Obviously counters with some depth of color will help. You didn't ask, but a large area rug or two will soften acoustically as well as visually.

Some ideas: remove the cabinets that are hanging from the ceiling; consider adding cabs across to the wall we see on the right of your photo, these cabs could be similar to a breakfront, I like your cabs and suggest you stain all the stairway similar to your kitchen cabs. But waiting is really a good idea....see how you use the space and what bugs you most each and every day.

first determination/question is re the space that the staircase leads to. many times in a condo they provide a "bonus" landing area. computer/craft/tv area vs. the total bedrooms configured there. it makes a difference how you handle this distinctive feature in the central area......how important is use of the staircase. Second is to provide yourself w affirmation of your particular style preference. I think the kitchen could go a couple of ways. it has some positives. the cherry floors would be fabulous w a counterpoint emphasis in the kitchen. like; some black cabinetry at least partially mixed in...maybe dark counters like granite or soapstone.... obviously stainless appliances....kitchen particulars : initially think about seating at a peninsula or island worked into space[ that involves changes] and inquiry about getting venting for a better hood . these are all things that take thought/time and familiarity w how the space is used...what are the plans for your residence here. Its not cookie cutter and that is motivation to do interesting things once the inspiration and vision becomes clear. No I would not start painting or taking things apart right away.

Since you are keeping the pickled oak cabinets as is, take a door off (say from over the fridge) to bring with you to a countertop store or stoneyard. Things will look quite different in person from the photoshopped lightened up listing photos. A granite that has the colors of caramel, chocolate and vanilla ice cream could be a good choice.

In the meantime, you can paint the brown grout to match the off white tile, using a grout paint such as Grout Renew. Easy and quick change.

Hi - not sure if this is your furniture or the previous owners, but I would bring in a black kitchen countertop if you are not painting the cabinets. You definitely want black repeated elsewhere in the kitchen/living room. I'd also change up the wall colour

Hello all, thank you so much for all the responses, I am really thrilled, wasnt sure I would get any!! And sorry this was my first ever post I might have added some info to help out: 1. yes this furniture was the previous owner's but we purchased it so it is staying for now. 2. The wall colour is absolutely changing (20 year old yellow gotta go lol!). We're picking a cold white with blue undertones. Curtains are going too for a more neutral (probably some shade of grey... although navy blue is tempting) 3. Appliances will also be changed when budget allows. I"m not a fan of stainless, I like the "dark" stainless, but I'm concerned it may be too contrasting. 4. Had a good laugh about all the comments on the staircase. It leads to a large bedroom suite and very sunny rooftop deck with views on the city. It's one of the features we loved the most LOL!! The picture doesnt do it justice, honestly!! 5. I really dont like black countertops or anything black in a kitchen, so that wouldnt work for me unfortunately. I have always been very Scandinavian in my design tastes, but this place with the brazilian cherry wood floors requires something entirely different. I was actually looking into incorporating some blue in there? Like yes, maybe painting the entire peninsula /lower cabinets a dark blue?

I read about epoxy countertops since this morning. Seriously considering trying this out until we can afford to put in a stone counter. Any disaster stories about that?

Main takeaway here seems to be (if there is a consensus!) to take time to get used to this unique space. It has been frozen in time for 20 years. Thank you for the insights!

All I’d really do for now is paint and remove the hanging cabinets.
The rest is very decent and you shouldn’t throw in money if you plan to do a complete remodel sometime down the line (even if it’s 7-10 years away! )

The appliances, for me, are what date it. Even if you can’t replace now, I’d put the microwave into a cabinet.
And get a new hood vent. Shouldn’t be so costly!

Sounds good, we were planning on putting the microwave in the cupboard and use the space for cookbooks and plants, etc. Also want to take off the hanging cabinets since the second I saw them (husband still needs convincing on that ...) and definintely looking into new appliances hoping for some black Friday or boxing day deals. And getting one of those hidden vents, using up some of the wood from the removed cabinets to build a "front" . Thank you, this is helpful!

