Use Annie Sloan chalk paint...no sanding,comes in many colors.Google it

I wouldn't want to paint those cabinets! they are really pretty. I think you could change things quite a bit with the darker floors you mentioned, new wall paint, pendants and a counter that ties the wood tones and appliances together. Some pros will probably offer some good advice here.

I would not paint cabinets - they are gorgeous! U can update by changing island top to granite or caesarstone in a lighter color, adding some colorful cushions to the 3 stools, and having glass panels put in a few upper cabinets. Also a colorful bowl on counter or island and a different color of paint for walls

I just saw this kitchen (second image) in a article here on backsplashes - their wood reminds me a bit of yours. Love how their counter/stainless backsplash and cabinets all "relate." More modern than yours, but the base materials should work in the same way. Here is a link to the discussion if you are interested.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-add-a-kitchen-backsplash-stsetivw-vs~23236753

I understand your dilemma. (We installed custom natural maple.)
Your cabinets really are lovely.
I agree with Clay Aragon about updated lighting.
Regarding your new granite: Ours is a black polished granite with speckles of tans and bronze. (Santa Fe, I think)
I encourage you to think about having your granite peeps install whatever you select as a backsplash also... they will have parts of your slab left and it might not be as expensive as you think. (in lieu of a tile backsplash) It is tremendously easy to clean and seamless.
Recommend under- cabinet lighting also to feature your new investment.
Best to you.

I agree also with all comments regarding your cabinets. Love hickory, don't paint. Im also a huge fan of concrete countertops- the look can vary, thats whats nice. They are also inexpensive, thats a plus. Your island would be a perfect fit. Love the idea of a darker floor also.

I wouldn't touch those nice cabinets, even the island. A new countertop would be great. Somethink like soapstone or leathered "Virginia Mist" granite would be great. Can you just refinish your floors? A dark color would be nice on the floor, but not a color with red tones. I'd look for a charcoal stained wood, kind of like these pictured floors. I think your current cabinet color is just beautiful with the metal of your pendant lights and I'd work with deep grays and charcoal colors for floors and countertop. Boy do I hope you don't paint any of those cabinets!!!
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Dont paint the cabinets! What you need is COLOR and more dramatic lighting! Your countertop is boring too.. sorry but it is... Things mentioned above, black granite counter top, updated lighting, and undercabinet lights would really make a difference.. Then add splashes of BRIGHT color.

Agreed that a concrete island countertop would be very nice, stained charcoal maybe:) Also, maybe industrial type stools with steel/metal.

Stef - do you like neutrals or color? You could certainly add color as some have suggested, but it's a gorgeous room in just neutrals (sort of a Restoration Hardware look).
I had Corian countertops and recently wanted to "update" my kitchen without spending an absolute fortune. I chose to just get an amazing leathered natural quartzite island only countertop and leave my perimeter counters and backsplash alone. I tried very hard to choose a quartzite that would coordinate and combine with all the other stuff in the kitchen but worried it wouldn't work. The good news, it worked very well and now I'm perfectly fine with my old perimeter Corian and the new island countertop really transformed my kitchen. Since your kitchen is so nice already, a more limited change like that might be all you need to just about feel like you have a new kitchen.

It's simple. Embrace the hickory by replacing the countertops with granite and a stacked stone back splash. As far as the floors go 2'x4' black slate tile with black grout. And of course change your lighting to that black iron pendants.

Thanks so much! Ive confirmed i will not be painting them thanks to all your advice. Great input- sounds like new countertops is a consensus among the posts. Lots of great ideas, I've considered changing out the pendants too- now I definitely will! Thx for the links too. Grateful :)

Whew! So glad to hear you won't paint those cabinets:)

Being a painting contractor I wouldn't paint these.. they look great. Update the hardware, possibly new counter tops. Good luck:)

Lovely cabinets, glad you're not painting them, How about sanding and staining floors darker, cheaper than repalcing

Thank you- unfortunately the floors are laminate so I can't refinish them. Appreciate all the suggestions! Keep them coming.

I really like your hickory cabinets. They are beautiful. I'm less excited with all of the gray in the room. I have said this before on here...to me gray is a cold color and your cabinets are warm. I don't know what your adjoining space looks like but I think I would consider a change of paint color as well as a warmer color for the backsplash and counters.
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It looks somewhat crowded. For the amount of space, the usable counter space seems limited.

I would revisit the configuration of your cabinets, with the goal of opening up the space. You could perhaps make the island deeper by repurposing some of your upper cabs plus shelving.

If you sand and then put a light stain on them it will reduce the crowded look. Look into the Timberlake Rushmore spice color. http://www.timberlake.com/collections/rushmore/
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I am considering taking out the rails of the plate rack and just having an open cupboard area there. Plate racks seem a bit country style to me now. Thoughts on that please. Also I am considering painting the glass portion of this pantry door with chalkboard paint. Looking again for your advice or other ideas!

I am considering taking out the rails of the plate rack and just having an open cupboard area there. Plate racks seem a bit country style to me now. Thoughts on that please. Also I am considering painting the glass portion of this pantry door with chalkboard paint. Looking again for your advice or other ideas!

Taking out the plate rack is a good idea! The pantry door is ok... kind of cute.
I do like the hickory wood, and you should keep it. See my profile for examples of what I mean by opening up the kitchen.... ;-) S*

If you go with a granite countertop, you could put in a decorative strip where the 4" counter back lip is now, and not have to remove the tile backsplash you have now, which is perfectly fine.

I would keep the hickory. They are beautiful. I would update the knobs and lighting change to a light quartz on back counters. I would put some color on the backsplash in tile and change the island to something like this. This is better not to much dark. Google hickroy kitchens and look at the ones with dark counters and dark walls. etc. they look too dark. This kitchen had light and dark. It gives it interest but not to much dark.

if you aren't up for staining cabinets, i think something like this would be nice. similar to what some have recommend above. for more lights, perhaps add a few pot lights under upper cabinets? changing the backsplash would be good too. just something to give contrast cause the whole room seems to be into one tone.. even the light fixtures are matching. hope this helps somewhat.

Since you mentioned you like white, leave the cabinets, add a white subway tile backsplash, replace the pendants with some larger, white "schoolhouse" style pendants, and if you have the funds, replace the perimeter counters with honed black granite and use white carrera or solid surface that is similar for the island countertop. That will lighten things up and give you a more current look. Also, replace the barstools with something other than wood. The Kartell Louis barstool would look great.

Kartell Louis Ghost stool

You could get rid of plate rack - could you get new cupboard doors that would be same size as the ones on other side of stove or would you leave that space open? not sure you need to change pantry door unless it really bothers you :)

I’m just getting back around to this entry..... @stef what was the kitchen remodel out come? I’d love to see the pictures 😁

I too would like to know what the outcome was. I have hickory cabinets too. I love them. They have darkened over the years compared to the interiors of the door. but that is to be expected with oil based poli. floors also yellow over time unless you go with a dark stain.