apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

New hardware, curtains...maybe paint the cabinets and/or walls...I actually really like those countertops, work with them!

Ummm.. maybe you don't want to hear this but I wouldn't do much... I kind of love it. Find a used sixties or modern light fixture to replace that hideous Home Depot mess, professionally clean that neutral linoleum and warm it up with some bright colored area rugs or something pattern-y from FLOR; steal the chairs back from the old owners, new chrome knobs.

I'm totally digging what looks like an indoor grill in there. To be perfectly honest I would replace the counter top - you can get a nice formica one for not too much money - with something that looks a little like black marble (think Ina Garten's kitchen) and then I'd put new tile on the floor, black and white squares. Keep the cabinets white and you have a classic black and white theme going. If the linoleum floor in there is in good shape you can just lay self adhesive tiles over the existing floor.

If you're spending minimal money you could:
1. Paint the walls a nice non white color, but something that still works with the orange countertops. Maybe a butter yellow?
2. Trade out the blinds for some cute curtains. Perhaps check the local fabric store for a retro print and make your own?
3. Change out the beige outlets for white
4. Change out the cabinet hardware for something a little nicer. You can get quality knobs for super cheap online.

I agree with matchjames ...

If this were my space to make over, I think I would remove the rail dividing the dining area and the step down living room, replace the light fixture over the table, and maybe paint the brick on the fireplace -- although I would probably try to clean the brick first and see if that helped. Then I would add a rug in the kitchen and curtains to the window above the sink.

i agree - i love it! the only thing that bothers me is the black microwave/cord

I actually love that space and wouldn't change too much.

I'm with you 100% for gray walls but would leave the cabinets white. Switch out the door pulls with something black and replace the lighting fixture above the kitchen table.

If you can afford new appliances, I would replace those. they won't be very efficient.

If on the off chance you wanted to change the counter tops (I wouldn't) you could always glue down some veneer. There is a good how to in an old issue of readymade magazine.

The floors are my biggest problem. I might try painting the one in the kitchen black so that the white cabinets (and hopefully white kitchen table) would float. I would probably cover the living room floor in flor tiles to add a new color and soften the space.

I know a lot of people are dead against this but I would paint the bricks on the fireplace white... with the idea that the living room walls are gray too.

I hope you post after pictures.

I say, if you like the orange and grey, go for it! But don't go orange crazy . . . your countertop provides PLENTY of that color! Paint the cabinets that lovely deep grey, keep the walls white, and add any accent colors you might like. I'd keep any window treatments simple simple . . . you've got enough going on with the orange. :) I like the little pop of yellow on your inspiration too . .. so you could work that in (gently!). And have fun!

I concur, I love it already. I would do very little except for changing out the light fixture with a Modern or Retro one. And an Area Rug.

What ever you do... do not change those fabulous countertops!

I really enjoy the Retro-Ranch layout of your kitchen/family room.

I think I'd consider changing out the chandelier to something a bit more of the period, such as a bubble lamp and putting up some woven-wood window coverings above the sink and sliding doors (hung at the ceiling to give the illusion of height) and installing a chunky boxed mantle above your fireplace insert

Where I would spend the money is in removing the metal rail between the dinette and family room and replacing it with a built-in peninsula bookcase/cabinet for some additional enclosed storage - You might even consider repeating the orange from the laminate countertops in some sliding door panels and/or countertop for this built-in unit.

Look for a new faucet online (overstock.com) - keep it chrome, get some chrome cabinet pulls, circa 1950's. Also, get rid of the cord/microwave, unless you have the cord gone the under cabinet look is ruined. Opt for the countertop version moved to the window wall with cord out of site. You could very inexpensively add a few rows of colorful tile - 50's look above the small backsplash you have. For the window make a roman shade - not hard, lots of tutorials online! Good luck, happy bargain shopping.

You should knock out the cabinets above the counter (on the right) to open up the kitchen into the family room a little bit more. Also, embrace that counter top, it's great! Maybe go for some complementary colors in the kitchen and some DIY curtains. You could change out the knobs on the cabinets and paint them as well!

In the kitchen I would paint the counters. It's very cheap and there is paint made specifically for counters. A final coat of some clear polyurethane or something similar must cure for a few days, but the final result really is impressive for such an inexpensive fix. Also, I'd change the kitchen hardware and the chandelier. I'd probably paint the walls; the living room the same color but a different hue as the kitchen. I'd also replace the railing with something a little more updated. Finally, some people totally oppose it, but I think a painted fireplace would look wonderful. Maybe if you leave the kitchen cabinets white, you could paint the fireplace white. And maybe a mantle. Good luck!! it's a great space!!!

A retro-style light fixture in the ceiling, grey-blue paint for the walls, removing or painting the railing, and a funky tile backsplash that incorporates all your colours would look lovely. Please send an 'after' photo!

And knock out the cabinets above the bar and make up for the lost space with an island!

I love this space and wouldn't change much.

Paint the walls throughout a nice gray.
switch the cabinet handles with something black.
replace the light fixture over the table.

The one thing I don't love is the floors.
I would paint the one in the kitchen black so that the cabinets and hopefully white table and chairs float.
I would cover the living room in floor tiles to introduce a new color.
paint the bricks on the fireplace white.

It looks like you could easily replace your outdated cooktop (and maybe oven and dishwasher....) with a nice big one from someplace like DCS or thermador. You say you are on a budget...look for used luxury appliances (I scored a working jennair downdraft at a habitat for humanity for $160 ) or maybe if you go to a trade show you'll pick something up for cheap...I saw this lady redo her kitchen and she had the awesomest bosch stove that she picked up at a yacht show of all places...they were showing kitchen design options for yachts and then the tradespeople don't want to cart everything home so they sell it off for cheap.

