Luv the nice appliances! What if you painted the island and chose a color that's in the rest of the house, even the same white on your wall? There's something about those pendant's shape that look sad...maybe something else with a little more pizazz? A single rectangular light? Maybe add a colorful ceramic piece on the island counter? Bring a little art into the workspace?

Would you consider a new range hood? Perhaps one with a chimney to lighten it up over the cooktop.

I think with new lighting and some colorful accessories or artwork you can make a very big difference. A rug and a window treatment not in brown will help too.

Undercabinet lighting, outlet covers the same color as the backsplash. Consider only painting the island the same color as your wainscoting. More cheerful pendants. A stainless vent hood if possible. Delete window covering unless necessary.

White walls, island, and roman blind. A new hood would also do wonders. New lighting and light colored bar stools would do the trick.

white/colorful ceramics (the ones you can use..a jug? a pitcher?), changing big lighting fixture for something happier and reflective..crystals? maybe even colored ones? different finish? different shades? look at many and don't be afraid to be daring

pendants bother me less but obviously you can change them too..I just think that prendants, previous owners chose, and central one, they put in for a resale..or so it feels. so I'd tackle the central one first, it seems out of place somehow anyway

add plants..the ones that don't need tons of light

you can bring a cool runner..even though I love your floors

the little appliances you buy-look for these in colors:)

the pots you buy-copper will add warmth, colors will add joy

little things, that's all you need here

and good lighting

The kitchen is great! Change the hood to nice stainless and glass unit, add some undercabinet lighting and a nice light over the window.... If you wanted to paint something maybe just paint the wall cabinets and leave the lowers , island and ref dark.

The walls look gray in the pictures, so a lighter version would be fine - just get the right tone - looks as though the top has some gray in it as well...try to match something off of that...

Spend the majority of your budget on an electrician and a good lighting design, with dimmers. Over light it, and then dial it back. That way you can light for different scenarios with full strength in certain locations at certain times. Or turn it all on high to clean the place.

the flooring seems to clash with the kitchen . it's reddish

Thank you all, the floors will be stained ebony to tone the Brazilian cherry down a lot. Since I must have darker floors I’m most likely going to have the cabinets painted professionally.

I would paint the walls a light blue/green, and as others have said--increase lighting. The cabinets and counter are beautiful. Try several other fixes before you mess with them.

Mike -- be careful about painting those beautiful cabinets...hope you rethink that...

Definitely undercabinet lights. I have them on a motion sensor so that every time someone walks in the kitchen they turn on. It's usually the only light we need when cooking, and even in the daytime it never hurts to have light where you're working. My lights came from IKEA. Piece of cake to install I have strip lights under the cabinets and 2 puck lights over the sink.

I would leave the floor alone. An ebony floor is a baaaad idea.

It will be a monster to keep clean because it will show every bit of dust. It will make the whole house much darker. It's expensive. And you will likely make the house worth less.

Echoing the GW wisdom already stated :)

Leave the floor alone .....

get rid of tHe heavy hood , replace with stainless steel hood

add lights

after all that is done and lived with , if you still think the kitchen is too dark , I would consider removing the dark uppers right next to the hood, extending the backsplash to the ceiling and adding an open shelf.

All the best, looks like a problem most of us would love to have. You have a beautiful kitchen, just embrace the dark side :)

I didn't read the whole thread, but have you considered installing glass in some of the doors? Particularly, the "corner" uppers and the uppers above the dishwasher. Then have an electrician install lighting in the cabinets, and under the cabinets, and I think you could take this kitchen to the next level without breaking the bank. :) Then, display nice, modern white dinnerware and sparking crystal or glass in those cabinets, and it would really lighten up the place. I also echo what has been said about putting up a new, sleek range hood. If it's still a bit darker than you like, paint the island, although I think you have a nice, masculine vibe going there, and I'd like to see it stay all black. You're the one who has to live with it, though!

Let us know what you decide.

Making a one level island might lighten the look since that tall expanse of dark cab color would only be countertop high. A complimentary to the perimeter lighter quartz island top would also help lighten the space. If I was going to paint cabs, I would start with the island first using a light color...perhaps like the fireplace.

It's pretty! But, if you must, I'd consider putting in a stainless steel range hood (reflection will help brighten things up). Mid-budget: reface/refinish all of your cabinetry to white/taupe/gray. The two dark wood tones are absorbing all available light. Lighter budget: Reface/refinish the island to white/taupe/gray -- will balance light and add depth.