Don't listen to people, listen to yourself.
hehe. I'd paint them white and get a light wood island from Ikea or metal workplace.

Normally, my inclination would be white paint too (though I would dread the painting job). But those cabinets are actually quite beautiful and unique. Instead of replacing or painting them, I would put the money towards new appliances, new floors, and professional lighting eventually countertops/backsplash). As far as colors I could see those cabinets going nicely with a black and white/cream theme or bright spring green or maybe even a grey or plum color.

I also like that old doorway/pantry. It might be cute to paint the inner panels with chalkboard paint depending on your style direction for the rest of the room.

Congrats on your new home!

Under cabinet lighting with a great glass-tile backsplash and new countertops will work wonders. Those cabinets are quite nice.

Check out Marmoleum for a relatively inexpensive flooring option.

There's nothing sacred about those cabinets--if you want to paint them, paint them. But, it looks like the countertops and backsplash are already an off-white color. So if you paint the cabinets white, you are likely to decide you hate the countertops and backsplash, and will want to rip those out, too.

A more budget-friendly approach might be to choose a flooring that you like (that's not brown...) and replace the flooring, then wash the cabinets in a TSP solution to remove any old grease build-up, and replace the hardware. Keep saving your money, and see what comes next on your list of things to replace--that range looks antiquated, and not in a good way, and I'd bet that refrigerator is an energy hog compared with a more modern one. You may wind up needing a new appliance or two before you have money to address things like the countertops.

If it were my kitchen, I would choose a color palate that you love, and work one piece at a time toward it--perhaps leaving the cabinet paint for the same time that you plan to do the countertops. But knowing ahead of time what your eventual color goals will be will allow you to pick a flooring that moves in that direction, and can be changed in a step-wise, rather than all-at-once fashion.

I actually think the cabinets would be seriously awesome if you just changed out/updated the harware.

I think it's always good to live in a new place for a little while before you start to decorate. That way you know how you will be using the space and what you really want done with it. I don't know how long you've lived in this new house so you may already have some ideas of your own.

Also, the cabinets seem to be in good condition from your photo. Maybe you could update the hardware to a more shiny silver and save your budget for better flooring or any appliance updates you want to do?

Those ARE really pretty cabinets! Yet, it is YOUR house and you should decorate it however you want it. That said, Anthropologie sells wonderful knobs that could bring a more modern touch, I'd say the flooring and backsplash/counters would be the best update. I had a friend that covered her dated, worn out linoleum with Flor tiles http://www.flor.com/ and it looked great! I think you can find them used on ebay as well.

paint them white for crapssake

I thought I'd be pro-paint, but those ARE pretty! Tear up the hideous floor and go with a matching wood (then get a bright rug) or a bright tile. Replacing the backsplash with some modern subway tile might also go a long way. I'd also paint the walls white, and bring color in through artwork.

Updating the handles to a chrome might also do wonders.

Live with the cabinets for 6 months to a year, and if you still don't like them, THEN I'd suggest painting. But some small changes might take care of the problem for you.

great potential in this space. if it were me, i'd love white cabinets with butcher block counter tops to lighten it up. i'd stay light with the floors too as dark ones are a pain to keep clean, especially in the kitchen...sadly i've learned this lesson the hard way. finish off with new appliances and new hardware and you'll have a show piece. good luck.

Hmm... I'd agree with the people that say live with it a while. I'd probably take some of the top doors off and paint the insides white. You can always put the wood back. But at the end of the day, if you hate the look of wood it really doesn't matter that it's beautiful wood, it's still WOOD. Ha.

I actually like the cabinets! I think the problem is that, as a whole, the entire kitchen is obviously woefully out of date. If you can afford to replace the appliances first, do it and then re-examine how the cabinets look alongside nicer appliances.

They do loke quite nice. At the same time it is a little bit too much wood. How about painting just the uppers? Here's an example of a kitchen with with upper cabinet and wooden lower cabinets: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/kitchen/top-chef-yigit-pura-and-i-visit-the-stunning-kitchen-of-john-saintdenis-137313

Ahh, hit submit before I finished my comment.

