I was told the overhang is 12". I'd like 15' but then we start getting into the living room. We are going to instal laminate flooring throughout the entire top floor to make things flow nicely. I'm ok with laminate in the kitchen although I know people have opinions about that choice :). I love the sliding table idea but that also impinges on the walking area between the island and living room.

That is a very common design for houses built in the 80's and 90's. For those who find it too much oak, painting the trim, door casings, window casings and the stair spindles, keeping doors (if they are paneled) and cabinets stained, is helpful. My home is from the 70's and I painted my dark trim when I got new cabinets in the 90's - which of course are not new anymore:) I do like the look of mixing white with wood. Houzz pics: My mother and several of my friends have not painted their oak trim, and still have lovely homes - it is just an option if you have oak overload. You are going to have to post a pic of your kitchen to get any specific help - the visuals are important, so this is just some general advice. In my own oak kitchen, I have natural oak hardwood. You are right to stay away from too much gray as warm wood tones and cool grays do not bring out the best in each other. My kitchen is here if it gives you any ideas, though it is done in a vintage style. The backsplash and countertop style are flexible to other looks: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356

Jhmarie; yes, the kitchen is very functional, and a part of this is almost like therapeutic processing for what to do with this house!Thank you for the heads up about the book. I will have a look for that. Aprilneverends; well thank you. I am really trying to not get caught up in fads, but I think the state of the place made me focus on the yellowness of the oak. And the oakiness of the oak everywhere in that part of the house! I always really enjoyed this blue, to be honest. ha!! It contrasted nicely and I got to cackle in my husband's direction every time someone told me they loved it, too. That's the thing I guess, you never can tell. I am a bit leery of how much the kitchen will change with all of the white and off white in regards to the contrast, and had to kind of giggle at the thought of painting the walls white and the wainscoting blue. Like a role reversal. :D Fidlfreek; I appreciate you bringing me back down from the clouds with some of your suggestions. Some of your sentiments I had thought of and was considering - all white miracle method, subway tile, lighting updates. Now is the time to pull that big beast down I think - we are planning to paint the ceilings throughout the home. Curious of your thought process- the lighting fixture you linked from ikea, is that to coordinate with the current colored cabinets? Or the shape in general? Staining the cabinets darker is of course an option, I just don't want this area to feel any more boxed in, I guess. This vantage point is actually the only way in and out of the kitchen - there is also peninsula seating already to the left, FYI. I actually picked the flooring you circled in the event that I wanted to go lighter or darker with the cabinets, now or later, that there would be flexibility in the flooring color to do so. It's also more of the classic wood look than some of the on trend colors I am seeing out there. The more I think about it, the more I would like to NOT spend a lot of time painting everything white, but I definitely think I need some adjustments in here. I find it interesting that none of you have mentioned the appliances or their color - apart from the microwave, which is usually the least of the appliance worries. ;D I so appreciate your feedback and input.

Since there is so little wall I would just paint it off white. If you are going to paint, this is a good time to replace those light fixtures with some unobtrusive led fixtures and freshen the ceiling. And do take down the window treament, if you need privacy there let's find a nice simple privacy shade without scallops.