Think silver and stainless steel! That color is so close to what I painted my cabinets, check it out with faux tin ceiling backsplash and the silver hardware - retro without being so dated.

The tile can be painted! It's a bit of work prepping the surface and all, but it can be done!

Also, not sure what the fix is, but a few things stand out to me that make this look not really integrated:

-The white is very stark next to the black and aqua
-The flooring seems way out of date with the rest of the kitchen. What about black and white linoleum squares?
- The lighting is poor; you need task lighting and more lighting in general.
- The appliances seem really out of whack with the style of the cabinets. I actually like the cabinets and the soffit. The odd half round bit at the end of the cabinet, seems workable with some different tile at the back.
- What is the appliance next to the electric stove?
- Some really cute cafe curtains might do a lot to soften the space and add character.Not in love with the shutters.
- Seems really tall, something about the way the height of the tile seems to accentuate that in a weird way - clever paint and accessories might make it more cohesive.

floor

Love your retro kitchen too! Not sure what you are going to decide, but just have to say a retro fridge would be perfect for that alcove. I know they're $$$$ though.
http://houzz.com/photos/3864315

I love those black and white floors too...Right now we are sticking with the floor thats there..I am not a huge fan of it..very fake looking laminate. But the previous owner just put them in to sell the house so we will deal with it for a little while. The rest of the house has gorgeous original hardwoods. Yes that is a washer and drier next to the range. We got rid of those lol. These pictures were of the house before we moved in. We just bought the house last week so the washer and drier just came out this week and we are replacing it with other cabinets. The range though does fit with the kitchen. It's an original 1950s fridgidaire stove. I do like the bright white cabinets though. I love contrast. I plan on painting a light neutral grey on the walls to soften it a tad. I do love the soffit and plan on keeping that. I don't mind the shutters but we are taking those out because the new faucet is too tall and the left side won't open all the way.

A backsplash tile applied with double sided adhesive tape could be an easy DIY update to your kitchen and look fantastic over the existing tile. The Miniquattro backsplash panel in Brushed Aluminum is displayed.

I don't how you feel about red, but I think it goes well with turquoise.

I'm not loving grey for the walls though. I think a pale yellow for walls and some red accents like canisters, art, curtains. That's if you are keeping all the tiles. It may look too institutional if you don't keep it lively.

I actually pinned that exact picture lol. I love red. Our living room is going to be a mint (seafoam color), gray and red. Mainly because I already have red accents for the living room. If we were to keep the turquoise tile this was my inspiration for color scheme. White, grey, the turquoise tile, and pops of yellow.

Those tiles are stunning! I wish 50s houses here in the UK had original tiles that are turquoise!

Andrea, love that inspiration pic! I have red accents too and get a lot of compliments on them. Add some to the kitchen to tie in with LR, even if it's just a little in art of something. Keep things bright. The 50's were all about happy. The WW11 was over, countries were getting back on their feet, and lots of us baby boomers were born!

I would recommend using the light grey in countertop, not walls.

Congrats Andrea on your new home. I wish you the best!

Thank you kankantx!

I think the trick is that you have these great tiles and cabinets, but there is a point where you go from retro vibe to actually dated and you need to pull it back from that edge.

It seems like it is possible to do some simple things like an modern twist on an Eames fabric valance or cafe curtain, some funky retro style appliances - stand mixers, shake mixers in fun colors, a fun rug - without spending much money and to cut the aqua with pops of bright yellow or red.

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2348412

I am probably just seeing too much ceiling because you probably had to shoot up to get everything in the shot; I've had pics like that of my kitchen. Of course most people do not look up like that. So I understand that it might not feel so high when you stand in the room.

I think the white cabinets are pretty but still think there is something odd happening at that level above the cabinets - maybe even just accessorizing with a Kit Kat clock collection or Rockola signs.

I couldn't help myself; I wanted to play in your kitchen. I took down the scalloped cornice boards and replaced the lighting, extended the counter and added a stool, and I didn't really replace the floor. I just stuck down black-and-white peel-and-stick tiles. This room is gonna be awesome!

That looks awesome groveraxel. What app did you use? I like the idea of extending the peninsula counter but it already abuts the slider. There isn't enough room :(

I think Grover meant extended counter instead of those half circle shelves. And see, you didn't miss them! Haha.

Nope. I probably wouldn't miss them. I like the character it adds, but honestly I wouldn't put anything on them. With 2 kids running around, I would be chancing broken decor lol.

Actually, I did extend the counter and get rid of the shelves on the end, but I also extended it the other way to form a breakfast bar which I see now is impossible because of the slider.

I used Photoshop Elements to redo your room. The lighting, BTW, was from Rejuvenation- http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/astron/configurations/brushed-aluminum-and-flare-orange -and wasn't as pricey as you might think.

Also, please, no cafe curtains, or little tchotchkes, or hanging plates on the wall. Keep it simple and streamlined and this kitchen will shine.

please keep the tile. I also like the curved shelves and curvy valences and café curtains and fridge nook. do peel and stick black and white floor, yellow paint for walls, and black counter top. keep cabinets and appliances white. gray simply does not go with this wonderful retro room.

What does the hubs think of Groveraxle's picture. The flooring and lighting are fantastic! I'm wondering if putting a colour on the bulkhead would balance the space some more?

As for countertop, that era was white melamine with sparkle. Take a look to see if you can find something in the black with sparkle! I have quartz counters and love, love, love the sparkle! Super durable as well.