I agree with everyone else about replacing the floor, counters, and getting rid of that boring white wallcolor and backsplash. The cabinets are actually the most interesting part of that entire kitchen.

The cabinets really are great. Their design could go with many different styles...modern, arts and crafts, even an english/french country. However, if you've always wanted a white kitchen, paint them. You'll never be happy with them until you do. I also think a subtle gray on the walls would make the richness of the wood show well. You could also put some bead board on the backsplash and paint it a complimentary color. It would not only look great, it would be pretty cheap! I agree with the comment about laying Marmoleum. I believe they even have a floating/click-in-place system that would be easy for DIYers...looks great, reasonably priced, and is a healthy alternative to vinyl.

I would start with replacing the floor and see where that leads you.

I am always pro-paint, if that's what the person wants, but if you were interested in preserving the wood cabinets, I agree with the other commenters who suggested that you could probably find a way to work with these as they are if you wanted to. Updating hardware would make a huge difference.

I wouldn't paint the cabinets but like someone else said they aren't sacred. If you really want painted cabinets go for it. It's just that I don't think they are the problem. If you paint them you still have the floor, the old appliances and the backsplash. If I were in your shoes I'd do as much of the following as I could afford: new hardware, new countertop and backsplash, new floor and new appliances. No money? I once covered a backsplash by lining up platters at the back of the counter. One Christmas I politely asked for Sears gift cards so I could put whatever I got towards replacing my harvest gold stove.

Good luck! The upside is you have plenty of storage and work space.

Before painting, try changing the hardware. Chrome as someone suggested, and maybe a couple of really pretty knobs from Anthropologie for a pop of color. I think that's what you're missing, everything is neutral. You can probably change the backsplash - stick on metallic tiles. Colorful rugs or Flor tiles can be a temporary floor upgrade before you have the funds to rip it out. You can also paint that air duct a bright color to match with knobs or the floor!

in general, agree with the advice to live with it awhile before you make any costly changes (and new floor and counters can add up to be pricey). paint will help - white or a charcoal gray would look nice w/ that wood tone. and something like peel-and-stick vinyl tiles for the floor might give you the visual impact you want (b/c that existing floor is super ugly) without spending a lot of money upfront. who knows, maybe you'll discover that the kitchen cabinets/layout aren't very practical for the way you live/cook and you'll want to re-do the whole thing in a few years...would be a shame to shell out lots of money on new counters/floors before you know that the kitchen layout works for you.

New hardware, new flooring - say light gray, and an industrial sort of island, the commercial kitchen stainless kind of thing (if you like that look) would be might first thought.

Trouble with the hardware is you've got visible hinges, and assuming you go with a silver finish, you'd want to replace those too, which makes for a bit more work.

I also like the idea of taking off a set of doors - maybe the ones next to the fridge - and displaying some colorful dishware.

I agree with many of the previous commenters. New floors, counters and backsplash paired with new cabinet hardware will go a long way without having to paint a while mess of cabinets.

Well, my initial feeling is that you should paint them a creamy white, replace the hardware, add IKEA butcher block countertops, and put your money towards new appliances. If you do that you could live with the flooring for a while longer, since it seems to be in fairly good condition and it would look decent with the new countertops...however, I would buy a big jute area rug to throw down in the middle of the room. You could do a simple painted backsplash for now and update to tile later, and add a couple of new light fixtures. There seems to be room for an island and you could do a fairly inexensive one from IKEA....good luck!

The cabinets really are beautiful, and the maker clearly took great pains to match the grain on the doors. It would be a shame to paint them. I agree with all the other posters: new hardware/wall color/flooring/countertop/backsplash/appliances should all be considered first in whatever order your budget allows before painting the cabinets.

