I would consider something light with some other colors to mix in like this. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Silestone-2-in-Quartz-Countertop-Sample-in-Mont-Blanc-SS-Q0220/203674451/ I like the wood paneling and would paint it a white with a warm feel to it. A white will reflect a lot of light from your large window. I wouldn't paint the window casing as it might tie in better with the rest of the house. Good luck!!

Rather than removing the edging, I would add to its width and this wil make the cabinetry look custom and paint it white. I would also keep the corner shelving and replace your accessories - one item/shelf and related to each other. You could add a great fixture instead of the pot light, change the faucet and hardware. Suggest carrarra marble backsplash (don't put the rack back up behind stove) and there are so many pattern choices. It's also interesting how they have laid the tile in the last picture, which I think would work really well with your set up and will save a bit of money on marble. A dark quartz or granite would be complimentary and warm up all of the white. [houzz=]; [houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/6-via-aragon-san-antonio-parade-of-homes-contemporary-kitchen-austin-phvw-vp~1042542];[[houzz=]

Your suggestions are really greatly appreciated. My town house unit is under complete exterior re-cladding works, prompting quite substantial interior makeover (i.e installtion of ducted air con, replacing wall to wall carpet with timber upstairs, and tiles in open space downstaris, replacing creamy wall paper will be replaced with neutral white paint. So my green kitchen with creamy formica counter (bench) top should go. I don't hate green simply had egounh of it after long 15 yeras! My small U shape kitchen is due for complete makeover, I think! I'll probably go with new cabinets (lower one for microwave) up to the ceiling, when move fridge at the end I'll go with panel with matching colour up to the ceiling, expanding counter top on the other side to the fridge. I guess that removal of the cupboard can be compesated with extension of the counter top so we can fit 3x drawer underneath and cabinets up to the ceiling can provide some useful storage space. Backsplash in same white palette or darker in contrast? Your kind ideas please!

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