Yes, I have to agree that it would be too white. Is there any way that the cabinet finish could be taken off and redone with a clear finish?

You could go for a bold look with red cabinets, which would go with the white cabinets and appliances. You could accessorize with black & white.
(see link)

http://shilohcabinetry.com/photo/paintedimages.htm

Check out this pretty green & yellow kitchen. This green color, or many other shades of green would look good with your yellow tilework. I think yellow and green look wonderful together.
(see link)http://images.meredith.com/bhg/images/2007/07/ss_100028840.jpg

I think doing your cabinets white, too, would just bee too much white, unless you really accessorized to add some color.

I love white but that might be too much white.
Are you changing your backsplash?
If not what about a yellow? or whatever that square
color is? That might look bright but not be too white.

Yep too much.

It's a shame about that knob location--those cabinets look like a wonderful wood.

Yellow would be very nice, especially if you're keeping the tile. Or green...

I love the red color eliza linked to at http://shilohcabinetry.com/photo/paintedimages.htm but would like to see a softer backsplash with it, maybe something in a soft tan.

Or, how about painting them tan with a slightly darker glaze, with an antique brick backsplash.

Your cabinets are really in good shape. Are you going to change the location of the handles?

I am just finishing a minor facelift on my kitchen, I also didn't want to do white. I did a light grey green on the uppers & a medium on the lowers.
I should take another picture as I have changed over the green counter top to the right, it's all oak now!

{{!gwi}}

Thanks all!
I will be replacing the backsplash. With the cabinets, my first thought was to refinish them to a lighter finish, but with my almost 2 year old, I thought that I wouldn't have the time to do all that sanding to get rid of the dark finish.

Bigdoglover - I like the thought of painting them a tan/beige color and then going over it with a darker glaze. Anyone have pictures if that? What does the antique brick backsplash look like? Do you have a pic?

I really like earthy beiges and some of the greens are really nice.

I was going to suggest a light gray, which I think would be enough different than the white, while softer and more sophisticated, but still go nicely with the counter and appliances...Even brighten them up. The gray green is a great idea, too, but I'm not wild about glazed tan with white...But we all don't have to like the same things! :)

A second vote for gray here!

Because I LOVE the gray kitchen of the house pictured in the link below.

:)

A gray-green shade would be my second choice. What color is the room next to it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Stalking the Wheats

I don't think it would be too much white, but then, I love white. I think the yellow could also be cheery.

Although I do like the grey, I'm afraid if I go with gray it will feel too modern. I want the kitchen to feel warm. Yellow may be another option. Anyone have pics of yellow kitchens?

What about black. Before you say I'm crazy, check out the kitchen makeover on The Lettered cottage.

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: black kitchen

I was going to post the exact same link to Lettered Cottage that msrose posted. I know you said you didn't want darker, but this could really be a wow kitchen!! And she didn't spend a lot of money either.

Or I vote for a gray green color. I love the french gray island.

And I love Mfrog's kitchen. Those colors would be great for you.

Personally I love monochromatic white kitchens. I was very very tempted to do that in mine but I think I have moved away from it only because I am pretty sure I want soapstone countertops.
I currently have an all white kitchen (cabs, appliances, counters) and think it looks great.
I've attached a monochrome white photo so you can see how elegant it looks (even though this is a much more modern kitchen, the concept is there.

Here is a link that might be useful:

kjeppy - something else to keep in mind, I just had med oak cabinets painted white. Yours look like they have deep graining. My painter had to skim coat it all before priming, sanding, painting, etc, etc. I had a professional painter and it took him almost 8 full work days to get them done.

If you want to weigh the personal cost of painting them white, I thought you might like to know what I am experiencing right now. To get a "feeling" for all white everywhere, look at the photos I posted on my "White Explosion" thread. It isn't finished, but it sure gives you that all white idea.

Here is a link that might be useful: my 'White Explosion' in progress pics, as requested

Could the cabinets be bleached?

I love the two toned cabinet look - lighter uppers, darker base cabinets. Not sure about yellow, though, as much as I like the colour. Maybe more into the wheat colour.

I always get a kick out of it when people preface the link to my Kitchen with a sentence containing the word "crazy". Ha ha! :-)
Good luck deciding on a color scheme...it's a tough decision to make! My advice- go with your heart!
That's what I did. I saw black painted and distressed cabinets in one of my favorite homes on our street and knew right then, I HAD to have some too!

Layla
The Lettered Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: Black cab inspiration came from the 4th house down on this post

Oh gosh, I didn't even think about the way that sounded :)
The idea of black cabinets seems so far fetched for some people, but once you see your kitchen, you see that's it's quite beautiful. My mother has pickled cabinets (ugh) and the majority of her house is decorated with touches of black, so I suggested she paint her cabinets black the other day. I see the outside of the house you're talking about, but are there pictures of the black cabinets?

Laurie

My first thought was to go with a darker color -- black, chocolate brown or maybe green since the OP says some greens. I'm not a huge fan of oak, but these have more character and the only thing I really don't like about them is the hardware. Unfortunately, changing that and placing it properly will probably require painting. Going with white or a lighter color is more of a challenge because of the grain in the oak. Paint and grain seem to look better in deeper colors.

I don't see the glazed look you are talking about looking good with your white. I also think it would replace one dated look with another and you might tire of it quickly.

You probably want a brighter feel and thing dark cabinets will be darker. There have been a number of kitchens done with black or cocoa cabinets -- some in combination with white or cream uppers, that looks so bright and fresh. The contrast is so crisp and fresh that it creates a different look. Accent it with brushed stainless or something similar in your hardware, appliances if or when you replace them (or look into painting or getting panels for them if you prefer that over white), and possibly even in your small backsplash (it can be an inexpensive, designer look). I think it would feel a lot crisper and brighter, even though the cabinets might actually be the same or darker.

When you do paint, I would think about taking down the valances over the sink and fridge. Take the shutters off and put a fabric or woven shade at the top of the opening. paint the area above the vent to match your cabinet or create a chalkboard there and put a fun saying on it -- but carry that color all the way to the ceiling. If you want the area above the fridge lower (a new fridge some day might be taller, but for now....) use a simpler piece of trim, no scallops.

Consider a hanging rod for utensils in that little niche you have behind your cooktop. Update the accessories a bit and add a splash of function and/or color.