This is a seriously awsome retro kitchen! Only thing I'd do is brighten up the place w/ some un-beige paint on the walls and ceiling, some great 60's/70's period lighting and accessorize the kitchen w/ some retro tile plaques and jelly moulds on the soffit and some brightly-colored vintage Pyrex refrigerator dishes in the cabinets and on the counters.

I suggest going to Retrorenovation.com for more inspiration that doesn't involve IKEA or painting over those great cabinets - You might even decide that Mid-Century Modest (as Pam calls it) is a great thing to keep!

I agree that the cabinets really look quite nice. New hardware is all they need for a fresh update. The counter and floor (especially the floor!) are where your real problems lie. I'd address those first because painting the cabinets is not going to help the overall look of the kitchen. My kitchen cabinets were painted when I bought my house, and while I like the look I hate the maintenance! No matter how nice of a paint job they get dinged up so easily. I'd trade them for natural wood cabinets any day.

A nice glass tile backsplash with a slate gray counter would make those cabinets look fantastic. Do an online search for kitchens with natural wood cabinets and you'll find tons of great inspiration.

I would paint the cabinets white or cream. Replace the sink countertop with stone and use Ikea butcher block for the additional work surfaces. Get rid of those valances and try natural woven roman shades. A larger light fixture would do wonders. How about painting the cabinets in the EIK nook black, gray, navy? I would leave the wooden table alone for warmth. New cushions for the benches would add a pop of color and can always be changed if you get tired of your color scheme. The addition of a shallow, movable island would be practical. And you can always paint it the same color as the nook cabinets to connect both spaces.

Painting the cabinets is a lot cheaper than getting new backsplash/floors/counters/appliances...but the rest should be a priority over painting the cabinets because the rest have more of an impact on the room (as strange as it seems).

I love white kitchens too, but think your wood cabinets are lovely. I would however, change almost all other elements.

I would add an island that suits your need own needs and perhaps paint that a color.

Change everything else before the cabinets. Appliances, flooring, counters and backsplash will make a big difference. I know that after buying a home, most people are strapped for cash and I also know you probably fell in love with the place and its potential but taking your time is great advice because you could make a mistake you'll regret if your changes are done on a whim. If, after the other changes, you still don't like the wood, paint it.

I love white kitchens but it seems that every kitchen in the world these days is white. As almost everyone has mentioned, get rid of the countertops and floor. I think a very dark countertop and light, bright flooring. New door hardware. Then pick a pretty wall color that goes with brown.
If it's still too dark you could whitewash the cabinets, the lovely wood grain would still show through but it would be brighter. I did that in my last kitchen and loved the effect.
Even if you paint, they are not lost forever. In the future they could be stripped back down to their former glory. So, in the end, do what you love.

I agree that you should feel free to do whatever you want in your own kitchen, but quite frankly I think it's everything *but* the cabinets that is making the kitchen seem so underwhelming on the design front. Some dark elements and non-tan colors will provide visual variety that is currently lacking. I think you will be surprised how much those cabinets can "grow up" given a different context. I personally would go for a dark grey floor to give a sense of weight, a dark countertop, and the walls and backsplash in a matching color (not another tan!) I'd also paint the toe-kick black. If your appliances are still good, keep them. But if not - getting more contemporary (black or stainless) appliances will also create a big change. Similarly, some simple nickel pulls and matching hinges would be my only change for the cabinets.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50138750

Get rid of the laminate backsplash and replace it with glass tiles. Paint the ceiling bright white. New appliances, if possible. The floor would look nicer if it was a light neutral - more of a grayish white instead of beige. If you replace the cabinet hardware, instead of replacing the hinges it's cheaper and easier to paint them. I ended up painting mine and while it sounds like a terrible idea, you actually can't tell that they're painted. If you want a metallic finish, you can get little pots of metallic paint from craft stores - sort of like Treasure Gold, but in all different finishes.

You could also do an island in the middle with storage and a breakfast bar-type seating from somewhere like IKEA.

Then you could rip out the built-in table, bench, and cabinet in the nook in the first picture and get a more modern table and more modern light fixtures.

Agreeing with the majority here, but would suggest that if you decide finally that the wood is just too much for you, sell those doors to someone who would treasure them, and afford you replacement doors. Seems like a win-win. But I bet updating the hardware, flooring, and especially lighting would make them a whole different animal.

Assuming you're on an unlimited budget... I like the cabinets - I would not paint them. The problem with the kitchen is that everything is beigy/orangy - the cabinets would look much better if everything else was not beigy/orangy. Therefore I'd paint everything else (walls and ceiling) real white instead of beige - or maybe light grey. I think I'd remove a few of the upper cabinets - the small ones above the oven and the fridge - it looks crowded and clumsy. Then I'd replace the countertops with something in a crisp white colour. And I might stain the cabinets towards a more mahogany-ish and less orange colour. The floor needs to go too - I'd pick a shiny black tile instead.

A pretty backsplash in stainless tile or in a shiny glass would be terrific with the cabinets (I would go for shiny grey glass patterned tiles). The floors would be great with white tile or painted white wood floors. Why not leave the cabinets. I am a huge fan of white cabinets, but these are lovely!

I think painting the cabinets white will only make the appliances look dingier (is that a word?). If you plan on staying in the home for a while, I would save up for new appliances and in the mean time change out the cabinet hardware and get some paint up on the walls. A nice, warm gray would be perfect. If you do have some money to spend, switch out the countertops to butcherblock.

I'd either stain the cabinets (darker) or sand and restain them (lighter) so they're not that ubiquitous country orange colour, and I'd update the hardware. You won't lose the gorgeous wood grain or craftsmanship, and you won't ruin them, either.

I agree with all amarie's ideas. Another idea to add to the mix is painting the top cabinets white and the bottom gray. I read thru the comments and there are different schools of thought. My advice is to do what you want within your budget Its not a big deal if you like painted cabinets. Paint them! Lots of people prefer that over wood. You have to walk in there everyday. If you don't want the hassle They are not hideous. Hardware could change it completely. If you don't know what you want...change the hardware first and live with if for a little while. You still don't like it....paint. Flooring: You can get laminate floor for good prices these days and looks like hardwood.

Honestly, I think the cabinets wouldn't look so orangey if everything else wasn't a spectacular shade of sickly tan.

Change the floor first, then install a modern refridgerator. I think that will make a tremendous difference.

I think those cabinets are fantastic. I'd put down some black VCT, black cove molding (toe kicks), black hardware on the cabinets, and white tiles on the backsplash, or maybe a colorful blend from modwalls. and paint the walls. Get a mod print (markimekko or the like--I'm thinking a green color) for some simple window treatments over the sink.

THANK YOU all so much for your advice. I'm taking furious notes over here.

So I agree with all of you - we'll hold on to the cabinets. Live with them for a while and see how they grow on us.

Our first inclination is to (and while not cheap, I recognize) is to splurge on hardwoods before we even move in. Perhaps continuing the thin oak floors that we found under the carpet in the living and dining areas.

I would like to swap in a stove where the refrigerator now is (and move the fridge to the other wall). For the now it might just be a cheap retro white stove (old frigidaire type) from Craigslist. http://images.craigslist.org/3oe3pa3l35Y65P65X5b3t26ae84419dd91753.jpg

We were also thinking that removing some of the upper cabinets - especially near the nook and near the refrigerator (soon to be stove) could help lighten it up some. Too drastic?

Finally - I'm really intrigued by the color choices that people are suggesting. I heard a lot of mention of grey. Do you think, eventually, concrete counter tops would work?
I was inspired by this photo - http://www.rejuvenation.com/graphics/roomsettings/bigimage/186.jpg - again any advice on wall color would be great.

Thank you again!

Sarah

Go with green on the walls. I really like royal blue with the orangey color of the cabinets (it's what I have in my knotty pine den), but that shade is too dark for a kitchen and blue is not a good color choice in general for kitchens. Green, like in your inspiration photo, would be beautiful. I always thought I'd love white walls in my kitchen, but every time I see a picture of it, it just looks anemic. Green walls, orange cabinets, black floors.

