I think your kitchen has beautiful bones.

Just a few small updates like replacing the 1970's flourescent fixture with things that's more period appropriate and updating the wallpaper would make a huge difference.

I also wonder if it's possible to extend the tilework from behind the stove to the whole backsplash.

I would play up the cute vintage wallpaper as well, as long as it's in good condition and you like it. I would put in a light fixture with a 1930s feel and get an old fashioned Wedgewood-type stove (you can find inexpensive ones on Craigslist or at salvage yards). If you want more of a 1930s look you could paint the cabinets white and add glass drawer/cabinet pulls. Alternatively, make it super 60s with a more modern light fixture and stainless steel appliances with a space age vibe.

it actually looks kind of amazing from this photo.. I especially love those sliding door cubby-things in the island, very mid-century modern:)

The thing is, even though your house is from 1937 there is nothing good about a circa 1937 kitchen... I think the one thing in a house that can and should be completely updated is a kitchen. That said - the wood looks nice and I love the glass cabinets on the left side. I would change out the hardware to something a little more modern, get rid of the wallpaper and go with that tile backsplash above the stove. Maybe you can find more of that tile and do the whole kitchen backsplash with it (if it is in decent shape... hard to tell from the photo). Otherwise leave it as is and tile the rest of the backsplash with something complementary. Also maybe updating appliances if you can afford it - and/or putting in a darker countertop (granite or ceasarstone?) might make it look up to date.

oh also - ditch the huge florescent light fixture and put up some sleek modern pendant lights!

Ooh, I have those exact same slide-y doors in my kitchen - all of my cupboards are made of them, unfortunately. I painted them in a bright abstract pattern. But my kitchen was not so well-maintained as yours. Yours is rather pleasing to look at!

Me, I'd probably get rid of the wallpaper - I think I'd (personally) find the kitchen more cohesive with plain-coloured walls.

OMG I love your kitchen. Don't change it! I agree with the fluorescent lighting (although I love the wooden casing?) and the backsplash suggestion . . . but seriously, you have an amazing kitchen. Focus on the stuff you're going to put in those fabulous cupboards!

Echoing other comments:
1. Change lighting (add under counter lighting!)

2. Extend backspash

3. Keep wallpaper over the cabinets but, remove wallpaper from-the wall with the exterior door and paint. I like the vintage charm factor but an entire wall with the pattern is a bit much for me....

Ok, have a question - are you bragging??? Just kidding. I totally wish I had your "problem". Only things I would change: the lighting, the appliances, wallpaper and the backsplash. It has fantastic bones. Definitely save your money...or sell the cabinets, etc. to me!!!

Just remove the wallpaper.

That is an amazing kitchen. I would keep the cabinets and clean them up. Hang pendant lights in place of the flourscent box. The wallpaper is fun but really loud. You could remove it all except for the backsplash area just to keep a pop of color. Formica makes some retro prints that are fun and inexpensive for a countertop. New appliances will make a huge difference as well, but don't just buy stainless steel because everyone says you must. They are a pain to clean are don't really play up the style of the kitchen. Stick with white and you could even go with reproduction stuff (if you're serious about the vintage appeal) or get the bright turquoise to work with the wallpaper. :)

katelyn

bessantdesigns.com

Lucky you! Based on these photos, the only changes I would make have already been suggested: change the overhead light fixture and extend the backsplash. I do wish the backsplash tile were more green, but it is hard to judge color online.

Your cabinets appear to be well made, probably custom-made. Also shallow drawers, sliding doors and other details make me think your kitchen had a professional planner and cabinet maker. I think I would paint the cabinets white and keep the wall paper if it is in good condition. However, I would tile the entire back splash. Lucky you! Your kitchen does have good bones.

I am drooling over your cabinets. I can't believe someone suggested painting them... please don't.

Cute! What a great kitchen! I'd eplace the light with something more classic: http://www.rejuvenation.com/collections/Period_Basics_Lighting.html

The wallpaper is also really lovely and quite inspiring! But I do think you need to replace those mini-tiles behind the stove with a backsplash that runs along the entire length of your counter. I'm a huge sucker for white tile, but think that might look a bit sparse and boring aagainst your white counter.