I agree with previous comments that changing simple things like the hardware and light fixture will go a long way. You have the nice bonus of having a great open space to begin with. Honestly though, I think the vinyl floor is hurting this space the most. If you CAN save up to replace it do. There's so much of it, that changing that would have an huge effect on the space as a whole. I'd also suggest possibly creating a mantel or painting the fireplace in some way as it currently stands out quite a bit.

I went into a house just like that not too long ago. The owners updated their kitchen (also open to the family room) by keeping the orange counters and adding a mosaic tile backsplash that was white, two shades of aqua/turquoise and orange. It looked great.

For hardware, go with simple chrome or nickel pulls. You can get batches of vintage ones on eBay pretty cheaply. If you want new ones, Target sells them in packs of 10 for $9.99.

As for the dining area light fixture, save up and invest in a quality vintage piece or reproduction, maybe a George Nelson bubble lamp.

Honestly, the space looks fine the way it is so don't feel you have to rush to change things. Just do little things as you can afford them.

I would paint the fireplace white, keep the kitchen white, and paint the family room a light gray. I would hang floral or geometric patterned curtains for the sliding doors, or maybe linen, and get some kind of balloon or roman shade for the kitchen window. And don't neglect color- add color in with rag rugs or some other inexpensive choice. As for the light fixtures and kitchen hardware, those are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. And I would definitely hang the light lower over the table. But love the natural light and those orange countertops! This room has a lot of potential.

http://tangiedecor.blogspot.com/

good suggestions, but if you want to go VERY cheap just spray paint the light fixture, hardware and railing black...then replace appliances and countertops as you can afford them.

There was a post this morning about retro color combinations: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/neocon/neocon-2009-retro-yellow-turquoise-color-combo-088316 I was thinking about taking a 50s color (like ... yes ... avocado) and lightening it quite pale. Then I played around at color-synthesis (http://color.cranf.net/) and thought that it could be hard to get that quite right, and maybe your gray idea is better ;)

The space is so pleasant - light and open, and the orange is hot, very hot. Enjoy your new home!

I like the countertops! I agree I'd take out the railing and upper cabinets to open the space up; I also like painting the bricks when they're multi-colored like yours. Have fun!

Whatever you do, PLEASE DO NOT do anything to those lovely tangerine countertops. They are so perfect!

I would look into replacing the cabinet hardware with something a bit sassier. You'll be amazed at what a difference it will make.

Other than that, just the right accessories should get thsi kitchen up and running in no time!

I'd definitely change the gold cabinet hardware to something chrome (to match the sink fixture) and swap out the light switch and outlet covers (also maybe chrome).

If you can afford new linoleum, I'd do it. Although I wouldn't go with the black/white tile thing unless you also want to change the countertops, because it would look a bit Halloween to me.

Like others, I kind of like the orange countertops. It could be way worse.

Oh and maybe a rug or cork flooring for the kitchen. Looks a little bare.

Oh yeah, and the lighting fixture in your eating area has to go. Something retro would be cool. Else, just stay away from gold/brass.

I agree with a lot of the comments. There are some great things happening with this space and it only needs a little style. I love the orange countertops and think they would be fun to keep.

1. Get rid of the wall cabinets above the bar area. You might have to do a little ceiling repair, but it should be easy, if any at all.
2. New cabinet hardware
3. Replace the iron railing with a drywall version
4. New dining light fixture
5. It would be great if you could add a contemporary clean line mantel to the fireplace that could incorporate a built-in shelfing area to the right of the fireplace.
6. New paint. Grey would be great!

What littlebrownbird suggested - knock out that overhead cabinet that separates the kitchen from the living area. Most likely you don't really need that much extra space, and it would really open up the whole area and make it lighter. I see this space as funky 50's space-age yet modern white/orange/silver with dark grey accents.

So:
1) Change cabinet pulls
2) Change dining light fixture - love bubble chandelier idea!
3) Nix fugly black microwave
4) Nix fugly white gate
5) Spice up linoleum with Flor carpet tile areas
6) Paint dining set white or get different dining set
7) Paint fireplace bricks white
8) Knock out overhead cabinet next to living room

i agree with matchjames too. The counters are great. New window treatment. Update the dining room light fixture and accessorize!

Looks like you could be making some lovely lemonade with the lemons you have here!!!!

I would paint the kitchen and living area, remove that rail and replace the gold/bronze thing (i don't know what it's called) that edges the linoleum. I'd change the light fixture over the dining room table and paint the living room and fireplace brick. I'd (want to) paint the cabinets and change the hardware.

I'd look for, or maybe you have, area rugs. Finally, since you say you're handy I would want to remove those top cabinets that obstruct the view from the kitchen to the living room.

What bepsf said plus either taking down the cabinets above the bar or converting them into open shelves with colored glass and barware.

And the chandelier ahs to go as others have said.

If you don't paint the fireplace (I could go either way) try to pull that coloring in through some other means so it isn't so stark.

Lovely.... This has huge DIY potential. I could certainly see painting the walls and cabinets all the same warmish grey (not steely grey). Change the knobs, not convinced by chrome, but could see an interesting porcelain in an interesting color (modern in shape and color of course). I would also tackle that ceiling and paint it same hue perhaps as wall but change the value to lighter shade. Paint the rail dark no matter what. If you are keeping white appliances I would be careful as to how dark you go on cabinets and walls as the contrast may not work so well but I think you can still warm it up like the floor color. Maybe consider a long banquette with a large peice of art above it and a long dining table and instead of one light fixture maybe two or even three (maybe Noguchi paper lanterns) this would make it seem much larger. Have fun!

Don't get rid of the countertop! It totally works.

I'm seconding a lot of the comments above, but in order of importance:

- Paint that god awful chimney the same color as the wall.
- New light fixture for dining area
- I like your grey/orange idea, and I like Kevincubine's idea of leaving the cabinets white with grey around them. Maybe extend the grey kitchen to the fireplace wall?
- New faucet and cabinet hardware
- New curtains
- Rugs to cover up the linoleum in the living room (Ikea has cheap options.)

