Live with it as is for 6 months to a year. You may very well decide that you hate the layout and it does not work for you and want to scrap the entire kitchen then the money spent now is either out the window or will prevent you from doing the work you really needed to do.

That’s a lot of wood! I think I would make small changes and live with it for awhile before undertaking anything major. I don’t like the desk area- that would be a simple demo, and take out a chunk of wood. Paint the wood paneled pillar the trim white. Think about taking down the upper cabinets around the window. Those changes would give you space to add a light wall color while you figure out function.

Wow!!! Magnificent!!
That island!! 💖💖

I agree to give it some time if you can...

But I think after that, I would:

1- remove the peninsula completely.

2- all new lighting

3- new countertops and backsplash.

4- new hardware.

The woodwork is sooo beautiful!!

Agree with others that lighter countertops and new lighting would do a lot for this space. In the short term, consider adding light (washable) runners. Your floors and cabinets are both beautiful, but they are very close in color. Rugs could add light tones and break up the continous expanse of medium-brown.

I cannot imagine the work of properly preparing and painting all those cabinets. Having it professionally done would be costly. Unless they are worn up close, just keep them. Yes, lighter counters and a rug as suggested previously.

the ceiling is giving a sandwich effect. Can you live without many of the uppers? some tiled walls w floating shelves that blend better up into ceiling . remove the island pendant. stick w can lights..maybe a few more can lights and a light paint color to the ceiling.....it just looks like primer. .you want a slight tint actually that blends with walls ..tile preferably, for the most part. on some wall areas to change the aesthetic.. Removal of desk would be good. Any remaining wall cabs think about glass fronts. Any remaining wall cabs could be a new painted scheme and keep lowers in wood...... do the same paint to island. and try a new light island top. This is interior design stuff. The situation needs adjustments and editing. Its hard to see the details of the kitchen and layout from the pictures workability of the space is important initially of course. I'd think about things for a while .....

Replace the cabinet hardware for sure - it looks a little “dumpy” (especially the refrigerator pulls - though I don’t know if you can do that now that they’re installed…)

Yes, I would also suggest to live with the kitchen as is for a few months at least. It takes time to get used to a new home and see what works and doesn’t work for the way you use your kitchen. I know it is hard to wait because you want to make it your own, but you will avoid making decisions that end up being a waste of money that way.

The only small change that I would do today, is to change out the knobs on the cabinet doors only. I think the refrigerator pulls are very nice and they match well in style and finish to the island prep sink faucet. They also go nicely with the cup pulls on the drawers. I think I saw those exact two pull styles paired together somewhere in my kitchen picture files. Of course, it is hard to tell in photos, but the handles all look to be brushed nickel. But the round pulls don’t. They actually look really tarnished or something. They read more dull dingy grey to me, with the circle part even darker. It would be a simple DIY project.

I think in a short time you are going to really dislike those wood columns that go down to the countertop flanking the corner cooktop. Maybe they open on the top portion? Idk, but the bottom blocks the flow of the countertops and give you no workspace next to the stove. That would drive me nuts. I would remove those immediately because no matter what I decided to eventually do to the kitchen those annoyances would have to go. The sides of the hood are probably not stained wood though. If possible, I would somehow try and reuse the plain wood side panel (not sure what to call that) on the outside of the column cut to fit the sides of the hood. But I wouldn’t fret about it if it can’t be covered right away. You can always add a matching stained skin piece down the road if the wood and layout stays. That is if you cannot keep the top section and just cut the bottom out. Edited because I just noticed the little hinges on top. Do they serve a purpose?

Congrats on your beautiful new nome!