New drinking game: everybody drink when someone posts that kitchen cabinets should be painted. Last one conscious has to buy the paint!

(I'm fine with painting cabinets, btw -- I'm just funnin' here.)

I'd go a little different... Leave the cabinets, switch the pulls to something brighter. Replace the counters with something bright white. Paint the walls white. And for the finishing touch, replace the floors with something bright, light blue (more a turquoise).

Update the appliances and light fixtures when you can...

the only cabinets I would remove would be those in the nook. You always need more cabinets than you have, even if you think you have enough right now. I would not do wood floors in that room--there's enough wood, it would be too much of a good thing.

"New drinking game: everybody drink when someone posts that kitchen cabinets should be painted. Last one conscious has to buy the paint!"

I know - I'm so sorry!! Its just that so many of the sleek kitchens out there are bright and white...

Okay maybe this is crazy and would make this worse, but then again maybe it's not? How about just painting the trim around each cabinet and leaving the inside wood grain? Oh and of course, change the floors and counters etc etc.

I'd change the flooring to something lighter, maybe white tile? Definitely new applicances (I really don't care for the wood paneling on the fridge door). Either all stainless would be nice, or even white, but not black.

Leave the cabinets as is (& I am not a fan of brown, ever, so that says something) but yes, change the hardware. If you go with stainless appliances, a modern stainless t-bar pull would look great. They come in different sizes, I got mine at home depot.

Maybe new lighting too, something a bit more modern.

Then that wall next to the micro/slidein stove would make a nice family center for some art, a calendar.

Evenutally new countertops/backsplash, something white & bright?

Since these things will take $$$, maybe you could live with things for now and plan do one thing at a time? In the meantime, you could plan everything out which is the funnest part.

Oh, I'd get rid of those pink benches/curtains, you could do that right away, maybe white instead?

how about a black and white checker pattern for the floor? You could find some inexpensive peel and stick tiles. It's classic, and it would be a nice contrast to all the wood, and add an element of pattern. I would paint the walls a warm grey (a cool grey may make the woodwork look more orange) and add some primary colored accessories, maybe some colored glass pulls and handles. Change the counter tops when you can afford it. I think you'll get the most impact out of changing the floors.

Hi Sarah,

Have you looked under the flooring in the kitchen to see if the hardwoods are in there too? Otherwise an area rug of some kind could be used until you have a budget for new flooring.

I think that other people's suggestions to replace the hardware would give the cabinets a facelift although the hardware looks nice as it is. I like the color of the walls. Maybe consider doing a cleaner roman style shade in the kitchen windows above the sink in a lighter color scheme. White, grey and green or white and blue and recover the cushion in the nook with the same or coordinating fabric. Undercounter lighting would make the space lighter. A glass mosaic backsplash maybe? I don't like the suggestion to do butcher block countertops—I think they look better paired with painted cabinets I would keep what you have now. My friends recently redid their countertops with this and it looks very modern and clean and bright but ties in well with the bungalow style of their home.

http://www.vetrazzo.com/palette_glasshouse.html

I personally would be hesitant to pull down cabinets because you may need to repair a wall behind it when you do that and then repaint.

In the nook the cabinet seems a little intrusive But I wonder if you paint it the same color as the trim if it would maybe blend in more to the small space. You could replace those (in the nook) cabinet faces with glass and display something in there or store nice glassware or something inside.

Or are they already glass? It's hard to tell. A more modern light fixture over the table there could help too, although it's hard to tell what you have there now it just looks very amber and changing it could be another way to brighten the room. I hope we see some after pictures. Below are some links for ideas/resources that are inexpensive.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80155012

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80150806

http://wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm?groupid=Cabinet%20Knobs%2C%20Pulls%20%26%20Handles

http://www.etsy.com/shop/qualitycustomdesigns?page=3

I won't paint wood in good condition either. My suggestion is one step at a time as budget and sales allow.

