I think it can be stunning! I agree with cabinets to the ceiling except use cdrown molding for the English look you desire. By all means good lighting however to achieve the look do not use harsh lighting. Have dimmers and have a smallish lamp on one of your countertops for ambient lighting. I do suggest Carrera marble if you go grey or hammered stainless (to resemble pewter) if you go dark blue for your countertops and pl;ease consider hanging some antique mirror. I have a wonderful photo of a tiny deep blue kitchen and cannot seem to lay my hands on it. If I find it soon I will post it for you. I hope you will go for it and post photos! Hope this helps. :)

Thanks folks.. The unit doors are solid pine and the ceiling is red deal..( hope that's the correct spelling!) It's a cosy space but a little dark I think, if not too overbearing with all the wood..

Gloss is lovely, such as these cabinets that were shipped from Italy to Chicago for our custom installation:

All the laminate covering had peeled off, I primed it with the BIN primer and finished it with oilbased satinwood.