I think the cabinets are kinda groovy - and I'd play up their mod-ness. My first order of business would be to attack the white tile backsplash (cover it with flashing!?!?) and then paint the room...the peach is kinda grandmotherly. Maybe one of the Ralph Lauren metallic shades?

Paint the cabinets with Benhamin Moore chalkboard paint and go to town with the chalk--change the hardware to something interesting and colorful---maybe Anthropologie as a source?...

I'd play up the modness of the cabinets as well -- perhaps with a black, white, and red color scheme. Chrome (shiny grey metal) accents.

And positive thoughts your way: sounds like you're entering an exciting new chapter in your life.

I wish I could see that snazzy border more closely -- is there a color in there that you can pull from to determine a wall color? The slanted wall complicates things it takes kind of harsh turn there over the sink -- I think I would paint it the same color as the walls to make it less obvious -- as long as you have good lighting, it shouldn't darken the room.

I do not understand the craze for chalk board paint. I understand that it's pretty cool aesthetically, but what happens when you are rubbing messages off? Is it just me who remembers all that chalk dust at school?

That is the last thing I want in the kitchen, and I am not even a particularly hygenic person.

I've always wanted to do something like this:

http://www.livingetc.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=95

The white tile backsplash would look great with this. I'm sure you'll be painting the walls too, they almost look peach?

It looks like the "bones" are good for this kitchen. Keep the cabinets as they are but definitely repaint the walls! If there is a "logical" break line btw the kitchen and adjoining room...I'd extend the color up the sloped ceiling.

The link that ART posted - think of doing the exact opposite (in terms of color).

The backsplash is another target for renovating...maybe a bright bold color - and then cover it with glass. Or a stainless-steel backsplash.

I'd also consider some under-cabinet task lighting and some cabinet top lighting (rope lights) for some dramatic flair.

Free rein. I'm just saying.

If it was me, I'd do up cast lighting from the tops of the cabinets, illuminating brightly colors vases, pieces of art, and the unique ceilings! Then some down lit task lighting from a darker but rich painted cabinets, maybe some kind of blue? *shrug*

I'd also cut & paint some mdf so that cabinets look straight "across" rather than the stair effect-- you could hide stuff behind the faux shelf for storage...

I like art's suggestion via Living Etc.
keep the walls a neutral tone, taupe, warm gray, etc and paint the cabinets a brighter color... disguise the backplash by coloring it the same as the walls...

Those look like the funky vintage metal cabinets I have in my kitchen. They're kitchy. have fun with them.

Sometimes on this site, I think everyone just wants to change stuff for the sake of change.

I actually love the retro-ness of the cabinets - I like Art's suggestion of making them pop with a bright color like the LivingEtc pic. I'd do a clean white for the walls if you're going to go that route, just to keep it modern.

hmmm.... i love a free rein.

what about testing the wild-wild contact paper waters (look here http://www.curbly.com/meanjanine/photos/3367-Contact-paper-makes-the-kitchen-suave-) by turning all those cabinets "stainless".

And I would paint one wall a rich crushed mulberry purple, and the others a creamy tinted white.
And hang strings of lights, cheery cheery paper or bamboo lights.

And perhaps lay a bright rug, with deep reds in it by the sink.

I like the cupoard handles (from the photos) and would keep them.

i agree with installing a flashing or stainless backsplash. I would paint the wall with cabinets a deep gun metal grey and the others a lighter value of the same color. The cabinets appear to have a weird mottled neutral color on them. Painting them white would make them look fresh and new (make sure you spray them, not brush them - you'll see the brush strokes otherwise) .Then have fun adding colored accessories. Adding some shelves on the low wall could be nice for storing plates. You could put stainless on that wall too - that could be especially nice :)

Have fun! You are very lucky to have such a smart boyfriend :)

track lighting on the slanted walls, paint, and decorative mirrors....think bright and white or even a yellow

Okay, after reading everyone's suggestions, I pulled together some of the ideas that I personally like (I don't recommend doing this at work unless you really have nothing better to do ;):
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1311/909499294_71efc5aae6_o.jpg

I agree with wwoolsey on color. I think you should go with a yellow color for the walls plus an orange accent color; not exactly the colors in the image, whatever you're comfortable with. Painting everything one color will make the room seem bigger because everything blends. The accent colors should go on that one cabinet in the corner and the decorative tile on the backsplash. If you don't like the yellow tones, then you can go with any color you like as long as it stays fairly monochromatic.

If possible, I'd also suggest staining the floor to match with your table and chair set and adding a front on the fridge to match the cabinets. I personally don't like parquet floors, so making it dark would hide the pattern and would make the kitchen feel more modern.

Ideas that I also like:
- Meg's suggestion on painting the cabinets white.
- I Love Upstate's idea of the MDF to even out the cabinets.
- JenPDX's suggestion on the under cabinet shelves is great for extra storage and display, but I would also suggest some above the cabinet also. Don't forget to include clearance for the cabinet doors so that they don't slam into the shelves.
- Matthew's suggestion on the chalkboard paint, but I think it should be isolated to parts of the kitchen for notes or something. I'd also go one step further and use magnetic paint to make it a bulletin board. Also, the color of the paint ties into the countertop.

Since it looks like your dining table is nearby, I don't like the idea of grey walls. I'd paint them a saturated vivid, not too bright, green. In a shade that would go well with the orange/yellow vase.
If you wanted to do more than just paint, the next thing I would focus on is lighting. I'd make sure there's something really nice over the dining table, and then lots of smaller fixtures over the kitchen area.

ChibiRobo,

That's really cool. I wish I knew how to materialize my ideas.

I think most people would agree to take your focus off of the cabinets. Try some paint to tie in that orange? tile strip and some good furniture etc.

Chibi is right on the money...but I'd go with something more timeless...like celery for the color scheme.

I like robyn's idea of pulling the colors to be used from the border and going from there.

I very much like ChibiRobo's idea of staining the floor.

If I'm not mistaken, from the photo of the sink area, the flash reflecting off the cabinets makes them appear to have a matte finish, leading me to believe that they may made of wood or MDF and covered in formica or similar type laminate. They also look very 80's, judging by the mottled color.

So on that note, not sure how one would refinish these cabinets successfully but one can play them up, or down depending on what one does with the rest of the room.

I personally find the tile backsplash not too bad, really, yes they are of the larger format tiles and are on the dated side but still, they aren't bad at all. Now the accent tile, that's another thing all together unless you like it's organgy yellow color, if so, then play off it as your starting point for painting the room.

Definitly add more lighting if they are so lacking as a well lit kitchen makes it easier to work in when you can see what you are doing.

These are just some things I would do if I had free reign, but a limited budget.