Post a closer picture of the countertops. This picture doesn't enlarge enough to se them

Are you opposed to having them restained a dark color like ebony? They could be removed and done in-shop.

I think you could start with some less expensive options. Add pot lights and pendant lights in a brighter color. Swap out the stools. Consider only painting the island. Maybe add glass faced cabinets to the top of the cabinets to the cowling with interior lighting. A new backsplash would be ideal.

I have a summer home with classic perfect condition and still in style 1973 dark cherry cabinets. Walls painted Palladium Blue. My winter home also has new 2015 FR and white kitchen in Palladium Blue. (Easier to move furniture and accesiores between houses) Both look great and guests ask for the color of walls. Color changes during the day. Try painting the blue, have to have new backsplash as current one not go with anything especially the granite, and the pendants you love. Simpler stools. Easy and relatively cheap. Then live with a bit and decide whether want to paint the cabinets or even just some. Floor very nice, no need to change no matter what you do..

@jck910 Posted!

@theresen no I am not opposed to that! Dark ebony and lighter walls/backspalsh?

@HU-808319745 if I were to only paint the island what color would you recommend?

Thanks. I think a creamy white would be good with those countertops. (Not the bight white in the KylieM picture). Pick the lightest color from the granite. Do you like the kitchen's layout? The sink seems a little far from the stove top and the oven opens in a doorway. Even the DW is too far from the sink, will always be drops on the floor moving from sink to DW. So before spending any money I would evaluate the layout. The kitchen is workable so you shouldn't rush to judgement before you have even lived in the space. If you do paint the cabinets (have you priced this? it can be quite expensive to get it done right) a simple subway backsplash would complement the counters. I'm not sure I would paint walls Palladian Blue, I've had it in my home and it can be quite bright.

Backsplash should come last. So don’t think about that yet.

I might consider staining the cabinets. I think that’s a great idea.
I might do a lighter almost natural wood stain.
But if you like darker that’s nice too.
And paint the walls a neutral.
I’d probably do white.

I don’t know exactly what this counter is, but it always comes up when I google cherry cabinets.

Even though I am usually not a fan of mosaics, I kind if like this one.

Leave the lovely cabinets as they are. It's going to cost you a lot to get a good paint job on the cabinets, and there is more upkeep on painted cabinets.

I think if you get a new backsplash and paint the walls a different color your kitchen will magically improve considerably. Maybe a creamy, off white backsplash and a light sage wall.

The material which really is “off” in your kitchen is the backsplash….totally the wrong colors.
I would really consider replacing that backsplash with a plain tile which matches ONE of the
colors in your counter material. If you have a piece of your counter granite, take it with you when shopping for backsplash tile, or take a good photo with you and bring three or four sample tiles home to see it “in person” with the counter. Paint the kitchen walls if necessary after you decide on a new backsplash (or not).

Yes backsplash is the problem, just totally off with the countertop,and in my view very dated!

The pink tone of the backsplash is what doesn't blend with everything else. I think your cabinets and counters are beautiful as they are, and would only replace the backsplash first. Then if you decide to paint, carry the paint through all the rooms.

Are those the listing pics or is the furniture yours? The very first thing I would do do, and the least expensive, is to get more modern chairs and counter stools. Update the lighting and backsplash.

@flopsycat1 these are listing pictures the furniture will all be gone and Ill certainly be putting in some more modern furniture there!

Also, a very small thing. I would not want to reach over a hot pan to retrieve a knife. Or to clean grease off the handle before each use. Put them in a drawer or a countertop knife block.

Here's what I want to do:

1. Paint walls
2. Paint cabinets (sorry to anyone who cringes at that idea)
3. Update backsplash

Yeah, the walls are very basic, no personality. Painting the walls is not a big job and can make a huge difference in a single day.

I wouldn't paint cabinets that are in great condition. I'd paint the walls first (which is much less work than painting cabinets), and then sit back a few weeks and see if the cabinets are still unappealing to you.

I can't work up any love for the backsplash, and it seems to be "too much" in conjunction with the counter tops. Changing the backsplash is a smaller job than painting cabinets.

I am also NOT updating the countertop or floors right now.

The countertops are just "eh" -- not a standout detail, but also not offensive -- and certainly functional. I wouldn't spend big money on new countertops when yours are "eh".

As for the floors, they look great. I see no reason to even consider changing them.

Leave the lovely cabinets as they are. It's going to cost you a lot to get a good paint job on the cabinets, and there is more upkeep on painted cabinets.

These are both true statements.

Cabinet paint: cream, pale taupe, or pale gray.

Backsplash: something to contrast with the above, but also tone from counter -- so cream with gray cabinets, gray with cream, etc.

You'll need to be careful with all the tones, checking against the stone and floor and each other, but I think it could really be gorgeous!

Kitchen · More Info

Pleasant Valley · More Info

Jeannine Dealy · More Info

KraftMaid: Transitional Kitchen · More Info

I immediately thought of this kitchen, which combines a gray, a cream/white, and a tan -- I think it should give you confidence that you have nice options even when building around your current stone:

Contemporary Shaker Kitchen · More Info

(p.s.) the dishwasher is not a long way from the sink; it just has a set of drawers in between so that there is room to stand at the sink with the DW open. good design element.

The biggest offender is the sheen of the cabinets…i would try a light sanding an a low/no sheen finish first….the counters and cabs and backsplash are all dated so i would go with just removing the shiny finish on the cabs and replacing the backsplash with an interesting layout(chevron perhaps) but a very simple tile ……for a clean fresh start….to push more contemporary new hardware will help….but this way if you wish to completely redo in the future you haven’t over spent on this stage…