is an architect's input for ceiling detail to work with the expanse of height [yet lacking detail currently] a possibility....???......if not the first pic shows some lighting details the homeowner installed apparently.....and lighter walls obviously......But .long term I think laying in detail with the scale you have might bring the situation forward to a more comfortable / liveable situation. the 1980's theme can be modified and probably should be for the next 50 yr cycle.

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If you are primarily concerned with cosmetic changes, you could probably post the pictures here, discuss what sorts of colors you like or dislike, what materials you are considering for countertops and so forth.

However, you will get a lot of feedback that you are wasting your money putting new countertops on 35 year old cabinets and they will expect you to do an $80K kitchen renovation.

It looks like there is already a sort of built in over by the sliders in a different style of cabinet?

New to making a post. So your recommend me to show what colors I actually like and go from there??

I understand the feedback will not be good, but trying to work around cosmetic changes in kitchen and redo the baths and other improvements.

The built in is not a built in.

if you are replacing all appliances that might be enough. You seem to imply just doing a few cosmetic things. Leave that alone..someone may have a wider scope of changes ...for example a bigger island with more seating and undo the peninsula..... .

Yes if you are considering certain colors, what countertop materials you are considering, what sort of patterns you like in countertops, post pictures.

Love the cabinets and think a sleeker, more modern cabinet pull might be interesting.

Have you considered changing wall color? That may give you an updated feel, without the time and expense of other changes. Especially if you plan on being in your house for 5-10 more years.

The cabinets are beautiful. Changing the wall color and perhaps changing the hardware would make a whole new room.

The cabinet door style does seem to be a good fit with what I can see of the house. Is there a particular reason you want to change the countertops? Could you post a close up picture of them?

Do I contact an interior designer knowing they will convince me otherwise

Not if you are a broken record--"I want to keep my cabinets I want to keep my cabinets...."

Consider changing t( hardware, possibly painting the cabinets, and I would remove the wine rack and replace it with a couple open shelves to update a little.

Am thinking you will feel a weight lift if you repaint away from the dark plummy color. Your benches look to be fairly neutral, and the cabinets look great. Maybe a good wash down with sugar soap will give the cabinets a lift and make them feel brighter. If you would like to do something with them, but not change, maybe going lighter with the finish? More of a light blonde , than the deeper gold ? It might be a bit of a job though...

If you are shopping for counters you will find a designer willing to help you choose one that works with your space. They may well advise you on paint as these places like Color Tile etc sell a variety of products. You don't have to deal with someone interested in the commission they would make selling you cabinets. We can't see enough of your room to comment on the island question but it does appear you already have on to the right of your peninsula. The color and mural appear you last painted during the "Tuscan" fad period of the 90s. An updated sleeker look with compliment your cabinet design. I would look to the rest of your home see what your preferred color palate is and go from there.

heres more detail added to a space and note hood....seems the microwave could stand to be swapped if you have the inclination....a hood can be the right spot for customization and detail.

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Do you have murals on the wall that you want to keep or are you planning on new wall paint? If you have murals, please upload photos of them so the colors are clearly shown. Add a piece of white paper nearby for the camera color balance.

IMO we need to see more of the kitchen and the choices are really just pics of the space not sure what we would be voting on. I think start with good lighting and that means probably cable lighting to bring light down to human height I use Tech for cable lighting and you will need to go to a good lighting store to see what is possible in your space.You will get the idea from this pic the cable has to be brought down to make the light actually light your space not the ceiling.I am not usually a wood lover for cabinets but I think those suit the space A nice much lighter wall color would be the next step and a new counter no angles new hardware and remove all the stuff from the top of the cabinets then and only then can you make up your mind if you trully want to spend $$$$to paint those.

I would paint the whole space BM Super White. A Clean white with no undertones.

It will freshed the entire space and show off the great cabinets.

You'll be surprised at how a simple change of paint will change how you see the space.

Light fixtures to create the style you are after,

Change out the countertops to a product you LOVE, also the flooring.

Dream on the rest once you've done the basics.

If you like your cabinets, that's what counts. If your kitchen layout works for you, that's what counts.

A designer or decorator worth their salt will work inside the constraints you set. So decide on your budget and your goals. If your design brief is to spend <$5k (not including appliances) and get a brighter, lighter, more modern kitchen, then you'll probably get recommendations for new lighting, new paint and possibly new cabinet hardware or faucet. As you up the budget, countertops and floors become possible. But don't be surprised if people recommend not doing those unless you're doing the cabinets too-- the cabinets set a very definite period tone to your kitchen. So if you're spending $$$ to update your kitchen and not doing the cabinets, then you won't achieve a modern kitchen. This doesn't matter if you're just doing the reno for you. But if you're doing it for resale, you'll be wasting your money.

From what I can see of your kitchen, my priorities would be:

• built-in trash and recycle bins
• small appliance storage
• new paint in a much lighter colour
• getting rid of the stuff on top of the upper cabinets

After that, I'd decide if I wanted to perch at the peninsula or the island. Bar stool seating is okay. But chairs where your feet can reach the ground are better in my opinion. So having 2 sets of barstools next to each other isn't optimal. I'd consider replacing the secondary island with a table and chairs.

thanks for the input. Neither myself or husband to use white anywhere! We are in nature and want to keep earth tones. I love the hood idea and to open the cabinet area up with some kind of cabinetry. Definitely new lighting, hardware and fixtures will be done. Should the oak moldings get painted a contrasting color to the wall paint..