Honestly, I think getting a contemporary railing for the stairs and painting are the most pressing things. You could do a large island in place and reface the cabinets if you're dead set on changing the cabinet look.

The staircase is fabulous! If you zoom in on it, you can see it’s high end. Ignore those comments about changing it,lighten the kitchen and the place is wonderful.

I like the space. Kitchen is situated so one can get to the fridge easily and all other traffic is automatically directed around it.

The soffits are a bummer but it is what it is. I would change the cabinets to a solid material and add some color if you are so inclined. But this is one space that I wouldn't mind white counter tops. It has a soft neutral look to it right now.

I wanna automatically say change the appliances to SS but I don't know if that is the right look or not. If you added some color to the countertops then I would change to SS. If you stay with white they would just stick out.

Floors are beautiful. Very nice space.

I would take off the moldings on top of cabinet and Sheetrock to the ceiling , then I would take the ceiling light off as it highlights the different ceiling levels and put a chandelier instead . I would remove the dark brown bench , that bench is what dates the kitchen IMO . Enjoy your house and go slowly ..

Beautiful condo! I think the red in the floors is what’s throwing things off. Could you have them refinished? I like the idea of removing the hanging upper cabinets and replacing the appliances. The stairs are cool but are very ”bossy” in this space and don't seem to flow with the other elements’ color; maybe after you make some other changes it will all be more harmonious.

what is it about the upper hanging cabs that is so bothersome. the hanging feature and the trim provide potential with careful color detail within the scope of the whole kitchen of course.....possibly glass doors as well. things can be done. the oddest thing i see at that level is two light fixtures that have no relationship to each other or anything else. Interior design approach to your space with someone also who handles kitchens so any adjustments can be contracted w a building team is the way to start. First thing is get a budget for any possibilities that may be thought up and there are a great number of ways w this

Navy will look good with the cherry. Navy works with warm or cool tones so I think it gives you some flexibility. Instead of a stop gap on the counters I would try to live with it until you can change for something you want.

I do think stainless would be the best choice for appliances, It will also work well with warm or cool tones. In your case white just muddies and dulls the impact of the cabinetry.

Congratulations on your new home!

Painting the walls white will help you “see” your home better. I’m with the “wait for a year or two” crowd. Living there, reading house magazines, being on Houzz and HGTV will give you lots of ideas. I agree the appliances are dated, but don’t rush to buy new ones unless these don’t function properly. You may change your mind about what finish you want them to be. Congratulations on your new home!

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~15230425 I know you said you don’t like the idea of a black counter ~ what about this Lagos Azul counter?

Not sure I would go with ”cold white with blue undertones” for the walls unless you plan to also remove existing warm colors. The cabinets, which you say you aren’t painting, look warm in this picture.

Those floors are absolutely beautiful! They also look warm.

I think the color of the cabinets against the floors is not great, but unless and until your do a full redo, I agree you shouldnt touch either. So that color mismatch is just an item you will have to live with!

I agree the biggest change you need is new wall color. I would strongly advise against painting a grey or cool blue undertoned color. I dont think that would work well with the cabinets or the floor, and then youd have THREE competing color elements. I would paint every wall on the floor the same neutral off white warm, and live with it. This is especially true if you are keeping theor furniture for the short term, which realistically are all yellow and brown tone, and will not look good with blue undertones. After painting and being able to observe the kitchen with a more neutral back, I would only then consider new counters.

I think the stairs are very cool. The railings are the busiest, most 90s part of them. If it were me, I would plan to save for a more modern, less visually obtrusive railing - maybe cable or even better, a glass half wall railing. The glass would be really cool because it would allow the stairs themselves to be a star. But this is just medium term non urgent stuff.

Vaguely the colors that OP has... just to help visualize. If it were me, I'd refinish the flooring to a less red finish. The wood itself is beautiful, but it doesn't coordinate well with much else.

