Nothing minor will make enough change. New floors, new backsplash and a less fussy hood would be a start. But far from the end. A new cabinet paint job HAS to happen. Two toned is just too weird. And you’d want to do a new fridge before that happens, if that's got as much age on it as it looks to have. Then you get into if you want to have to match the paint to the gold granite, or get rid if it.

Give a mouse a cookie and you have a gutted kitchen. So, do nothing until you’re ready for that. Any change at all will snowball.

What are your goals?

You've said more modern /less ornate ... but are you also looking for better function? more storage? island seating? do you need a baking area? a change in lighting?

On the other end of the spectrum, what do you like /want to keep?

Give us some clues!

@Mrs Pete, I want to change none of those items, other than the look of the kitchen. It is well made, but slightly aged.

That is a gorgeous kitchen, dated yes, but still fabulous. Change the floors, if you have wood elsewhere try to match it or else go with a neutral porcelain tile. If you have the funds to get new counters, go for it. You can change the range hood with little difficulty and remove the corbels from the island. Lucky you!

Simpler hardware would help, as would a simpler floor. On my monitor the tones of the cabinets and the floors don't compliment each other. (Or complement each other either).

a new backsplash. do you have seating somewhere close. I'd be tempted to have a larger island but I dont know what your seating needs/desires are. try painting the island the color hale navy /blue note or similar , and bigger island pendants. the picture is not close in enough to say much about the details so the notation I find is the island could afford some opportunity.....an optional thing ..... but with possibility. the backsplash for certain. maybe new counters....

A Tuscan chessboard does not become Modern without major life altering expensive surgery. Modern Minimalism is the complete opposite of Fussy Maximalist Traditional.

Maybe aim for something other than Modern.

So I guess I have a different perspective. I think it looks like a great kitchen with lots of room. I could function quite well in there. I focused on your want of "less ornate". I can't zoom in enough to see some of the smaller details in pic but for sure, the island is center stage. Those pendants do look ornate - that's an easy update to a simpler & less formal look,. Not sure how big a deal changing out the corbels would be to less ornate ones but I'd check that. My guess is they need to be there for top support & it's not an option to retrofit with steel underneath. The stools are an easy change too - sleeker design - not modern just less ornate legs. I can't see the cabinet hardware but that's sure something to look at. Last thing is lighting type - I'd want bright - not the 4000k that's promoted by some Pros - unless lights are on a dimmer - but at least 3500. Lighting really makes a difference even when there's lots of natural light.. The sun does set every evening! Last, I wondered about updating the hood -I'm not sure but it looks like the bottom has design on it. Can that be pulled off & redone with a simpler look? I wouldn't change out to SS unless the built in frig was also being changed out. So, for not a lot of $$ & effort, I think you can make the subtle changes you're thinking about.

What style is the rest of the house?

Funny thing, coming from a minimalist, but I actually like your kitchen. It has a kind of old world storybook character about it. To try to change it into something else, without a full renovation, is likely to be a challenge. Good luck with your project!

thank you @herbflavor. The island does have more seating on the other side, there's an overhang by the fridge, but also a window/breakfast nook closeby. Painting the island is interesting.. I think that would cost less than painting cabinets... good idea.

@KW PNW Z8 thanks.. agree, the corbels might be hard to move without adding support. The hood has an acorn design, so that will probably be an easy removal. So I've got pendants, hood, lighting.. I like it. I will probably start there.

My husband hates the floors, so we will probably redo them. The rest of the home has beautiful hardwood flooring. From an aesthetic look, of course hardwood looks beautiful, but from a practical perspective having hardwood in the kitchen seems wrong. Will have to give this some more thought.

Id paint the cabinets, change the hardware, corbels, and stools.

Here's a closer look at the hardware, and hood (including design).

Do you think the corbels under the hood are easily removed? Or do they support for the hood?What hardware would you suggest instead? Thank you.

Thank you @Mrs Pete! I like how you called the floor bossy. Ha! I do like the idea of painting the island instead of the cabinets. I think we will start with the floor first. Definitely not looking to achieve a modern kitchen, simply looking to tone down the traditional intensity of the current kitchen.

I would replace the island with a larger kitchen work table

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I suspect that what you want is not so much updating or modernization, but a Tuscanectomy : ) .

I'm with palimpsest and Mrs. Pete. And if you're new to your neighbourhood, ask around for referrals/recommendations for a talented carpenter who can help with corbelectomies...

@beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally, you are hilarious!

whats wrong with the floor.I thought it looked like the one feature to keep as its rather uncustomary and not that bold really....those are positives. Your space is so large the floor is a plus ......classic or eclectic pattern is an asset. Do you dislike it.....seems like youd be removing an interesting feature for what reason? unless the condition is poor. Just work on the island /lighting/stools/ middle of the space . If this were my space I'd go eclectic mixed with the bit of traditional you have using color/hardware/ accesories including stools and pendants backsplash. You could be surprised .

I'd tackle the floors & paint the island for starters. Wood floors to match the rest of your house would be nice but it's also a HUGE pain b/c I think you'd have to sand & refinish all the wood floors (I just did it at my house, worst & most disruptive part of the renovation) so I'd pick a nice tile - it's probably the less-expensive too.

If you can do nothing else paint the cabinets the same color and replace the flooring.

Do you have any current photos (not listing) that will enlarge?

This may give you some inspiration about what to do. Depending of your budget, you could change some elements of your kitchen without massiive change.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-of-the-week-organic-and-earthy-california-style-stsetivw-vs~152709656

Definitely not looking to achieve a modern kitchen, simply looking to tone down the traditional intensity of the current kitchen.

So when you said "modern", you meant updated /no more Tuscany but not really modern as in a bold color, sleek, angular look.

I suspect that what you want is not so much updating or modernization, but a Tuscanectomy

That is a great term!

whats wrong with the floor.

Nothing's wrong with the floor, but it's negatively affecting what the OP wants in a kitchen.

Personally, I would leave it all as is, and save up for a total gut job at some point in the future. Anything you do is going to cost money, and you're better off saving for when you can get what you really want.

I love your kitchen! I actually like the floors and the color of the island. I find the corbels and the range hood over the top. I would also replace rhe backsplash, rhe pendants, and the hardware, and otherwise embrace it for what it is.

Hi everyone, some decisions have been made - we will be replacing the floors to match the hardwood in the rest of the house. New backsplash, new countertops, and the cabinets will be painted.

We are also considering removing the peninsula (the family room that adjacent to the kitchen is actually pretty small, and the couch would be right by the peninsula sink). If we do that, we would just demo the peninsula and put in one large island.

(Kind) thoughts welcome. We do have a designer but I like to be hands on and look at things myself. Specifically overwhelmed with colors.

Here's a non-MLS photo of the kitchen - more realistic. I'm pretty transitional, so while the painting company is able to reface the drawer fronts to shaker, I think I will actually keep the drawers with the raised panels.