Rather than paint the space a contrasting color which will make the shades you dislike stand out even more - choose a color scheme that embraces them: Think Dark Chocolate Brown walls with Caramel trim.

Perhaps your landlord would be agreeable to those inexpensive vinyl floor tiles? Those come in quite a variety and you could probably do the whole area for less than $100 and an hour or two.

As for the counter, there are two options: one could be ceramic paint which can be tinted in any color (again, ask your landlord for permission). Two, a less permanent option, you could get glossy contact paper and carefully cover each tile.

Or you could just play up the 70s vibe and paint the walls an avocado green and make some burnt orange curtains (somewhat like the 70s Garden Party apartment in the color contest)

What about mint green?? You'd have a mint chocolate chip color thing goin' on & it'd still be a light, bright, and crisp color to work with.

Wall or cabinets could work (maybe even both), but my gut reaction in this case is cabinets. It's hard to make a white wall look dated as is- but those cabs could use some freshening up!

I'd be cautious about painting the walls any really bold color- seems like it might make the space smaller or darker...

What about a soft grey with accents of aqua/ turquoise and maybe a bolder green? You have an earth tone thing going right now (I mean that in a good way). You can work with that and add bits of brighter colors to keep it interesting. It reminds me a bit of a color combo post I saw earlier today on another blog.

http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/10/mood-board-grey-mint-tan.html

I did my (rental) kitchen floor in VCT for about $100 (but a lot more than a couple hours!) If the existing floor is flat/smooth, it's pretty easy and Armstrong VCT comes in sooooo many colors. Don't forget to rent or buy kneepads though!

I think Bepsf is on to something. And pale light weight window treatments.

I would paint the cabinets white. It would open up the room and make it look cleaner. The landlord would most likely be agreeable to a white versus a color. You could always add color with curtains, pictures, etc.

:o)

I would go for the 'preppy' blue, white, and brown look. White for the cabinets/trim and light blue for the walls, darker blue accessories.
(Sorta like a PB Kids room)
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romboy/romboynth/index.cfm

I agree that you shouldn't fight the color scheme unless you have the leeway to cover or remove almost all of it. I vote to play it up with either a dark brown or mustard yellow color.

I like bepsf idea, except I would paint the trim around the windows and entry a deep chocolate brown, and either a creamy gold medium tone on the walls or taupe.
Keeping items on the counter black and white with dark wood. Black earthware pottery, wooded bowl for fruit, white canisters, earthy mixed with simple.

Look at this Paris kitchen, kind of using this palette
http://www.thekitchenvote.com/?p=1085

These sort of things-
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24405205

Then just a hint of mustard in something-
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30506405

http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.77300391.jpg

If you do window treatments then some natural woven shades

A vintage dark wood table and Modern white chairs.

i think the floor is awesome! definitely embrace it by going for a retro-seventies feel.

I like the kitchen actually. You could accent with light blues and greens too.

It's a rental? Then I'd just embrace the vintage look and bring in colorful vintage curtains, tea towels, artwork, etc.

No paint color is going to make it look modern and sleek.

I like the idea of using a light blue on the walls to compliment the brown. I think some of the other comments are really fabulous, but it seems like a lot of work money for somewhere you are only renting. The best idea seems to find something simple, easy and inexpensive that a landlord would easily approve that would brighten up and change the whole space. Like painting the walls and investing in some cute accessories/chic appliances that would be able to up and go with you to your next place.

Yellowy-green or chocolate brown.

I like the kitchen too...it has more personality than a lot of apartment kitchens. I would just try to make it more cheerful.

This is Maddy, Maggie's friend and co-worker. I've seen this kitchen in person and it's fantastic. Personally, I know she won't be redoing the floors or cabinets SO, i'm thinking she should paint the walls like a buttery yellow, maybe put some orangey accents. Thoughts suggestions??

I think you should leave the kitchen cabinets alone. Paint the rest of the kitchen (walls) a rich, velvety chocolate brown and dress the walls up with bright yellow accents. Thus you're taking the present "puke-ey" color scheme and elevating it to a contemporary and fun color scheme that makes a statement.

When I'm referring to a bright yellow, I'm talking about the yellow of this mirror, (featured earlier today on AT):
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/inspiration/inspiration-shared-room-makeover-098489

oh and you can add one more accent color like turquoise or bright white and throw some rugs on the floor of that bright and fun color.

You're kitchen is cute! I was thinking brown too - one that matches the current brown of the tiles, but a shade or two darker. The landlord might not be able to envision it, but say you'll paint it back white if he doesn't like it. I just painted my dining room dark brown and it looks great - it actually makes it feel bigger despite the naysayers telling us it would make it feel small. And, I would actually wait on painting any woodwork or anything else, because I think the walls might be all you need.

Sometimes going with it is the best plan. I can't do anything about my apartment to make it seem a beautiful white minimalist, nor can I give it a paint job that would be colorful and take away the purple industrial carpet. But - I can make things fit in with what is there to the best of my ability.

Frankly, the thing that bothers me the most is the bright white appliances with the brown and cream color...but I'm not quite sure how to remedy that without changing absolutely everything.

It's hard when it's your kitchen. It's the first thing you see in the morning. I do think adding a bit of faded turquoise blue and some gray as in the Creature comforts link previously -- though admittedly that is more suitable for a bedroom. The tan cabinets are too much. Personally I think muted jade or pale olive green would be easier to live with, at least on the bottom cabinets. You have a lot of white appliances so white or cream would be a consideration for the top ones.

You have wonderful light, so consider adding some houseplants to help cheer things up.

First, I love the vintage feel of the kitchen.

Second, in here I would love to take an earthy/autumnal color scheme off the brown and run with it. Reds, oranges, greens, etc. Washable rugs on the floors, window treatments, fun artwork, etc.

Maggie here...
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your comments! I'm getting inspired!

Sometimes all you need is a second, or third or 23rd opinion to get your head thinking out of the box.

We've moved in now and the kitchen is growing on me, definitely, as it is. Your ideas are making me look at brown in a different and new way. AWESOME.

Again, thank you all so much for responding, this has helped a lot!

I love the feel of your kitchen and think you have a lot to work with. There are a lot of great suggestions here. Just like others have said work with what you have and find a color that will tie all the elements together such as a chocolate brown, caramel or even some shade of yellow. I faced the exact same dilemma when I put in a new kitchen floor. Suddenly the walls, cabinets and counters didn't seem to work together. It took me a month to find a color that worked. After that, accessories in an accent color pulled the whole space together. At least what you have to start with is fairly neutral.

Yeah, given that you can't get away from the floor or the tiled counter in terms of colors, I would definitely stick with the same palette they establish. Dark chocolate walls might be a bit heavy and modern for a vintage-looking kitchen, so I would consider a harmonizing shade of yellow on the walls, especially since you've got those big white appliances which would look a bit stark against dark walls.

I realize that the kitchen from this House Tour has a much more neutral countertop and floor than yours but it has a similar style and I just love it.
http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/032409violetmarsh/item/53372

Isn't orange a hunger-stimulating color? I'd stick with a more neutral beige/grey like the Paris apartment link above, instead of the 70's vibe w/ the rusts and oranges, it seems a bit dated.

But as a person who is currently in the same situation as you (trying to decorate a new place in an older building), try to make the rooms cohesive. I have b&w flooring and I've gone with a "lemon tree" theme - BM's Limon for the kitchen and Aurora Borealis in the connecting bathroom. It just makes it fun and fresh.

Call me crazy, but I would paint the walls a soft beigey pink. It would make the whole room feel like a big dessert!

embrace the retro! paint the kitchen Avocado!