Hmmm, so on my screen you can't see the whole option. Basically it is:

1- paint the cabinets white
2- stain them dark

Go green, enjoy it just the way it is and take a wonderful vacation. . . . maybe some plants would be good........

Your problem is not the color of the cabinets. Before you paint the cabinets, I would

-paint the walls a lighter beige color in your stone fireplace (Including switch plates)
-remove the odd wall with the arch---looks odd and is closing the space.
-remove all of the stuff from the top of the cabinets

If you have some $, install a backsplash.

I like "A Crew of Two"s suggestion for the cabinets. Keep the kitchen open and light - you want it welcoming and comfortable. depending on the brown/dark shade, it can very easily become dated very quickly.

So my suggestions:
Cabinets - an off white - more white than cream, gray, or yellow
Hardware - oil rubbed bronze (or similar darker coloring)
Paint - a bit bolder than that suggested above - look at the stone wall and find a rich color you like and play with it - that will help liven things up and is always easy to change
Chairs - update to coordinate with the new colors in the kitch - paint to match the cabinets, the wall color or a combination of the two.

If you still have a few dollars after that:
Lights: update the exsiting fixtures to coordinate with the hardware you pick for the cabinet - will add depth, interest, and look put together - keep in mind what you have in the living room though
Decoration pieces: update to coordiante with your new kitchen, HomeGoods, flee markets, yard sales, other rooms in the house - can help keep cost down

As you go thru your update, keep in mind your eating area and the surrounding rooms. At the end of the day, you still want everything to flow together. maybe you can't do it all at once, but keep the big picture in mind.

Hope this is helpful and good luck.

Instead of refinishing your kitchen table, which looks too large for the area, I would look for a narrower parsons or farm style table. Either one would go with just about any type of chair if you decide to replace your current ones in the future.

Instead of painting your cabinets, which I think look fine, spend your money on new countertops, starting with the island. Make it all the same height and extend it off the back side to accommodate some cute, backless stools (no more pine). The current island top looks too small and the drop down shelf doesn't add much. If you can afford to redo all your countertops go for that and do a great backsplash as some one else has already suggested.

I agree that getting rid of that arch wall would update your kitchen as would a fresh new wall color.

I agree with cdrdesign. Leave the cabinets as is.
Paint the walls a warm beige or gray that matches the stone. The green with all that wood gives it a dated country look.
I would change the countertop to a darker color. Doesn't have to be stone, if that's not in the budget. A formica counter that looks like stone can work but it has to be a darker tone than the cabinets and floor, for contrast.
I like the tin backsplash idea.
Remove the low shelf by the stools and make the island countertop even.
Change the light fixtures to something more modern.
Consider removing the wall with the arch doorway, if possible. I does seem to enclose the space more.
I like the idea of having black painted chairs with a wood toned table.

I think you have a great kitchen to work with.

Thanks for all the ideas! So I'm kind if thinking about doing the paint/counter thing. The island drives me crazy. The counter is so low that adults can't sit there. It even looks awkward when my 7 year old is trying to eat breakfast there.

I agree that the green looks dated. Whatever paint I use in the kitchen has to carry over into the living room because they share a common wall. My couches are beige/tan and green (It was hard to capture the color in the picture due to the window). Would using a grey or beige make the room too blah?

Right now the paint color dominates the room. If you paint it a more neutral tone you can add the contrast in accessories.

April, since you are on a budget, I would do this in stages and see how much impact each stage gives you. What will have the largest impact and is the cheapest is painting the walls.

Choose a tone from the lighter stones in the brick. Your furniture will look fine. We can help you perk things up with some awesome colorful, inexpensive accents.

So, how does it sound to you if you paint and then post pics.

If you are not redoing the countertop soon, can you get it moved up? You could get a price on this.

Please take a photo of the bookcases. I think we could paint them an accent color and really make an impact.

Anyone ever done a counter themselves? We're kind if out in the boonies in Wyoming, so not a lot of in the way of services. I'm not sure of where to even start on finding someone to do the counters...

So you have a Home Depot or Lowe's near you? They have a list of contractors who will give you a bid.

Also, try Homeadvisors.com

Bookcase, as requested :)

Hubby and I are struggling with this right now. He wants to fill the entire thing up with books. I want to get rid of some of them and space the others out to add more decorative items.

Closest Home Depot is about 70 miles away... I'll have to check them out to see if they can direct me to someone. I'm not sure is we have a Lowes in the entire state, lol. And I'll definitely check out HomeAdvisor. Thanks!! :)

April, wow you do live far out. Maybe a neighbor (If you have any, LOL)

Here is how awesome it looks to paint the back of a bookcase an alternative color. I would for sure paint the shelves white to match your trim.

What accent color would you like to introduce?

Are those purple drapes? Gosh, I don't think they will work.

[houzz=]

bookcase compromise: you can do mostly books, but add a few large accents, like your cat. That looks good. No little dinky things.

The curtains do look purple, don't they? They are actually grey.

What accent color do I want? I love warm, dark grey... but I guess that doesn't really count as a "color."

Haha, the cat came with the house. I love it, hubby hates it. I really like the bookcases that you posted!

here is another idea for the cabinets. I would do the island cabinets a different color than your wall and base perimeter cabinets. [houzz=]

diyher, I like those cabinets. Do you think they would work with white appliances? And what for the island?

