I think your best place to start is by browsing photos on Houzz of kitchens with stained wood cabinets and see what appeals to you.

Someone will tell you to remove the scallops over the window. Don't. They are part of the awesomeness of the gorgeous cabinets.

Yay for you. Here's a gorgeous kitchen with the same color cabinets. I've collected a wood cabinet Ideabook called Kitchen Wood Cabinets for dilemmas like yours. Scroll through it--lots of beautiful dark wood kitchens. I do prefer the contrast of lighter countertops and backsplashes, however.

Notice in this first photo the white walls, cool, clear pendants, the shimmery white subway tile backsplash, the light floor, light countertops that balance out and enchance the wood, modern nickel hardware that links to stainless appliances. It's all simple, beautiful, and balanced.

Parkland Renovation · More Info

Space to Expand · More Info

Daniels Design Kitchens · More Info

Good advice here -- start browsing kitchen magazines to get ideas and colors. You mentioned you are new at this, so you won't mind my telling you that kitchen appliances are stainless steel (silver). I am glad you will not paint your cabinets too and also hope you don't use gray anywhere! Whew! If you can find a kitchen designer (not a cabinet salesperson nor someone working at a box store) she/he would be able to put some ideas together for you. Might be worth the initial investment to make sure you like the results and increase the value of your home.

I love using dark wood cabinets! A few examples:

Charming English Kitchen · More Info

Dark Rich Open Concept · More Info

Eclectic Remodel and Decor · More Info

Well, I would remove the scallops because I don't like curlicues. Like a more angular look. Also would chuck the desk and rebuild the fridge surround to cover more of the refrigerator and move that cabinet over the fridge forward. Would need to rebuild the soffit in that area to match what is over the oven.

I would look for a light colored stone look floor covering. Add a couple of those super slim LED recessed lights to the underside of the soffit over the sink and the window on the oven wall. LED tape lights on undersides of upper cabinets, update the cabinet hardware with something in brushed stainless steel/ brushed nickel. Also replace the ceiling fan with one with silver tones and more contemporary styling and LED lights. (I like a ceiling fan in the kitchen because it helps a lot to be able to stir the air when the kitchen heats up.). New stove hood to match appliances.

Can't help you with countertops as I can't decide on what counter tops I want!

Aqua/ blue-greens look awesome with cabinets in that wood color. Says she whose walls are all white but who loves aqua, teal, turquoise... (If only I could find some laminate in a pretty and subtly patterned turquoise, I might have new counters!)

if you are getting a lot of light in your windows I would do a dark counter and white backsplash. I would paint the walls white or off white..not cream or butterscotch. And a hardwood floor would be in order. spend time on looking at new hardware..it is a big space....you can mix it up...cup pulls/knobs/handles....whatever combination you like and makes sense. I would remove the scallops. the biggest thing is a range and better hood and if you can vent to outside....get that done if it's not already.

There are a number of questions worth considering: how many people live in the home and do you eat all your meals at home, what is your budget, how long do you expect to live in your home?

Those answers will help you decide how big a fridge you need, what type of cooktop, etc.

latifolia nailed it. We don't know what to suggest without knowing a budget. I suspect that the wall oven you have right now is smaller than the wall ovens currently available so you would need to adjust your cabinet. Before you make any purchase come up with a budget and a plan. As you can see you have the same issue with the refrigerator. I hope one or more of the kitchen experts pokes their head into this thread to give you some guidance.

Sophie and Barb and others have posted great websites to help when redoing a kitchen. I gathered them and here are some great things you should read before you start.....

Kitchen
websites that are helpful

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~4306041[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~4306041)

http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/kitchen.design.rules.htm#.Wq1aeWrwaM8

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/things-you-added-or-removed-that-you-love-regret-in-your-kitchen-renov-dsvw-vd~4273188[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/things-you-added-or-removed-that-you-love-regret-in-your-kitchen-renov-dsvw-vd~4273188)

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/10-tests-for-you-and-your-contractors-first-meeting-dsvw-vd~5332686?n=90[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/10-tests-for-you-and-your-contractors-first-meeting-dsvw-vd~5332686?n=90)

[T[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/10-tests-for-you-and-your-contractors-first-meeting-dsvw-vd~5332686?n=90)he last one is Sophie's latest addition and very well written.

