Kenzie you have the perfect kitchen for hand-painting kitchen cabinets. You are going to be amazed at the improvement if you follow Christopher's directions. Just don't skip any steps and take your time :). You will see a little grain since your cabinets are oak, but that helps eliminate the look of brush marks also. I am one of those people who don't mind seeing the grain of oak - at least they look like real wood. I have one question for Christoper: How does the BM Impervo and Advance compare to SW Pro-Classic as far as ease of applying?? My reason for asking is that I have used the Pro-Classic on a vanity and was very impressed with the quality of the finished product - just would like to know for future projects.

I wouldn't paint the cabinets. I think they're really nice-looking, and I like the dark countertop with them for the contrast. I would update the backsplash, either remove the tile and paint the area above the 4" countertop splash, or remove both the existing tile and the 4" backsplash and pick out a new backsplash tile. You might also think about changing out the kitchen floor to something like a slate-look tile in a neutral charcoal tone to coordinate with the counters, or run in some hardwood. But really it's the backsplash area that needs the work, IMO.

They should turn out well, if you sand well, and use a quality primer and quality cabinet paint on them, to get a bit harder finish. Since its a painted finish, if black goes better in your house, paint it. If you ever decide you dont like it, you can always sand it down, and repaint it back white.

Before you go any further, wait a couple of days, and make sure that paint is really adhered to those tile. I would hate to see you work for days, and spend a lot of money on paint, and have that paint not bond to the tiles. Bonding primer would have made sure the paint adhered. Right now, I am very much afraid, that the paint will start peeling off. In any case, it needs to dry well, and all drips etc be sanded out. Please put a coat of paint over the lines too. They will look better if they are painted the same as the tile itself, since those lines will never be perfect on there. Once it is dry, and you have sanded the drips, and done some first coat touch ups on it, you will know, if that paint is going to stick, or if it will wipe right off with a damp cloth.