it may depend on personal preference; i would select one of those lighter creamy colours from the counter top or back splash. the expresso would really make counters/splash pop but it may also make the room feel dark. Do you prefer light and airy or dark and warm?

I like the espresso idea:)

With so many black appliances, the cream might work better than the expresso. I do wonder how expresso brown would look against black stove and fridge. What does the rest of the area beyond the kitchen look like? What paint is on the kitchen walls and adjoining areas? What kind of light of you get from the window and the interior lighting? You could also do cream on top for lightness and expresso below depending on the kitchen size. If it's small, breaking up the colors might be too jarring.

If you are retaining the black appliances, you will need another element to tie in the black if you go with white cabinetry. In this first photo, the appliances are black, cabinets are white and the countertop is black to tie in the appliances

One more white cabinets with black appliances

In this third photo, the cabinets are espresso and the appliances are black. The kitchen was warmed up with wood countertops; however, your kitchen would look good with the espresso and your current countertop :)

This next inspiration pic uses a gray and espresso. The gray is Benjamin Moore OC -85 Mayonaise and the result is stunning. Although SS appliances are in this kitchen the black looks good with gray cabinets. Hover over the pic to expand and click on the name for details.

Yep, the black appliances are why I'm thinking espresso, just as Denita just explained.

housegal200:
Thanks for your comments. windows allow lots of light. It's kitchen is small. The image shows area -- breakfast nook and family room -- right off the kitchen.

I disagree that countertops have to be black to tie in black appliances. How about more of a taupe color?



My cabinets were just like yours and I went with Benjamin Moore Cream Fleece - here's a pic of my kitchen.

White cabinets don't generally play well with black appliances unless you have enough room so that the appliances don't overwhelm. (nothing overwhelms better than a black refrigerator). If you're keeping the same layout you're going to have a big pile of black crowding up that corner. Espresso cabinets will disguise the balance issue somewhat. I'd invest in a beautiful sparkly glass backsplash and some well thought out recessed and undercabinet lighting for a dramatic effect. Also don't forget the floor. If that's vinyl I see, I think it really needs to be replaced will a clean looking stone or porcelain tile or hardwood depending on your preference.

did a houzz search for black appliances with "white" cabinets, not many options came up as most are stainless steel but this might give you an idea

I have seen better results painting oak cabinets a darker color since they have so much grain. Make sure you spray them. Good luck.