Paint the cabinets white and add hardware in a classic style, brushed chrome or black. That will up the vintage factor a lot. And a coat of poly will spruce up the unfinished edge to give it a shine. Floors, go wood if you can. Lighting I would go with a schoolhouse style set of pendants in a vintage torquoise color. This will lighten and brighten the kitchen a great deal.

I like your kitchen--you have a good space to work in. What about removing the cabinet doors with windows so you have some open shelving? Paint all of the cabinets (I'd go white, but you have some nice blue/teal tones so maybe something like that or a complement). Check out Ikea's selection to replace the light fixture. If you can't replace the light, paint over the wood. Find a rug to place over the tile floor (again, Ikea or Overstock). Maybe an interesting architectural salvage piece could cover the wall behind the microwave.

I would paint the cabinets, though probably not a pure white, as that will augment the contrast between them and the dark countertops/backsplash. Play up the cabinets with glass fronts by painting the insides of them a fun color - perhaps even the blue in the adjacent room. Getting some new tiles with interesting detailing (or maybe b&w checkerboard) and new lighting will go a long way too.

As for your microwave dilemma - you could line the edge of the cabinets and area above the granite with wood which could then be painted. And, given you're looking for an early century look, I could also see using tin tiles - either in the empty microwave space or even doing the whole ceiling. You might even consider removing the small cabinets above the stove (if they are separate) and allow that space to only hold the exhaust hood. I always think those little cabinets make the rest of the cabinets feel awkward.

Hi Erin-
I do feel your pain....hmmm.... The trick is to make choices that are timeless. I do like the blue in the adjoining room. It's got a nice mid-century feel. Perhaps choose a green of the same value for the cabinets. Do some hand-distressing of the cabinets, paint, distress some more, and then do a clear varnish or rub in a wax to give them a vintage look. I would also take down the upper cabinets (at least the ones on the oven side) and replace with open shelving. Replace that ceiling fixture with an old (rewired) schoolhouse style pendant(s). The floor needs help too. Maybe look into marmoleum. (They have great colors and it's a green product). Good luck! and have fun!

Just adding some hardware that reflects the vintage charm you like would add a lot of character. Depending how you feel about the natural cabinets, white paint is always an inexpensive solution.

For the area missing around the microwave, maybe create a back-splash with a stainless sheet?

Paint the cabinets white. Replace the tile floor with a dark-stained hardwood. Paint the insides of the glass-front upper cabinets a color you want to accent with (the blue in your dining room would be nice).

As for the hood, I can't tell from the pictures how your backsplash is done. I'd cut out the granite from the whole space behind the stove and put in a sheet of stainless steel as the backsplash all the way up to the new hood. Painting the cabinets will take care of the unfinished edges on those (at least it won't be as noticeable - sand them a lot first).

Change that light fixture to something with more character. Put up some curtains in a nice fabric that you like. Choose some vintage-y knobs and pulls for your cabinets.

An addendum now that I look at the photos more: consider painting the bottom cabinets in black or a dark charcoal. It will make the countertops and appliances feel like they fit together. Then, the upper cabinets could go white or something light.

Some suggestions:
-Continue the wood floors into the kitchen.
-Replace the light fixture with recessed lights.
-Replace or simply remove the upper cabinet doors. I don't think the arch goes with the style of your dining room furniture. I think a straight line would be better.
-Paint the cabinets.
-Use the same fabric that's on the footstool to make curtains for the window above the sink; or, remove the cabinet doors below the sink and use the fabric to cover that area.
-For the area behind the stove: cover an area just as wide as the stove with a stainless steel backsplash. Just put it right over the granite, and make it cover the gap, too.

That fluorescent light has to go. I agree with mntwmyn - paint the cabinets a nice off-white colour, add black hardware to go with the countertops, and a light hardwood floor for contrast. Also, some under-cabinet lighting would look fantastic and probably make it easier to work in the kitchen.

- Paint the cabinets white and add glass knobs to them.
- Add a roman blind or cafe curtain in a vintage print to the window.
- Paint out the brown trim (to white) on the light fixture

I'm not an expert but I think feng shui people would say that all your dining room luck/good feelings/chi? could be escaping through the wide kitchen corridor. Maybe you've already done this, but can you put some sort of virtual barrier (chandelier, furniture slightly in the way) to enclose the dining room more before it transitions to the kitchen? Could be completely off on this. ; )

agree with the paint white comments. Also removing the doors on the top cabinets will give that nice vintage feel.

Why don't you just take off the upper cabinets altogether? i would do open shelves which can be inexpensively purchased from Ikea or you can make them yourselves. You can also sand off the finish of your tiles and use a masonry stain to recolor them for an inexpensive fix; just be sure to use a sealant when you are done. I would also suggest frequenting your area thrift stores for inexpensive light fixtures. Even a simple brass chandelier can be made awesome with a few coats of spray paint.

Lots more white or light colours (cream, powder blue, and mint seem to have been especially popular in the '20s), agreed, especially the walls and cabinets. Stencilling cabinets seems to have been popular in the '20s. From the photos I have seen the wood should be rich and medium brown, but perhaps going for a more art deco chrome, black, and white approach would be better. It would allow your to keep a lot of what you already have in there. Tile was popular on the walls and such at least a much as for floors. Linoleum was a new, popular, and affordable flooring option that was very common in the 1920s. A lot of the floors I have seen from the period are heavily patterned and fairly elaborate but black and white is also in-period. The layout reminds me of the Frankfurt and Stuttgart Kitchens of the 1920s, so maybe you could look at examples of those.

This is a nice example of integrating a modern range in a '20s restyle:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3qAwg1eUEuI/SLsHg0VhdpI/AAAAAAAAA78/6RHJsdzuVQg/s1600-h/kitchen 003.JPG

And this kitchen looks a lot like what yours might become:
http://www.hemagazine.com/files/Station%20Earth%20kitchen1.jpg

Good luck!

Agree with the soft white cabinets and also with CoconutHill's idea of a chandelier.

Start slow before embarking on cabinet-painting. So many times it looks poorly-done. And I don;t think white cabinets solves every problem.

1. Paint the walls above the cabinets and any other sheetrock areas - the same color or a somplimenting shade to the DR color to tie the rooms together.

2. remove the 3 arched cabinet doors and use those for dishes or large bowls. The arches are terrible.

3. hang a simple valance (straight, no ruffle) over the window in a pattern that is like the footstool.

4. switch out your knobs with something stainless and simple.

5. then, when you have time and money, change the flooring to wood.

That should do it. Agree, that a sheet of stainless can cover the areas left bare by removal of microwave. Over or above the granite...if the hood is stainless it will just look like an extension of the hood. And having it on the exposed cabinet sides, too, will just help then remain un-greasy.

I agree with painting the cabinets, not necessarily white. I think a 1950s shade of bubblegum pink or sunshine yellow would look great and would work with the style of your adjoining dining room. I don't think the cabinets themselves are ever going to look vintage (it's that moulding) but if you paint them a colour that's a bit over the top like that it'll give it a humourous, fun look. And either of those colours should work very well with your beautiful black gloss countertops that are the most modern element in the kitchen.

I like the suggestions to paint the lower cabinets a darker color. Perhaps a blue-gray that complements the blue in the dining room.

I would keep the upper cabinets on the range wall, and pay a woodworker or cabinetmaker to build a custom wood surround for a new hood. It might be expensive, but it would give a great custom, vintage look to the kitchen, instead of plopping a big stainless hood in the middle of everything.

On the sink wall, I would remove the upper cabinets. They jut out around the window and block the light. I would install wood shelves instead, but give the sink window plenty of clearance.

Replace the florescent fixture as others have recommended, and add a complementary pendant over the sink.

You could reuse the upper cabinets you take down in a laundry area, office/craft room or garage.

Paint the bottom cabinets a dark charcoal, paint the upper cabinets a creamy white, paint the insides of the glass cabinets to coordinate with the blue dining room (how about orange?). Hang a valence (no ruffles just straight) in the window using a vintage looking fabric http://equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=114847&sid=93LKiA2EE2dY3-P-49109317781.c0 is a favorite. Use stainless knobs on the cabinets. Fix the microwave hole by removing the backsplash and upper cabinets, getting a cool looking vent hood and tiling with a stainless tile all the way up. A carpet runner on the floor would help until you could replace the tiles. A black and white checkerboard pattern would look nice.

In terms of a replacement light fixture(s) (on a budget) I would check out http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/ . They have beautiful, classic fixtures and are pretty affordable... more 40s-50s era than 20s era, but potentially a good match with your dining room.

I also agree with the suggestion to re-paint the cabinets (and possibly remove the glass front cabinets to create open shelves - though you may need to trim out the cabinets). White might make a stark contrast with the black backsplash/countertops, but maybe a light blue would work. Adding retro hardware may also help, and at places like rejuvenation (http://www.rejuvenation.com/) you can find reasonably priced reproductions... or search on ebay for bakelite drawer pulls, chrome drawer pulls, vintage drawer pulls, etc, depending on what you like.

Lastly, removing the molding from the top of the cabinets may help give a more modern look by creating a straight line. hope this helps. good luck!

Okay, let me first offer a disclaimer: This is not a real solution. At all. Just a quick, pretty temporary fix. Instead of painting the cabinets (at least the top ones), I'd suggest removing the doors and papering the insides, using a fairly temporary glue. I've done this in rental apartments several times, in situations where I can't paint and want a splash of color, and it's cheap, easy, and can make a space livable while you save up/decide what you want in the long term.

I would also second the suggestion to replace the light with some kind of pendant or chandelier. That will make a huge difference in the character of the room and would probably be the biggest investment, if it were me. Since you sound like money's an issue (which I totally understand!), I'm guessing that putting in hardwood floors isn't really an option. As another quick fix, you might invest in a nice, bright rug to bring some color and whimsy into the space pretty easily.

If you want a vintage modern feel, I think you may need to fall out of love with your black bullnose granite.

Pick up a copy of Country Living. They are always redoing kitchens like yours, to get the effect you desire.

Otherwise, paint (white or cream), sandblasted or milk glass in the glass-fronted cabinets, new flooring (continue the same flooring from the adjacent room) and cottage-inspired glass and metal door pulls will get you partially there without having to do a major gut or removal of perfectly good (and no doubt useful) cabinets.

I strongly advise NOT painting the cabinets (white or any other color). To me, there's something very wrong about painting over perfectly good wood, especially since removing it entails such tedious work should you ever decide you don't like it anymore.

Wood is timeless, therefore I would do all possible to work with it by:
-continue the turquoise paint from the dining room into the kitchen
-add funky knobs/pulls/hardware to the cabinetry
-[if you can't install wood floors] distract the eye by covering a large part of the floor with an area rug that has the turquoise and other colors from your dining room
-add some type of treatment to the window in color coordinating fabric
-changing out light fixture with something updated
-add under cabinet lighting to brighten up those dark counters and back splash
-add finishing touches by decorating the counter tops with all of your turquoise pieces and other colorful items, they will pop off the dark granite.

By the way, your mid century vintage dining room is beautiful! That turquoise paint color is so perfect - seems to be close to what I have been searching for - do you mind telling me what brand/color it is?

Thanks and good luck!

You're definitely right to get rid of the overhead light and replace with a simple pendant (and under-the-cabinet task lights if you don't already have those). I envision your kitchen in black, white, aqua or yellow with coral/orange-y accents. So definitely replace the floor, but I think black and white checkerboard tiles or linoleum would read more vintage than plain wood floors.

I'd also definitely replace the cabinets near the window with open shelving. They just look really clunky and heavy and drag down that side of the room. If you do that, it'll give you more storage and display options, plus you can paint that wall a lively color (perhaps some shade of aqua).

The arched cabinet front design is more country-suburban than vintage '50s/60s. So I'd replace the cabinet fronts with something plainer (like these doors). Then paint the cabinets a light color (maybe white or buttery yellow) and add either shiny chrome or nickel hardware, or glass or porcelain knobs.

You probably know this but, the over-the-stove microwaves can be purchased with a hood in them. Double duty. Might be most simple to get a new one that has a hood function and eliminates the need to patch together the bare spot.

I'm dealing with the same situation - I'm painting my cupboards out white and am embracing a marmoleum floor. So far, it looks fantastic!

in vintage kitchens, the cabinets actually went all the way up to the ceiling. i lieu of that, i like the ideas for repurposing the upper cabinets and putting in open shelving. i did this in my kitchen and used brackets that i bought online and painted. it looks great.

i'm totally for painting the bottom cabinets but on the fence as the whether you should go light or dark. the black appliances with stand out if you go light, but maybe you're gonna get rid of those anyway?

have you thought of marmoleum for the floor? it's eco-friendly, and timeless, just as the linoleum tiles are, but it's less played out.

I would paint the cabinets a lighter color. Put in pretty metal pulls. Change the light fixture to a nice pendant or Chandelier to brighten the space. If you don't have it, cabinet lighting for the cabinets with the glass.

Pull the micro and replace it. Micros are so great when you need to reheat or defrost.

Erin- You have great style! I love the adjacent space.
I would bring the blue into the kitchen on the walls.

If you're not interested in painting or replacing the cabinets I think that hardware would make a huge improvement. Also consider the objects/dishes that you place in the glass cabinets. Judging from the other room I'm sure you guys have some great pieces. I think doing this would carry it through. If it's possible to match the floor and bring it through to the kitchen-do it. If not, what about cork? It would go with everything you already own and the kitchen the way it is now. I agree with everyone about new light fixtures.

change the light fixture

paint the backsplash a fun color

maybe change the hardware

I think beyond that it's a mistake to change anything in what is a very nice kitchen...lots of kitchens don't match the exact character of a home, yours is very nice.

to me most of the character should come from your accesories, wall art, wall color, etc. painting over the cabinets may hurt you if there is a remote chance you end up having to sell.

i am a big fan of white cabinets, but as a few people have mentioned painting cabinets might be a bit of a pain. and might overload you on contrast with the dark counter. i think it might provide some balance to lighten the upper cabinets only. it seems like there is so much lovely wood in the dining/living room, it would be nice to keep some in the kitchen as well for continuity. perhaps a stain on the lower (or all) cabinets to bring them from "straight from the warehouse" blondish to that deeper cherry in your furniture and floors?

i love the idea of opening up the kitchen by removing the upper cabinet doors (but i wouldn't want to live with it - think of the dusting!) and painting them white with a color peeking from the shelves. alternately, cabinet doors are not the kind of huge investment new cabinets are - you could find a style that meshes more closely with your other decor (someone mentioned shaker). barring that, adding handles is certainly the simpleist way make them look less generic.

one thing that jumped out at me from the photo is the space above the cabinets - it adds a lot of shadow and makes the dimensions look odd to me. the easiest way to deal with it might be to continue what you've started and fill it with a nice display of bowls and such. a more intensive option would be to add a soffit to smooth out the transition from ceiling to cabinet. either option would be a good way to add a splash of color to the room as well.

hope those thoughts help some =)

Remove the doors to the upper cabinets. Paint them a shade of white. Then paint the bottom cabinets black.

Yes, painting over good wood can feel like a crime, but it's more of a crime to live with something you don't like. Paint will make your kitchen fresh and new and the open upper cabinets will help tie in the look you have going in the living/dining room (which is so pretty BTW).

I would also remove the molding on the upper cabinets. If it ruins the lines somehow, then replace. If you don't have the skills or desire to replace, then just ignore.

If you can't afford to replace the light right away, just paint it the same color as the ceiling and it will blend in. Then start a New Kitchen fund.

Finally, if you do plan on selling your house in the not-too-distant future, I would save the cabinet doors so you can add them back for resale (painting them to match at the same time).

I have to agree with Patrick -- you are rather painted into a corner with the black bullnosed granite counters. You will never be able to achieve a vintage look with them because they are so visually dominant.

I would hesitate painting the cupboards white because I just don't think that will get you the "vintage-modern" look you after, as the counters are so visually dominant. I would suggest changing the floor (to Marmoleum) and the lighting fixture, and seeing how you feel then. If you are still irritated by the cabinets, then paint the bottoms a dark grey, and the uppers more of a cream.

i know some of you think it's wrong to paint "perfectly good wood cabinets" but i think this kitchen would look lovely with painted white/off-white cabinets. i'd remove the doors on all of the uppers, and paint the insides in a soft blue or green that compliments the dining room. a new school house light fixture, or simple chandelier would be beautiful, too. if you can, invest in unique hardware from anthropologie to give your cabinets a personalized look, and replace the flooring with dark wood or black and white marmoleum. i think you're best off replacing the microwave with a similar stainless style, instead of a plain exhaust hood. that way, you don't have to worry about unfinished edges of the granite, and cabinet sides, but it will still look modern. trying to remove the granite from behind the stove, and the cabinets above the microwave will probably be more trouble than it's worth. lastly, use accessories in the vintage modern style you love to bring in color and personality. good luck, i'm sure it'll turn out wonderful! :)

Although the granite is visually dominating, painting the cabinets will make a huge difference to bringing that kitchen into a vintage vibe. The arched doors are a problem -- get them redone in a more traditional look. Sherwin Williams Dover White is a good color choice. The tile floor has to go: extend the wooden floor into the kitchen or lay down black and white squares (lino will do). Accessorize with vintage. Is that backsplash a big slab of granite? I would recommend that you get rid of it and put in subway tile.
You can add vintage with accessories: a new vintage-looking faucet, vintage looking lighting, vintage tea kettle, kitchen accessories, dishware displayed behind the glass doors, mixing bowls, etc. There's tons of vintage kitchenware that you can access to accessorize that kitchen. Most everything you currently have on your kitchen counters can be converted to vintage. Fiestaware collection/Russell Wright Collection/Lustre Ware Collection/Transferware -- it's really up to you. You have to fill that kitchen up.

I appreciate very much all of the helpful input and creativity! So great to get new takes on this space.

My problem in coming up with a design for the kitchen IS the very dominant granite, it throws me off my game :) - there's so much and its soooo black.

I like the granite because I like the flooring, and lighting, and cabinets less - if that makes sense. I can live with it and integrate it, but do not want to integrate the flooring, for example. Moneys' tight, so I have to pick my battles in the kitchen.

I prefer an eclectic style, just gotta find the balance to pull it all together. Thanks heaps everybody for the fabulous advice. I can't wait to get to work and post some pics.

I try to post pics at my Flickr page as I make progress, take a peek if interested.

To CatherineM, the color is Aloe by Sherwin Williams

I would paint the cabinets and the trim around the light fixture black.
And if that's gray I see in the grout of the floor tiles, I'd go with gray walls.
If or when there's funding for an upgrade go with a classic black and white tile flooring.

I think off-white cabinets would look fabulous with the black granite. It might not be quiiiite as vintage as you want but it would be very chic!

Replace the cabinet doors with plain front doors with no decorative panel or anything.

Paint them cream.

Add white porcelain knobs, or glass knobs.

Wood flooring in a medium tone, or small hex tile like this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/la/050508_tile3.jpg

Replace fixture with a fixture like this: http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC636/templates/selection.phtml or I second the schoolhouse light. Put a few since your kitchen is so long.

If you have the money, replace the cabinets with ones that go all the way up to the ceiling. The cabinets that stop short of the ceiling that has the trim like that are very contemporary.

Also consider rounded shelves at the end of the cabinets by the windows kinda like this: http://bigchillfridge.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/beach-dw.jpg I see this alot in vintage kitchens.

Good luck.

Whether you are you are thinking of homes original look or mid-century modern, as I see in your dining room furnishings, I think I have something that will fit both looks. (I have a desk that matches your buffet by the way.)

With the style of hinges and cabinet doors you have you should be able to turn the doors around so the inside becomes the outside giving them a more classic look. Staining them walnut using a gel stain, after sanding, will bring the style of your kitchen and furnishings together.

As for changing the light fixture, I think the type of modern curved track lighting that allows you to use both short directional lights and pendants would work well for both task and an over the sink (pendant) light. Check with your local big box home store to see if you can buy the track with a few lights for now and ad fixtures as you can afford them.

I love what you've done in your dining room by the way! Looking great!

Erin, there are a lot of suggestions here so I’ll stick to the first thing that jumps out at me…the upper cabinets on the window wall need to go, open shelving in their place. Good luck!