Brazilian Cherry Flooring - Prefinished 3/4" x 5" Clear Grade · More Info

To answer the original question: I can't visualize any counter working well with all of the elements other than a simple, warm undertone white, perhaps slightly off white. Getting rid of tile counters would be high on my to-do list (having had tile, and I did not enjoy it!)

The floor and the pickling are the bosses here; I don't think that adding a bossy counter (highly patterened/busy) will help.

The gray-blue walls need to go also. Pale yellow was not actually a horrible choice, but the gray blue wall, the curtains, even some of the furniture were mistakes with both it and the rest of the kitchen.

Don't use anything with a cool undertone - that will fight with the cabinets and floor and you will not be comfortable with it. No grays, please, (okay maybe a very warm gray), only warm toned blues or greens; and no beige/tan since you already have enough of that tone in the cabinets.

Wood blinds, of a lighter wood than the floors, might be a happy choice for the windows.

Can you do without the storage of the hanging cabinets? If not, you could box in that upper section (moving the crown molding up to the ceiling), perhaps even make more storage there.

Down the road, if you are ever inclined, I might say replace that heavy crown molding with something lighter/simpler- It doesn't seem to match the rest of the house (what we see of it, at least.)

My favorite Scandinavian vibe kitchens used a variety of pastel colors, especially in backsplash tile, but I think those hearken back to an earlier era than your condo speaks to.

This condo is a downtown penthouse occupying the top 2 floors of a 1911 building that was entirely gutted and redone in 2001. It has been frozen in time in the hands of a a single elderly owner since we took it over last Friday. We love the stairs, and the floor is starting to grow on us. The space has 10-foot high ceilings, and yes the ceiling is busy with all the ductwork for HVAC.

I am concerned about the comments advising against a cool white for wall colour. I have read in numerous websites and blogs that brazilian cherrywood floors must at all cost avoid anything warm that will make them look orangy, and go for blue tones. We have tested the theory with paint samples (the little cardboards), and it seems to be true. With an icy white, the floors just pop, with an off-white, they look really dull and orange. Yellow seemed to be the worst choice for a paint colour. Previous owner was a heavy cigar smoker for many years (no smell left, just very yellow walls and ceilings!!), so we realized today that everything has that yellow film on it, cupboards included. NOt sure they are meant to be so off-white!!! lol... I'll report back once we are done scrubbing and have painted everything white to "see" the house better.

Thank you so much for all the comments, so appreciated (but leave my poor staircase alone!! hahaha!)

Try Palmolive Eco dishwashing liquid on the cabinets - I have had great success using it to clean smoke off a fireplace surround, built up grime off a wooden handrail, and built up soil from the dog resting against the wall (both baseboard and wallpaper) without damaging any of those surfaces. I put it on a damp terry cloth and apply undiluted, work it across the area, and then rinse off with another cloth.

Thank you for all the comments and ideas and even photoshopping (so cool!!). We've come to the conclusion that we will not be able to live with these cabinets so we WILL have them painted professionally when budget allows (most likely navy blue with a charcoal countertop). We're very excited about it and are convinced this place cannot do a neutral kitchen, it has to be dark or it looks washed out. This has been so helpful, I"ll be posting other rooms to get access to all these great comments! This forum is wonderful!

Dont rule out the beautiful dark greens for cabs also when you get to it. Kind of like the "cousin " to the dark blues . Seeing both these days. Good Luck

For a cheap stopgap on the appliances (and cabinets too, I suppose), there's always vinyl car wrap.

While you wait for changes, grab a countertop plant or two from the grocery store and put them in the kitchen. It’ll add some
Interest and color and make it more bearable until the changes get made.

Glad you’re going to paint the cabinets. Navy or dark green will change that kitchen to something modern and interesting. You have a unique space you clearly love so take your time to figure out how to enhance the best features. Keep us posted!

I love navy cabinets! Good choice.

Leon's post smells like Spam.

Is this a color you’re considering?