I would not touch the cherry cabs or the granite. No way.

I would change the backsplash tile- or alternatively, just remove it and paint the wall. I would add under cabinet lighting. And I might also consider a few additional, relatively minor, changes.

Do not paint the cabinets.

- Consider removing the fridge panel and show the stainless steel.

- Add under cabinet lighting.

- Add more glass to the upper cabinets.

- Reupholster the stools

If you change the counters, backsplash and paint, the kitchen will look different. If you paint them, you'll turn really high-end cabinets into something that could be from IKEA.

Glad to hear you are thinking about the backsplash, as it is the most dated thing in the room.

What are the colors in the countertop? Do I see aubergine and lime? That would be so cool with all the orange wood. I could see a muted lime ceiling and glossy aubergine tile backsplash. But it all depends on what the real colors of the stone are. Do you have a whole house color scheme?

I would not paint those beautiful cabinets. I think freedomplace 1 has the best idea with undercabinet lighting and a bright new backsplash. The shelf and cabinet over the stove is confusing. A sleeker hood ( all steel or creamy white ?) could open up that space especial if echoing ther color of the backsplash which also could be painted on the Island base. Stools could also be brighter with paint and or cushions. (do you really need all four of them?To make it bright as possible I would use a warm white to go with the warm wood, but a very light but muted buttercream or sage could work. It would be a shame to replace the good stone but you could just replace the island top with a less patterned and smaller size slab in the same shade as the lightest color in the countertops.

The cabinets are beautiful, but it hard when you are so ready for a change. And you do have a a lot of wood. Changing out the countertops and backsplash may be enough of a change to help you out of the slump but if not, paint and give yourself another 18 years to enjoy your kitchen. You don’t have to paint all of the cabinetry. You can do painted on uppers and leave the bases as they currently are.

Consider painting just the island and/or the small area with the red canisters.

I can’t see the entire walls of cabinets in your photos. You have a lot of upper cabinets. Can you reconfigure the upper cabinets to get rid of the upper corner cabinet to the right of the window so you have a straight run of cabinets to the wall on the left side of the range? Remove/reconfigure the upper cabinet to the left of the window. This creates more wall space around the window. Add a light over the sink and extend your new backsplash to tile around the window area.

Maybe change the granite in the small area with the red canisters. Put a black granite or soapstone there that you run up as the backsplash. Add under cabinet lighting. Turn that area into a coffee/beverage/bar area

No way would I paint those beautiful cabinets. Nor would I change out the granite counters…They are gorgeous!

Your designer most probably wants you to replace the counters with white quartz, which contains a great deal of plastic resins, is trendy, and boring. Your granite has the depth of real stone, and is a stunning focal point.

Changing out the dark green backsplash for something lighter, is where I’d start. As others have mentioned, add under cab lighting. You'd be surprised what a difference they make. Also, take down the tchotchkes from on top of the hood. And, change out the pendants over the island for something more opaque.

I would love sugestions on backsplash tiles. I could not find anything that looked good with the granite. I am however committed to switching the granite because it has a lot of rings and dullness. I I keep the cabinets natural and keep the island pendants becausde they are new. What would the community suggest for surfaces, tile cabinet knobs and sink?

No to painting those very nice cabinets. Regarding your stone, have you considered having a stone restoration company refresh them? I mention that because I think your stone looks beautiful. I’m ( unfortunately ) stuck with boring white quartz put in by the previous owner. Contrary to what most say, it is not bulletproof, it stains easily & I have to be careful not to place hot items on it.

My mom did an update in her last home and changed appliance, counters, backsplash, and knobs and that was enough for it to really look fresh and new

No to painting the cabinets -- they're beautiful and stand the test of time.

If you are going to change your countertops, I would wait to select a backsplash tile until after everything new is installed. There are MANY, MANY, MANY tiles - you need to match/coordinate your backsplash tile to the rest of the elements in the kitchen (countertops/cabinets/floors). Unless none of those elements are changing, it's not time to select an exact tile.

I understand the desire to change your cabinets. I've had all stained wood cabinets for awhile - I understand wanting/needing a break from so much stained wood. I do think that the renderings that @Emily posted above look nice. While I know that white uppers with stained wood lower cabinets was a recent "trend" over the last few years, combining painted white uppers with stained lowers (or a stained island) has been done for decades.