I'm in love with this kitchen. Once you change the lighting and wallpaper, please post the after photos! I don't mind the white appliances at all. If they are in good working order I see no hurry to replace them.
Hard to tell the shape of the counters from the photo, but if it's in the budget I'd replace them too.

Replace lighting, remove wallpaper and maybe update the appliances is all I'd do. I LOVE the cabinets and personally love the look of wood and white. So if it were me I'd do stainless appliances, white countertop and some sort of nice backsplash. This would look totally like today's modern and a bit of mid century mod too.

Lucky you - you've got great bones there!

I hate the idea of painting over perfectly nice natural wood tones, but I feel like the cabinets overpower the small space. But what else do you expect in a kitchen?! It has to be functional. Maybe there's a way to add relief to the upper cabinets? Moulding of some sort? I would also suggest making the rest of the space more neutral in contrast to the cabinets. What about carrera marble counter tops (or faux) and a subway tile backsplash? Maybe there's wall space to frame a swatch of retro wall paper? hen add accessories such as a kitchenaid mixer and some bakelite tscotschkas and you're there!

I agree with most of the other comments:

1. Change light fixture
2. Get rid of the wallpaper (replace with different paper or paint)
3. New tile backsplash all the way around
4. If you don't like the laminate counters, update with Caesarstone or Corian in white (orange or red could look great with that wood, too!)

I like the current cabinet hardware and the white appliances. Please do not stainless in this sweet kitchen!

Get rid of the wallpaper. Sorry. Not a fan. I agree the lighting fixture has to go.

I'm not a fan of the wood in the cabinets either. I would paint them. Not necessarily white, but I would cover the wood. I just don't like the color, but the cabinets themselves are in great shape. And get new knobs of course.

It's an interesting kitchen, I agree. An island with an elevated back. I would say take that off, and make a much larger island, but the sliding cabinets are so cute, you have to keep them.

I have had two white kitchens in a row, so maybe I'm biased. I want to know it is CLEAN, just like an operating room. But it does mean keeping it clean, because it shows every little thing.

Good Luck. You have great bones to work with.

Did they have stainless appliances in the 30s or the 60s? I'm thinking not.

I love the glass doors. Not so crazy about the cubby holes by the sink.

I suspect the paper looks better in the photo than than in person. To me it's too much, and I'm not crazy about wallpaper unless you can change it out yourself when you are tired of it, or have the money to pay to have it redone when you wake up and decide you really want a change.

If you really LOVE the backsplash....extend with a similar color/pattern. If not...don't spend the money on it. I don't think it looks great with the wallpaper.

I agree with a new light fixture and handles. Maybe a new counter if you don't like the one you have.

To start, I think YOU need to make a list of what you LOVE, HATE, and can live with regarding this kitchen.

Make it pleasing, but don't worry about sticking to the 60s.

ooh, cute kitchen! if it were mine.... i'd remove the wallpaper, flourescent light, cabinet hardware, and countertops. i'd paint the walls a soft green, add retro style pendants and cabinet hardware, and install a white/cream quartz countertop. if the tile above the stove is in fair condition, i'd extend a full backsplash above all counters using subway style glass tiles that compliment the original tile. i probably wouldn't replace the appliances, unless they're major energy wasters. :) even if you do nothing to your kitchen, it's still awesome, and congrats on the new place!

I too am in love with your cabinets. I wouldn't even think of painting them. I imagine It wouldn't wear at all well with the sliding doors especially. If I were to do anything to them, I'd maybe consider refinishing and staining them a darker color, but that's about it.

as it is, i think doing the other things some people have suggested would make them more appealing with their current color. New lights (main fixture and undercounter), Continuing the backsplash tile (matching the existing, or if you can't, getting ones that are mainly white with specks of similar tones could work), and putting in a darker color countertop (with the tile backsplash, i wouldn't have the counter extend up the wall at all). And yeah, if it were my kitchen, I'd get rid of the wallpaper.. but maybe you love it, so that one's up to you.

