Not that it matters but I think your backsplash is not marble but is Travertine tile. Maybe that’s what you meant? To make sure I’m understanding - you are changing cabs only & are having them refaced & thinking of white uppers, dark lowers. Choice you’re wanting help with is chocolate brown or black lowers? If that’s right, I think the chocolate brown is much better than black with both the backsplash & counter. Really check that white against your white appliances as the frig & micro will be surrounded by white & it would be too bad to have a bad mismatch. I’d sure do a visual / virtual mock up before making a commitment. See how you can get a cab door size piece of each of the colors so you can really see them in all lighting against all the surfaces, including the floor. I can’t tell the color of your walls but both they & your upper cab lighting appear yellow so might want to change out the color of lighting.

I plan to change wall color and appliances. I’d like to try to keep granite and travertine (you’re right). Just because I’m trying to pick my battles. The cabinet colors are deep cocoa or a medium warm brown. Was thinking of doing white on top and dark on bottom. I’m so confused trying to decorate around the floor and the counter

What are you changing your appliances to & are you staying with the hood / micro or changing to a hood only with micro going on a modified cabinet shelf? Asking bc changing from white to SS (my guess) is going to create a real change in the look of your kitchen. Don’t know what your issue is with your kitchen but it is really nice & as @User said, wood cabs are really coming back & oak is really nice. Your flooring looks in great shape & is timeless. A side note - are you aware that you can get outlet & switch plates that are pretty close in color to the travertine? It’s a small thing but makes a difference to not have white plates pop out in the backsplash. Just take a look at plates next time you’re in a big box store or look on line.

You both have me rethinking this. I will change to black stainless steel appliances. I just don’t like the cabinet style, so I hope to reface them. I think I can live with the yellow floor and granite countertop. The kitchen is a dark room in the am, so I thought a white cabinet would brighten it up. It’s just vanilla and yellow everywhere!

I will keep the microwave where it is

Cabinets appear to be maple not oak.

I have black SS DW & I do like the finish. But my frig & induction range are silver SS & of course the range has black glass top & over door window. The black DW is bc of my ebony beadboard covered island. Be aware that black appliances, even the SS black, not appliance black, will darken the look of your kitchen. The yellow & vanilla color you see may be your lighting. Search some of the posts on this forum using the words ’lighting’ & ’kelvin’ to hopefully pull up some discussions. I see you do have undercab lighting but upgrading that to a newer & brighter LED light style that covers the entire underside or at least more of the cabinet will help too. Question - is this a 2 story house or is there a floor above the kitchen? Solatubes are a wonderful thing. Not a skylight & they bring light into windowless spaces.

@vinmarks are you thinking Maple bc of the lighter looking side panels? I wondered if that’s a trick of lighting.

The black stainless steel finish invariably peels/wears off within a couple of years. It's a definite no.

Really? Ouch

@jangll You tell the wood by the graining. I'm not sure what your floor is either but it doesn't appear to be oak.

KW and HU, what are your thoughts about the fact that what most bothers me about the cabinet is the cathedral styling? And if I kept everything and just did a soft white refacing? And change the lighting and the paint color?

Vinmarkks, the side panels don’t match. Not sure how that happened. They also don’t match the side panels on the other side. We can’t figure it out

@jangll Probably because the side panels are veneer.

The side panels are laminate, which doesn't change color over time, as the wood does. An expert finisher can apply plywood end panels stained to match the current color.

As far as the cabinet doors, they are far more attractive than the 15-20K expenditure it would take to reface them with new finished door and veneers for the faceframe. Now, if you just mean new unfinished doors, with a professional coming in to do the paint finishing on site, you can reduce that to 12-16K. Professional finishing is expensive, but refacing is even more expensive. It will take you up to the cost of low end new cabinets.

With the cabinets already being pretty nice, neither would be worth it to me. Your kitchen though, and if you want to spend 30K overall to refresh it, it's your money. But I think you would be surprised at what new counters, a backsplash, and better lighting can do. For much less money than changing out the cabinet appearance.