I also think that the sage green cabinets look nice - however, I see that as more of a recent trend. While I've read that it's considered a neutral color, I personally don't feel like it's a true neutral. I would worry that I'd want to change it after a few years (again, that's just a personal opinion - many others feel differently about them).

The good news is that you have very nice cabinets (+ a nice kitchen) = a great starting place for a refreshed/updated kitchen - whether you decide to paint them or leave them in their current state.

I'm interested to find out what you decide to do - make sure that you post photos when you're finished! Also, once you've decided on whether to paint/not paint your cabinets + selected a new countertop, it will be fun to help you find some backsplash tile options!

Have you considered having the cabinets refinished in a lighter stain? I applied a sand colored stain to a deeply colored mahogany door. I achieved a light hickory color.
I agree with changing the backsplash to something lighter.
If you decide to change your countertops, please don’t go with quart. It’s a material composed of crushed stone, resins, and dyes. It is heat resistant for about 10 seconds. Then the resins start to degrade.

@Juanita Hagan I suspect you have more than just a kitchen in your home, and the kitchen needs to relate to it. That's why I asked if you have a whole-house color scheme. You'll save yourself a lot of angst and money if you develop one based on the colors you love. Try following this simple guide and living with the idea a few days: https://www.fromhousetohome.com/whole-house-color-scheme/
​You could add a lot to the room by painting color on the ceiling to coordinate with the countertops.
Thanks for explaining why you need to replace your stone countertop. Did a previous owner put the rings on there? Some people don't know that many stones need to me sealed, especially if they are new to homes and don't fully understand what they bought. I agree with @K Laurence that you should find out if your current stone countertops can be repaired and the stains removed. Most can. Your countertops look really beautiful to me, probably the most interesting thing in the kitchen.
​
If you don't like the idea of having to regularly seal your countertops but want a stone one that you can put hot pots and pans on, consider non-porous antimicrobial soapstone. Every counter has its issues and soapstone is no exception. It will scratch more easily. But you can easily hand-sand out any offensive scratches. This is not regular maintenance only a rescue. Oil will temporarily make a dark mark on it but it will fade away and is not a big deal. If you are concerned about chipping, consider a bullnose edge. They come in grey, but many greys: light grey, near black, green grey, blue grey, with or without veining, with or without a touch of a rust color. A black countertop in natural stone can help tame the too-much-wood feel you got with having a wood floor and wood cabinets. https://www.soapstones.com/
You couldn't find any backsplash tile that looked good with your granite? What did you try? Do you still have the samples? It looks like a green to match the green in the countertops or burgundy for contrast would work beautifully. You could have under-cabinet strip lighting to get rid of all the outlets. And I hope you already have under cabinet lighting, but if you don't, get it. Nothing ruins a good backsplash like a bunch of contrasting outlets. They should at least be less contrasty.
If you want new hardware, go shopping to a place where you can feel the hardware in your hand and see if feels good in your hand. But first get an idea for what you want and why. You have knobs. Are they difficult for you to use? You may have to choose new hardware that is limited to a single hole for mounting, so... different knobs? Or if you get a handle looking thing with a single mounting knob, know that sweaters will get caught on them. Mine do that now and I'll be glad when they are gone.

It's really a beautiful kitchen. I understand your wanting to change things after living with the stained cherry cabinets for 18 years. I had the same type of cabinets, and would have kept them when I renovated, but I needed to change the layout. I donated them instead of trashing or painting them because I found someone who really loved them.

However, I would definitely change the granite counter tops and the backsplash. I really dislike most granites, and I would probably select a lighter stone, either marble or a white granite. And then get a backsplash to coordinate AFTER the new counter tops are in.

Here are some natural wood kitchens that I absolutely love:

Natural wood with white counter tops and backsplash:

Rustic Reclaimed Chestnut · More Info

Combination of white and natural wood:

Rustic Reclaimed Chestnut · More Info

Fox Hill Farm · More Info

Arts & Crafts Kitchen · More Info

Dark counter tops (soapstone maybe? or dark granite?) and white backsplash:

Ireland in CT · More Info

Craftsman Kitchen · More Info

Ireland in CT · More Info

Juanita I took a glance at your idea books. It seems you really are craving the light and bright kitchen and based on the fact that you have hired an Interior Designer I think you likely have a true interest in changing your kitchen and the budget to do so. Here is the thing, your cabinets are quality and appear to be in excellent shape and I am guessing your hesitancy to just go in full throttle on the changes your deisgner is making is due to the fact that you know that modifying your existing cabinets is questionable.

