Wouldn't it be "WHICH Colors will Work for Kitchen Renovation"?

We are doing white cabinets and a mint green wall with white glossy glass tile backsplash and a white quartz countertop. Our kitchen is very similar to yours now. I am scared of any permanent color besides wall color, so I stuck with white or stainless for all of the things that will be hard to change. This kitchen has great potential! Good luck!

i would actually tell you to switch around your idea of updating the cabinets with the countertops.

are the cabinets faced with real wood? they look like they're in pretty decent shape. with updated hardware- they would have a great modern look. and maybe better if you painted out the bulkhead.

cabinets are SO expensive to update- even just to have them properly spray painted. keep the colour.

i love the look of wood with crisp white. maybe think of replacing the countertops with a crisp white quartz?

the floor looks decent.

we just bought a stainless steel fridge- and i hate the fact you have to spend more just for a stupid "look"- as opposed to efficiency...but wow. it DOES look way better.

backsplashes? blech. we're trying to decide that now. it's the bane of my existence.

the cabinets look like they are in great shape thye have great graining and a clean look.

I agree about the fridge, and I would change the hardware on the cabinets. I know you don't want new counters, but with new sink and counter and new paint the ktichen would look really fresh and modern.

Love the cabinets--don't touch them!!!! I'd paint the walls a brighter, cooler color--maybe a mint green actually. And (when you can afford it) a dark gray or black countertop--concrete or a stone--with a lip (in lieu of a backsplash).

You are so fortunate to have a beautiful vintage kitchen in such excellent condition!

All I might do is paint the walls and hang new curtains - but I wouldn't touch the cabinets, hardware or counters...
...and tile will never stick to a formica backsplash - I'd leave it alone as it's in great condition - even the floors look pretty good to me too.

For some great ideas on how to work with your vintage kitchen, look up Retrorenovation.com

Oh my gosh, DO NOT touch those cabinets!!! Change the counter, the hardware, the paint, the sink, but those cabinets are beautiful. You can change that entire room without touching the cabinets.

sidebar: I swear AT readers are the most anal and critical readers I've ever seen on any site.

onto the post:
I think your cabinets are lovely and vote for leaving them as-is. I'd pair them with crisp white subway tile backsplash and a light or medium grey wall paint, maybe with a slate-blue tint.

For the top hollow space, another alternative would be to make some faux cabinets by just attaching doors with handles to them so it looks like you have cabinets on the top there. Paint the same as the rest of the cabinets and use the same hardware on all the handles.

I think the cabinets look fantastic; don't paint them unless they look really rundown in person. Just change out the knobs with something either more modern or more interesting. I would put up a white subway tile backsplash both to brighten up the space and as an inexpensive neutral. If you must paint some of the cabinets paint the bulkhead white to match your kickboard/trim. As for painting the walls I love a light yellow kitchen but that might clash if you say your counters are somewhat yellow.

I agree with the other posters. Your cabinets are great, they don't need paint. Your floors also look in great shape. I would paint the wall a very light green, then clear your counters and add a few pops of orange ceramics and find a nice graphic print with orange and green for the windows. The backsplash can be anything that pleases you.
When you are ready, I think that changing out the counter top would make a huge difference.

I also agree that the cabinets are fantastic! That wood grain is beautiful!!! At the most I would consider painting the very top boards.

The knobs could be changed e.g. long aluminium pulls and that would make them ultra-modern.

Then a cool colour for the walls like ice-blue or palest mint-green or aqua... it would look great with the stainless fridge! And a few pops of colour in the curtains/blinds etc and you're all set!

I agree with many of the other posters... Leave the beautiful cabinets! Change out the pulls and maybe spend the money you save on paint to change out the faucet?

Also, what about a tin backsplash? I've seen them added to counters like yours with ease. Don't forget to add backsplash behind the stove as well...

As for the wall color, what about turquoise? It's both in keeping with your vintage kitchen and very current....

