If you are looking for a Wow! factor, the fireplace has a certain Arts and Crafts potential with those brackets holding the mantel shelf. Flank the fireplace with two substantial built-in looking bookcases about 3/4 the height of the fireplace. The stone does not look natural - is it concrete? I would tile it over with earth-toned tiles with a hand-glazed look, all but the brackets, the shelf, and the tiles on the flat surface of the hearth. If only the brackets are exposed, they'll look natural enough. Perhaps a couple of decorative tiles in there also. Or you could stucco over the stone. Paint the firescreen dark bronze or black. A couple of sconces over the book shelves. There should not be that much soot deposited over the opening. Either there was a bad one-time flare-up or there are chronic problems with a smoking chimney.

Are you painting the cabinets yourself or will you have them painted? It is an arduous task to do it right and expensive to have them painted for you. Do it wrong and you will have paint chipping and need to replace the cabinets. If you think you may do a total remodel in 10 years, your cabinets, if done right, might hold up to give you time to save up. Are you planning and can you afford to change the overall color tone of your home - with the gray wall color and white cabinets, it looks like you are leaning that way. The white alone is neutral, but start bringing in cool tones in paint or other surfaces, your floors will need to b changed - one thing follows another. You need to think of the big picture and the long term plan. I kept my cabinets, but changed counters, backsplash and sink. My cabinets are oak, but not the exact same style as yours: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 I would consider changing the ceiling light and installing under cabinet lighting before spending money elsewhere. New lighting will affect the way the wood looks - you may or may not like it better. The present lighting is not helping the wall paint of cabinets. I have a "wood kitchens" idea book and some (not all) of the kitchens are refreshed oak kitchens which may give you some other inspiration. There is no "should" in how you do your kitchen - there is what would get you to your vision in your budget. Sometimes, painting older cabinets does that, other times it is a disappointment because it is older cabinets painted white with still older light fixture, counters and backsplash. There is noting wrong with an older kitchen either, but white paint will not change that it is an older kitchen. You can make it prettier than it is without painting the cabinets.

paint the uppers only, a white or mushroom....[putty]…..I think the bottom cabinet area will work with the floor then. The layer of wood cabinetry on the walls is very "heavy" , visually.....regardless of what floor exists. A change at eye level[walls] will change things in a big way. And the wood cabinets lower down will actually be good, as an "anchor" for your space. And get some runners/mats. You lack base drawers..at some point a replacement will come into your discussions..... so extra trouble of painting them isn't worth it.

IMO blue/ grays are hard to work with if i have a client that has to paint before a house is completed i highly reccomend a pale grayed green it is much more neutral than gray and seems to work with everything. Sea Salt from Sherwin Williams is a good color it is not the same as BM sea salt.