Oh, wow. You have some great cabinets and a big space to work with. The first thing you should change is the lighting to something more period-appropriate. You can find rewired vintage fixtures or reproductions at Rejuvenation and other websites.

You didn't say how you felt about the wallpaper, but if you decide to strip it, it might be cool to keep some pieces and frame them. Add a tile backsplash in a cheerful color or colors and consider a new countertop. I like white appliances and those look to be new-ish and in very good condition so you don't need to spend your money on changing them.

Oh... if you do end up with a new countertop, maybe adding a piece on top of the cabinets around the sink also. I don't know what's going on with the rest of the space, but that could even be extended out to make a bar-height counter. Even without that, it just seems more kitcheny to me.. that looks a bit more like office furniture.. a reception counter or something.

I actually really like the layout and the cabinetry in this kitchen! I'd ditch the wall paper, add Cole & Son Woods (birch) Wallpaper on a focal wall, add some soapstone counters, can't quite tell what's happening on the floor but there are some funky linoleums these days and maybe upgrade appliances when you can.

Really great bones in there. Looking forward to seeing more of your new home. Congratulations!

I can tell you what *I* would do, but I have no idea what your taste is and exactly how much of this fab vintage kitchen you actually want to keep.

The good news is you have the whole internet worth of pictures! Start searching flickr for vintage kitchens, modern kitchens, etc and save the pictures you like. Pretty soon you'll know exactly what you want and don't want and you will already know what it looks like, so you won't be guessing whether it will look good. : )

I think this vintage kitchen is amazing!!!!! I'll trade you!

I think that the kitchen looks pretty good now. It looks to be in pretty good shape. The only thing I would change is the wallpaper.

Looking forward to reading these suggestions - I too have a 1937 house with a 1960/70's kitchen. We also seem to have the same stove!

This is a great kitchen. I agree again with what has been suggested.

Loose the light fixture, something simple white milk glass 30-40's style pendent.

It would be fabulous if you could find a vintage Wedgwood type of stove, I had one once in pristine shape it worked great and gorgeous..But by the looks of it you have electric not gas? Otherwise, update the stove and fridge with stainless steel to tie in with the sink.

I would remove the wallpaper unless you love it.

Accent with a fun piece of art for the wall and bowels.

It would be great to see what you end up doing.

I think white tile for the backsplash would be best to continue the white line from the counters.

You could paint the walls a color that will work with the rest of the house or just a nice white

Just give the cabinets a nice buffing.

you can look at this link

http://retrorenovation.com/galleries/1940s-kitchens/

for some 1940s era kitchen design adverts, maybe get better ideas about colors and proportion to come closer to the era of the rest of the house?

P.

I would switch out the appliances for something a stove and refridgerator with a bit of vintage character, replace the fixtures and hardware with pieces that have a hand rubbed bronze finish, switch out the light fixtures with a series of drop down pendents and recessed lighting, Replace the Backsplash and extend it to the adjoining wall with a quilted stainless steel backsplash and finally replace the countertop with mosaic tile.

http://dreamstoves.com/index.html

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?from=thumb&frm=&module=Kitchen Sink Faucets&item=13129902&prod_num=6130-3&section=1&category=4&resultPage=0-1433152659

Sorry my second link isn't working search the Kohler website for Parq deck-mount kitchen faucet with spray product # K-6131-3

It actually is in really nice condition. Please don't rid of those great cabinets on the side with the sliding glass! Those are great! And the appliances are nice and new. It's hard to tell the style you're going for with only pics of this very mid century kitchen.

As always, it depends on your budget. Agree you should change out the light. Rejuvenation has some amazing MCM lights.

If you don't like the color of the cabinets, you could reface them if they are in as good of shape as they look.

This kitchen has similar cabinets, but they put in new countertops and a backsplash and it looks great.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattandjenny/3750271689/in/set-72157600784038317/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattandjenny/3750271539/in/set-72157600784038317/

Here's another kitchen:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikesmcm/4350091063/in/pool-829983@N22

Check out retrorenovation.com as well.