More time/labor intensive:
- Remove rail and install a bookcase divider.
- Classic black and white tiling to play up the retro (this can be pretty cheap I think.)

I agree - you space is cool. I think you need a vibrant blue object or one accent in the kitchen to juxtaposition the orange countertops (see if you can stomach painting one random cupboard door blue). Fit clean cut handles on the kitchen, chnage the pendant with something retro-modern and I would change the floor into cork - it is hygenic for kitchen and you can totally do it yourself. I like the appliances, if they are working well don't change them. Oh and please hide the black cord of the microwave.

love your kitchen! at the window, install some sheer, graphic sliding curtain panels from ikea, put a nelson saucer pendant over the dining area, and paint that fireplace.

Remove: dated light fixture, mini blinds, railing between dining area and living room, cabinet pulls, microwave, orange backsplash

Add: paint to all walls (light grey?), new, modern pendant light fixture in kitchen, tiled backsplash in kitchen (maybe a nice blue-ish glass tile?), paint to cabinets (I think a fresh coat of white or even a smoky grey would look good), new pulls on cabinets (go modern and clean, not retro - countertop color is "retro" enough), funky rug in kitchen (stripe rug from ikea would be okay), and some nice patterned curtains in kitchen, but try and avoid too much orange.

Think about: cleaning brick and/or painting brick, adding new drapes in living room, removing/replacing beige outlet covers.

This place has SO much potential. I look forward to seeing what you do with this space.

I love it. There is a lot you could do. I agree with a PP, get rid of top cabinets to open up the floor plan a little more. I love the gray and orange idea....love the counters. I would paint the bottom cabinets the same gray color as the porch picture and the top cabinets a much lighter color gray. Keep the walls white. Change cabinets hardware to modern metal knobs. Get rid of the microwave. Get a modern interesting light fixture. Paint the brick white. Cover the orange back splash with white subway tile (if budget allows). Living room floor needs softening. Keep everything simple!! Good luck

Oh please, oh please don't do anything to the counters. I've been wanting to wallpaper my own kitchen with Graham and Brown's matchsticks circles so badly. It would look great in your space too: http://www.grahambrown.com/us/store/viewProduct.do?id=166

For wallpaper, it's not too expensive, and I think you can find it at Target (online).

I hope we get to see the after pictures!

don't know if my comment got eaten, but if so...what do you think of this wallpaper with your counters? http://www.grahambrown.com/us/store/viewProduct.do?id=166

it's pretty inexpensive as far as wallpaper goes, and i think you can order it from Target.

Change the light fixture to something more stylish, take out the iron railing, and go Brady Bunch with your furnishings. You can really have a lot of retro fun without spending much money. The key is to go with the space, not try to make it something else.

I would put in white subway tiles for a backsplash, paint the brick fireplace a dove grey, replace the pendant light with a bright white snappy retro looking one (like the Ikea Knappa), get some linen white kitchen curtains and have a set of curtains in the proper length made of the same material for the sliding door. I'd also take out the rail and re-do the floors with some updated stick and peel vinyl until you can afford to get them done in the manner you'd like, and go on the hunt for a vintage metal fireplace screen to cover it when it isn't in use. I'd definitely replace the kitchen hardware and pulls, it's probably the cheapest and easiest way to change up the room!

Orange is a great colour (I use it myself to decorate, I'm all about the bright in my house), but the key to using it is to use it minimally. I would maybe throw a multicoloured print up on the wall in the kitchen opposite the window that features orange to really balance the use of the colour, but I'd primarily use a dark brown wood or linen white to offset it as the neutrals and punch it up with some colours that work well with that bright an orange, like a butter yellow or an avocado green. And I'd definitely take advantage of that great kitchen sunlight and have a couple of pots of herbs growing on either side of the sink!

I look forward to seeing the after photos!

If you don't want to spend much money, replace the counter top. Formica has a genuine imitation black flecked marble that looks great. Or go with something that commentaries the fireplace, if it will be staying.

I can't see taking out the railing without worrying about people falling. I'd like to see a flat one level floor at some point, if possible.

I agree with getting a new chandelier that doesn't look like the cover of Home Depot.

Do you like it ok for now or are you planning a complete redo in the long term? If you are planning a redo, I wouldn't change anything major now. I would paint, and put up some fun curtains. If you really plan to keep it (which is what I would do), then I think removing the cabinets over the peninsula is a very good idea. It looks to me like the flooring is in good shape. Why change it until you need to? When you move into a house there are so many ways to use up your cash, why spend it where you don't need to?
I would paint the light fixture. I saw on a TV show where they changed the wire railing for a built in storage unit. It was bookshelves on the living side, cabinets for storage on the dining side.
I think a good color to add would be turquoise.

Do NOT replace the countertop under any circumstances. It sounds like you like it and want to work with it. If you like white/orange/gray, think about bringing in gray maybe in a pattern for a roman blind on the window (can you sew?) and maybe a durable rug on the floor (Flor might work).

Everyone agrees that the HD light fixture is a gone-r. Even one of the fun white Ikea lights would be an improvement.

And the black microwave with the cord is an eyesore. Replace it with a white countertop model.

I actually think in this space painting the fireplace a glossy white would integrate the two rooms really well. The brick doesn't look to be all that special.

For more ideas for homes of the vintage of yours, I strongly suggest that you look at retrorenovation.com. You are so lucky to have this house!