I am happy to hear you are saving the beautiful wood cabinets. I actually like the scallops too. A counter depth frig, might be a good option for you, because that one does seem to stick out too much. I also like the idea of an aqua or teal, or turquoise color for the walls, because it does go very well with your cabinets. Of course, that said, I absolutely love turquoise everywhere I can put it. I assume that you are replacing the oven? If so, you need to be aware, that oven sizes have changed over the years, and stock ovens will not fit in that opening. You can special order, to get one to fit, I understand, but, they are very expensive. I have a avocado green oven, very similar to yours. I have looked around to replace, but, havent found any that will fit. I also admit, I havent pushed it, because, it is a very big expense for me, and also the oven despite being ugly, works better than any oven, I have had in the last 20 yrs and the other ovens were brand new. You have a nice sized kitchen. Have fun.

I would go with a light wood floor for sure. That is a timeless look and goes with any future changes. Appliances can be either white ( always my choice) or stainless steel. After those choices have been made you can concentrate on countertops /backsplash, etc.

I also decided to work with my older wood cabinets. They are in fine shape and I like them - and the budget wasn't there for new. Fortunately for me I like a bit of a vintage / cottage look and my cabinets work for that style. One of the best things I did that works with any style is under cabinet lighting. It lights up a kitchen, gives it a pretty glow and is the most functional change I made. One of my friends is slowly refreshing her kitchen. All she has done is added the under cabinet lighting and it already looks prettier - and since she is a professional baker, she also loves the light.

You might consider removing the stove cabinet and replacing with a range. Then the wall oven could be removed and that space reworked a little - maybe a microwave shelf with coffee area. Is the area with the short high cabinet on the left wall for a microwave? It could be fitted with a shelf for decor, wine rack or plate rail.

When you replace the flooring, be sure they remove the vinyl toe kick and replace with wood. It should not be a problem to stain toe kick to match your cabinets. I had to scrub the vinyl glue off an old set of cabinets for another project - a little work, but doable.

I too have a "wood kitchens" idea book which includes some older refreshed kitchens.

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/thumbs/wood-kitchens

My kitchen - more pics in my "my pics" idea book. I little vintage:

My pics -work in progress: · More Info

One kitchen that inspired me:

Victorian House Remodel, Alameda · More Info

You might want to consider eliminating the soffits over the cabinets and installing some type of ceiling detail like horizontal beams either stained or painted to visually expand the space.

Really nice kitchen.

Liking the cabinets.

Liking the two pair of double windows -- natural light is a huge plus for any room.

Like the ceiling fan in the kitchen; a matching one would be a good look for an overhead light fixture in your dining room as well.

If you're interested in adding some color to your kitchen -- such as Tiffany style stained glass -- you could do that with new light fixtures over the windows and/or either square or rectangle stained glass window hangings or even just small stained glass pieces.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=628&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=RXYwW9W_NYG1zwLf_rDQDA&q=stained+glass+brds&oq=stained+glass+brds&gs_l=img.3...4665.7531.0.7697.18.12.0.5.5.0.202.1348.5j6j1.12.0....0...1c.1.64.img..1.15.1500...0j0i67k1j0i30k1.0.bpIHodVsYYg

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=628&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=UXYwW5KSH8_uzgKd9IXIDA&q=stained+glass+flowers&oq=stained+glass+flowers&gs_l=img.3..0l6j0i30k1l2j0i5i30k1l2.30853.32804.0.33135.8.6.0.2.2.0.129.645.2j4.6.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.8.737...0i67k1.0.ZJQlUodkozc

https://www.google.com/search?q=Thick+tiffany+style+stained+glass+window+decor&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC1oWkg-7bAhUR3FMKHSnjCOcQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=628

Another way to add color to a kitchen is with colorful trivets hung between countertop and overhead cabinets. Yet another reason to not tile that entire area.

Not fond of the harvest gold color of the oven; however, if the oven still works, consider painting the door.

Do like the light blue color of the refrigerator with your cabinets. If you keep that retro color for your appliances, you might consider an even lighter shade of blue for your wall color and look for a pale blue within your countertops and tile choices, too.

