooring, paint color or how the cabinets will look. I was just simply looking for possibilities that I could do from people who may know a little more about DIY projects than I do. I appreciate your opinions but not how they were put.

Huh. I thought the advice OP "all advice is welcome" got was helpful in moving this kitchen toward the feel of the inspo photo, or in advising that the cabinet stain could not be moved in that darker direction but perhaps could be improved with washing.

I know OP has indicated departure but, given the photo, my advice would be to google DIY cabinet glass insertion.

Wow the OP’s response is out of left field. They receieved totally positive and helpful advice. Maybe my comment was a little short about the floors not working with the cabs, but I was on my iphone - apologies if it came off rudely. But I think the only truly rude post on this thread is from the OP!

Also - the advice about not doing work unless youre on the deed…. this was probably the most important advice of all. Not because you have, or dont have, permission. But because if you drop $15k of your cash into the house, or spend a year of weekends doing DIY that help the housing value go up $100k, you legally own nothing. You and boyfriend break up…. and you are on the street while he reaps the benefits of your work. This isnt some worst case horror story. This happens All. The. Time. to people (women in particular) who fail to protect and financially plan.