Get a huge light colored rug (since replacing flooring can get expensive)- maybe paint a piece of canvas?

Appliances are often on sale around Mothers' Day. Replace in order of energy usage (think the fridge would have to be the first to go).

If you can do it yourself or have the budget, replace the counter top and backsplash.

Take a few of the doors off the top cabinets and paint the back wall a light color to match the backsplash. Light green and cream look good with wood. Replace hardware on remaining cabinets.

A white island would be great, especially if it's not an eat-in kitchen.

Enjoy your new home!

-leave the cabinets for now at least, they look quality and its all the other laminate and dingy appliances that make it look old. Paint the walls, new counter, new backsplash, new floor, get the retro appliances you love and go from there. Then, don't forget to share pics later after you do your reno! :)

I agree with the other posts about waiting to paint the cabinets. Save your money until you can redo the entire kitchen. That way, you can replace the flooring, lighting, appliances, and hardware, and then decide if you should paint the cabinets. They may look fantastic against new countertops and wall paint. Once you paint, I think it would be tremendously difficult, if not impossible, to get them back to how they are now. Don't worry about not being able to afford everything all at once. My husband and I recently moved into our first home and all we could afford was to paint the walls a lovely color. It's really been a great update for us until we can redo the entire kitchen. Best of luck and enjoy your home.

I would paint the floor if I couldn't replace it right away. Same with the countertop.

The cabinets would look nice another colour but change that floor first!! :-)

I would go with changing the floor and painting the walls first. Or changing up the countertops. That will definitely update the cabinets, which don't seem that bad (they're not the country curvy style that is so common, and that color can be worked with - not too orange). What color to paint? I'm not sure. But you could definitely bring that kitchen into 2011 without painting the cabinets. Just save money to change the flooring, countertops appliances and paint.

DO NOT PAINT THE CABINETS. THEY ARE WORKS OF ART. Seriously, they are Drexel quality furniture with that marvelous matching wood grain.

I would suggest finding a color that makes the wood pop. See if you can get a paint store like Benjamin Moore to let you take home a color wheel. Sometimes they will do it if you secure it with a credit card. Then place all the colors against the wood, until one speaks to you.

OR, find a painting that you really like. Draw the colors from the painting for your kitchen. For instance, 18x18 Turkish tile would look great in there, if you can find the colors you like. The tiles are inexpensive. Go to the largest tile purveyor in your town, not a big box store.

Good luck.

-Modern new hardware.
-Take a couple doors right off to display pretty dishes or replace them with matching wood-framed glass doors if you're into DIY.

-It looks like the backsplash is wallpaper? A paint job would brighten that up.

-Those cabinets are made for some nice bright LED undercabinet lighting. DIY = inexpensive

-The retro floor is what would bring me down. A sturdy linoleum-knockoff in modern and dirt-camoflaging pattern will breathe new life into those cabinets.

@PDXSarah: Not intended as snark! Your kitchen will turn out great either way.

I ended up working with the wood cabinets in my house. I went classic 1920's kitchen to match the age of the house --black and white floor, white subway tile backsplash, white Formica counters to keep the price right (Artic White), brushed crome pulls and knobs, and white appliances. It is very airy looking even though there is little natural light.

But to start, I agree new appliances and floor is the way to go. I like your idea of extending the wood floor into the kitchen.

One other things I wanted to point out is that while I think that it REALLY makes sense to switch the positions of your cooktop and refrigerator—it looks like the reason it was put on that wall is to vent it outside. I guess the good thing is you have a sofit there that you could probably run a new duct through to the other side and possibly connect to the outtake that already exists. I don't know much about venting from an oven and what's to code and what's not but you'll probably need to call in a professional to be sure you run the appropriate diameter ducting and properly angle the turns your duct would need to make to reach outside and make sure it's safe and meets local code. I love the idea of swapping those though!