At least in the pictures, those cabinets look amazing -- I too would resist the inclination to paint them. Updated hardware should suffice. Instead I would harmonize with the warm russet tone in the wood and paint the walls a light, warm olive color that picks up the yellow in the counters. If you are tiling the back splash see if you can find something in a bronzey or antique olive color that harmonizes with your wall color. Pick your fabrics in pumpkins, russets, and maybe flashes of maroon and aubergine. It will be a very 'autumn' room, but I think its the best way to leverage the wood in that cabinetry.

Please do not touch those cabinets!!! They look great. Instead focus on bright white walls, similar looking appliances, and maybe a new countertop (from the money you saved on the cabinets). If after you change the walls to bright white and switch out the curtain to a roman blind, you will probably notice that your kitchen is much brighter and does not need the cabinets painted.

I have to agree with everyone. Cabinets stay the same, countertops have to go! Painting those cabinets would be a crime.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and disagree with the majority of posters. I think that if you want to paint the cabinets, you should. They DO look like they are in good condition, but if you want to brighten up your kitchen that would have the most impact. With a little care, you could do a good job of painting them yourselves.

You mentioned painting the uppers and lowers different colours. I saw a kitchen with medium grey lower cabinets and light grey uppers. It looked really sharp. And it would definitely work with your light yellow countertops, as that is a good colour combo.

I would probably opt for white walls with the grey cupboards to keep everything crisp, but that depends on your taste. There are a lot of colours that would work.

Count me in on the "cool cabinets!" thinking. That said, even though I like that color (walls) in general, it's not working. Like bepsf, my first thought was just paint and curtains, but I'd also update knobs. Then, if you can possibly afford it (check out IKEA's options, for cheap but interesting), I'd do the counters, a new sink and tile the back splash.

To pick a color, I usually think about the rest of the house, then the permanent elements in the room I'm painting, and then go fabric shopping, grabbing a quarter yard or so of a bunch of fabrics I like with those colors. From the fabrics, I can usually find a color for the walls.

@sunan: http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/which_what.htm

I'd say paint falls into the realm of "a lot of choices."

This kitchen is beautiful just the way it is! Please, don't paint the cabinets! At the most, I might replace the countertop and/or backsplash.

Honestly, without seeing the lighting in the space it will be hard to suggest a color.

I suggest you try the Sherwin Williams Color Visualizer. That's what we're doing!

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/paint_color_palette/visualizer/

Have fun!

I think I would re-think adding a tiled backsplash if you are going to keep the current countertop, you'll end up spending alot of time and effort and the backsplash will look great, leaving your counter top to look shabby. If it were me I would paint the cabinets, get a new countertop, unify the appliances, either spray them or buy new ones. Your floors look nice.

I love those cabinets, I would not paint them. The cabinets are just the like the ones I had in my house but they were not in good shape. I would keep the character of the retro look you have going. The home must have been built in the mid 1960's, I would embrace that time period and keep it modern with a splash of the "60's". Look at different colors of subway tiles for your back splash. The counter top is not great but maybe you can tie a color in to make it work.

Ack! This is the kind of question that breaks my heart. Those cabinets are awesome. Please don't paint them.

There was a post a few weeks ago that had a gorgeous blue paint in the upstairs bathroom that would be perfect for this kitchen. Also, a new fridge would do wonders.

It also looks like a lot of your accents are chrome. Try throwing in a little color there. Maybe a funky print canister set. New colorful rugs and curtains.

If you do just a little inexpensive stuff now you can save for new flooring and counters.

Think of those great existing cabinets as a color. That rich orange tone doesn't work for me with the red walls- dark and jarring. A soft sage would work well with the cabinets and floor, at least based on the photo. Buy a quart of something you like and try it out, or a tester.

Can we trade cabinets? I'll take yours, and you can hang mine and paint them any color you like!