Many good ideas already! Re: bricks on fireplace -- are they bricks or just brick facers? If the latter, you could chip them off and consider new facers that are less '80's ('70's?) and put up facers that look like stacked stones (a la '50's and '60's). Work with the tangerine countertops - and use lots of white elsewhere and other orange accents in the rest of the kitchen and adjoining room. Check out the Hogan rug at Crate and Barrel in Tangerine for the sitting area in front of the fireplace. Also, lots of great citrus colored accents from C&B that are now on sale! I happen to love black and white tiled floors (even with the orange) as long as you don't mind cleaning all the time (tried b/w floors with my three little kids and a dog years ago --yikes!). Stay modern on the light fixture in the dining area -- would love a white bubble fixture over a retro looking white table with white or colored chairs (IKEA if you're on a serious budget: like the Billsta table). I like IKEA's new Snodd Knobbs if you're going black and white with the flooring. Overall, I'd keep things fresh, modern, open -- and if you add gray, I'd keep it light and leave the cabinets alone (unless they need freshening up). For those windows, I'd do floor to ceiling white draperies (that are washable). Check out the post to see how great lots of white with orange looks: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/bedroom/sleeping-loft-from-a-swedish-apartment-086165. You could add the bleached wood or bamboo floors later when your budget allows. Enjoy your new digs!!!

knobs from here:
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/subcategory/list.do?catalog=room&category=rm_accessories&subcategory=acc_knob_pull

this rug under the table:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=170&f=5145

a pendant light similar to this: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=120&f=4694

the blue-turq chairs for the table, or paint thrift store chairs this color: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=810&f=5005

a simple white, wooden venetian blind over the sink (the shade store, and i was very happy)

some great posters or artwork on the hanging cabinets space, and to the left of the doorway and near the table: http://www.polishposter.com/

i would remove the metal division, and place a thrifted and painted, low buffet...just make certain the back is finished so it will also look good from the living room.

a pale gray on the walls, and bring in a pale shimmery green and turq blue in the form of painted buffet, chairs, table.

Wow. What a great space. Brings back my childhood, it does. Oh, wait... I hated my childhood. Feh. Nonetheless, count me in the camp that says all it needs is a new light fixture, a bit o' paint and possibly new floors.

A neat (very cheap) way to update and add some flair to your kitchen is to add pictures to the cabinet doors. I found a science magazine with full page beautiful purple and grey jellyfish that became the decorations for my first non-dorm kitchen. Check out some old 60s advertisements? You might be able to find some online to print in color, and can paste and varnish them to the doors. If that's a little too college-y for you, maybe paint circles a la Wassily Kandinsky on some of the cabinet doors?

I also highly recommend an over the sink shelf like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Sink-Helper-Shelf-Housewares/dp/B000GG9UQI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1245877852&sr=1-8

and some kitsch to decorate it:
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/frog-scrubby-holder-5

Good luck!

There is way too much beige/white in the two rooms. I think the extreme amount of white in the kitchen is definitely too cold for the orange counter. I'd warm it up with a bit of yellow myself but then my kitchen is yellow and orange with white fixtures so I'm biased. (I liked the person who said to make it butter yellow)

I think the number one thing going on in this place is no unity of style. Its clear that they just put the floor in and the paint, and the railing and that brass thingy without thinking how they all relate to each other. So in your case the exciting challenge is to figure out what the relationships will be.

Cheapest is to paint the walls in the kitchen and living room. I might go grey in the living room, and grey on the shared kitchen wall, with white trim, then go for some combo of white, yellow and orange in the kitchen area.

Floor cover will make a world of difference too. I'd be saving up for wood laminate or new and colorful (eco friendly too) linoleum tiles in the two rooms- again doing what I could to make the two areas separate from each other.

The railing is super fugly but I think it could be one of your cheapest and easiest fixes if you found a mod fabric or solid color fabric and created something like a railing slipcover. that would give the room some personality quickly.

Tritto on everyone who says go buy a cheap pendant lamp at ikea and set that brass thing free.

Example of the stacked stone veneer (I'm sure there are lots of others out there): http://siding.builddirect.com/Manufactured-Stone-Veneer.aspx

some simple things --

-- Replace the chandelier with something more delicate and less brassy
-- Big area rug to put some color on the floor and hide the linoleum
-- Smaller rug under your kitchen table
-- Either get rid of the railing, or replace it (maybe with a set of wood shelves)

Seriously, last one:
http://www.kafkagranite.com/stacked_stone_rock_panels/ivory_quartz_veneer.php

PS I absolutely love the orange countertops!

I love your kitchen! I would definitely concur about replacing the lighting. When you have the budget, I think a Norm 03 would look great there. I think the walls would look great in a light tan/khaki to warm things up and I would go with curtains made from Amy Butler August Fields Bright Buds Ivory fabric
http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/01de68b4-822f-4634-a902-3f9f47ed2b60/Images/Medium_BM-457.jpg
some white dining chairs and white, round table plus some area rugs would do wonders.

Love it! Enjoy.

These are great ideas!!!
I agree with so many of them.
1. Remove upper cabs over bar
2. Paint fireplace white to balance cabinets out
3. new ikea light fixture over table
4. Ikea knobs in nickel or steel
5. cheap glass tile backsplash from http://www.mosaictilesupplies.com
6. white shade in the kitchen or cool print curtain (has to be really good or better kept white)
7. big glass bowl of limes on the table
8. large DIY art over the fireplace using some orange green and blue. This could be abstract and really fun.
9.New faucet from overstock.com
10. gray wallcolor extending into living room
11. WhiteFlokati rug from Ikea in the living room that keeps the funky feel but doesn't compete with the art or the orange.
You are going to have so much fun with this house!!!!

DON'T PAINT THE BRICKS. No good can come from that. Bricks have to breathe, or they crumble. (Stain if you want to try to change their color.) If you still don't like your fireplace, build over it with 2x4s and wall board.

The place I'd spend my money on would be the windows. I would get plantations shutters. They cost big, but look like a million dollars, and your windows are a focal point from the moment you walk in the door.

