Joel..

I painted my mica cabinets in my old house, then polyurthaned them so I could
clean them up easily and I have to say they held up really well (don't forget I
have a child & 2 big dogs too, so that only adds to furniture trauma - lol). I
bet the same procedure would work well on the tops - just put decorative trays
out to place things on so nothing gets thrown on the counter. Get those felt
"feet" things that glue onto the bottoms of your "regular" stuff (canisters,
etc. that arent rubber coated and you intend to keep on your counter). I'm
sure you've thought of these things already, but just food for thought.

I'm actually decorating brainstorming myself right now as I'm getting ready to
paint vines & hibiscus blossoms onto the walls of my daughters bedroom. Her
motif is a jungle (complete with a mosquito net over her bed, leopard print
bedspread and sheets, a mosquito net scarf twisted over a wrought iron rod over
her window, etc.). I painted her walls a pale green previously and now am
going to free hand the vines onto the walls to finish up the look - I thought
I'd paint some monkey grass here and there along the bottom of the walls, throw
in some ladybugs and dragonflys, paint some butterflies fluttering around, and
tucans perched on the molding over her closet.

Are we having fun yet or what!!!! I love home improvement stuff as much as I
love creating a wonderful meal!! Good luck with your kitchen endeavors and let
us know how it turns out -- it sure sounds creative and inspired Joel!

Take care :)
Julie