My kitchen has very similar cabinets, and while I know they are beautiful as is, at least once a week I get the urge to paint them all white, or white above the countertop and black or gray below, so I understand where you are coming from (although I also have a wood floor in the same stain, so it's a lot of wood in one room). We swaped out our pulls for long, thin, metal rod handles, installed an updated gooseneck faucet and replaced the white fridge with a stainless one. We also used the Rustoleum countertop paint, which still looks great after two years of abuse, and painted the walls a pale lemon custardy yellow, which complements the wood. With the exception of the fridge, the changes were inexpensive, but made a huge difference in the feel of the room.

I also think the wood on your cabinets is beautiful. I would just paint, add some lighting, and get a new fridge. Could you possibly sell the oven so you can buy another one? (I just really hate black appliances, but never mind me.)

I'm going to go out on a limb here:

Paint the cabinets. They suck.

If it were any other place in your home - anywhere where you can feature woodgrain - I'd say to keep them, because the woodgrain on a few is quite nice. But to have that much in that small a space makes it so dark!

Take the doors off the upper cabinetry (and keep 'em - they really are pretty) and paint the open shelving a light color like a buttery yellow or a minty green. Do a slightly darker shade for the lower cabinets and the bulkhead and you should be golden.

I would start with the walls, painting them a light color to help brighten the room & switch out the hardware. Along with this maybe some brighter smaller window coverings. If it doesn't feel done enough to you I would move on to the wood above the cabinets, painting them the same color as the walls.

I personally wouldn't make any decisions about the cabinets before doing the above. You may find that is enough to give everything a face lift. If it isn't, then I would consider the cabinets. (although I personally would leave the cabinets alone and save up to replace the counter --- but that is me, not you)

Good luck!

I would try one change at a time; paint the magenta a light color; perhaps a yellowy-white or another warm white. Once you've eliminated the light-sucking effect of the magenta, your views on the rest of the budget may change. I think that new hardware on the cabinets might completely change your view of them; they strike me as vintage and cool. If, after painting, the side of the kitchen by the sink still seems too heavy to you, you might follow the suggestion to remove the cabinet doors, paint the inside a fun, light color, and treat them as open shelving. I would not remove the upper doors on the stove side of the kitchen just because I hate to clean grease off of my things, but you might feel differently.

I disagree with a lot of people saying to keep the cabinets as is. Yes, they are in good condition, but the color is dated and the dark color makes the small kitchen seem smaller. We have all seen what an amazing transformation some painted cabinets can make, so I think they should do it.

If you want to save some money on a new fridge then buy from a scratch and dent dealer. We got our stove and fridge that way and they are in perfect working condition years later and I don't even notice the scratches/dents. Also, I would go with black instead of stainless. Black will be cheaper and you should match the bigger appliances rather than fridge and dw (plus the dw has black, so it will still match).

Color is one of those things that is all about personal preference. I recommend looking up kitchen & cabinet makeovers on AT & The Kitchn, Flickr, Casasugar, Better Homes & Gardens. Save pics of kitchens you are drawn to and see what colors schemes you like the most.

don't touch those cabinets!

save your money and get a new countertop and paint the walls white. I would save for new appliances and faucet and you should be set.

this blue

http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/boston-newport-tour/item/165856

The paint finish you will get on those cabinets will likely not look as rich as the woodgrain itself.
Do the walls and curtains (lighter, brighter, bolder) get your fridge. Even rip out the backsplash if you aren't yet getting enough of a new feel, but beware you'll lose the clear and light expanse if you add a fussy tile. but save the cabinets for a little while, if you can work with them...but it is your kitchen.

I feel sure you would be happy painting your cabinets a cream color, picking up something from the slate. Just a thought though, can you switch your frig door to open left to right? Most models have doors that are interchangeable.