I can't tell what the floors are like, but you could do Marmoleum in a cool pattern.

Folks are suggesting replacing the counters - but you'll run the risk of destroying the cool shelf/drawers behind the sink on the island trying to remove it. Besides, old laminate counters are SOLID in the way that new laminate counters can't begin to come close - I wouldn't touch them, just clean them up w/ some Bar Keepers Friend (no abrasives)

The other thing is painting - If you paint those cabinets, you'd have to paint the trimwork and the cool louvered shutters that you have beneath the sliding glass cabinet: It's just a bad idea all around for this vintage gem.

I also wouldn't concern yourself with trying to make the kitchen "30's" - stick within the late 50's/early 60's styles, colors and materials and you'll do great.

The trick with playing up period features, especially when they're solid and intact like they are here, is to simplify the setting.

Step 1: Clean everything to remove any remnants of grease and grime. It will make the kitchen look fresh.
Step 2: Get rid of the wallpaper - it distracts from the cool 60s blockiness of the cabinetry.
Step 3: Paint the walls in a subtle colour that captures the 60s. Perhaps take a hint from those old stacking cannisters for flour, sugar, coffee etc (eg light olive green, pale blue, pastel yellow, and so on).
Step 4: Add some final pizzazz with a few vintage plates, bowls or vases. Alternately, source some era-compatible ceramic tiles and make the backsplash behind the stovetop the focal point of the kitchen.

Overall you want the kitchen to be about a current appreciation of 60s modernism, not a recreation of your grandma's home.

Wow, I think that's a pretty fabulous base to work with! I would look at Rejuvenation and Schoolhouse Electric for light fixtures to replace the flourescent and I definitely recommend a quartz composite countertop material. We just had Hanstone countertops installed and I'm very very happy with it. A solid pop color like a green or orange would be fantastic I think. I agree with extending the tile backsplash above the stove to the rest of the wall and maybe upgrade to a slide-in stove if you do replace the coutertop, I think it gives a cleaner look overall. The wallpaper I think could go either way, if you do keep it, play off of one of the colors in other elements, ie countertop.
But really, its really beautiful for the period. If my 60s house had a 60s kitchen like that, I might not have just undergone a full renovation of it.

Love your cabinets, and the wallpaper is pretty cute. I think just getting rid of the overhead light fixture will do the trick.

alison...CONGRATS on the purchase!
i do love your kitchen and the layout and i'm drooling over all that cabinet space.
i do think it does look dated...i'm more for light, airy and neutral colors...
here's the start of our kitchen redesign (it's amazing what white paint and brushed nickel hardware can do to a some dated cabinets) http://www.casacullen.com/2009/12/rwd-home-kitchen-redesign-before-and-after.html
and here's a link to our new modern and industrial breakfast nook table http://www.casacullen.com/2010/02/diy-before-and-after-butcher-block-island-and-breakfast-nook-table.html
i think adding a few more modern pieces in the kitchen will keep it dated, fresh and chic....also, maybe add some stainless appliances into the mix (we don't even have them so no worries if you're keeping yours...that's the greenest thing to do, until they go KAPUTZ)
best of luck to YOU!
http://www.casacullen.com/

Thank you, thank you. Yes to the lighting and the backsplash and to keeping the cabinets, and I appreciate that readers are conflicted over the very same things that I have been. I probably will remove some of the wallpaper, because it's overwhelming when it surrounds you on 4 sides, but do I leave a wall of it? Or just frame some? Another conflict is the painting cabinets. I have always had a soft spot for painted cabinets, but these are good cherry, and they are kind of fabulous in their own way.

Floors are carpeted, and the carpeting is old...that will be going. Our thought was to extend the floor from the rest of the house (oil-finished random oak) into the kitchen, for continuity's sake. But that's bringing 1937 into the 60s, and the merging of periods causes cognitive dissonance for me.

