Make one of these!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/how-to/howto-make-your-own-string-pendant-lamp-071619

All you need is a punching balloon, fabric stiffener (stiffy brand) and crochet string...

I made one and I absolutely love it! It would look great in your kitchen, it provides tons of light, and it cost under $20 to make one.

if you like the idea, I can give you my email with more information on how to make one.

hi,
we moved to an apartment with similar style well, our cabinets are a lighter colour, and we got a lamp from ikea :

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70089414

provides the kitchen with lots of light and looks modern and yet not so modern.
cheers

I like both suggestions that have been made. You can also consider a retro glass fixture that will go with the vintage feel of the space, but has a more modern feel like this one:

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=190&navAction=jump&link=ci_schoolhouse_pendant_pendants&cm_re=CI-_-CategoryImage-_-SchoolhousePendant

You're right, Becky - that current light makes me want some garlic bread and a pitcher of diet coke.

I'd go for a basic pendant light; the paper shade ones aren't usually bright enough for me so perhaps one of those funnel-shaped white glass shades. Maybe even something from (gasp!) Ikea.

I think a schoolhouse light would go well, but usually these only take one light bulb. I think you'd need at least 2 bulbs to make the kitchen feel bright. I don't like this as much as a single schoolhouse light, but maybe this would work:

http://www.bluemarblelighting.com/servlet/the-2099/Chandeliers-Chandelier-Candelabra-Schoolhouse/Detail?gdftrk=gdfV21039_a_7c247_a_7c994_a_7cB2346

You might be able to use 23w CFL bulbs in it, each of which gives the equivalent of a 100w incandescent bulb. I have 3 X 23w CFLs in the drum pendant in my kitchen, and my kitchen is very nice and bright!

If this is your only light in the kitchen - I don't see any under-cabinet lighting - then I think you should go for a uplighter, which will give a very even, diffused light without any harsh shadows. I had one in my last kitchen, where it was the only light source, and it was great, you're never chopping in your own dark dark shadow like you would be with a downlighting pendant.

I quite like the yellow walls, actually. They go with the lino floor and wood cabinets. If you paint, the yellow countertops will stick out more. I'd suggest you leave it but take out the top cabinet doors for open shelving (assuming you can't paint the cabinets).

But I digress. I think you should go for a Nelson bubble lamp like this one:

http://hivemodern.com/pages/products.php?view=sub_product&sid=346&cid=133

Or something similar. Retro shape, but modern lines. And I also agree with the other posters who suggested under-the-cabinet lighting for your countertops as well. Ikea has some cheap, easy options.

Is that an outlet over your cabinets? I can't tell in the pic. If so, you can do some over cabinet lighting. Ikea has a lot of flat lights that you can put on top of or under the cabinets for light and just plug in. You can put some art or something over the cord.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/16280/

You're in NY-do you have AC in the apartment? If not, you might consider a light with a fan. It will be nice in summer, especially when you're cooking. And there are a lot with 3 or 4 bulbs on them.
http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Ceiling-Fans-Accessories-Ceiling-Fans/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarykZ66xgv/R-100630839/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Ceiling-Fans-Accessories-Ceiling-Fans/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarykZ66xgv/R-100077547/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I like that light Melisa suggested-attractive and cheap! This one is a little more traditional, but has multiple bulbs.
http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Interior-Decorative-Lighting-Ceiling-Mount/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zaqi6Z1z11zsoZ1z13nug/R-100468836/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I know you didn't ask, but you should put some cool patterned paper or shelf liner on the back of the open cabinet. Something that has a pattern but with white in it to lighten the area.

We installed this ceiling lamp from ikea and it gives off a good amount of light.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00032416

Be careful with going going for a lamp thats very bright, it might magnify every particle of dirt in the kitchen, which is the case in my kitchen. I actually embrace the lower lightening lest my eyes be assaulted by every imperfect.

I think lightening the color and a simple overhead light will do the trick.

I actually like the old vintage look (minus the lamp, but including the yellow). I understand why you want to update a bit though.

I love the Ikea pendant that looks like daisies - and it goes well with vintage decor.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90147465

One of those Bowery chandelier shops closing their showroom and selling everything at half price. You can probably score a good deal there, and it's still going on.

Bowery Lighting
148 Bowery @ Broome St
New York, NY 10013-4235
(212) 941-8244

I went by there recently, and not everything is ridiculously expensive, but everything is 50% off!

I'd go with any basic dark metal hanging chandelier with normal sized sockets for five uplights.

You pack away the shades and purchase plastic shades. They make them in a bunch of different colors and shapes. They're cheap and you can throw them in that dishwasher (upper deck).