Wow! Thanks for all the quick advice! That was a lot of comments in a very short time... Thanks everyone :)

Some more specific questions:
1. I'm not planning to replace the counters. They were one of things I loved about this house. I do wish there weren't faded "sun spots" near the windows, any suggestions for fixing the faded spots?
2. I'm not fond of the lineoleum on the floor, but don't know what to replace it with. I'm afraid black (with the orange) would look very halloween-ish, but I don't know what else to do. Maybe a rug by the sink would help...
3. I was considering a backsplash (like the one mentioned by palindrome and JasmineIsDomestic), but the formica goes up the wall on one side. Can I backsplash over that?

lipstickonyourteeth - I do love that wallpaper.

There are more house pictures (the rest of the house is yellow shagadelic) at www.picasaweb.com/meghan.is.special/NewHouse

I also heart your orange countertop and would recommend a wallpaper with fun pattern for the wall with the window (maybe something with cream, navy blue and little specks of orange/red/yellow?), and then take those colors and get countertop stuff in those colors (canisters, vases, etc.)

Funny thing . . .my parents house when I was growing up had the same color counter top. Never thought about again until just now.

I agree with most posts above. You could just update some hardware/fixtures and be good, but if you really want a noticeable change, I would take out the cabinetry above the bar so it opens up more into the living room. I would also maybe look at putting in a larger window above the sink. It's already big, but it would be really cool if it took up the whole space there.

I think for the living room, I agree about doing something with the fireplace, but I think what will make it is the furniture you keep in it.

matsayswhat - I actually love yellow kitchens. My sister did hers in yellow, but I thought with the orange it might be too much?

citipearl - sadly, I don't think the fireplace is a veneer (although I will have to look closer. we officially move on July 3rd, and I can't examine until then).

maude - thanks for all the links! I really like the cabinet knobs you recommended.

p.s. to everyone who mentioned the microwave cord, I think we are going to eliminate the microwave altogether.

Also, we are hoping to knock out the cabinets over the counter dividing the family room and the kitchen, but it might take a while. We want to convert the laundry room - which is the door next to the refridgerator) into a walk in pantry first, so we still have plenty of storage. And that means moving the laundry somewhere else. Fun times....

Bright and juicy green and yellow accents, maybe in the cabinet pulls, curtains, rug, table linens, even your cookware or dishes. I'd toss in a little blue here and there, too, but mostly green.

The only place I'd add orange is on the wall above your dining table....some piece of artwork or poster that incorporates the orange and whatever other colors you have going on.

Last picture link wasn't clickable. Trying again... More Pictures

http://www.picasaweb.com/meghan.is.special/NewHouse

It's a great space...everyone is jazzed about it!

Perhaps look into replacing the kitchen floor with Marmoleum if it would fit into your long range plans. It's pretty inexpensive and will work nicely with the vintage vibe.

I think a pale sagey-green grey would be a great color to tie the kitchen and living rooms together.

Also check out the modern-vintage lighting fixture from Rejuvenation - maybe something for your dining table can be found here.
http://www.rejuvenation.com/location66/collections/Modern_America_Lighting.html

Swap the light fixture for retro.
Pinch pleat curtians (amy butler makes great cotton prints).
New knobs, chrome circles or an accent color.
If you backsplash paint? I'd paint a fun pattern of yellow and orange onto it, mod stencils?
I'd paint the walls too most likely, and yeah... i love your counters.

Check out retrorennovation for more mid-mod ideas. The woman that runs it does exhaustive research on the period.

For the floor. I would use peel and stick, black and white tiles. Inexpensive and you could always do something else later.

I just saw the rest of the pictures and I love the house.

I won't paint the walls in the kitchen or the kitchen cabinets but I would find fabric with orange/grey/white for roman blind.
Defenetely I would change tha chandelier and get rid of the railing, also change the door knobs.

May be paint the wall be the kitchen table or use wallpaper.

For the floors -if you worry about the Halloween look with black and white tiles, there are othere colors linoleum that you make like it for a temporal change. FLOR carpet tiles and rugs are good ideas too.

Good luck!

i think it's awfully sweet but could veer into gimmicky unless you style it right. modern, sleek hardware, along with a super updated light fixture would go a long way. and if i was you, i'd hesitate to add too many black accents for fear of looking halloweeny. however, i love the idea of light grey walls, silver hardware, and a few robins egg blue accents, such as white a white and blue valance. cute!

Consider tiling over the brick of the fireplace. That shouldn't be very expensive to do and would help the family room side enormously. A nice sleek subway tile, possibly in gray if you're going with that in the kitchen scheme. You could match a tile back splash in the kitchen to the fireplace that way.

Yes, ditch that chandelier in the dining area, and if possible, also the box fluorescents over the counter. Almost anything would be better.

Yes, pull out that railing as well, and if you can stand to sacrifice the cabinet space, the cabinets over the bar.

By all means stick with the orange counter and play it up. Some of the lime-green Le Creuset cookware would look amazing when paired with it, and some layered pale grays on the walls and cabinets.

I LOVE your house. Congrats.
I also Love your kitchen. would also only change the light fixture, cabinet pulls and add some window treatments. For flooring, have you considered pre-finished wood laminates? It would shine beautifully in the light of that window, can be found for not a lot of money, especially if you install yourself, and the kitchen is self-contained, ending at that step, so it doesn't seem like you'd have to do it anywhere else but that one room, without it feeling "broken up"

I'll throw this out there: If you can really commit to the retro...

...maybe this wallpaper on the opposite kitchen wall:

http://www.designpublic.com/shop/graham-and-brown/10915

...and this for curtains:

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=e2b017a0-8066-442a-bdf6-99079f784d35

That might tie the color of the bricks of the fireplace into the whole thing. So bad, it's good. You could even leave the faux wood microwave. I'm not feelin' that black fireplace insert/screen thing; I'd put white birch logs in there when not in use and not have a screen thing at all.