Since your floors are gray and I love bright yellow grey and white together. I would paint the walls a nice deep shade of gray, put up yellow glass tiles as a backsplash, add some under the cabinet lighting. I recently bought a nice stainless refrigerator, it was the floor model so it was marked down. It was worth the money for the stainless it REALLY made a difference. I don't mind the countertop...it's neutral enough. Sand and refinish your cabinets with a less glossy, clear coat to give them a more modern/lighter face (you'll have to sand them before painting anyway so maybe start by sanding and see how you like it). If you want to paint I would go with white or cream. Maybe some new hardware? I love the hardware you have now but if you're looking for a new look changing out the hardware goes a long way. I agree that changing out the window coverings will also help. Either roman or roll shades. If it were me I'd choose an ikat type print http://www.etsy.com/listing/40871933/new-decorative-designer-pillow-cover or this Amy Butler pattern http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/306570d5-8836-499a-8ad4-d2edcee166a2/Images/Large_BI-028.jpg.

I'd start with the easiest/cheapest changes and move toward harder/expensive, evaluating as you go. After you paint over the red, you might find the kitchen so improved, that you don't need to paint the cabinets, which, face it, is a pain.

1. 86 the curtains. Add white blinds and a rug. (We bought a bunch of rugs, put them on the floor, and within 15 min, had the one that worked. Returned the rest.)

2. Pick a color out of the rug to paint over the red.

3. Paint the bulkhead white.

4. Change the cabinet hardware.

If all that isn't enough, paint the cabinets.

It's hard to successfully change the backsplash without changing the counters at the same time. Wait and do them together.

I agree that the cabinets are gorgeous. I'd use the slate on the floor as guide and pull a cool grey paint out of them. For the backsplash, why not work with the yellow counter and go for a mosaic glass tile that includes citrine? Make the mosaic rectangular tiles rather than squares -- a slender, updated subway tile? Or play down the warmth: those cabinets have an orange undertone by using a straight grey glass tile. I like glass tile in there becasue it will add a little life and movement without calling too much attention to itself. The room feels so wooden and dark. Your kitchen calls out for a modern shape -- no beveled edge squares, and not traditional subway tile, which i think looks better with somewhat more ornate mill work. Subway isn't quite appropriate for the Mad Men styling you've got there. (It's more "as Good As It Gets," if we are using Hollywood as the common language.) So go for something a little bit more contemporary -- no beveled edges, yes to elongated shapes. Keep in mind that tile is as close to forever as a house gets, so you can't hurt by playing it a little bit safe -- no outlandish colors or obvious "design statements." Make those gorgeous cabinets the star. Whomever you eventually sell your house to may not want a kitchen that has to be totally changed to fit their own taste -- v expensive. You can do something gorgeous, that doesn't fight the cabinets, that is still wonderful and that your eventualy buyer will also like. Go to annsacks.com and click on products to get ideas of available tile shapes and colors. When you find something you like, its pretty easy to find something similar for less money.
That said, if you want to paint: I'd do charcoal grey below, lighjt grey or cream on top and paint the walls something in between. Get the stainless fridge, and use either zinc for the backsplash - it will develop a beautiful patina - or install mirrors covered by frosted white glass panels. You'll get these shadowy movements but no real reflection. It will be gorgeous. Or, if you paint, I will allow the subway tiles because you will have removed the overt mod look.
I think your handles are groovy. I'd leave them no matter what you do. Such a great size and so shiny.
But the first thing you should do is go to hgtv.com and other online galleries and look at kitchens. Take note of the ones that catch your eye. Eventually a pattern will emerge and you'll know what you like. THEN decide if you like it enough to mess with those beautiful cabinets. And if you do, just go for it. But I beg of you: try to work with the existing architecture. Let your house be what it was designed to be, but the very best, most personal and updated version of it. Don't fight what's there. Make friends with it. It will love you back.
pam
http://howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

I would paint the wood soffit above the cabinets, but not the cabinets themselves. A friend with identical cabinets painted her kitchen a retro turquoise (light blue green, rather minty), and it looked great.

