Here is the original backsplash and how the kitchen looked when they bought the house. At the time that was all they were planning on doing - redoing the WIZARD OF OZ green backsplash. But after living in the house a while my friend decided that she has had enough of the ORANGEY PINE cabinets (they aren't cherry). She ordered shaker style doors to paint and is just trying to figure out the color. I had suggested a little darker than the trim color too but lighter than wall as well. The kitchen is only that dark b/c of the time she took the picture. It isn't really that dark in person. Thanks for all the help so far and keep the ideas coming!

The first thing to do is get proper lighting. Change bulbs to LEDs in dayligh color which is 3500- 5000K before choosing colors . As for painting the cabinets unless you have done lots of other cabinet painting having them painted by an actual cabinet refinisher will be worth the money as long as you love the kitchen the way it is. Mt advice woulf be to wait 3-6 months and see how it functions before spending money.

like the grain and hardness, harder than maple. i do not like the mdf plastic look, want something more contemporary but still maintaining a classical or traditional feel

If kids still use it, I'd opt for something like what Jinx posted. If it's just something that came with the property and you do not use it as a playhouse but would prefer something that blends into the background, I'd opt for something like what we did with the shed here - model the colors on an evergreen shrub (i.e. mid-green for most of the body, darker green towards the center and lighter green on the outer edges where, in a shrub, new growth occurs and where it catches the light... If you want a greater connection to the house colors, use three shades of a tan/brown that matches the brick. Keep in mind that light colors draw your eyes while dark colors recede and blend into the background better. Our shed: spring: fall: