I think you have a great base to work with. I definitely agree that the wall color must change to something lighter - light blue is always nice with brown. You could leave the cabinets as is if the idea of painting them all is overwhelming. I'd take down the IKEA shelves. They're out of place and could be replaced by a number of different shelving options more in keeping with the style of the room. Good luck!

I wouldn't paint the cabinets--they're gorgeous! You have something really special here. I'd hate to see it become generic. I'd put my money into new appliances, counter tops and back splashes. And yeah, I'd rip out the IKEA shelves.

Oh wow, this has some potential! I like your idea for the wall color a lot, the red has got to go. I am normally all for painting cabinets, but I think the wood looks pretty good. I think I would first try to get a complimentary color on the walls and if the wood still doesn't work for you, go ahead and paint.

I hate to say it, since it would cost a lot, but I think all the appliances should be switched out. I just don't like the look of all the black, and the fridge seems very big for the space. If you could score a re-habbed vintage Frigidaire and a porcelain sink, it would look amazing.

Good luck! It sounds like it's going to be fun!

live with it a while first ... maybe just refinish the cabinets ... recycled green glass tile backsplash...

Painting the cabinets white will not be bring them back to their glory, that would be going in a completely different direction.

They look like they are in good shape so I would keep them and spend the money on updating the appliances and putting in more attractive flooring like cork. My mid century home many years ago had beautiful cork floors. Cork would blend nicely with the existing cabinets and is not an expensive ordeal.

I think the smoke color finish on the appliances is what is dragging it down and looking like a bad update.

I would paint the walls a buttery white or something classic.

Get a modern light fixture or pendent, just a simple maybe george nelson type of pendent.

Yes yes remove those Ikea shelves that are not working for you at all. It would look better having wood veneer shelves stained to match the cabinets either floating or with simple brackets.

Last week there was a post on AT that showed ten favorite small kitchens. One of the kitchens had black cabinets with aqua knobs and wallpaper. I think that would look amazing in your kitchen.

And I would also want to take down the IKEA shelves.

I totally agree with cindy! I just came into almost the same exact problem - black appliances and all! We also painted it a blue-green, a seagreen, I suppose. The previous owners had painted the entire room red, including the cabinet bases, so you are in luck that yours are still gorgeous!

We're still working on ours (need a new countertop asap), but here are some pics with the new color, if you wanna see what your cabinets will look like with the blue :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48391058@N07/sets/72157623671891787/

linoleum floors... not vinyl, but sheet linoleum... Forbo has some really gorgeous solid colors that would really complement the period of the kitchen and last FOREVER.

Check out Marmoleum "Piano" in the color Evening Meadow. It's a really great soft green with flecks of white and rust... would work really well with the wood cabinets.

Please check out this web site http://retrorenovation.com/. It has great photos of kitchens of this vintage and many sources for materials. You are very lucky to have so much to work with. Be sure to send pics of the results!

I agree the appliances are what really seem out of place.

Agree with all sturgeongeneral's comments.

I also think it would be a good idea to take down the IKEA shelving. Track shelving would look more original.

AT recently posted a bunch of examples of shelving in mid century homes.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/shelving-storage/hanging-shelf-solutions-in-midcentury-homes-113684

I think the cabinets would look beautiful refinished (maybe a darker rich brown with less orange). It would be great to keep that retro feel with the dark brown cabinets and a pale, dusty pastel green on the wall. definitely keep that cabinet hardware, it adds a great touch of personality! I agree that ikea shelving should come down, maybe one long shelf across would give you a beautiful storage/artwork canvas to work with! You have a great opportunity to bring in some softness and additional personality with the window treatment and stools, I always tell my clients to not overlook vintage fabric patterns, they can really add authenticity. The kitchen definitely has a ton of potential, good luck! www.hillarykeech.com

Since you just moved in, start with getting rid of the red paint. I suggest a lighter shade of blue... it would bounce of the beautiful, retro cabinetry (which is the star of this kitchen). If you don't "need" the Ikea shelving, take it down and put up some art. I think that this will make it livable until you can get new appliances, counter tops, and flooring.

I kind of don't even understand this question. How would painting your cabinets help restore the kitchen to its original glory when that is likely the original finish on the cabinets? Do you mean your concept of kitchsy mid century?

The updates that I can see are:
1. the appliances;
2. the floor;
3. the countertop;
4. the wall color;
5. the ikea shelves;
6. the light fixture.

After that, it all becomes a matter of how much you want to spend or what you're willing to do.

don't paint the cabinets! they're beautiful and unique! just update the wall colors and get rid of the formica (?) countertops. i agree with taking down the ikea shelving - it looks cheap and out of place. use that space for artwork instead or something. and, it's probably too expensive but stainless steel appliances would look much better with the dark wood.

I second the Marmoleum. It is a wonderful kitchen floor, very authentic but allows a kick because the range of colors is so amazing. We've put it in our last two kitchens and I would put in in another in a heartbeat.

The layout and kitchen cabinets and knobs look almost exactly like my grandparents' kitchen! They built their house in 1956, choosing all the woods and details themselves, and the cabinets had the same or very similar finish. So I think if you're going for maintaining the historic look, avoid painting, as others have noted. They had a deep turquoise blue, real linoleum floor, with white and gray flecks, and a light turquoise green backsplash above the countertops. They had the countertop range and wall oven with two tiers, similar to the setup you have; their original appliances, which still worked when my grandpa was in hospice in 2004 and the house was sold, were stainless steel. The actual countertops were a flecked gray color, with a stainless steel trim around the edge; I'm not sure what the actual counter material was. Good luck!

The main offenders here are the flooring, countertops, and current paint color. I think you are right on with the paint color, and I wouldn't paint the cabinets (love that hardware!) I would tear out the tile and lay down a modern linoleum floor (like from Armstrong perhaps) I would consider quartz countertop...something simple in an cream shade without a ton of specks or veining. Stainless appliances would look super sleek with that hardware, but your stuff looks fairly new. You could always sell that stuff on Craigslist though, and put a few extra bucks towards new. A simple cream hex mosaic tile backsplash would be really interesting too.

You got a great clean slate to start with!

Paint the cabinets and all of the trim a glossy white. Paint the walls a light buttery white. Lay retro Kentile down on floors, preferably a white with butter yellow flecks style.

Tear down the Ikea shelves and think about adding more cupboards as in the rest of the kitchen - painted to match of course. Replace or match all of your drawer and closet pulls - keeping in the retro style.

Replace all of your smokey brown and black appliances with either current white or retro vintage rehab white appliances. I think all of the above changes would look great, clean and bright.

I actually did all of the above on our little kitchen a few years ago, but when with a very light sage in wall color and it looks spectacular.

I know many hate to paint over wood cabinets, but glossy white is so easy to clean, easy to repaint while wood is beautiful but shows the wear and tear a bit more in my opinion.

I would change out the counter to stainless, change the color of the wall, and incorporate a pretty tiled backsplash of the aforementioned blue/grn color. Maybe small glass or penny tiles, using a cheerful random mix of those colors. The floor tile, if changed to something smaller scale, like penny tiles, would make it cohesive.

The light fixture should be changed to something cute and simple. a simple opaque globel like fixture would be cute and modern.

I would not change the cabinets, but would try to sand just a a few of the door panels and stain with colorful stain. But of course you probably won't want to be as daring as that. They seem cute and functional as is.

I would kill to have your kitchen's potential.

Definately don't paint the cabinets, but the blue walls would be glorious with them like they are!
I love this blog, It has lots of great resources for retro-looking appliances and other things on the right column.
check it out!
http://retrorenovation.com/pams-kitchen/

good luck

Bringing the wall color up onto the ceiling will really help bring this space together. Also, changing out the light fixture, new coutertops, and a new floor are things to consider.
What is behind the wall with the Ikea shelves? If it is communal space, consider knocking that wall down to the height of the cabinets/countertop to open up the space. From there, you could install a pot rack to hang. If you want to paint the cabinets, I'd start out with the CABANA and ESTATE Dwelling Palettes and begin making decisions from there. These palettes created by Seattle's Emily Lauderback of Color in Space Inc. are designed to be the roadmap for your entire interior! These colors will not only help determine paint colors, they will also help you decide tiles for the backspash, the countertop, and the floor!

Visit our site for more information!
www.colorinspace.com

This is going to be such a beautiful kitchen!

I third the Marmoleum - I have had black&white checkerboard Marmoleum tiles in MY last two homes, and will be having them installed in the new one, too. It's gorgeous, Marmoleum, in whatever format or colour.

And don't paint those glorious cabinets!

You need to check out Retrorenovation.com for ideas and inspiration.

Don't paint the cabinets.
Remove anything IKEA and Home Depot.
Replace the countertops with brightly-colored Formica laminate counters trimmed with aluminum edging - I suggest a bright red which was typical of the 50's era. You might even consider replacing the stainless sink with an enamel sink trimmed with a Hudee Ring
Replace the floors with Marmoleum Linoleum - say in a yellow or teal pattern.

Replace the black appliances:
The Fridge could be replaced with a Smeg:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FAB28U.html
...or a sleek Kitchenaid:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/KBRS19KTWH.html
- your black glass electric cooktop w/ a stainless steel spiral-coil electric cooktop - such as this one by Frigidaire:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FEC30C4A.html
...and your wall ovens with one like this from Frigidaire:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FPMC2785KF.html
...or this one from KitchenAid:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/KEBC247VWH.html
...and your dishwasher with a drawer unit such as this Fisher Paykel:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/DD24DCTW6.html
...or a sleek white Kitchenaid:
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/KUDC20FVWH.html

Paint the walls - Again, in a cheery 50's color such as yellow or turquoise.
Replace the light fixture with one that's 50's inspired: A Sputnik chandelier could be fun and kitchy, but a simple schoolhouse ceiling fixture would be more appropriate for a kitchen.

I'm betting that the wall where the IKEA shelves are now was an open pass-through at one time: I'd seriously investigate opening that wall, trimming the opening with window casings and installing louvered accordion shutters (think Samantha's Kitchen in "Bewitched" or Lucy's kitchen in "I Love Lucy")

Anyo of these sinks would also be PERFECT for a 50's style kitchen too:

http://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Elkay%3BWork Top%3BSinks/N~43 1161 4294962351

I think if you put in a black-and-white checkerboard floor, the black appliances wouldn't be an issue anymore. Add some textiles in black-and-white (plus whatever color you decide for the wall), and it should all work fine.

i'm a fan of cork floors...and maybe replacing the top cabinet doors with glass doors.

a blue/green color would be great...and i've loved the recent AT posts with mirrored backsplashes.

I completely agree with bepsf -- Amazing suggestions!

My grandparents had the same cabinets/hardware in their 1957 ranch. Lots of great advice here, I won't repeat. Just wanted to mention that the right laminate countertop is very much in keeping with the look and era, especially trimmed in metal. Don't do stone if you want an authentic look. Formica (the actual brand) has a pattern called VirrVarr that is retro without being kitschy like their Boomerang pattern. I'd link but the site is not cooperating.

If the cabinets look a little tired, clean/polish them with a good rubdown of Formby's lemon oil. Amazing stuff. And make a valance from an authentic barkcloth remnant. It's really easy to spot the repros, but it should be easy to find just a strip of something cool.

I was not going to suggest changing the counters out just seems wasteful but yes laminate with stainless steel banded edge would be very appropriate for this kitchen.

In my mid century modern home I had deep bright yellow laminate tops with stainless steel banding edge, similar color cabinets, white walls and cork floors all stainless steel appliances - it was a masterpiece and I miss it so dearly.

Just keep it simple, if you go too retro it could start to look like a 50's diner not mid century clean modern.

Formica counters with chrome edge, linoleum (not vinyl, people) floors.

Do you want a vintage restoration, or a vintage-inspired but freshened up kitchen, that;s true to the bones.

Those two options will yield two VERY different end results.

Were it me:

Limit the color palette... wood, metal, glass-green, white.
White is your friend. I'd do white appliances, and mostly-white glass-embedded recycled countertops.
Remove the wall of recent updates and tile that whole wall with something that plays off the recycled glass in the countertops (think coke-bottle green). Go to the ceiling with it if you don't need upper cabinets.
If you need cabinets up there, do white cabinets on that wall only.
A stainless steel stand mixer on the counter, a stainless steel toaster, done. :)

I would do a black and white check linoleum floor no matter what else you do. That way, you do not have to get rid of the appliances because the floor will tie the room together. I think you should paint the cabinets either white, or a pale blue/turquoise. Then I would paint the walls a deeper turquoise.

michpc - "Formica counters with chrome edge, linoleum (not vinyl, people) floors."

Formica is a brand which is a laminate that is plastic and vinyl has plastic in it. So why not vinyl floors?

Not all vinyl is created equal, there is a big difference between from manufacturer to manufacturer how is made, how much plasticizers, low VOC and some are very high, recycled content some don't use any, the list goes on.

Also, vinyl floors can serve a good purpose they are super durable and will last forever. The materials we select are all about the application.

Not a chrome edge but brushed stainless steel edge what most of the original case study homes and my home had.

if chrome it is then it will be more retro 50's style.

LoriSF --

I think hardly anyone installed sheet-vinyl floors in the 50's - the common choices were typically either real Linoleum or Asbestos Vinyl Tiles.

There are very few sheet vinyl floor choices currently that give the feeling of the 50's - Nowadays the choices are faux-wood, faux tile, faux stone, faux concrete - even pressed leaves...

BTW: Here's a source for your aluminum countertop edging:
http://www.lansinglinoleum.com/metals.html

A linoleum floor would add so much to this kitchen -- on a practical note, if I were in your shoes I would start by choosing the floor. It's easier to choose paint shades to match the floor than vice versa. I concur with the suggestions for stainless/brushed stainless. Chrome would be wrong for this kitchen.

The cabinets are gorgeous. I would focus on painting the walls a different color first. And this is why.

I am myself renovating my first home (a modest 360 square feet house approx., packing in an entrance, kitchen, living room, bedroom and spare room, and two fireplaces all on one floor) which is mostly original 1950 (down to the furniture, appliances, some of the paint etc) when it was built, but with a few 60s, 70s and 80s additions.

I decided that I would reuse as much as I could to save on cost (well, I am an orphan you see, so budgeting and financial planning is really important to me and I put the extra I save into the small mortgage). I also kind of like the later additions - they make the house feel lived in and loved. One of the best and cheapest things I decided on was to repaint some of the walls from the previous dark electric blue by the previous owner to a light buttercream. This transformed the windowless 15 sqft entrance, and the 40 sqft bedroom.

Before doing so, I had planned to repaint the floors too. But I find that with the new wall colour (I used the same throughout), the (brown) floor works pretty good for the purpose.

I would keep the appliances, the ikea shelving and the floor for now. Live with them for a bit. Also modern appliances are more energy efficient than old ones, so it will keep your utility bill down. And you might find that with new colour on the walls, even that ikea shelving, and the floor looks a lot better.

Change the floor! Oversize neutral ceramic is as far from Mid-Century awesomeness as you can get!

I like all of bepsf's suggestions too. I have a kitchen quite similar to yours.

Changing out the countertop, and painting the walls, will make the single biggest difference and will give you the most bang for your buck. You can always add a funky rug until you decide what to with the floor

What is under those tiles? If you are prepared to do the work, you might find original fir floors. In those days the floors of the house were often tongue and groove wood planks. The kitchens and bathrooms were never intended to be left as wood, so they were usually rough.

We had/have wood planked floor, but they were buried so far under so many layers of linoleum and asbestos tiles that we were not prepared to make it our life's work. We laid new wood over top of everything.

Asbestos tiles, which were common in those day, are a lot of upkeep, they need to be waxed and stripped and waxed and stripped. They suit the house, but what a pain.

bepsf - never suggested sheet vinyl for this kitchen. I was just clarifying that Formica is plastic too because of the comment michpc made. Also, clarifying that not all vinyl is bad and has appropriate applications.

I suggested Cork floors.

@LoriSF--

My bad - I guess I didn't read the whole blurb
:-(

bepsf sit on the hands bad bad :)) have a great weekend.

I do look forward to seeing what they do so much potential and a great start with the existing cabinets.

if you need to replace the knobs because they are looking ragged -something I had to do in my mid-c house- they can be had at

http://www.rejuvenation.com/typepageCabinet%20Knobs/templates/houseparts_group.html

and are totally worth it. Ours were chipped and did not match each other as they had been replaced by knock-offs over the years.

We also took off cabinet fronts and sanded them, then revarnished them with a satin varnish.

otherwise, a marmoleum floor and a non-burgundy paint will really help out.

I guess I just don't see this turning into Al's from Happy Days the way some do.

Oops. I think I meant Arnold's. :)

The only true nod to MCM I'd consider making here would be a white or brushed aluminum Poulson Snowball:
http://www.ylighting.com/lpl-phs.html

For a countertop:
http://www.vetrazzo.com/palette_hollywood.html

For backsplash, a rectangular frosted bottle-green glass subway tile, like this:
http://www.subwaytileoutlet.com/products/Palm-Glass-Subway-Tile.html

For flooring, either a concrete-colored marmoleum, or bamboo.

I would go cheap and practical.

Start with a new paint color, get rid of the shelves and add artwork, get a nice curtain. Step back and see how this looks...maybe throw in a nice rug in front of the sink. I don't mind the light fixture, but it's cheap enough to replace it.

Replace the appliances with white as you need them. If you have money left over and want to do the counters, go for it. Althought I'm not crazy about the floor...I'd leave for know because it looks like it's tile. Make some mortgage payments for awhile.

Too many people find themselves unexpectedly sellling their houses after a short occupancy...pouring money into all new appliances and a floor when you don't "have" to have them now is too much for my way of thinking. And besides, the next tenant might not like vintage and not want to repay for your authenticity.

Don't paint the cabinets....get that thought out of your head.

change floor and wall colour. I wouldn't paint the cabinets.

Love the cabinets... I like seeing wood with white counter tops & back splashes, makes it pop! Clean & modern! Change the cabinet hardware, get some stainless appliances, paint over walls & replace floor! Lots of potential there girlie!

The more I look at this, and think about it, the more I wish I had that kitchen to work with... or you as clients!!

I third or fourth the recommendation to check out retrorenovation.com and go with Marmoleum.

Specifically, the countertop edging here:

http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/06/stainless-steel-edging-for-your-laminate-countertop/

This Smeg wall oven and gas cooktop which recall the vintage look (but provide modern features) and coordinate with the countertop edging:

http://retrorenovation.com/2010/04/05/oven-and-gas-cooktop-for-a-mid-century-modern-kitchen-smeg-piano-oven-has-the-look-of-vintage-thermador/

The Smeg refrigerator mentioned earlier could be a nice fit, although personally I find the Big Chill fridge to be slightly more authentic in its styling and available in a larger size -- not to mention having a mind-blowing number of colour options!:

http://retrorenovation.com/2009/02/11/retro-style-refrigerators-for-your-40s-50s-or-60s-kitchen-from-big-chill/

Like Smeg, they also produce a cool retro-styled dishwasher:

http://bigchillfridge.com/site/dishwashers

How cool is this?!

http://bigchillfridge.com/site/dishwashers/kitchen-photos

Here are countertop ideas (I'm partial to the Wilson Art ones):

http://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/countertops/

I really like the idea of the terrazzo-like countertop suggested above (I have it in my own kitchen!), although it is not authentic, and is a modern update. Here is the one I have in my own kitchen:

http://www.customconcreteds.com/Confetti_terrazzo_sm.JPG

The downsides include the expense (although maybe you could just use it for one counter, like the one with the bar chairs), greater care needs to be taken with it, and the edge may look wrong (can't apply the metal edge). It might be lovely on just the one counter though.

I'd check salvage places for an enamel sink with a hudee ring (that metal lip that goes around) to replace your sink -- or you can get a new one made by the same manufacturer who has been churning them out for 70 years:

http://www.antiqueplumber.com/servlet/the-2175/Flat-Rim-Double-Bowl/Detail

Check the Chicago Faucet Company for faucets... for example, something like this:

http://www.chicagofaucet.com/catalog/catalog.php?PartNum=540-LDL9E1CP&FamilyID=121

http://www.chicagofaucet.com/catalog/catalog.php?PartNum=631-L9CP&FamilyID=22

I love the idea of a Pouslen Snowball, although I hate the idea of cleaning it of kitchen grease... it would be fantastic if you could find a place for it sufficiently away from the cooktop. It would look even better if you have an eating nook somewhere that would allow you to have a Saarinen Tulip Table and Chairs...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3201530037_6b42d732c9.jpg

Good luck, and have fun!!

As a mid century child I had great fun on linoleum tile floors, especially some shiny red and blue ones. I like the black and white marmoleum idea.
Turquoise is very mid C and the color pick for now too.

This is a nice, workable kitchen. I'd paint the walls but not the cabinets. A good cleaning will bring them back to life -- they appear to be in very good condition on the outside. It's the maroon walls that's the trouble. If you live there for 5 years and plan to live there longer, that's when I'd consider a blow-out renovation.

Thanks for all the RetroRenovation.com love. And, it makes me so happy to see everyone spelling "hudee" ring right! :)