New floor, new appliances, and this is a very cheap suggestion, add new pulls for the cabinet (maybe white or silver - something lighter so that there is a contrast with the wood).

paint the celing, add some rugs, change the drawer pulls, add sm backsplash n you'll be ready to go..OR..put white tile on floor,stain the cabinets into a darker hue,change the countetop,add bright color on walls..etc etc...u've got a beautiful kitchen...run wild wid ur imagination..

It really would be a shame to paint the cabinets white. They would look great with an iridescent or glass subway tile, a dark grey counter, and a grey-white colour on the walls. For colour, and to cover that lino, I would add a rug with red or dark pink in.

Agree with all those that say that the tan floor, backsplash and walls are the real problem.
It's already been suggested, but I'd like to put in another vote for black and white checkerboard flooring.
It's a great vintage look and would complement pretty much any backsplash and wall colour you'd care to add: just choose a fairly deep or vibrant version of your favorite colour combination. And, as many have suggested--change the hardware to suit.
IMO, you shouldn't change the appliances unless they aren't working properly. They'll be fine once their surroundings are brightened up.

I'd put in a nice backsplash in a complimentary color area (greens or blues-maybe glass mosaic) and take the doors off a few of those cabinets, add under cab lighting, and change of appliances before I painted. They're a gorgeous orange brown!

I think grey is the color-du-jour because a lot of people are looking to renovate economically these days - whether for financial reasons, or to preserve some MCM history when color choices were more pronounced. Grey is a really versatile color that can complement a huge variety of other colors and has more "flair" than the vanilla shake, tan arena.

1. Live with it a while to get a better feel for its positives and negatives.

2. Blue or aqua in the backsplashes would add a rich bolt of colour that still compliments the rest of the scheme.

3. Get rid of those silly little red frilly things over the windows. If you need window covers, wooden venetians would make a good replacement.

Some are recommending that you ruin those gorgeous cabinets, which would cost tens of thousands to replace, and then bring in IKEA whatever????? Yikes!

As someone mentioned above, these cabinets can go in almost any direction, depending on how they are accessorized.

Here are some pretty kitchens from rejuvenation:

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/settings/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=110&category=kitchen

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/settings/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=103&category=kitchen

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/settings/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=53&category=kitchen

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/settings/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=49&category=kitchen

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/settings/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=1&category=kitchen

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/settings/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=186&category=kitchen

Hi PDXSarah -I'm a Sarah in pdx too. I would not recommend concrete countertops. Our previous kitchen had them and my friend has them - they stain and aren't as clean as I like. We put a silestone quartz countertop from precision countertops in our new house that have a concrete look - love them.

A friend also recently put cork flooring in her kitchen from floor depot by the airport and it looks great with her wood cabinets and is soft and warm underfoot. Highly recommend checking cork.

I too think marmoleum is a good option - my favorite flooring place is Sneed's in Tigard near Washington square. Total mom & pop shop whose prices beat the big guys.

We have a new ikea kitchen and am jealous of those cabs that came with your house - very nice.

In stead of painting you could stain the doors with a different (color) finish, to create a more up to date look. If you stain them you will still be able to see the craftmanship, yet you can make it your own. I personally really dislike orangy wood. So I'd say do what you feel like and painting is a better option than ripping the whole thing out.

Is that a 1970s kitchen reno in a 1920s/30s house?

I would heavily weigh that factor when trying to decide what to do with this kitchen.

What does the rest of the house look like?

How serious a cook are you (or your husband)?

Before doing anything -- even as simple as changing the flooring -- I'd have all that thought out.

You can start small -- by painting the walls for example. But investing in flooring -- which may not match your floorplan in a kitchen reno 2 to 5 years from now -- may not be a wise use of your money.

Actually, I think that you *can* renovate this kitchen fairly inexpensively; maybe in the next year or two you'll be able to do something about it.

