I wouldn't base my kitchen design on a trim color. Just paint the trim in the kitchen white and leave the rest of the house for another time. That way you can do what you like in the kitchen. No one will notice that the trim in the kitchen doesn't match the rest of the house.

The wallpaper is awful. Remove that and you’ll probably find the kitchen appeals to you much more. I’m a fan of white kitchens, but the cabinets look nice as they are. What about just new counters, backsplash, hardware, and lighting?

What is the condition of the cabinets? If they are solid and in great condition, would you consider leaving and doing a Taj Mahal quartzite with subway tile in the lightest color of the counter stone? Definitely level the outer counters. Change hardware. Strip the wallpaper (of course) and paint walls a creamy white (just enough contrast to distinguish the trim).

However, if you are sure about painting have them professionally done. A soft white would work and then then a creamier countertop or even a solid grey. I think you just need to create your budget and figure out where the money will go.

ETA: agree with living with layout for a while before making investment in cabinet painting or new counters. What if you hate the layout or lack of drawers? then you've wasted a lot of money prior to a coveted remodel. Remove wallpaper, paint the walls, remove the backsplash and find a light/neutral subway tile or other simple shape

I'm going to suggest something you probably don't want to hear. It is a nice kitchen just not your style. It is a major job both time and money to do what you are suggesting. Expect both to be more than you think. I wasn't crazy about my kitchen when we first bought this house. Other projects needed to happen more since the kitchen was functional. I have learned to love it. We've lived here now for 2.5 years. Some things will still change but it isn't as important now as I thought it was then. The only thing we did was paint and it has made a huge difference how I feel in this house. Every room has been painted except the baths because I know I want to change them but don't know how. Priorities only you can decide what comes first

I would remove the border and backsplash and look at it without them. I think just doing that will improve the space. Then pick a color to paint the walls and think of your major remodel for after you live there awhile. You may decide the layout is perfect but it could be that it doesn't function at all for the way you live.

I agree with removing the wallpaper border and painting first. Then remove the backsplash and install a white creamy beautiful tile then stop. Change out the pendant lights and call it a day. Those cabinets and counters are beautiful. Google kitchens with wood cabinets for inspiration.

The one thing that would drive me crazy in this kitchen, but unfortunately can't be changed easily, is that it barely has any drawers. After having lived with a kitchen with all drawers, I would have a really hard time going back to regular base cabinets for most of the storage.

I love the slate floors. Are they in good shape?

Thanks for all suggestions. We are buying the house because we like the layout, not the style. We are already prepared and budgeted for these updates prior to moving in. So...that’s why I’m looking for color suggestions/help.

I too love the slate floors... I'm wondering if you can't work with them... They would still match painted cabinets if you like a rustic farmhouse or industrial style.

Well, to answer your question then, cream cabinets and White quartz/marble can be really beautiful together.

Maybe do cream perimeter cabinets and a gray/blue island?

@katie. I took your first comment as very helpful and started to look past the current color of trim. Thank for additional photos.

Cabinets look good. But floor, countertop, backsplash and wallpaper trim look sooooo busy to me. I would go step by step by removing

1. wallpaper trim
2. backslash
3. and see any improvements. If not enough, I mean it is still busy
4. then floor or countertop ...replacement

Please just wait and see how you like the layout and the condition of the cabinets. Also, start budgeting and getting real numbers from reputable contractors for floors and painting cabinets. You may end up switching gears entirely like for instance keeping the slate but replacing cabinets or doing wood floors and painting cabinets, etc. and all of those decisions will effect paint colors. Paint is always last anyway and I would never base the overall design on an existing trim color. That is so easy to slowly chop away at and repaint in stages. No rush = success. But for sure rush to remove that wallpaper border:)

Having a plan in place first before you do anything is the best course. If you do end up redoing the floors you will want to do that first as it will beat up any new paint job you do.