The stainless steel accents (canisters and so on) do nothing for the kitchen. Tomato red or burnt orange would be great.

Brushed chrome mid century cabinet hardware, instead of the worn copper you have now, will make an enormous difference. In fact, I'd replace the hardware before making any other changes, because it may influence your color choices.

See www.rejuvenation.com/fixshow100207/templates/selection.phtml

Paint the walls a lighter color, including the bulkhead and work on improving the lighting. Keep the cabinets, backsplash, counters and hardware. New curtains and a new fridge are all you need.

as stated, painting those beautiful birch cabinets would be a design-crime worse than covering original oak floors with berber carpet.

I would not paint the cabinets either - I think with some new pulls (actual pulls, not knobs) and they will look spectacular. Perhaps (perhaps) you could paint the bulkhead to be the eventual new color of the walls, but I would wait until the very end before deciding on this. Even though it's a small thing, I would paint the kick plate black - it will make it disappear instead of having this weird white strip down near the dark floor. The walls need to be a light color - not necessarily a white-based, but something bright that can go with both the floor and wood. A yellow, or green or blue - get a bunch of paint chips as it needs to be just the right color.

I also would lean towards replacing the countertop, even though you had put that at the bottom of the list. A nicer one will make the wood look even better - the whole kitchen better, in fact. Replacing the backsplash would be the appropriate time to do this anyway, so hold onto the fridge a while longer and put your money towards these things. Though you might consider switching the hinges on the fridge so that it opens from the left - it'll make it much easier to access!

Those cabinets remind me of yacht interior design. I'd look around at some yacht photos to find ideas to make those beautifully grained cabinets look sleek and expensive rather than outdated. Yacht design is meant to make small spaces feel bigger.

If it were possible, I think the best thing you could do is get a non-tiled floor to make the total effect less chunky.

Find a backsplash you love, then decide on a paint afterwards.
Also, change the sink, put diffirent light fixtures of the sink(something really unique), get more elegant handles for the cabinets(instead of the stubs, get something long).
I like the cabinets, but not the top part, taking it down will allow you to display or store things.

Instead of curtains, think of other window coverage like bamboo blinds, or roll up blinds in a pattern you love!

Also, the floor looks great, you can find find a backsplash that would be very stylish with the floor

I just have to say thank christ AT seems to be in a majority agreement against painting those cabinets!!!!!!!! This kitchen is great, I would just get rid of that paint - I agree something minty green and light/bright would look great with that wood and the floor, and get some new curtains.

The wood on the bulkhead is a little much, you might think about painting it the same as the wall color, but the grain on those cabinets is quite lovely, I wouldn't do a thing to them! A similar (cabinet wood) colored toe kick would blend better though and some updated nickel/stainless steel hardware (square) would look nice. And how about that sink? I'm thinking something that matches the cabinet hardware.
Since the counters and floors are definitely staying for now, I would work on spilling those colors over to the rest of the room to create a more unified look. For example, the slate/graphite colors could reappear in the backsplash and countertop color could extend to the walls, or vice-versa.
If you don't absolutely need window treatments, I would omit them altogether. Instead, some greenery (potted herbs, maybe?) would really freshen up the window sill above the sink.

Am I the only person who finds the drawer pulls kind of cool?

Those cabinets are hideous, and they make the kitchen look way too dark. I feel like everyone is taking crazy pills. Just do what you want to do -- if you want to change them, then I would definitely go lighter to open up the space.

i love the cabinets. leave them.

Please, please do not update the hardware on these cabinets!! If you do, you will destroy part of their charm. Keep the cabinets (and hardware!) as-is -- please do not paint them! I rarely give out advice to refrain from painting, but this time, I think it would severely cheapen the look of the cabinets by slapping on some paint -- their beauty is in their amazing grain (and seemingly great condition) and in their retro styling.