One option which no one has mentioned is ripping the cabinets out and selling them to an architectural salvage place (the wood may not be your thing, but it may be someone else's), and buying cabinets from the era and installing those. That should be relatively cheap as 1930s cabinets are always being ripped out for kitchen renos. And more and more I love the look of 1930s kitchens that have been primped a little.

As for flooring, if that is the direction you go in, I'd go with honest-to-goodness linoleum (e.g., Marmoleum brand, etc.). Maybe black and white linoleum squares on a diagonal.

And a retro stove (fixed-up those can be expensive, but often you can find one that needs work for cheap, reflecting all the elbow grease and labour which needs to be put in).

Here are some retro kitchen ideas which seems more in keeping with the age of your house:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/home-tour-country-cottage#slide_6

http://www.kitchenbuilding.com/updated-vintage-kitchen-yellow-cabinets/

And in case you wind up painting your cabinets, here's an idea of what's possible:

http://goodhomeconstruction.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-vintage-kitchen-from-1990s-modern.html

We have birch cabinets finished with amber shellac in our 1929 kitchen (all original) so have some experience in dealing with the wooden cabinet thing. While these cabinets look like they are from the 70s (and if so, I'd paint them if that's what you want to do), if you decide to keep the wood, I second marmoleum for the floors (this is the second house we've put it in and we love it), and think about paint and perhaps new counters. With those wood times (which run through our whole house, since all the woodwork is also original finish, we've found the colors that really help the wood look great and add to the warmth are mossy and sagey greens and soft golden colors. Colors in blue tones tend to clash with the wood and make it look dingy. If you go with white tones and keep the wood, aim for creamy colors that don't have a lot of yellow, which can end up just looking dirty.

I'd put in new backsplash and new counters. I have under-cabinet lights; they were easy and they provide great light for working in the kitchen. The overall look of the kitchen is very brown-n-white. I'd consider a new floor, not brown. Marmoleum/lineoleum is gorgeous, easy-care, and environmentally friendly. Comes in vivid colors in sheet or tiles. I'd do a checkerboard pattern w/square floor tiles, in deep blue and cream. I just used pressed tin for my backsplash - not too spendy, looks great, easy care.

Before you decide, what's your goal? Sleek and modern, colorful and eclectic, country, etc? That would help you choose colors and materials.

psst...
you bought the house. it's yours. you can do whatever you want to it (and it's storage).

For color, I'd go with a _very_ pale, slightly greyed complement to red-orange: blue green -> Teal / turquoise / aqua / cyan / aquamarine / sea-green / glass green. Darker on the floor, lighter on the walls, palest on the ceiling.

Remove just the cabinet doors, rather than the entire cabinet. Paint the inside a darker shade of blue green than the walls.

Consider getting new cabinet doors, with wire-mesh or glass inserts, for all or some of the top cabinets.

This is my first post. If you go with wood floors and keep the cabinets, this just screams "Old World" to me. The hardware on the cabinets need to go! Then, I'd get rid of the backsplash and paint the walls/backsplash a rich, dark gold and go black accents, such as black leather Parson's chairs around a small island. You need some rich color and perhaps some black accents. Something like this:http://files.servicemagic.com/files/eid/5550000/5559407/Kitchen-remodel.426934.jpg I have a gold kitchen and LOVE it. It screams Italian, and since I love to cook, it is great to leave out things like olive oil, wine, and gourmet vinegars that I use all the time.
Your kitchen looks like a cook's kitchen! It will be just lovely with a little color and some accents. I'd skip the white accents, and seriously go black, if you keep the cupboards. You need some depth. I totally agree with starting with the floors, and then ripping out the vinyl backsplash to begin with. Then see how you like it. If you like an "Old World" look, this would be perfect! I check out some of the de Gulio kitchens, for inspiration!

Definitely needs a nice glass tile backsplash, maybe something with some country barn reds and maybe some browns. You could try ordering some custom blend samples online (Susan Jablon, Oceanside, etc.) for free or checking with your local Tile Distributor for some solid sheets of color. Subway would definitely look nice.