Original Poster Update I've finally made a decision on cashmere carrara quartz countertop (MSI) and Masia Gris Claro tiles. I'm hesitant about the cashmere carrara because the photos I have seen vary so much and the sample is so small... If anyone has some real-life photos of the cashmere carrara countertop, I'd really love to see them. They are coming to do the templates in two days so I'd still have time to change my mind. Thanks!

Get the ceiling done 1st. It makes a mess. Protect everything under. Then continue on the rest. It will make a huge difference. White trim windows. If do backsplash just under part way, do a slightly different shade or same paint color to blend the end of tile line Avoid high contrast or the tile line will divide the wall too much horizontally. A photo example done right. or Maybe tile the whole window wall to end of base cabinets. Overall it looks like it will come together nicely.

I just finished a budget friendly kitchen update (No backsplash as of yet). I had very similar oak cabinets that I purchase new door fronts and drawer fronts, removed the cabinet above the stove, and added a pantry hutch style cabinet. I painted all the frames and doors/drawers myself, husband installed all the doors, hardwares, and new cabinets. It turned out awesome and IMO (doesnt look like a do it yourself project) and neighbors, friends, and family agree (maybe biased IDK). SO depending on your budget, there is nothing wrong with using your existing cabinets if they are in good condition and the layout is functional. My kitchen does not appear to be as large as yours, however, with new cabinet doors/fronts, hardware, new 6' long by 70" height pantry hutch, sink, faucet, quartz counters I spent just shy of $9,000. My doors/fronts and new cabinets were from a custom cabinet maker, which by the way, was less then stock cabinets of similar style at a box store. This is not my dream kitchen, but the kitchen that fit in the existing space in a nice home that I plan on selling and custom building in the next 4 to 5 yrs. If you think you may want to go this route and would like information on paint used, I'd be happy to share more info. If budget is not a concern and you want a different layout... Start fresh

I would NOT keep those maple cabs as-is w/that granite. You've already chosen the stone and it does not work w/the warm, yellow/orange cabinet stain. **Make sure you're using bulbs in the 4000K temp range otherwise you're going to get warm, yellowish tones. I can see it in your photo** https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/how-light-bulbs-affect-paint-colours-kelvins/ Here, look how much better the stone looks when paired w/actual colors that enhance it. This succulent shade is gorgeous. I'd think about doin the walls, the doors or the kick panel in that shade. It's not a sin to paint them! heck, I painted mine 4 yrs ago and couldn't be happier I actually refaced my doors/drawers because I wanted everything to match. the replacements were solid maple w/MDF center panel. Who is painting for you? make sure you research exactly what their steps are. do they paint off-site? what do they use? spray? what kind of primer? do the sand before AND after the primer? All of these will make a diff in whether or not the paint chips. mine hasn't even after all this time. I would go w/a nice bright white to compliment the stone. you don't want a warm white or a white w/yellow or red undertones. Some good whites by BM is Oxford White or chantilly lace. (do NOT use White Dove. very dingy gray) read these articles on white paint w/your cabinets and trim. very informative. (she also has other links on which is better depending on your direction of light.) https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/4-steps-pick-the-right-white-for-your-trim-cabinets-or-walls/ https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-8-best-benjamin-moore-white-paint-colours-undertones-and-more/ another color combo. Eider White is a white that has gray under tones. and SW SeaSalt is a gray/green Two other gray greens that you could think about doing w/that stone. either the door, the trim, the lower cabinets, the front kick panel, etc. BM Rainy Afternoon BM Caldwell Green. This would also look like it could work. you'd have to try a sample. She used that same repose gray on these cabinets. (love the brass handles). If the color looks like this in your kitchen, it would be a perfect shade for your quartzite. Will they be using a lacquer conversion paint? please wait on backsplash tile. no rush. (but a nice gray green tile would look nice. please, no white subway tile. this one is the Newport tile w/either a soft gold pull or the nickel or chrome make sure they fill all the current holes w/a good wood epoxy prior to priming. you want to use diff hardware You sure that stone is Aqua Bella and not Sea Pearl? https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5046402/backsplash-help-for-sea-pearl-quartzite