Weddingbee boards

I personally don't think its that bad, but I guess im just SUPER easy to please. Good luck I hope you figure everything out =)

I agree with @caszos: also, a friend of mine painted her dark wood cabinets with white paint, and it really brightened up her kitchen.  She punched out a couple of the upper wooden cabinet middle pieces and replaced them with glass? plexiglass? to show off some of her dishes.  Then she added some red accent kitchen pieces,(your oranges really stand out nicely in the photos) like a new tea kettle, dishtowels, or maybe curtains would do the trick. :)

Those are some dark cabinets!  They kind of look like they're from the early 80s.  Are you opposed to painting them (I know people who hate painting over naturally finished wood).  You could probably strip them but it'd be kind of hard to do and then stain them to be a bit lighter (I don't think you'd get it that light though through staining since it's already that dark.)  Have you thought about changing the handles on the cabinets. to something like stainless steel or a bit more modern?

I'm wondering if you'd be able to remove some of the tiles on the wall (not all but every few or so) and put in varying colors to make a speckled look, that might make it feel a bit more modern as well?

You can crack tiles pretty easily and take a few out, just make sure you accurately measure the next tiles going in (you'll have to get a tile cutter).  Depending on how much work you want to put into it, you can do some neat stuff.  Different mosaics or really random patterns.  The pictures belows aren't really that random.

Edited to add pictures:

@abbyful: Your kitchen has great bones. I loved the entry way and the layout is really nice.

I agree that new lighter floors (much like the tiles you picked out) would be great. A new counter top sounds like a must if you are peeling paint.

What kind of countertop are you thinking? Granite, Corian, Laminate?

If cost is a factor, I would recommend the following to get the most bang for your buck.

1) peel and stick floor tiles. I used them in my bathroom and they look great and were so simple to install and a fraction of the cost of tiles.

2) Laminate countertops.  They make really good looking ones now.  Or you could even sand and paint over your current ones with laminate paint kits.

3) Remove the scalloped edging over the sink --I think it instantly dates your kitchen

4) Sand and paint your cabinets a lighter color. Add new hardware or spray-paint your current ones.

5) Add updated curtains and blinds.

6) Refinish your range hood to match your other appliances

7) Add a fresh coat of paint on the walls

Presto! New kitchen :)

@CaraMia10: LOL, I feel you on that one.

When FI and I were looking at houses that was one of the deal breakers we had.

No more white on white kitchens. (I think it comes from living in an apartment for so long)  White countertops + heavy wine drinkers = lots of annoying wine stains.

Can I just chime in and say I love your kitchen table?? So chic!

@caszos:

Ditto to all these suggestions.

@abbyful:

What did you have in mind for the tile you bought? a back splash around the counter top, the counter top? You can get laminate counter tops for fairly affordable amounts (we were quoted >600$ for our kitchen and we have a similar amount of counter space).Personally I love the look of stone counter tops, but it is too rich for my blood right now -- however if this house is a long term investment for you (25+years), you might want to consider saving some money to get something that will help add value.

Also, what kind of flooring would you ideally have in the kitchen? Hardwood, tile, laminate, cork, vinyl? What's you budget. Again, depending on how long you are staying, you'll have to gauge how worth the upgrade is to you. Kitchens & bathrooms are the two most expensive rooms in homes to renovate, but they also add the most value/percieved value to your home as well.

If I were you I would try and get a counter-top that contrasted to some degree with the cabinets[end product], as they are right now the two colours blend, so there is nothing to draw the eye or really define the area.

If the cabinets are staying dark I would go with a lighter toned floor, again to contrast & define spaces, as well as to lighten the room. If the cabinets were going to be lighter (i.e.:white) you have more leeway with the darkness/stain etc of the flooring.

I feel like the cabinets are really dark and close in the space. You mentioned re-surfacing, does that mean they are solid wood? If so you could re-finish & possibly replace the door fronts for a more modern look. Another option would be painting them. If budget allowed you could replace them entirely.

Also a new coat of paint never hurts.

Personally I feel like the doors and through way window dealies look a bit out of place somehow.