What really destroys your kitchen is the oxblood paint on the walls -- they are very aggressive, so of course they will get compliments, but they make the kitchen too dark, and fight against the colour of the wood cabinets. In fact, it is probably the colour of the walls that is making you want to paint the cabinets; don't listen to them.

The other glaring problem in your kitchen is the flooring -- it just doesn't work with what is there. It was a mistake to install it, one that is not difficult to fix, and which will make a world of difference. Real linoleum -- i.e., made with linseed oil (one brand name is Marmoleum) -- would be a great choice; there are also commercial grade sheet vinyl flooring products which may be more appropriate, as well as bright rubber flooring. But linoleum would be best.

Here is an idea for the flooring, as well as the counters (just love these counters!):

http://retrorenovation.com/2010/03/17/linoleum-floors-and-countertops-brighten-up-dave-frances-1938-kitchen/

You should check out the posts on retro renovation to guide your vision for the kitchen... they have some amazing kitchens to check out, like this one:

http://retrorenovation.com/pams-kitchen/

Note the use of retro wallpaper above the cabinets and retro fabric as a window valance (and note the use of traditional full-width metal venetian blinds). Also note the metal-edged countertop; this is what you should eventually install in your kitchen.

Although you really want a backsplash, I don't think it is necessary or should be a priority. Tiles can be very expensive, and weren't really part of this look; usually, the countertop material was run up as a backsplash.

Please don't replace the sink; the metal-edged enamel sink is perfectly suited to your kitchen. You might want to go with these taps eventually though:

http://www.chicagofaucet.com/catalog/catalog.php?PartNum=1100-L9CP&FamilyID=7

Or maybe this one:

http://retrorenovation.com/2007/10/07/faucet-for-your-retro-reno-kitchen-sink/

As for wall colors, I would go with light, bright aquas or turquoises... Nothing too heavy or dark; something light to contrast with and pick up the tone of the honeyed colours of the cabinetry. A few dashes of a true bright red would also look good.

Oh, and here is a reader question very much like yours (asked and answered):

http://retrorenovation.com/2008/11/05/nancys-festive-retro-renovation-kitchen/#respond

I really hope that you decide to work with the wonderful retro charm of your kitchen, instead of trying to create a different look. Good luck!

Save the cabinets!

Not sure why you want to keep the counters -- I think they are the problem. A nice granite or cesearstone would do the trick -- less expensive than you think.

Also, your fridge doors are hinged the wrong way, and are easily reversed. You can do that yourselves, but if you are unsure, a friend who is "handy" can help you.

Paint your soffit, but do not paint your cabinets. If you can find a way to afford a countertop refacing, please try to do so.

I love this kitchen, including the vintage counter and sink. It's so perfectly preserved. The pristine finish on the wood cabinets after so many years -- amazing. Recommendation: Just paint those walls, change the curtains and scout for good deals on non-black appliances.

I agree with most of what mschatelaine said. The purpley walls need to go, but PLEASE don't paint those cabinets. The wood is gorgeous - I'm jealous! If you do a backsplash, I would recommend some green shade - it would really look great against the cabinets and counters. As for the walls, I think a lot of other comments had good ideas. Turquoise would look amazing, but maybe too dramatic for some. A sagey green would be the best if you want a more toned-down look. Curtains depend on the wall color, but white or cream never looks bad.

You have a beautiful MCM kitchen that's in great shape. If I were you, I'd paint the walls jadeite or turquoise and replace the toe-kick with something that matches the cabinetry. Check out this photo from the Rejuvenation website, it might inspire you.

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/customers/settingdisplay.html?setting_id=244&category=kitchen

I know I'm a minority here but I agree with your plan of painting the cabinets. While they are lovely made firm lovely pieces of wood, to me slab style wood doors and drawer fronts should be clear grained or have the grains matching. Unfortunately, yours don't. The soffets do however and I love the idea of preserving them. I'd suggest going with a darker shade on the bottom, I really like the idea of a midnight blue. The uppers in a really light, almost white robin's egg/Tiffany box blue. The backsplash in stainless tiles, subway or maybe even penny rounds. The walls in a pale, creamy yellow. Your existing curtains would work, but maybe upgrade to a decorative rod? If new counters are out of the question, maybe a cool metal edge for the existing Formica?

