Beginnings of a Kitchen Update

CAUTION: THIS POST IS A BIT LENGTHY!

(but I could really use some input so please read!)

Okay, 6 years ago we bought a home.  We bought it with the intentions of it being our "starter home" and knew that it was going to require some fix-ups along the way.  As of now, we have done some kind of work to every room in our home. (not to mention the hours of labor in the yards!)  When we first moved in all of the walls were a faded white-almost grey color.  The matched the ceilings and had unpatched nail-holes everywhere!  First thing off I painted the living room/dining room.  Then moved through the house from there.  I tried to do something with the kitchen and considering what it looked like before, the currently look is a HUGE improvement!!  But even then, I have a lot of dreams for what I would like it to look like.  This is what it currently looks like......

To give myself a little credit, I did try doing a bit to help it out.  The cabinets were a dark hunter green (very 1990's) and there was terrible peeling laminate squares down for flooring, not to forget the aformentioned white-grey walls and ceiling.  I tried painting it a little more updated color and my husband put down some beautiful tile flooring!  However, I have about given up and we are in no spot to pay for a completely new custom-built kitchen.  I have been looking and looking for some advise and DIY tips of what I could do and I think I am starting to get brave enough to tacle the project.  ...But thanks to Pinterest... here is a little preview of what I would like it to look like when I'm done.....

http://kitchenisty.com/painting-kitchen-cabinets/painting-kitchen-cabinets-black/

I would like to stick to a color scheme this way. 

I have found the paint for the walls that I would like;

Mushroom Bisque by Behr. 

The cabinet Black color....is still in review!! 

But here is a little look at some other ideas I would like to try!

http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/07/pantry-remix.html

Some cute wallpaper lining my cabinets.  I really love this design!

http://kfddesigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/wavy-wall.html

POSSIBLY (and this is a big maybe) some gloss on matte desings on the cabints to give it some dimension.  If you didnt notice there are no raised panels on my cabinets.  Flat and boring.  I think this is what is making it so hard for me to make a decision on what to do with them!

http://www.houzz.com/photos/415845/Pullout-Perforated-Organizer-with-Hooks-modern-cabinet-and-drawer-organizers-

Adding some runners to my drawers and doing something like this with my vertical cupboards!  :)

And then there are some radom sites I have found some helpful hits for other things like this

This girl has great tips on painting cabinets and DIY faux-granite countertops!

http://frugalfineliving.blogspot.com/2009/08/budget-diy-kitchen-redo-part-2.html

and this

Great tips on Painting your cabinets!

http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets-like.html

 
  

So, let me know what you think.....I know its a HUGE project to tackle and even want to take on, but to me, your home is something that you should love and enjoy.  I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and really want it to look a little more "lovely".

So give me some ideas...and if you have any other advise, I would love to hear it! :)