Bertoia wire chairs in white for the kitchen, an orange Zenith rocker in the living room...

I don't care for the cabinets hanging between the kitchen and the living room either, but the back side would be a good place to hang a flat-screen television.

Enjoy!

color links!
http://yolocolorhouse.com/colors.php
http://www.citronpaint.com/daub%20sheet.pdf
http://color-stripes.blogspot.com/
http://www.coxpaint.com/store/cart.php?target=category&category_id=276
http://www.coxpaint.com/store/cart.php?target=category&category_id=332&pageID=2

i love heather's whimsical fabric, patterns and colorways:
http://www.skinnylaminx.info/products/ceramics/

one possible solution to the large backsplash behind the stove...have a piece of plexi cut the same size as the huge backsplash, request sanded/rounded edges, and drill holes along the top and bottom, for screws. drill holes into the formica to match those in the plexi. place kid's colorful paintings, wallpaper or kids' picture book images between the formica and the plexi. screw into place.

as a framer, i used this as an inexpensive (and secure) way to display posters/menus in restaurants.

oh, and switch out the light switches.

This is a great room - I love it. Leave the kitchen white - it's beautiful with the orange, and makes the room clear, cool, and fizzy. Put a bamboo roman shade over the kitchen sink windows. Nix the curtains on the sliding glass door, leave it bare, if you can. If not, use tall, narrow panels on a track, like the ones at Ikea, to cover the door. Get rid of the white railing. New dining area fixture over the table; I'm visualizing a white Chinese paper lantern type, big and round. New cabinet hardware. Paint the riser (?) between the den and kitchen and the wall underneath the bar facing the den a charcoal gray. It's visually all of a piece. Paint the walls in the den white, as well. My favorite white recently is BM's Simply White. Paint the fireplace brick medium gray (a very little green in it might be good). Put FLOR carpet tiles in the den - check the FLOR outlet store at their web site for some great deals. If you've never used them, you can simply lay them over the tile. Use great functional furniture in neutral colors with pillows, lamps, etc., as possible sources for pops of color, including the orange that's in the kitchen.

Someone mentioned taking out the metal rail and installing drywall in its place, presumably a half wall. If you go that route perhaps you could install banquette seating there to ramp up the retro. You could DIY or perhaps find one on Craigslist.

I actually love this kitchen...I'd consider painting the walls maybe a light gray, and the lower cabinets dark gray, or paint all cabinets, or leave them white and just paint the walls gray. Maybe define the dining area with a little bit of orange and gray. I definitely would remove the rail and change out the light. Could you consider glass tile over the brick fireplace?

I'm not a big fan of gray and orange. I think that's kind of a trendy color scheme at the moment, and it's gonna date badly. Gray and orange was also big in the early '80s as I recall, and ended up looking like dingy crap a few years later.

I'd go with bright white and orange. Depending on your furniture and accessories that scheme could either go in a '60s-early '70s space age direction, or in more of a warm retro-modern '50s direction. You could even take it Euro contemporary.

The big advantage to white is, if you end up not liking it in a year or two, it's easy to paint over. And until you get settled, it's easy to decorate around since it goes with everything. And white will really make those orange counters pop, which is good since you've already said they're your favorite feature.

Oh, and I agree with what many have said about that upper cabinet - demo it ASAP. You can reclaim the lost space by replacing the railing with some kind of storage. I saw one person recommending a low bookshelf on the living room side backed with shallow cabinets on the dining room side, which I think is a great suggestion. You could probably hack something together at IKEA for not a lot of cash.

As everyone has already said, that light fixture needs to die, now. A simple white globe would work well, but I think a smoked glass sphere with a slightly brownish tint would be absolutely stunning (and would stand out from all that white). Something like this one: http://www.lumens.com/lumens/assets/images/alternates/uu156612_4.jpg Or maybe one of these, in the darker brown tones: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IZahr9KoM8Y/SCPmIzVfmAI/AAAAAAAABNU/5W-lvP_O9EY/s1600-h/niche2.jpg

The darker brown tones in the fireplace clash with just about everything, especially the orange cabinets. If you can't retile it right now, I say paint it white, too.

That lino in the living room looks so cheap. I mean, first of all it's lino, and secondly that putty color is truly awful. It doesn't seem to have much texture. Have you thought about painting it all white, and then decorating with area rugs? A good floor paint will wear well for many years - just be sure to get one designed to adhere to that surface. Or, you can go with an epoxy resin floor in white, or whatever color you want. There was a store in San Francisco years ago that had an epoxy floor, and it was incredible. Looked like poured milk.

Get rid of all that other brass, too. The knobs, the brass strips on the floor, the appliances with brass accents, all of it. Replace them with newer white appliances when you can - they'll be more energy efficient, and white appliances can be had cheap these days because idiots want everything in black or stainless steel, both of which are a cleaning and maintenance nightmare.

The blinds and existing curtains have to go as well. Someone up above suggested those curtain panels on sliding tracks from IKEA. If the dimensions are adequate I think that's an excellent inexpensive solution for now.

