Hi everyone! Thank you SO MUCH for all of the feedback - beyond helpful and appreciated. So, looking back at the photos, the color/character that comes through on the photographs aren't quite true to the real deal. While the cabinets aren't the typical honey oak, they aren't the walnut with character like the photos look to show. Either way, I'm definitely hearing that many of you think I should not paint them - well noted! We're not quite sold on painting them and have been nervous to do so - we've heard oak doesn't paint well etc. With that said, I think I could have been more thorough in my original post in what I think the kitchen is lacking - which is contrast. While the pics don't show it the best, the flooring is the exact same color as the cabinets - and the countertop and backsplash don't add any contrast. I'm liking the idea of changing the countertops and backsplash (put in by previous owner which I've wanted to change anyways) and putting in runners! Brilliant! As for the island - it is really too small and we would like to have island seating for entertaining etc. - people tend to just stand around the kitchen when we have friends or family over and it would just make it more inviting to have island seating. My thought is to have a custom island made - and paint it cream for a contrast. I then plan on adding a cozy little area in front of the fireplace with a few chairs and eating in the dining room instead of the kitchen - old school style! I like the idea of a hood over the stove - how much does this usually run... ballpark? I also like the idea of white trim - is painting trim a bad idea - would you suggest just replacing it altogether?

@Beth, first thanks for all your tips and ideas on the hardware. Good idea to mark them out and good to know that 4" is the min (they sell 3 and 3.5, which are cheaper, so I wondered if that would work. thanks) I know; You had a lot of good ideas on painting. Thank you. I am still waffling on what to do. I guess my concerns w/ the painted floors are the effort to do it and the maintenance (I have wear patterns on my front porch and the kitchen gets more traffic). Plus I want to limit my exposure to chemicals. FWIW, this morning I emailed my house painter to check his schedule if I choose to have him repaint the cabs. (he's a much better painter than I am) Painting would allow me to fix the placement of the holes on some of the cabs (currently, most of the cabs do not have holes). I could also put a cab to the left of the stove. And I made an appt next week with the interior designer who was going to help me pick finish materials etc with the big remodel....to get his opinion of a scaled-down remodel. i.e. how to make this house a better version of what it is without spending a ton of money since I may move in a few years....thanks for all your help! I don't want this to be all about $$$, but everything is so $$$ and I hate the idea of investing a lot of excessive $ that I won't get when I sell. (when my former realtor came over this summer, she kept saying "do what *you* want; do what makes you happy; you don't need to do anything to fix this house to sell it" etc). So I guess my dilemma: what can make it more live-able for me for the next few years. (but possibly longer? who knows?)

Here's what I've come up with for dimensions of the space based on the measurements you provided. Many were missing, but I tried to calculate based on what you gave. (Tip: the measurements should be from items such as walls, door/window trim, etc.; not cabinets or counters since they don't give us accurate measurements of spaces.) Blue are measurements you included. Red are calculated measurements. The one "mix" is the overall distance from the left wall to the far window in the Nook -- the difference is based on what worked with the window wall Nook measurements (308") vs the stated overall distance (318"). The only reason the Nook's interior measurements matter is to ensure the Kitchen doesn't encroach too far into the Nook -- you want to maintain adequate aisles around the table.

Agreed, the two stains should be different shades. Here’s mine: You should consider increasing the lighting in your space. Also, IMO, black appliances will make an all wood kitchen look like a cave. Mine are paneled, but if I hadn’t gone that way, Id’ve put in stainless.