Most of all, follow your instincts. You know what you like best, and it's your home. Good luck!

I agree that the wood grain is beautiful, but you can update the look without losing the beauty of the natural grain by stripping and restaining - not painting - them a different color. Since the cabinets look to be only stained and not painted, it should be relatively easy to strip them to remove the old stain (it is not as difficult as having to remove goopy, heavy paint).

You could use two gray stains - one super light, almost chalky and one just slightly darker - using the darker on the bottom cabinets and the lighter on the top. Then you can add backsplash with some crisp white in it to bring some additional light into the room and emphasize the nice white sink.

I would use different window treatments - something more tailored looking or just remove them altogether. If you like a contemporary look I would consider something in gray and/or white with clean lines to match the cabinetry. I think continuing the colors in various shades throughout the room will look very modern and you can add all of the accent color you like decorative items.

If you use a gray stain the current hardware would probably work as sort of a nod to its mid-century modern aesthetic. Or you could replace with something more modern. The other thing I would consider replacing at some point is the faucet. It is fairly easy to do and would make a big difference.

We recently redid our kitchen: http://blog.17thandriggs.com/2010/02/our-kitchen-redo/ The stain is super dark but when you are in the room you can actually still see a small amount of wood grain. I had originally wanted to do a two color redo - white cabinets on the top and dark on the bottom - but am pretty happy with the results.
Good luck!

Depending on your money situation I wouldn't consider the cabinets a "must fix" but I do see the benefit of painting them if that's what you want. I painted my upper cabinets a BM white and my lower cabinets some black from BM.

For your kitchen I think white upper and lower cabinets with canary yellow walls. The black stove and your countertops would look greatr with that imo.

Nice to see more pix!

I'd go with a powder blue on the walls - Still I wouldn't touch the cabinets, pulls or counters.

Yes, reverse the handles on the fridge, and Yes, put up some new curtains - Perhaps some vintage fabric or even a bright red gingham would be fun!

Sure the flooring isn't the best choice but I've seen worse - a washable rag rug or a floorcloth could be used to add some bright color back into this fabulous vintage gem!

Let me start by saying that you have a great space. It's just been bastardized with some "upgrades" that don't respect the original space and it's hard to see the beauty through the ugly "upgrades".

1. Repaint the walls a clean, crisp, white grey color (grey looks great with yellow). Leave the trim white. Repaint the ceiling too the same color as the trim. See how the room changes.

2. Remove the curtains. If you need something for privacy look into 2 inch white wood (or faux wood) blinds from Lowe's. You could make a valance (a box valance to continue the look and feel from the wood soffit?) from some vintage inspired fabric from Etsy. It is cheap, adds some color and design, but won't block out too much natural light and it is period appropriate for your kitchen. Oh, and no worries about it getting wet and funky from normal kitchen life. Just vacuum it every few weeks and toss it in the wash every 6 months.

4. If the room is still too dark after repainting the walls (including behind the stove) think about spending part of your budget on some additional canned lights on dimmers.

5. The wood is stunning yet it does absorb a lot of the light in the room. The paint color isn't helping the situation at all. I think that once that paint is gone you will see the wood and it's beauty in a different light.

6. Replace the faucet to something more period appropriate. A dishmaster perhaps?

7. If you're budget allows, buy a new stove and refrigerator (since you may not have to buy more than a new faucet and some paint). The black stove is sucking up the light as well. Sell your current appliances on Craigslist or donate and be sure to claim on your taxes. Check out your local ReStore (habitat for humanity resale store), craigslist (since a lot of people are moving out of their foreclosed homes they want to sell their appliances for the cash) or your local appliance outlet store for stainless pieces that may have a hidden scratch or dent. If the fridge is scratched or dented on the right or lower left side...so what? You won't be able to see it once it's installed. Same with the stove.

