Paint the living room built-ins, paint/refinish the kitchen cabinets, replace kitchen cabinet hardware and backsplash.

What does modernize mean to you? The kitchen cabinets are the epitome of modern, with new hardware and a single level counter the would look much more current. The fireplace and built ins are much more traditional. I would get slab doors for it as well, remove the crown, and redo the fp. But that's just me!

I would not change anything in the kitchen except the hardware. I think it's fab. The LR, to me, is lovely. I would get a statement piece of art for the mantel and eliminate some of the other photos (on the window and behind the chairs). Also, maybe some cool art deco style pillows or MCM for the couches.

Lighten up the wall color to a warm off-white.

There isn't anything wrong with the kitchen. I agree with Hallett. I don't know why there is so much hate for the two level counters now. It's not something that bothers me, but every designer around will tell you to change them. I like your counters, so I wouldn't want to wreck that. You could remove the tile above the counter material backsplash. Having both is redundant. I think you could use a different paint color in both rooms. The current color doesn't look great with your floors or cabinets although sometimes the way colors look is not portrayed accurately in photos. Does it look better in person? Your furniture looks gray, so the warm colors of the cabinets and floors are fighting with that a bit. The floors are better than the cabinets, so changing the color of the wall unit is probably a good idea.

Kitchen: new hardware, using more bars than dots.

I'm not wild about your paint color, but color is so personal it's hard to suggest ... I like a soft very pale buttery yellow, but that's me.

Built-in: Yay you have books! Can you add up-lights to the top? To freshen it up without 'ruining' it, I'd panel the back of the shelves in some sort of fabric or paper using this sites technique (but not their selection): fabric-bookcase

The kitchen cabinets ARE modern. But I would remove the dual height counter top. Cut down the higher pony wall and replace the counter with a new material. I happen to like the contrast of black or charcoal counters against the wood cabinets. Get some new stainless pulls that are longer to replace the knobs.

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As for the built-in, paint it. I'd also change out the mantle/surround with something less neo-classic. I'd consider, too, removing the colonial crown molding and replace it with a more modern flat one. See the top of these kitchen cabinets as an example. Not recommending the LED light strip, but this gives you a better sense of what I mean.

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Sabrina, when you say paint the built in, what type of color do you have in mind. The wood is very rich so I don’t want to do white! Also, what type of craftsman do I call to change out parts of it?

There's too much stuff in the built in - causing it to look cluttered. Streamline it with more modern decor.

As for the floor - folks are going with wider planks. So not sure if you're replacing.

Kitchen: if willing to change counter, suggest black onyx and remove the section that protrudes, which I think is a major issue. Can’t tell the cupboards’ stain color, but could restain if leaning towards orange. Modernize hardware and suggest painting the entire space a warm white. If you have ceiling lighting, update.

Living area: I don’t think painting the bookcase is the answer, as the design of fireplace is what’s holding bookcase back from 1) complementing kitchen 2) feeling modern. If not in budget, I’d hold off until you can afford to update (I like the idea of black, as it ties into cupboards’ fronts and if using black in kitchen).

Vs picture below: leave tv where you have it and add a large piece of modern art on fireplace, or leave bare. In the meantime, reaccessorize shelving, remove the upper molding, look on line for ideas and start saving pictures/getting quotes (if interested).

From my screen your wall color in both rooms is fighting with your wood in all areas. As suggested, paint walls first and see if you can select new kitchen cabinet hardware, add undercabinet lighting in kitchen. Declutter the living room bookcases/mantle/etc. and add lighting undershelves if possible.

Also turn sofa in living room to face the fireplace TV wall with a chair angled toward those on each side. Angling provides conversation space and you don’t have to crane your neck (ouch) to view TV or fireplace. The additional chair can be placed off to the side for additional seating as needed.

Lovely up-to-date rooms. Be cautious changing the character of the 2 rooms without considering the overall detailing of entry and other public rooms. If the rest of the home has traditional crown molding then the kitchen and built-ins will look unfinished if you rip it out. Your great room ideabooks all include traditional paneling, so I am not sure why you don’t like it in this home? The 2-level kitchen counter is fine as is and hides the kitchen sink messes from the family room. The semi circle counter is fine as is, but it needs a counter stool to allow someone to sit and keep the cook company. I like the white countertop…is refreshing design choice from the dark counter that designers pair with light cabinetry. If you are trying to put your mark on this home, change the wall color and replace puny knobs with closed-end “C” style pulls. Your subway tile backsplash is neutral, but if you don’t like it and want it gone, the tall countertop material backsplash should be sufficient wall protection

Some ideas to consider: Change the wall color to a warm white, change the countertop and backsplash, put a large abstract painting, maybe black and white, on the mantle over the fireplace and lastly add some modern looking throw pillows to the sofa. I wouldn’t paint the kitchen cabinets or the built-ins/fireplace. It’s a beautiful wood and looks expensive. Good luck!

