What length of time are you willing to keep the layout the cabinets and the floor? Id debate the thought in my mind of replacing everything when i had the funds / so more likely to do nothing until that time. For now …whatever reason the counters must go , id use formica / leave cabs as is. Good luck.

Painting cabinets can be risky. It depends so much on the prep and the skill level of the person doing the job. If they are in good shape, I would leave them as is and just focus on the countertops. Although you didn’t ask, you could also enhance the appearance of your kitchen by changing the floors. Good luck.

If you keep the natural stained cabinets I would change out the island to look more like a furniture piece that has been recommissioned as an island in a distressed painted dark finish.

I might consider a butcher block top for the island.

I'd leave the cabinets as is. Quality paint jobs with a durable factory finish are nearly as much as new cabinets. Other paint jobs tend to fail and chip. Refacing is rather expensive too and perhaps not worth it given that these look like good cabinets in decent condition.

I would finish or find some other way to paint the end of the island. It looks incomplete.

I can understand why you would not want tile counters. Redo the counters and enjoy your kitchen.