You could make sure all the appliances are all the same color; while stainless steel is a good look, white is more "retro". You can paint appliances: Rust O'leum 2x spray paint -- enabling you to keep your retro appliances but updating them.

You could remove that wall hung desk -- repurpose it elsewhere.

Do keep the cornice over each pair of windows.

You could add a shelf for microwave beneath high cabinets to the right of the paper towel holder. If you cannot match the wood finish of your cabinets, you could paint it your wall color.

Rather than add tile to cover the entire area between countertop and overhead cabinets -- definitely not a retro look -- you could stay with a single 4"-6" horizontal backsplash on a new countertop if the countertop you have is worn and in need of replacement.

Unless you have a lot of plastic freezer/storage containers and/or glass canning jars or something else for which you need the space above the cabinets as storage-- unless you NEED that storage space above the cabinets, you probably shouldn't open up that space unless you're going to put top hinge doors over those spaces -- or unless you really like climbing up a ladder and dusting.

If you choose either white and/or stainless steel appliances, consider shades of gray tile flooring and pale gray for the walls.

Keep us updated.

Another vote for under cabinet lighting! Transforms a kitchen. I would never use dark countertops but you may decide differently. They show too much!

Please get back to us with your choices.

What's your style and budget? A "full on update" can be tough if your budget is $10,000 for example.

At a minimum, I would remove the trim above the windows between the cabinets. I've never seen one that I liked. I also would paint all the window trim white. I have wood stained cabinets and I like the contrast my white windows give me. Remove the desk too. It doesn't look functional at all.

I don't like ceiling fans in kitchens (had one for 10 years). When we took it down it was gross. I can only imagine the junk we were throwing around the kitchen when we had it on. I would add canned lights and a close to the ceiling fixture in the middle (to add some visual interest) with matching piece in the eating area.

I prefer stainless appliances over white or black. They reflect the light and make the room look brighter.

Countertops are going to depend on your flooring choice. A busy floor needs less busy counters and vice versa.

You have a great space to work with and I think you need to narrow your ideas first. Post some inspiration pictures and others can give you good advice on how to make it work in your kitchen.

Yay for keeping your stained wood cabinets WITH the scalloped valance over the sink!!

I have a lot of inspiration photos for you--here are two examples with a dark granite, quartz, or soapstone counter top and white backsplash tiles, paired with stainless steel appliances and a light wood floor. Note the retro lighting fixtures instead of recessed lights:

Craftsman Kitchen · More Info

Kitchen · More Info

This beauty shows a dark wood countertop with slate floors and a stone wall. More of a tudor look with the pendants:

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

Another option is a light stone counter top, backsplash and flooring, also with stainless steel appliances. Also note the stone range hood:

New Bellaire Residence · More Info

This kitchen has a combination of stained and painted cabinets, dark saltillo floors (brick flooring would look great too!), light backsplash and two types of countertops--white and dark stone:

"Unfitted" Rustic Farmhouse · More Info

There are so many options and combinations--you need to look at a lot of photos to see which appeal to you and to your budget.

Just a few observations:

Consider a counter depth or built-in refrigerator.

An apron front sink would look great!

Consider switching the position of the cooktop and sink. This would allow the dishwasher to be next to the sink on the longer cabinet run.

You said you want to replace the appliances--just wondering about the oven. I disagree with everyone who hates harvest gold and avocado green. Those colors, so popular in the 1970s, are becoming less "dated" than "retro" at this point. I don't think there are many of them left! You could probably get that same color from companies like Viking, La Cornue and LaCanche, albeit at a premium price!

What I would stay away from is any speckled builders-grade granite, laminate floors, or anything gray.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

You are getting a lot of feedback. We all say, what we would do. Write down the ideas you like, discard the ideas you dont like, and add your own ideas, and you will come up with something that is totally what you like. Even appliance colors are subject to likes and dislike. Many like stainless, many like white, many like black, some like retro style. Others like myself, dislike stainless, and others dislike white, and others dislike black (my favorite). You need to put in your own likes and dislikes and preferences and non preferences, before you can make any decisions.