There are things you can do here to really change the look and give your space the lighter and brighter elements you want. I would consider doing the following to break up the abundance of wood in the space

1 bring in the lighter counters . Choose one where the movement is larger and there are more crystals in the granite. Make sure it still has a touch of warmth in it to not look stark against your cherry wood. (Pantagonia shown here)

2. install an apron sink. This touch of warm white will significantly brighten the space and break up the wood

3 move to all polished nickel hardware and mix it up using a sleek cup pull on drawers and a combination of pulls and knobs with a back plate on remaining cabinet doors

4 to really change the look consider a waterfall counter at the island to break up all the wood

5 choose a warm but light backsplash

6 new pendent lights

7 new polished nickel faucet

8 lighter counter stools

9 eliminate the clutter on and around the cabinets to showcase the clean aesthetic

Thank you so very much for your suggestions and photo's! Your assessment is 100% correct. I will start the process of getting pricing for your recommendations!

Design interior south gave you a perfect look!

You could also use a white quartzite for your counter tops.

Other white granites are

Colonial White

Bianco Romano:

River White

Thunder White:

But you need to see the actual slabs in person to make the best decision.

This is such a difficult decision but I so appreciate all of the pics and suggestions. I will be posting more as I get into my decision making. :)

I really like the one from Diana labeled "Ireland in CT". To me, so many others in this thread look "blah" or "meh", but that one stands out!

However, it's your Kitchen, so go with what you like and what "speaks to you". I do think you should stick with a natural stone of some sort over quartz, but, again, it's up to you. Note that not all stones need to be sealed. E.g., Absolute Black, Baltic Brown, Black Galaxy, Blue Pearl, Platinum Pearl, Verde Butterfly, Verde Peacock, and many others are too dense to absorb any liquids - sealers included.

Yes, that's one of my all-time favorites, Buehl!

I have both Danby marble and Jet Mist granite in my kitchen and I've never sealed either. They are just fine.

Without trying to influence any countertop choice, it saddens me to think that granite can be categorically dismissed just because it was once too popular. Granite is the foundation material of continents. Without granite, Earth would not have stable landmasses, long-lived mountain ranges, or the environmental stability that allowed complex life to evolve on land. If you love your granite, think on that. If you don't, that's ok too. Really. 🥴

The yellow of the flooring doesn't work so well with the cabinets. Would you consider changing the flooring? I might suggest a thin brick veneer flooring to compliment your existing cabinetry.

I love the floors! I vote for keeping the real wood!

I also like Ireland in Ct and actually prefer the black stone with the white veining with my cabinets ....I think :/ But is that going to take me right back to the dark kitchen I am trying to get away from. Will creamy/white backsplash solve that problem? What do ya'll think? Thank you!

Lighting will make a big difference. If you have sufficient lighting, the Kitchen will be brighter. Layer the lighting so you have options - task, overall, "atmospheric". Be sure to include dimmers for ALL lighting.

Don't count on "natural light" - in most parts of the country (USA), natural light is generally only available in the middle of the day most of the year. Once twilight hits - usually when prepping and eating dinner - you will need interior lighting.

The countertops in the Ireland in CT photo are soapstone which comes in several varieties from black to gray to green.

Personally I prefer light countertops. But you should take a look at darbuka's kitchen for inspiration. It's beautiful. Here are a few photos I found of it. She may weigh in on her experience with soapstone:

Juanita, your second guessing your statements above. You agreed you wanted a "lighter and brighter" kitchen. Now you are questioning it. Ask yourself what the first thing you requested was when you hired the interior designer? Your idea books contain lighter kitchens. It sounds like when you hired your designer you gave them that feedback as well , hence why they suggested painting the cabinets. Now you are second guessing your dream. This tells me you are easily driven to doubt by others suggestions. Step back and away from the decision making and really think about the inspiration images you have saved and what specific element in each one of them individually makes you love them. I mean be specific........it could be one single thing in that image. Like the unlacquered brass faucet or the counter or the cabinet color etc. Then on the flip side pick out something you dislike in each photo. Create a list of love vs dislike. You will find a pattern in your choices. This will narrow down and pin point exactly what you need to do to change your space.

