If you are looking for that very sleek European kitchen look, I think you should look at this clip from Color Splash. I wish that more details were available about this episode because I really found the whole thing brilliant. I will try in my very unprofessional way to explain what he did to this kitchen. First, when you watch the video, remember that the colors that were chosen, were picked by the homeowner and you would have lots of options. He had new door and drawer fronts made by a cabinet maker. At the cabinet maker's shop there were tons of laminate samples to choose from (just like when you pick out laminate for counters)...he wanted a high gloss, European look, so that is the finish they chose. As I said, the homeowners made the final call on the colors. He then took a sample of the laminate to the paint store, had the color AND finish matched for the cabinet frames, which were being painted. They used the same laminate for the door/drawer fronts on the ends of the cabinets. He added really sleek and oversized hardware from Ikea. I think the room turned out so nicely and it really was done on a relatively low cost budget. Also, during the episode, it turned out that the cabinet doors were made a little too small, he wanted them to be larger, closer together in some places and so that less cabinet frame would show. So, if you want a high gloss gray, or whatever, I think this might be something to consider. Here you go, perhaps the whole episode will air again. Here is a link that might be useful: The video from Color Splash

Rip it out and start over.

get fridge panels and trim in a cherry with stain as close as you can-it is achievable....the cabinet itself can be a void door cabinet and use it as a cubbyhole for baskets/a piece of pottery/etc. the interior in cherry and with stain selection close, and items resting inside makes any slight difference irrelevant. Not worth monkeying around any more than that. The side panels and trim are the more relevant things as your fridge is now chosen and will be a long term thing. that will be a nice look when fridge is encased.

Ok, few things. cabs are maple or birch. don't even consider Minwax for your floors. bottom of the barrel as far as quality goes. if you want the floors redone, call in pro refinisher. maybe think about doing a very light natural, using Bona system. I wouldn't go darker. Cabs themselves are fine. However, I'd want to change the countertops. You can try paint first, but if you want gray subway tile, consider changing out that black granite. these are a similar color. if you went darker on the walls like this, it would make the cabs really stand out. (lighter countertop though) Do a black pendant over the island. I even like the idea of painting just your island black. (but I'd redo the countertops. c-below) tried to give you a black island. for sure you'd need lighter countertops w/this look. if you must keep the black counters, you could try these pendants. There isn't one thing white in that kitchen. doing a white subway tile for the backsplash would look odd. And w/the more modern style, I think if you want white, do something other shape. but if you really want to change something start w/the countertop. I'd do something like this. lighter countertops. Maybe insert some glass in few of the uppers. similar cabs with marble (or a quartz marble) Here's your white subway, but notice the granite. The white tile compliments the granite. Putting white tile against your black countertop would look horrible. here's a light maple with medium gray quartz. It's meh. not much diff that what you have also like this for your pendant. (have you thought about changing your hardware?) if you don't like the dark charcoal paint color idea, here are some others. another option. lighter countertops and a back painted glass backsplash. you'll notice that most of these all have the same light floors like you have. spend your money on new countertops, lighting and backsplash if you want more of a drastic change. options for countertop