I so appreciate all the comments! Does anyone have good referrals for painters or cabinet / millworkers in Chicago area?

You really want to paint. Just put it out there that you prefer painted over wood but know, painting will drag your spaces back into the previous five years not move it forward. WOOD is back. The kitchen is very modern. The only thing one might have done is put drawers in vs the doors on the lowers. Not sure what's with the back splash..two different color tiles.....The two level counter height is to camoflage your kitchen sink from anyone in the TV room!! If the sink stays there you would be mistaken to lower that!! I agree the built in and kitchen are not a matched set. Removing the crown and getting flat slab doors is what you need. My guess is that kitchen was recently "modernised" and that is why the style and woods do not match the built in. If you push forward with painting the built in look somewhere besides gray or white for a paint color.

You could darken the finish on the cabinets or just purchase replacement doors.

To me the kitchen looks super modern! Mid century modern chic! Maybe cut off the round part that sticks out but otherwise, the cabinets look like it's quality wood. Try some modern flares in lighting, door knobs, etc. CB2 is good.

I cut down my two-tiered kitchen countertop and replaced it with a huge slab that created a great space for serving - with stools underneath. I like seeing into the great room from the cooking area - and having company sit and talk to me while I cook. I don’t care if they see the “mess” from the meal I just made for all of us.

Get longer, more substantial pulls that complement whatever stone you buy for the new countertops. I think long dark ones could be very modern looking. Either dark grey or green soapstone would work for your countertop.

Whatever tile you choose for the backsplash can be used for the fireplace surround as well.

I would try putting an interesting fabric or wallpaper on poster board to dress up the bookcase back walls before painting. I think you’ll regret it if you don’t first try to make these two wood pieces work - but updated.

I do agree you can declutter the wall unit too.

Your kitchen is lovely but needs sprucing up. Don’t paint it or change the doors. New countertops and pulls will give it a new life.

Honestly, with some contemporary lighting, or maybe with new backsplash your already goregous kitchen would look even better. What is it about the current kitchen you dislike?

A good local finish carpenter or cabinetmaker could make the changes to the built-in unit. As for paint, no I wouldn't paint it white, either. I'd probably go dark with the color to ground the rest of the space. Dark blues, teals, greens, or even black might be nice with all the wood. Here are a few paint color ideas:

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Sabrina-if you made the built in dark, then what color for the floor? Wide light, or wide dark?

Your current floor is fine as is. And a dark painted unit will provide some much-needed contrast. If you want to re-finish the floor you can, but I'd leave it a natural clearcoat finish.

Would it be too matchy matchy to have the doors of the built in match the kitchen cabinets?

Thank you Sabrina-I tried to contact you directly but could't figure out how. I like your idea of blue.

You could, but I don't think it's necessary. The door style is pretty plain. The offenders are the mantile and the crown.

Sabrina, can I summarize what I think you are recommending:

1. LEave the floors as is, possibly refinish;

2. Have a carpenter remove some of the more traditional detailing of the built ins

3. Paint the built ins darker as contrast (midnight blue, for example)

4. get a one height darker counter and new pulls in the kitchen.

If so, the only remaining question is what to do with the kitchen cabinets-they are probably fine in condition but the color is really quite yellow and clashes with the floor.

I would not paint the wood or do anything drastic with the cabinets, built-in or the floors. The first thing I would do is take out all the things from the built-in and style it in a more modern way with fewer, larger things and less clutter.

As others have suggested, I would paint your walls a warm, light cream. It will brighten and modernize the space considerably. I agree that some of the trim on the built-in is a little fussy but not sure if the visual change would be worth an expensive carpentry job.

For more inspiration pictures, search for light walls, wood trim.

I'd leave the kitchen cabinets alone unless the door/drawers are chipped or worn. If they are, you could have them refaced with new slab doors. I don't think they clash with the floor. They've just darkened over time.