The walls seem okay, once you tile the white areas. I would remove door and drawer fronts, paint the rest, and replace the fronts with more timeless (ie not oak) wood with an updated style. Alternatively paint it all a light creamy color to compliment the counters and wall. Granite is gorgeous!

Adivra, yes they bland well but do show wear where they have been opened. Maybe I can clean them and then use liquid gold afterwards. Any thoughts on the top wall color?

When you mention painting w/wood replacement doors and drawer fronts, how would they blend if not all painted the same color? I do like the earthy look. And thank you for the comment about the granite. It took many visits for several months to select it.

Like an old friend wearing a brown leisure suit. Nothing wrong with the color just everything else. Reface!

I would have cabinets painted an antique cream and do a brown glaze on them with nice orb cabinet handles and drawer pulls. For wall color a silvery grey has always pulled out some of the color in the granite and is a nice contrast too. Pittsburgh paints has a color visualizer on their website. You can use your own picture and then try out various paints. Crown moulding to top of cabinets is cheap to add and looks great. A nice iron drop down pendant light over island maybe something like the bell jar pendant at pottery barn?Good luck!

Many Houzzers have commented that painting oak is no easy feat. Consider that project carefully. As for wall color, it appears that your kitchen opens to the rest of the house. My suggestion is to keep all the walls the same color. I think it's better to see the space as a whole rather than making one room a focal point. The work you've done and will do in the kitchen will be very evident. That granite is really pretty, why compete with it? Try cleaning the cabinets with a product called Orange Glo. It does clean well and renews the appearance of the wood.

Could you just try putting new hardware on the cabinets and see how you like them?

http://deciture.com/shop/decor/world-market/turquoise-and-green-ceramic-watermelon-knobs-set-2/

http://deciture.com/shop/decor/world-market/aqua-bubble-glass-knobs-set-2/

I would use a white glaze for the cabinets and oil rubbed bronze hardware;) rest arrow on pic to enlarge.

Maybe a soft blue like BM Palladian blue for the walls;)

-- Hey beearly - get the biggest bang for your buck along with some drama - often overlooked for kitchens by the way - by painting the walls surrounding the cabinets a chocolate color. Your cabinets are nicely simple, in good shape, and a hassle to paint, seriously.

Adding some fabulous hardware to the doors and drawers, as well as stunning pendant light fixtures would be fantastic. Dark cabinets and walls will unify the space [no more slivers of light colors that break up walls]. Your beautiful new counter tops will pop out as well as the backsplash. You could do just about anything on the backsplash with the walls/cabinets simplified. The counter top/backsplash will be your focus in the space.

Task lighting would be installed in or under cabinets.

Going this more dramatic way takes a little bit more courage than what is usual, but thinking along these lines will produce more of a change for you, in an economical way.

I would paint the upper and base cabinets around your stove a medium creamish color...

- Hardware. These are brushed nickel or steel. A more updated look for your space. Antique brass, etc. would be too much in keeping with what you have now.

Put in the tile and then look at the cabinets.
In the meantime, be looking at new hardware, might be all you need.
Remember: Less is More.
Regards,
Karen & Joseph
for Decorative Philosophy

Older post?

If you want to paint them and possibly glaze the cabinets as well, you must fill the grain. After sanding and cleaning the cabinets you can apply a good spackle like Drydex. After it has dried then sand it smooth and apply your primer. If you choose to prime first. You might experience having a difficult time with the spackle bonding to the open grain, as it is now not as deep. Good luck