definitly repaint the walls in a moody grey in both rooms to unify the space. change the hardware on the cupboards and you will have transformed the space. if you want more, i would paint the cupboards a dark chocolate brown and eventually change the floor or cover it.

perhaps a blue wall colour

pick a grey/blue out of the countertop

I agree, painting the walls first would be best . Then see if it is really necessary to restain the cabinets.

We're using a gel stain in "java" in our kitchen and bathrooms, which have the same type and color as yours. It requires very little sanding, just a good cleaning really, and the mr. watched a couple of youtube videos for the how-to. But I would first paint the walls--you might not need to change the color of the cabinets.

Everything colour-wise in your kitchen is warm palette. And the easiest fix... perhaps the only one needed to balance the room is to change the wall paint to a cool colour- heather blue/light to medium greys or there are several nice greens out this year. I see many people go too light on their paint- just as bad as too dark! The level of colour that's best will depend on how much light & what kind of light your kitchen gets. The walls really will dictate what if anything more is needed. I would suggest a mossy grey green like Tree Moss or Lush ( http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/our-five-favorite-greens )but any cool tone can work. Be sure to get a small paint sample so you can paint a nice sample square or tape together samples for a large square so you can see how the light effects the colour-cast throughout the day. That will ensure you are happy with your walls & what if anything is next.

groveraxel how did you take the picture & change the background colors to see ideas of what it would look like? I need this done for my kitchen for ideas as well. I have the OLD wood panneling.......

Wow, I think the tangerine color is great! The cabinets are not so great. That milled-out detail will look cheap even if you paint them, so, new doors? I'd paint whatever you put up. You're gonna have to be good to work with that red! The counter top stone is subtle and very pretty. Olive green and tangerine reminds me of Marakech. Make it Moroccan!

We moved into a house with orange counter tops and goldenrod walls. The orange made everything look orange. First paint the walls. Then make your other decisions. The oak cabinets are dated so paint would be best suggestion. Once you do all that, you can evauluate your countertops; they may actually work. Last add a backsplash. You will have created a new kitchen with the least expense. groveaxle did a great job for you with his recolor to help you visualize. .

groveraxel I would also like to know how to change background of photos, it would be so useful instead of imagining results .. are u able to advise what product you use? Thanks

Don't forget the lighting!

Yes the big floresent light needs to go. But I love the big kitchen and once you finish it will really open it all up to that beautiful living room you showed us. Looks like a lovely house. Have fun putting your stamp on it. Its going to look great!!

I have the same cabinets and it took me about 3 yrs to figure out where to splurge. We changed the lighting FIRST, as it changed the look of everything else. THEN I neutralized the walls in a creamy off white color, (it softened the intensity of orange in the wood), put in darker flooring and a white carrara countertop. splurged on a fancy Grohe faucet and KEPT the cabinets. it seemed to me so wasteful to tear them out when they were in perfect shape. My kitchen is now bright and WOW. Sorry no pics at this time. It is so important to do the lighting first as the different kinds of bulbs reflect lighting differently. :) I'm an experienced DIYer Hope this helps

I really like what vichilds did with their darker cabinets with a very attractive back splash that is still light enough. Also, groveraxles stained cabinets look beautiful along with their wall color recommendation. I would highly recommend this. Something definitely has to be done with the existing cabinets and wall color. Maybe adding fun colors like the orange can be done in accessories.

The cabs seem to hang in midair. I would pull some down and add shelving that extends over the tops of the others to break up the line around the room. Paint the cabinets white!!!

http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/from-builder-grade-to-custom-grade/
The web site above shows how you can build a "box" and add crown to the ceiling to make the cabinets look custom. We are thinking of doing the same.

If you don't finish cabinets to ceiling, try painting cabinet & wall same color. Then change harware in contrasting color to make them pop.

I like the suggestion above of priming the walls first so you can imagine a new wall color more easily. I've found that Sherman Williams Absolute Beige is very modern neutral to the contemporary grey tone. It goes with nearly everything I've tried it with so far. At our house we painted the cabinets with Sherman Williams Oil Based White Paint in a Martha Stewart color. It is a lot of work but using a satin (don't let anyone tell you semi gloss is just as good) it made a great warm white color. For your cabinets I like the idea of leaving them as they are if the color change of the walls helps, using the Rustoleum kit or a darker paint for the base to coordinate with the top best.