8. It looks as if your oven space was designed for a larger oven/stove top. You may be able to find a vintage piece in a cool color if you do some digging. If so, that could be the starting color for your whole room.

9. When you're all done add some washable floor mats that are similar in color to the floor with a little bit of your accent color (yellow). It will make the room seem bigger than if you add a bright rug to the floor. Also, a bright rug will show a lot of dirt. A greyish one won't.

10. Add a splash of color with your accessories. That way you aren't "married" to a color when your taste or style changes. Textiles (towel on the oven door, tablecloth), art on the walls (Ikea frames with black and white photos inside), a cool white stand mixer with a quilted cover (that you sew and can easily change).

11. Oh, also there are products available that you can put on the black stove to make it look stainless. I have a friend who did that with his white washer and dryer that are in his stainless kitchen and it looks great. I had no idea that he refinished them. Just be sure the product is appropriate for high heat surfaces.

You have a great space. I could go on and on and on. Oh wait, I already did.

I agree with charliedog99 (and many other posters who said similar things.)

Check out this site for inspiration: http://retrorenovation.com/category/hi-pam-reader-spotlight/kitchens-hi-pam-reader-spotlight/

This on in particular is similar to what yours probably was originally: http://retrorenovation.com/2008/04/17/amys-1953-time-capsule-portland/

I have to say I think the flooring style and color do not go with the kitchen. Maybe in the future if some tiles break you could replace it with period appropriate flooring.

And I really like the cabinet hardware. Just clean them up if they look dingy. I also like the countertops--very period appropriate!

It would be heart-breaking if you change the things that make it a great mid century kitchen and continue to re-muddle it as the previous owners have.

I just re-read my comment and my sentence might be taken the wrong way:
"Maybe in the future if some tiles break you could replace it with period appropriate flooring."
I don't mean you should replace broken tiles w/ different flooring. haha. I just meant that if sometime in the future something happens and the current floor needs to be replaced, I'd replace it with period appropriate flooring.

As someone pointed out, the space for the stove indicates that it was intended for a larger model. This is my dream stove, the Chambers 1952 Model C. Not only is it the appropriate vintage and style for your kitchen, but it is one of the finest stoves ever made. Check into it; they really are marvels, and perfect for some serious cooking.

You can come across some on craiglist and stovelist that are more reasonably priced (they may need some restoration work), or a fully restored one can be purchased from a vintage appliance purveyor and restorer.

http://www.antiqueappliances.com/products/chambers/1952_chambers_white_res.htm

They also came in pale blue, true red, pale yellow and copper:

http://www.chamberstoves.net/Models.html

While the grain is lovely, the effect is dark and dingy. I inherited the same thing. Gorgeous grain, but very dark and oppressive. Paint. Use oil-base primer and oil paint. It will cure to a super hard, durable finish perfect for the kitchen. Go ahead and rip out the counters and replace with laminate. You can get lovely, practical laminate custom made for a small outlay of cash. Live with the laminate backsplash. Nothing sticks to it well.

I inherited a very similar kitchen. Given all the other huge renovations we were required to do, I had cash to gut the kitchen. I painted, recountered, and ended up with a very livable, workable, functional kitchen.

You can take a look here:

http://domusaurearichmond.blogspot.com/2010/08/before-and-after.html

Not a fan of the cabinets, so if you replace them, remove the soffits and have 42 inch uppers that go to (or near) the ceiling. You reclaim a lot of storage space in a small kitchen, and the look is newer, too.

Editors / OP - can you share any updates on this with us? There were so many options here, I'd love to see what the OP kept and what she changed. (And my kitchen cabinets are similar so I'm hoping for some inspiration in the paint vs. don't paint debate. . .)