There's a marble guy near me who has enough carrera remnants to replace the three non-island counters with marble for cheap. By which I mean: really cheap. But the current counters are in fine shape, and we couldn't afford to do the island, so...I don't know.

(and what about extending that island someday for bar-style seating, with cool old vintage stools?)

Would love a vintage stove...probably not in the budget for a while, plus these are relatively new and good quality, and there's no gas hookup to the house at the moment. Related: there's currently no spot for a microwave (and we do have hungry young kids who sometimes need food hurled at them fast, so it's nice to have a quick option for reheating leftovers)...besides above the range. Which would be ugly. But practical, and anything else involves messing with cabinets.

I love the ideas and links, keep expressing those opinions, and I definitely love a community where people appreciate a quirky kitchen that doesn't look like everyone else's. Thank you.

Two of these in place of the florescent would be gorgeous!
http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC888/templates/selection.phtml

Also, I love the cabinets and the wallpaper, but I think you'd definitely benefit from at least a new stove, if not a new fridge as well. Also, a cool chrome/stainless range hood would look very sharp. I'm a fan of the kitchen hardware, but if you really wanted to amp it up a notch, I'd look into finding vintage boomerang pulls or buying new from Rejuvenation, who makes really lovely ones. Also, if you're thinking about replacing the countertops, I'd get something with a stainless steel band on the outside, or you could even just add that to your current countertops, probably. It's hard to tell what the floor is, but marmoleum or (if you can swing it!) large terrazzo tiles would be stunning. While I love the wallpaper, I'd actually just keep it on the soffit and tile the entire backsplash-- you could even just do subway tiles to bring back in the more vintage feel. Smaller chrome appliances like toasters and blenders will look great on the counter.

The site RetroRenovation has a lot of good resources and inspirational photos of vintage kitchens.

Great kitchen, have fun with it!

And Alison-
I would strongly say, DON'T extend the wood floor, or I think you'll basically be committing to painting the cabinets-- just too much wood. If you're not into the lino/marm/terrazzo suggestions, what about a painted wood floor, like in a diamond pattern? This might be too much for the wallpaper, but if you're planning to remove some of that, my instinct would be to keep it only on the soffit.

check out this amazing kitchen with just the soffit wallpapered! And the light grey lino flooring I think looks great, and would be inexpensive.
http://retrorenovation.com/pams-kitchen/

and, and, and...

rather than framing the wallpaper if you remove it, you could keep it on the soffit and use it to matte a framed B&W photograph or something on the wall between the door and the window.

I'm getting too excited about this. I'm stopping.

Yes Yes Yes to the carerra marble!! It was my first thought when I saw the pics! And an old school pendant light above the sink would be killer...maybe the Ikea Fado or one from Restoration Hardware? DO try to extend the tile from behind the stove along the rest of the backsplash...and maybe add aqua colored milk glass pulls to the cabinets to continue the color around? Though I do like the metal ones already there if they're still in good condition.
As for a microwave: first, could a mini microwave fit on the top of the island woodwork? The sliding cupboards below it would be great for hotpads, etc. Otherwise, a skilled carpenter could cut (yes, I know *gasp*) cut into the side of the island to make a cubby for an undercounter microwave location. This would hide the "modern" appliance but still be easy to feed the hungries. You might also need to run an electrical line, so it might not be cheap! But bonus! the kids can reheat their own snacks in another year or three if it's at their level!

Get rid of the green and white wallpaper strips above the cabinets. Paint the area a deep, almost indigo, purple instead.

Woops! There's more green & white wallpaper under the high places. I would get rid of that, too.

not bad. first, get rid of that fluorescent lighting.
next step- say goodbye to the wallpaper, and redo the backsplash tile. (remove that panelling and continue it to that wall)

i think that should do it. good luck!

A good quality linoleum would be a period-appropriate flooring choice that you might not have considered. I like the suggestion about checkered black and white, but if that would be too bold for the space something more neutral could work too. I'm sure it will turn out great!

I normally don't like wood kitchens but I love this - I think it's the white countertops and the glass fronted cabinets which save it from being too woody - and of course the fabulous little cubby thingies.