P.S. Eventually we'll have new floor covering, new counter tops and we'll decide what to do about the stained exterior grade plywood that covers the walls! So far my only work has been revamping the cabinets. I did paint the interior backs of the cabinets with a surprising blue for when you open them

After the walls, that lighting over the island would be next on my list. It's the perfect place to add a bit of function if you like. Here's two examples of what we used in our remodel... still in progress- Pendants over the dining nook replaced an old ceiling fan & the lower light focuses the illumination down to the table much better. Over our peninsula, which is near our stove & oven, we opted for a pot & pan rack that is also a light. There are many styles of these and this again gives you better focused light for the area & added function. Hope this helps.

Definitely a ton of good recommendations for you. I know you said cost was a factor, but after painting the walls and staining the cabinets, I'd install a subway tile backsplash. This can tie the cabinets to the countertop to the floor, if the correct colors are chosen. I wish you the best of luck. Post some after photos for all of us to see as well.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7803177_paint-color-goes-oak-cabinets.html#ixzz2pmqnjwh2&

Some nice photos you might be inspired by

I think if you tone down the walls it would look a lot better. Plus changing out the cabinet hardware will make a big difference.

If cost is a major factor keep the cabinets as they are. Replace some of the shutters with etched glass to break the expanse of wood. and paint your walls a sunny yellow. If your budget permits, add a tiled backsplash in a neutral colour like cream or beige, so that you can change the look of your kitchen in a few years time by just changing the colour of your walls.

I would choose a backsplash tile that you love, then choose the paint color. It is much easier to start there than with a paint color. Perhaps you might remove some of the cabinet doors and either paint or wallpaper behind the open shelving. In the photo the island looks quite small for the room or is that an illusion?

There seem to be so many conflicting ideas-many of them excellent. With these ideas in mind, call in a qualified kitchen designer. In the long run, you may save money.

The trends in kitchens is to go light. Having said that, the other option is go dark with the cabinets. Once you decide that, select a neutral back splash that works with the floors and granite and then paint any color you like that works with the rest of the house. Good Luck

I agree with Barbara Griffith Designs in that the Rustoleum kits work great - they are not smelly and are easy to apply. I used this to refinish bath cabinets in the Espresso color. Good luck!

hi all,
here is the after..like I promised!! here is all that we did:
changed the wall color
put another recessed light above the island
changed the cabinet hardware to chrome
changed the light above the table
upgraded the switches
got a refrigerator..as it wasn't included.
thanks!!!

Excellent!

here is a pic without the table....

Well done!

Great Job!... little things mean a lot! Do you know the name of granite on island? Thanks.

thanks!!I dont know the exact name of the granite but here is a close match
http://www.marble.com/materials/granite/Verde-Sequoia

Also look for Alexandria Verde!

LOOKS FABULOUS!!!

Looks good. Your hard work paid off.

I like it. Great.

I wish that everyone who comes to houzz thinking they have to have new cabs, counter tops, and floor would read your story and see what a beautiful look can be accomplished with paint and creativity. Kitchen looks great.

I would suggest painting the cabinets a light grey or white. I would also replace only the upper cabinet doors with something similar to the bottom ones. Removing the arch would be a great change. Change/update the cabinet hardware. And please get rid of that hugh fluorescent light and put in something else. Maybe recessed lights?

Carrie If you scroll up a few posts you will see what they did and how great it looks.

You can actually SEE the space now! Looks great!

thank you all!!! The cabinets were in great condition so we decided to leave them as is!

Great 'after'! I wish my kitchen was so easy. It's a complete gut job. The good thing is that we were able to donate our old cabinets, (the good ones) and old appliances to Habitat for Humanity. If they can't use them, they recycle them and get the money for the scrap metal. Much better than just destroying them all.

Looks great!

Oh yikes! Change it quick.
It's hard to recommend one thing, since there are so many ways to go.
Word I'd advice: don't do it piece meal. Gather the materials and colors together that you are considering using and make sure they all work together, are available and in your price range. I can tell you that generally painting cabinets would be cheaper than staining. Look at Dahl for cost effective tiles. Subways are well priced but consider a different size than the standard to shake it up a bit.
You might consider adding a island. This kitchen looks huge!

Forgive me, I meant to say "bigger" island.

I would suggest replacing the fluorescent fixture before you select paint colors. Any warm color will look "off" in that light.

They look similar to my countertops. So my suggestion would be espresso cabinets, white subway tile and grey paint! I noticed this is an old
Posting, so what did you decide to do?

Oops. Here's my photo.

Sorry. It's not attaching.