I don't know if you have any dining room furniture or not, but a Tulip table (or IKEA's Docksta knockoff) would look great in your dining area. Don't forget to check Craigslist for great deals on IKEA pieces. I picked up a Docksta for about $80.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything you can do about the sunbleached spots on the counters. Maybe you could find a chrome tray or some other coordinated accent to rest over the most damaged areas? Could your dish drainer or other accessories (like a cutting board) be used to cover damaged sections?

check out this old post for creating DIY concrete countertops directly on top of the existing linoluem countertops. It looks amazing and it so affordable! I would then replace the hardware, and paint the back splash and wall, or you could buy 12x12 tiles (relatively cheap) and easily put up your own back splash. Good luck!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/pouring-your-own-concrete-countertops-tutorial-by-splatgirl-073544

-wallpaper just the wall behind the dining set with that graham&brown print
-paint the rest of the kitchen (and living room) a darker shade of smoke gray
-update the chandelier to a more modern shape (hanging drum, smoked glass pendant, etc.)
-replace the railing with one or two low bookcases facing into the living room. you can decorate the top of them, and it will help divide the space
-paint the fireplace white
-i agree with the touches of aqua or turqoise- maybe in the upholstery in your chairs, and then in the curtain or countertop items
-hang artwork on the backs of those cabinets that face into the living room until you can remove them.

congrats on your cool new house!

the space is great, i'd just paint the fireplace bricks a pretty milky (but bright) turquoise colour and maybe a touch of black on the skirting boards under the kitchen cabinets. have fun.

It looks you have lots of food for thought here, just please ignore the posts recommending you remove the railing between the kitchen and living room - I love that railing!

Wow, at least paint over the orange on the wall - the orange on orange is not a pretty site. I think I would deal with the countertop until I had the money to redo the kitchen - new countertop, at least new cabinet doors and door pulls, new fixtures, etc.

idontdobeige - the negativity about the railing actually surprised me too! i have agreed with almost everything else that people have said. and it was so nice to have confirmation on my negative feelings (dislike for the light, the microwave, the cabinet hardware, the cabinets over the bar). It was also nice to get confirmation on my positive feelings (love the orange counters, the space in general, the potential, the big windows, the idea of orange and grey). But I actually don't hate the railing. I thought it was a kindof nice piece of 60s/70s charm...

sunspot42 - thanks for the input. i'm *am* worried about my colors looking "dated" (can I really say that considering that I have orange countertops that already look very 70s?)?

sunspot42 - i also love those lamps! thanks for the link.

Annegret - its funny you should mention that. My husband and I have been talking about seating like that. We both really like the style...

So the railing is off death row? Whew :) I totally agree that it's a lovely retro feature and I think the room would be much more blah without it. (Well, as blah as a room with an orange countertop can be!)

Another vote for changing the cabinet knobs, replacing the blinds (with curtains, roman shades?), getting a nice new faucet, and changing the light fixtures (the fluorescent as well as the chandelier).
Ditch the black microwave.
Other than those things, it's fabulous!
Is the wall actually painted above the stove, or is that formica?
To save up for: floors. I would not paint until you know what floors you'd like eventually.
I would also replace the railing, but if you like it and don't need storage, then why not.

ValHalla - the orange "backsplash" wall is actually formica. I was thinking of trying to change it, but wasn't sure if i could paint or tile over it?

I agree with the light gray or light blue paint on the walls througout...that would look great with the orange counters. Also agree with leaving the cabinets white and replacing the pulls with nickel pulls, white paint on the fireplace, paper pendant lamp for the dining area. I would put down a neutral rug or carpet like a wool sisal carpet, or FLOR sisal carpet tiles in the living area. I don't really hate the lino in the kitchen but a nice coat of white paint might make it look a little fresher, or maybe a slightly darker or lighter shade of gray than whatever is on the walls would be easier to maintain. White floors are tough unless you mop daily. I don't hate the railing but a half wall of open bookshelves would look really cool and wouldn't cost too much to build.

I would leave the counter tops as they are, but change the back splash to accent whatever color you may paint the walls. Change knobs and pulls and build a box around the microwave so that it ties with the rest and it not such an eyesore. The divider/rail is not doing any favors, so maybe take it out see how it looks without it, and perhaps put a cool book case in its place to divide but still see the space through. I would also search for salvaged floor tile to replace linoleum. Perhaps you can find most materials at a used construction materials site.

When you start thinking about floors/fixtures/etc You might want to browse http://retrorenovation.com/ Pam (who runs the site) has put together an amazing selection of resources for those of us wanting to restore/preserve/re-create retro kitchens. She'll tell you what colors of what manufacturers of VCT to buy.

For now, I'd work mostly with what you have and play with accessories while you see what things turn in to.

1) A new light fixture is a requirement. You can go true modern with a bubble-type or more atomic with a pull-down type.

2) I'd do a curtain in a vintage (or vintage-looking) barkcloth.

3) Change out the hardware! I'd do a standard "spotlight-type" pull. These are large, round, disc pulls. I spotted some at Home Depot for something like .50.

4) Can you live without a microwave? Even white or contained better it would just be better without it.

5) You need rugs and fun accessories. Look for the perfect set of vintage canisters. There are a lot of different types of vintage directions you could go, so poke around and see what is out there, and try not to do anything too drastic or pricey until you know if you like diner retro or atomic or danish or Cinderella. The window ledge might be a nice place to display some pretty colored glass.

6) Your previous owners installed the exact same appliances as mine at some point in the 80's! Both the oven and the cook-top. Weird. Does your oven timer set itself for no reason? Our previous owners took the fridge that was supposed to convey, so we splurged on an orange big chill fridge. It makes me happy, but it was spendy and I wouldn't have had to do it if I had cool orange countertops. I think I have that faucet too. Does it also spray and have a hose that pulls out? I really like mine and wouldn't replace it.

7) Hang something on the fireplace, either some art or a vintage clock. Use a masonry screw and you'll be fine. A piece of art you like is a good thing to base the rooms around.

8) If you feel ambitious, you should know within a month or so if you can live without the upper cabinets over the bar. You might also try turning them into a partially glass display case, maybe even have it open from the family room. I'd get a pair of stools that don't take up too much visual space so you can use the bar more.

9) I'm all for Orange and dark gray. I also like a very washed out turquoise with orange, not quite as in-your face as classic googie turquoise. Orange and white, a others have mentioned-- can go in a fun "plastic is awesome" 70's direction. I'd keep the cabinets white no matter what you do. It's a good backdrop and you can play with the rest.