However, yes, I would suggest getting rid of that wallpaper, which just distracts from the beautiful cabinets. I think paint would look much better, possibly a duck-egg blue or something that would focus the attention on the cabinets.

Also that strange boxy lighting thing has to go. But please don't go too modern, and likewise please don't update the cabinet hardware with modern hardware, that would just distract from the delicious sixtiesness of the room.

I just wanted to throw in my opinion on painting the cabinets. I LOVE painted cabinets, and am normally a big fan of painting old wood cabs...but the ones you have are absolutely fabulous the way they are. Just lovely. Keep them! (Not in love with the wallpaper however).

Congratulations on your new home!

After sleeping on this, I have changed my mind about the wallpaper. Take it down. But keep those lovely cabinets.

As for the floor, if you don't paint the cabinets don't bring the wood floor into the kitchen. I agree with the lino or painted wood suggestions. If you do paint the cabinets, bring in the wood floor.

The wallpaper is doing nothing for the place--get rid of all of it (unless you like it of course). One accent wall of a new wallpaper and complementary paint elsewhere would be nice.
I you don't paint those "good!" "cherry!" cabinets, as I implore you, then I think a wood floor would be too much. I am considering Forbo linoleum myself, but haven't followed through yet so I cannot say for sure. A stone would be nice.
It goes without saying, but don't do anything until you have a complete plan. When you are considering new lighting (and the ceiling repair that will follow) and a new floor, plus great tile for the back splash and paint/wallpaper, you may want to hold off on the counters if they are in good shape. I think they look fine.

Not sure if it was mentioned in any of these posts, but you could change out the hardware on the cabinets. New pulls make a huge difference. You could change the whole look of the kitchen by painting the cabinets and putting in more modern pulls. This kitchen has great potential!

Yes to the Marmoleum - No to the wood floors.

No to the countertop marble (period inappropriate - stick with the laminate) and extending the island (again, you'll lose the great shelves behind the sink)
The range hood can easily be replaced with a microwave/hood unit.
Yes to framing some of the old wallpaper - but only if you really love it that much.

So many others have provided good ideas, so I'll just say, oh my gosh - that wallpaper looks like one of the five layers of wallpaper in my kitchen!
I don't know how it looks in person but if it's anything like mine - get it off now!!

Yes Marmoleum! And again, please don't paint the cabinets. If you do a pattern with whole squares (so you have to cut only the edge ones), you can probably manage to install it yourself.

I envy your dilemma but my first instinct is to get rid of the two upper cabinets on either side of the stove, replace the exhaust hood and extend the tile blacksplash. Maybe it's the picture angle but it looks kinda tight with the upper cabinets and the island nooks.

What is the make and model of your refrigerator? It looks nearly counter-depth.

microwave, hmm... i wouldn't do an above the stove one, but wouldn't want to waste counter space either. what exactly is that at the end of the counter to the left of the stove? It looks like more of the sliding doors, but it's hard to tell in the picture. It might work to put a smaller microwave into that space, actually. I know the one I have in my kitchen would fit in that space. That would keep it out of the way and not this huge thing taking over the whole kitchen.

it's a beautiful kitchen to begin with. i'd replace lighting, extend backsplash, remove wallpaper.

Few houses of any age match completely one particular era. Someone made a very attractive and practical 60s-70s kitchen here; I would leave it much as it is. I agree with others that the glass doored shelving is beautiful. The wallpaper fights with the cabinetry and room design; get rid of it and paint! I would also suggest changing the colored backsplash to some more subtle neutral effect: natural stone of some kind, for example. Hanging lamps over the counter in an quality vintage sixties or reproduction design. You are lucky to have such a functional kitchen and white/wood basics. Keep it understated, and it will blend with whatever you choose to do with the rest of the house.

RetroRenovation will be a huge help! This is an amazing kitchen and shouldn't be overhauled, just helped along. Maybe some modern wallpaper and some marmoleum floor?

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha... I love this kitchen!

Hope you don't paint the fabulous cabinets . . .