@Juanita Hagan what do I think? I know that if your problem is a dark kitchen your solution is more lighting. No amount of white surfaces will ever make a room lighter without more light. Tell us about your current light sources.

I don't see under cabinet lighting in your photos. Did you choose to turn them off or do you just not have them?

I do have under Cabnets lighting. It wasn't on in the original pics. Thank you everyone!

I'd also love suggestions on what to do about the white switche's and outlets. Is there an affordable way to camoflage when I am renovating?

Have you considered temporarily covering your backsplash and counters to see if that gives you the lightness you are seeking without painting your cabinets? Choose a day when you have little cooking planned and cover your backsplash with pieces of foam core or poster board (you could even paint the board a softer color than stark white). Maybe use a white sheet to cover the counters then see how it looks throughout the day with your lighting.

Jaunite we use the 22 system outlets in our kitchen renovatios in our backsplashes because they are less noticable

https://22system.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo20nE6o2XU9hiFulvceGFO8TKN-VWCZSXhSO_HPmDpj9iLdbXx

If those are not a possibility then choose an outlet color that is closest to your backsplash color. Example your current tile i would have specced black outlets as they would have been more subtle. Or better yet a soft olive green or gray.

There are several manufacturers wh make colored outlet and switchs

Lumens

https://22system.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo20nE6o2XU9hiFulvceGFO8TKN-VWCZSXhSO_HPmDpj9iLdbXx

and Legrand

https://www.legrand.us/wiring-devices/designer-switches-and-outlets?srsltid=AfmBOoqTh_U3p3Jjw3UXHNZLx3uCijqiqzYwTHHSzYXLJ62LR8WMDTh-

and Lutron

https://www.lutron.com/us/en/controls/dimmers-switches

all offer a variety of colors in their outlets and plates now

I've used Lutron and I and my clients have been very happy with them.

following

It seems to me that you could do everything but painting the cabinets, even one step at a time, to lighten the kitchen, then decide if that gives you the change you need. I had cherry cabinets and white oak floors in my last home, though not nearly as high end. I loved them. In the home before that, I had white cabinets, and that is what my new home has. I didn't hestiate, since I had liked them before. I wish so much I had the cherry cabinets again. FWIW.

I agree, keep the cabinets wood…and reconsider the backsplash and the countertops. I know some people on here love the granite, but it is very busy and dark. The suggestion about covering the counters with white posterboard to see how you like the look of something lighter is a great one. Buy some white Bristol board and some masking tape and go for it. Take photographs!

Your granite looks similar to the typhoon bordeaux i used in my last house. I had cherry cabs, a travertine backsplash and tile floor. i really liked it. You could start by removing the green backsplash and live with it for a while. travertine may be a backsplash option.

It's been a while, but I am still intent on a kitchen update. I found these two quartzites and would love your thoughts. I will have to search for more Taj Mahal (bottom photo)

because this is

the only slab at the stone store.

I was surprised by how light my Santa Rita soapstone turned out to be. And I am so besotted with the color... like a spruce or eucalyptus... frosted almost.

Primary bathroom · More Info

I would look for the least veining, lightest slap I could find. If you are going to bother then be sure the trouble and expense make the biggest difference possible. What did you decide about the back splash? Use the same product/slab for all!!!

I like the idea of forgoing a lot of grout lines in a tile backsplash, but I'm not confident that using the counter material is the right answer. It feels like an idea that's not quite there yet. Not that I've got the answer, but I'm trying large-format rectified porcelain tile for entire walls. So far I like it. But I bet it could go wrong too.

Taj slabs can go creamy, taupe or gray. I don't thing the creamy light beige version is a good match for cherry.

Please do a search here on white quartzite staining. Many people here have been beyond disappointed when their gorgeous white quartzite develops stains from water or whatever is used as a glue. See if you can get a sample to test, and ask the fabricator about how they seal and how they prevent staining. We don’t want you heartbroken!

Those here who have Taj Mahal quartzite have found it to be extremely durable (as well as beautiful.)

@kl23 your counters are beautiful!