Get rid of the railing, paint the fireplace bricks, and install a backsplash with wallpaper- I ma thinking Orly-like pattern in orange, so the countertop sticks out. New light fixtures, a lighter gray on the walls (not as deep as th one you linked to), and white cabinets with new hardware. You really have a little gem to work with here!

I agree with most of the trend of the other comments, but here are my 2 cents.

I love the retro orange look; it's so fun and warm, but I'd be careful of trying to replicate a fully retro look. I don't think you want it to look like it actually hasn't been touched in 30 years...just clean, modern, fun, with a cool retro vibe. To meet that end, I think staying away from the avocado/yellow/orange combo (although I love those colors together) might be best.

Like a few others above, I thought adding a touch of turquoise and/or lime green might add a fresh, fun, cool touch.

I would go for an oversized, industrial type pendant with silver tones, in the dining area, silver toned knobs, keeping the cabinets white, white table, brightly colored area rugs in the kitchen (cheap one under the sink and maybe a larger one in the middle?), cute cafe curtains, ditch the microwave as you plan.

Knocking out the cabinets in between and taking down the railing would be great if you're willing to do the work. Even if you don't replace the railing with anything, I still think it would be better without.

In the living room, if painting the bricks white would work, that would be the cheapest, easiest solution. For the floor, FLOR tiles are great, but not cheap. If you want a more budget friendly option, look for larger area rugs that could be grouped together to look like one large rug, or find a carpet outlet that will sell you a nice large rectangle, edged, to cover most of the floor area.

Have so much fun, and please post follow up pics!

Oh, and 2 more things:

You're right about the Halloween worry...I'd vote for no black anywhere.

For the orange formica behind the stove on the wall, you might be able to just easily take it off. If you have the funds, glass subway tile backsplash will look great, but, maybe cheaper would be a sheet of stainless behind the cooktop? Just a thought.

So glad you like the countertops - they're lovely! Sun spots can be covered up by cannisters.

No black, ever. What would look great are cabinet pulls in a colored glass - turquoise or bright yellow.

Cafe curtains for the kitchen window can be easily made out of a retro fabric like this (if the 60's appeal to you; or go for a '50's fabric instead). The colors of the fabric you choose can inform the rest of the room, like what color rug in front of the sink, wall color, etc..

I like the idea of taking down the cabinets dividing the kitchen from the family room, but not if you need the space. And whitewashing the brick is a great idea, too.

Best of luck in your new place!

Thanks for all the input. I'll definately post pictures of the mini-renovation :)

Thought triggered by a previous comment: instead of taking down the over the bar cabinet, you could take off the back and then put framed glass doors front and back. That would save the cabinet space, give you access from both sides, and greatly reduce the visual weight of the cabinet by letting light through. Clear glass so you could see straight through the cabinet would help the most.

wow...I really like everybody's ideas. If this were my kitchen (oh I so badly wish it were!!!) I would replace the cabinet hardware (for something chrome) and get rid of that disgusting chandelier/lamp thing...I would put up a nice George Nelson lamp however they can be very pricey. On a budget, I would go with a glass sphere (frosted over clear). I think you could find something similar at CB2, or even IKEA. I like the idea of a rail, but I don't like the existing rail. I would make my own...maybe wide enough to act as a bookcase for small candles/odds and ends. I like the orange counters/white cabinet combo and think either gray, white, or olive-gray walls would work out well.

I would stick with the cool orange counters for now, but in the future you could go for a nice granite or marble...with a glass tile backsplash from stardustglasstile.com. they have some neat retro coolers and shapes. Over time, if you plan on staying in the home a while, I would maybe redo the floors or update appliances. I can very easily see one of those retro fridges (like the one on the Rachael Ray show) in your kitchen.

Your house looks like it's in great livable shape and if you like the retro look, it's the PERFECT canvas for updating and making it your own. Good luck!!! I am green with envy!! :-)

How about painting the entire fireplace wall, kitchen window wall and fridge walls as well as the upper cabinets a pale gray.

Paint the lower cabinets a light charcoal (but in the same colour range), and the fireplace a dark slate gray.

I'd replace the kitchen hardware with retro styled chrome (or even a more modern, brushed nickle finish). Remove the railing for sure, and extend the lower cabinet paint along the riser, to delineate the rooms slightly.

Replace the dining light fixture (it could even be a paper globe for now!).

Find a great piece of cheap art (that you like, of course! lol...and that picks up a little bit of the orange as well as some other colours), for above the hearth.

The large wall in the dining area could easily be painted the lightest gray of all and a large remnant of vintage fabric, again with some orange (54" wide at least...60" better!), stretched on a simple home-made 2"x2" frame could give you some cheap art and big impact!

Scour Craig's List for some affordable teak dining furniture and an interesting rug for the area you'll be good to go!

Good Luck! Please post pix of your reno so we can all see the results!

Btw..get the chimney checked as the smoke stains on the brick might mean more than simply a lack of boy scout skills by the previous owner!

I'm not fond of the counter tops. They can be replaced with formica very cheaply, or they can be successfully painted. Benjamin Moore has a primer and paint made just to paint slick plastic counter tops.

The railings can't be removed for fear of people falling. Again, Benjamin Moore makes a paint that looks like wrought iron when dry. It has iron flecks in the paint, and it is necessary to keep stirring while painting to keep the bits in suspension. It is amazing! It will fool anyone. And a little black is needed in every room.

I like white kitchens. Get rid of the orange, which really dates the kitchen, and I think it will bring it forward decades. Another trick I have seen, although I can't do it, it to faux paint the back splash. Not necessarily faux tiles, but something that looks textured, in this case, light gray.

Since I am assuming you are keeping the fireplace as it, look for your color palate there, (and I don't see orange).

PS And I agree with a poster above. Get the microwave off the cabinet: better on the counter.