My first thought was an orange fabric pendant, but that might not give you as much light as you want. Just a suggestion: If the overhead light doesn't illuminate the counters enough and installing lights under the cabinets isn't doable, you might try a small table lamp on the countertop. I would go with something simple because the cabinet doors have a thing going on.

I think a simple globe lamp would look fabulous:
http://www.lightinguniverse.com/large-pendants/progress-lighting-p4406-29-opal-globes-large-pendant_g18339.html

I would vote against putting up anything made from fabric, really flimsy thin plastic, or paper (e.g., the Ikea daisy lamp or a paper lantern) because it WILL get dirty in a kitchen with grease and smoke around. I'd suggest you stick to thick plastic or glass that can be easily wiped down. Plus, thick plastic or glass will hide the grease/smoke better than something delicate.

BTW, that kitchen looks like it could be in a movie set. :)

Sorry -- being vegetarian, I forget sometimes that people cook meat, which means lots of grease. No grease in my kitchen.

Wow, that could be my parents' house! Same yellow kitchen, practically the same lineoleum pattern and light. You don't happen to have cafe' curtains with spice jars and kitchen canisters on them do you, ha ha? Okay enough. Sorry I can't be more helpful. I'm not the "see it and immediately have ideas" kind of person. I usually have to shop around for a while before things start to form in my mind. I was just really surprised at the similarity. So...I think some modern art (in warm, bright tones) would be fun and easy to throw together yourself. I don't have thoughts on the light yet.

JefferyK - ha, me too!

i would go with an energy efficient ceiling fan because apt kitchens don't have great ventilation.

To keep consistent with the current retro style (but a little more hip), I'd consider a pendant that adds a splash of color. I found 2 fixtures you might like:

A red dome for under 100 bucks:
http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/56534.htm

Or a super fun green pendant (also under 100)
http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/82574.htm

Not bad for the price, I think.

You can get pendant lights and have the light be much brighter and spread out if you go with track lighting. Tracks themselves are cheap and easy to install, and you can get individual pendants to put on the track (usually most tracks can handle wattage of up to 6 lamps). This way you can angle the track to have task lighting by the sink, stove and eating area. You could probably get the track and 4 lights for under $100 at Lowe's. I also concur with the idea of under cabinet lights. Excellent task lighting, and it gives a classy look. The problem is that they're expensive. Even the cheapest fluorescent ones are $30 each.

BTW, I totally had that same fixture in the breakfast room of my parents' house growing up. Our kitchen had yellow walls, brown cabinets and some bad linoleum too. Ahh, the '70s!

Track Lightin' would be perfect for that ol' kitchen...
...but only if you're gay and your name is Mark, Rick or Steve.
;-)

I avoided the problem in my kitchen with can lights, but in yours, maybe either track lighting (the new, smaller, halogen or LED type), or else a chandelier with white glass shades that can be washed. Something that takes at least 3 bulbs would add light.

Pick something pretty light in construction. The dark cabinets right now are the "heavy" part of the room, and you don't need to weigh it down any more with an elaborate light fixture.

As for the walls -- I'd actually paint it a nice warm green. Think light moss, something closer to the yellow side than the blue side. Then it'll play off the yellow countertops and give you both the bright/lightness without making those cabinets stand out even more.

Don't paint the walls. Some plants and curtains or blinds will do wonders. Stick with a simple pendant light, and add more lighting where you will need it (by the kitchen table, by where you prepare food, etc.)

http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/product.php?cat=&productid=17192#

I second the vote for a schoolhouse light.

THANK YOU GUYS for all of the amazing suggestions! I think my head almost exploded (in a good way) when I scrolled through apartment therapy and saw a picture of my very own kitchen!

A few notes:
1. I'm a vegetarian too :)
2. Glad to have stirred up a little childhood memory nostalgia. If anyone wants to send me any particularly bad 70s photos, I"ll post 'em on my fridge, ha ha.
3. I'm thinking of taking the suggestion about removing the top cabinet doors. If anyone has any thoughts on either cool contact paper sources or whether or not cooking grease/dust is an insurmountable problem...give me a yell.
4. I'm going to install under cab lighting! Assuming it's not too tricky to pull off.
5. I'm still torn about paint color, but I love the suggestions
6. I almost bought that restoration hardware schoolhouse pendant! It was on sale! Then, I went to place the order and they had literally JUST sold out! Curses! SO, today, I was walking around park slope and wandered into this random clothing store where they had simple globe lights hanging from their ceiling. I asked the manager where they bought them, and she was like "I don't know, but we have an extra in the basement, are you looking for lighting?" and then sold it to me for $25 right on the spot! Amazing.

thanks again!

A realtor recommended a Behr color for me... Sand Dollar White. It's a muted yellow cream and I love it!