I agree also and no, I don't want it to be too dark. I was thinking that with the back of the shelves being white and the walls maybe being Believable Buff, that it wouldn't be too dark but I think you're right, it's still a bit dark, especially since our area rug has a lot of black in it. Would it look strange to have the top light and the bottom dark? I was also considering staining the mantle and arch above the mantle the color of the floor and doing the rest in the white. Aaaghhh! So many choices!

Good info! Bought the $34 bulb so had to go all in on this one! Switched of the breaker, pulled the triple drawer oven unit out (onto a big old speaker resting on it’s side to match the unit base height). undid the two torx screws at the back bracket holding microwave to stove below, unplugged microwave from stove, removed face plate 4 screws from sides, removed side brackets, finally lifted microwave off! Fought with various fasteners including the two tamper-resistant 7/64 Torx screws with the bit I happened to have for this purpose (best not to ask) so I could get inside and change the bulb. Surely voided my warranty which long since expired, and knew where not to touch to avoid residual energy shock/damage. Popped in the new bulb, then tackled the massive re-assembly job. anyway, now I have light again in the microwave—Woot Woot.. Would not recommend, nor repeat this any time soon! There was some satisfaction when the light lit up again, but for all the hassles, I’d adjust my kitchen lighting to shine in the nuker if it ever goes out again. sigh.

Make the built-in the same color as the trim. That's what will give it the built-in look. Plus, you may want to change the wall color later on, and changing the cabinets color won't be as easy.

If you want some color and interest in the dining room, I would think about changing what is over the buffet and getting a marvelous piece of artwork. Either one large piece or a trio, that goes to the height of the door frame. I would also change what is in those cabinets to make for a more interesting display in terms of color, shape and texture. For example, on the left, you have all white objects, it looks like serving pieces or bowls, all lined up in a row. This is a snooze. If you do these two things, you may not feel the desperate need to paint those cabinets.