Painting Basement Walls

I am going to purchase a darker stained complete kitchen. I would like to lighten the stain. It also has handles in the middle of the doors. I would like to remove them and add knobs at the bottom of the doors. Not sure how to fill the holes so they do not show.This kitchen is in very good shape. We are going to retrofit it into ours after we remove some walls. I am not familiar with any resurfacing techniques or painting. I am afraid to paint because the cabinets were refinished about 8 years ago. I am concerned because the detailing on the cabinets might chip if we paint. I would just like to 1) find away to lighten, or paint without having to do it again in two years.

I want to paint a diamond patern on the walls of a bedroom, but the math and some general quaestions are troubling me. 1) With the walls being of different widths, there isn't a constant size of diamond that would prevent a partial on one wall. Is that typical or am I just not thinking correctly? 2) I am assuming that the 'diamond' shape is really just a square on it's point. Are there any general rules about this? Should the pattern be more tall than wide? Does it matter? Is it all personal preference? 3) Does anyone know of a website that would help me plan this out? When I look at different 'painting techniques' websites, I get faux finishes and things like that. Not what I am looking for. Any thoughts would be appreciated.