Are you asking if your design choice is good or do you want advice on "how to" paint the cabinets? Do you want to tackle the paint job yourself?

Jennifer....did you fill in the grain before painting?

Christasista....I think painting your kitchen will look great!

Be sure to put in under cabinet lighting as well - it will make a huge difference.

Thanks jennifer! That helps me visualize it all.

The plan is to have someone paint them. I need color advice.

I love painted cabinets--mine are off-white on top/green on bottom, DIY because I wanted the hand-brushed look. Have you considered raising the cabinets, and installing open shelving underneath? 'Cabinets to the ceiling' is a nice look, and you could add a filler piece and crown moulding. Most-used items could be stored on the shelves, then you could put the items now stored on top of the cabinets behind closed doors--maybe lower cabinet shelf for easier access.

If you're interested in researching, there's a tutorial in this GW thread.

Other Google images

Jennifer, pretty colors!

weezel - I did not fill the grain. This was just a quick fix to get the cabinets to last a couple of more years until we rip them all out. They are builder grade 20+ years old and the finish on the bottom cabinets was looking very worn. The grain isn't super deep . Up close you can certainly see the wood grain but from a few feet away it really isn't noticeable.

christasista - I found lots of blogs that showed gray wall colors in a variety of rooms and also show which ones are warm gray or cool gray, etc. I liked Edgecome Gray and Revere Pewter in addition to the Agreeable Gray I chose. I also found lots of photos with blue gray cabinets but I found that they rarely listed the actual cabinet color. That was a harder choice. SW Sea Salt is more of a green gray and I also liked Tidewater. For white, I have just been using Behr's Ultra Pure White, which is the untinted paint straight off the shelf, for all of my trim, doors and ceilings.

mama goose - Thank you!

I highly, highly, highly recommend taking a day to look for inspiration images before you make any decisions. When you have a look you like and think will work in your home, get sample paints, try them out on some plywood and leave them in your kitchen for a few days so you can see them day and night, rain or shine. Then (and only then) commit. Who knows, you might decide to insert some glass panels in a few of those upper doors. You have sooooo many options.

Try the search words "painted cabinets black counters" and let us know what you come up with. It's exciting planning for change!

Check out General Finishes milk paint.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3485219/cabinet-paint-rave

They also provide instruction on how to mix the various shades.

http://designs.generalfinishes.com/color-category/color-mixing-labs