@jangll I’m really agreeing with @User take on your kitchen. I would take one step at a time doing your updates. I’d work on lighting first bc it makes such a difference to get rid of the yellow. Get LED daylight color in there! Many say 4K but that’s bright unless you have a dimmer switch. I went with 3500K for my under cab. All my pot lights are also LED type daylight color. Wow - the difference it made. LED bulbs cost more but last so long many people were taking them with them when they moved. 😳 You’ve already decided to change all appliances. That’s huge. I already wrote that black SS won’t lighten up your kitchen but I didn’t mean that it won’t look good. Black SS is softer than appliance black. I also told you I have a black SS DW. It is a Kitchenaid & we’ve had zero issues with finish peeling as @HU-918119203 cautions. I had read about issues back when the black SS first came out & also read it’s much improved over the years. I also seem to remember the issues were not with GE, KA or brands like that. Do some research & reading - or even start a new thread topic here & ask for input. Back to the cupboards - understand you don’t like the “cathedral” style of top cupboards. What about changing some or all of the top cabs to glass insert doors? Wouldn’t have to be clear see through but maybe a reeded glass? Here’s a link to show similar to what I’m thinking Reeded glass You can search out reeded glass kitchen cabs for ideas.

I’m wondering if the shape of the cut out could be changed to rectangle to match the lowers. It would require some carpentry so you’d need to find a cabinet maker to ask if all doors can be cut & how much$$. Likely a whole lot less than refacing, repainting or replacing. As DeWayne says, the side panels can be fixed to match & they may look ok in person but the photo emphasizes the color difference. Lots for you to think about!

Oh my goodness. You have all been so helpful. Much to think about. We have already had an estimate on refacing. And you are right. We are impressed with the quality of product, but it is very expensive. I’m going to check out the upper cabinet door idea. We are already replacing some bulbs with daylight LEDS. I like these ideas!

Would you all suggest a light countertop and backsplash?

I wouldn’t suggest doing anything or making any decisions until lighting & appliance projects done!! Your granite is classic & will hold up for years in both style & wear. I personally like the tumbled travertine tiles but I have had them before & I now have a classic smaller subway that’s a tonal grey & white so I know how much it would change the look. You could change only the BS & keep counters AFTER lighting & appliances in & AFTER cabs done with whatever you decide. (I’m rooting for keeping & maybe doing the glass door tops). If you changed BS I think staying with the same scale of tile you have would be good. The counter has strong design element so it should be the star as it is now. BTW I have darker wood cabs & darker wood flooring than you do. I also have a north facing kitchen with north & east facing windows in dining area so I’m understanding your wanting to lighten up.

I love these ideas!

It sounds like you have a lot of warm, earthy tones in your kitchen, so I think your plan to refacing the cabinets with a warm white color is a great idea. Here are a few more suggestions to consider:

Choose hardware that complements your new cabinet color. Brushed nickel or brass could be great options.

Consider adding a pop of color with your accessories. For example, you could add some bright red or green accents with your dishware or kitchen towels.

Incorporate natural textures. Adding natural textures like woven baskets, jute rugs, or a wooden cutting board can help balance out the hard surfaces in your kitchen.

Install under-cabinet lighting. Under-cabinet lighting can help brighten up your workspace and showcase your new cabinet color.

Add artwork or decorative tiles. A piece of colorful artwork or a decorative tile backsplash could add some visual interest to your kitchen.

Overall, I think your plan to refacing the cabinets with a warm white color is a great starting point. Adding complementary hardware, natural textures, and pops of color can help bring everything together and create a cohesive look in your kitchen. Good luck with your project!

I plan to change wall color and appliances. I’d like to try to keep granite and travertine (you’re right). Just because I’m trying to pick my battles. The cabinet colors are deep cocoa or a medium warm brown. Was thinking of doing white on top and dark on bottom. I’m so confused trying to decorate around the floor and the counter

If you're picking battles, keep the cabinet color as is and change the tile backsplash and counters. The travertine with the granite looks off whereas the cabinets and floor look fine.

Then change the door handles and add under counter lighting and better lighting above.

You both have me rethinking this. I will change to black stainless steel appliances.

Um no. Do some research and you'll see the finish on black stainless doesn't hold up. And good luck trying to match if you need to replace an appliance in a few years.

I just don’t like the cabinet style, so I hope to reface them. I think I can live with the yellow floor and granite countertop. The kitchen is a dark room in the am, so I thought a white cabinet would brighten it up. It’s just vanilla and yellow everywhere!

Cabinet refacing is almost as expensive as replacing cabinets.

Plus are you ok with all your lowers being cabinets versus drawers? Are you fine with the layout as is?

Why do you want the microwave kept over the stove. That is the most unsafe place for a microwave. Never mind that the vent hood under a microwave is basically useless. (Ask me how I know.)

Cabinets appear to be maple not oak.

Agree.

Would you all suggest a light countertop and backsplash?

Absolutely yes.