Well I noticed the kitchen I posted had white counter tops and I know you already have white counter tops :) that was why I posted it. I think it would go good with white appliances. You might be able to stain the island a bit darker and it should go nice. Search if for stained wood island and you should come up with a lot of different options. http://www.houzz.com/stained-wood-island

Look into Rustoleum Transformations for the countertops. It's diy and gets good reviews.

Take out the wall. That will make a huge difference.

You could always do a monochromatic theme and just paint the back of the cabinets a deeper tone of the firplace stones, which would look really nice.

Your chairs and couch are looking really tired and seem too large for the space. If I were you, before I spent $ on kitchen counters, I would replace the furniture.

Your countertops look like laminate. If you want to stick with that and are a bit handy, or have a husband who is, you can order one for the island with a cut out for your stove top and install it yourself. It is not that hard and I am sure you can find help on line or at Home Depot. Once you remove the drop-down bar you may have to redo that area, which makes me suggest that you face the island on all three sides with wainscoting type material and paint or stain it a different color. You could also get a different/darker color for your island top. That would be a relatively inexpensive fix and make your island more useful and appealing.

I used Rustoleum Transformations on mu oak bedroom furniture. Linen base with a brown glaze. It gave the same look as the picture Diyher posted. Between your white appliances and stone wall, I think it's a better choice.

Newjerseyaccents, how long did it take you to do the Rustoleum Transformation? I bought some to use on some end tables and it is still just sitting in the garage because I'm scared, lol.

I would paint the cabinets a richer brown that is found in the stone. I would paint the island cabinet a contrast color of choice. Maybe distressed sage green or seaglass green. Blue or blue-gray island cabinet if you change the wall paint too. Spray paint the bar stools, off white like the appliances or add a third accent color on the stools to the mix that you can also add in colored accessories.

@ April, I would think a project like the one you want to do to take 2 days (not all day, mind you). 1st day you would de-gloss the finish and clean it. The furniture gets a little damp. Later in the day you can do the base coat. It drys quickly. If you are doing a glaze and have no experience, like me, it will take a while to get the hang of it. You have to work with it while it is still wet, doing one surface at a time. Over-lapping a coat of glaze will give you a really bad look. If you do make a mistake, you can paint over it with the base coat again and start that surface over. In time you will get the hang of how much pressure to use to get the desired look. Use more glaze than less. The less glaze, the faster it dries, making it difficult to work with, with more you have time to work with it and can wipe off the excess as you go. The last is the top coat, very simple. Go for it. Attached are pictures of the 2 pieces I did. The smaller pieces looks yellowish because of the flash. These pieces were both 1980s oak. As you can see from the 6 ft. dresser, crevasses are difficult to work with.

New Jersey, my understanding is that the glaze is optional. Correct?

I agree with various ones who said the problem is not the cabinets, it's the green walls. the medium green makes the cabinets too orange. A pale tan or greyish color taken from the stone would make things fit better.

The island is - SURPRISE - a rather quick cheap fix. Take the stupid ledge off, patch the holes or apply beadboard and molding, and paint the entire island a nice bright accent color. If the budget can stand it, consider having a new top for the island that extends out a bit more on the sides and a new cooktop.

"Anyone ever done a counter themselves? We're kind if out in the boonies in Wyoming, so not a lot of in the way of services. I'm not sure of where to even start on finding someone to do the counters..."

You could easily do the island counter yourselves ... it's just two chunks at the sides of the slide-in range with a connecting piece behind. The sides go on, are anchored in place, and the connector gets super-glued in place on the back support.

I have been looking into the concrete counters. Bet you could order all the stuff you need and have it shipped to your house. This site had a lot of good info. http://www.everything-about-concrete.com/concrete-countertop.html
I am going to try the ones that you pour in place. They are very reasonable if you do them yourself, expensive otherwise.

Yes, cdrdesign, the glaze is optional.

It is not about the cabinets per se, I believe you can get an appliance package of stainless steel at sears bet 2-3K and add a darker counters and your room will pop. The profile on your cabinets is modern, not really a reason to change color and then hate them even more.

Hi April,
I'm just going to throw this out there.....It seems to me the stone fireplace dates the kitchen. It reminds me of the stone used here in SoCal in the early 70's. Is there a way to encase the back side of the fireplace wall and sides facing into the kitchen, and still leave the stone on the other side? Maybe the "Pros" can comment on this idea and what materials could be used?
I agree, the green wall color dates the space, a warm white would brighten the kitchen and living room.
Being a perfectionist of sorts, I've refinished numerous pieces of wood furniture and would think twice about painting your cabinets unless you are a really good painter. You mentioned in one of your posts that you were "scared" to do the end tables.......... Painting your kitchen cabinets is a much more arduous task to make them look good. If you're set on painting them, I'd start by practicing on wood planks first to get the finish you're looking for.
Good luck with what ever you decide, I can't wait for your progress photos!!

I think LB Interiors has the best idea, your husband would probably like the dark cabinet color which would balance the stone, the island would be pretty in a sea glass like color, and you could use the sea glass color as an accent in the living room, with existing furniture. I would use a paint color almost as dark as the island color for the wall color, and use it on all the walls. Then pick up different tones of that same color for pillows and art work and a vase or bowl on the table.