I'd remove the half circle shelves and extend the countertop in their place. Ex:

Since you're gaining cabinet space from the washer and dryer removal, you could remove some of the cabinets under the peninsula for additional seating. I'd just hate to see anything done to the wall of tile. It is so charming. Also, I thought the eclectic kitchen had butcher block counters at first glance. Turns out it doesn't but thought it's something to consider since you're keeping the floors and on a tight budget. I've never priced it out but I've heard butcher block counters are affordable.

Hi
No need to worry of searching,asking and thinking.
just visit http://www.eskandaristone.com for more variety,custom design and cut to size countertops,Tiles,slab etc.
I think you will get the best and affordable here.
Regards

The tile should be updated maybe a 3x6 subway tile with a small boarder running through, perhaps a color that will match the counter top you go with. The only worry ou might have is that your walls behind the tile might be a mud job ( cement ) which was a common way of setting tiles back then if it is it will be a real bear to remove that tile. Hopefully it is just Sheetrock
Best of luck with you new home

DS Tile and Marble..Yes it is a mud job..We have it in the bathroom as well and you can tell when you open up the closet. My father in law was trying to look at every angle of it for us to see before we started anything drastic. However, I do LOVE subway tile.

er612 we are leaning towards butcher block or dark grey or black quartz. I'm not too familiar with countertops.

If you can find a way to trim it out you can install tile over tile

I LOVE THE CURRENT TILE!!!!!!!!!! It's cheerful, versatile, and simply lovely!

We had a similar situation with our 1951 eating space. We also took out a wall to make a bar. Best decision ever! We use it every day. This pic was taken right before a bday party (hence the streamers)

Hi Andrea. I think the tiles are beautiful. They are so cheerful. Great for a family home! Also, I expect the quality of the mud set installation is so much higher than what is generally available these days. Save your money for another room and keep the tiles. I also agree a black and white floor would be nice. Do you know about retrorenovation.com? They will have lots of ideas for you over there. Look for 'Kitchen help' at the top of the homepage. You'll find sources for flooring and other items to team with the 50s theme.

You mention grey for your colour scheme, Andrea. This kitchen (scroll down to the gallery for a clearer picture) has a nice midgrey/light grey chequerboard floor that could work in yours if black and white is too strong: http://retrorenovation.com/2009/02/09/ruths-blue-geneva-kitchen-peach-and-pink-bathrooms-and-more/

Soapstone would be a perfect choice for counter tops. They are a little more pricey but certainly would fit the overall idea.

I read a post above about melamine with sparkle, ACADIA QUARTZ has a quartz with sparkle in black.

This is a bathroom thread - but you'll get the idea behind it.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/8-ways-to-spruce-up-an-older-bathroom-without-remodeling-stsetivw-vs~27685367

Oh man, I LOVE your kitchen. Please, please update it without killing the beautiful tile and original details. If you want it to look a little more modern, get new lighting fixtures and inside-mount cabinet hinges with some chrome, backplated saucer knobs. Laminate has come a long way from the kind in our childhood homes, so if you want to get black sparkly countertops, I'd encourage you to look at period-appropriate (and super budget-friendly!) laminate counters - they come in a ton of different colors and patterns, too! Good luck!

Well we decided to keep the tile. Going to start by finding a nice yellow paint to compliment the tile. And new lighting. Countertops will be the next project when funds allow it. Thank you all so much for the input and please keep them coming. I'm thinking of maybe wallpapering the wall with the fridge as an accent wall. It's such a big bare wall and would love to make it more eye catching.

It's going to be wonderful! I don't have input on paint colours to try, but maybe others do.

Just reading these comments and gathering that there is a budget for renovations, but general consensus on the idea of dark countertops. What about using a paint on the counters as a temporary fix until budget opens up for new ones?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Transformations-1-qt-Charcoal-Small-Countertop-Kit-258512/202885350?N=5yc1vZc61s

I haven't used this product myself so maybe someone will comment who has tried it.

Thank you for the link. I was thinking about that as well, but nervous. Would love to know if anyone has tried it.

There are a bunch of comments on the Home Depot site linked. Overall it seems people said it was kind of messy but the results were good.

here is some encouragement. I say work with it. its fabulous. and so quaint! charm! anyway cant wait to see the progress!

Andrea, I have never used the Rustoleum countertop product, but my daughter used the cabinet transformations kit they have, and we did research the countertop products. She decided against it though because she has laminate with an oak edge in front. I can't remember where I got the reviews, think I just googled it, but there is another brand, Giani, that seemed to have better reviews. If you are considering, you can always practice/try some out in a bathroom, and if it's a disaster it's a small piece to replace.
Here is the link to Giana site:
https://gianigranite.com/

Thank you! I will look into it. Thank you for the picture. It's great to see a visual. I am loving the idea of darker counters even more so now!

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If you choose dark cabinets, I would paint the walls a very subtle grey and add yellow in the window treatments, barstools or lighting. I wouldn't install wallpaper. I think there's enough going on the the wallpaper may be overkill and the money can be better spent elsewhere.

To be honest, there's hardly anything I'd change about this kitchen. It looks fun and fantastic, especially given that both white kitchens and turquoise are currently so popular. Replace the ceiling fan with a funky light that helps incorporate whatever style you'll have in the rest of the home (Asian, transitional, industrial, etc). Upgrade the counters to a solid surface, either black, white or a faux marble. All are in style now, yet appropriate to what is existing. I rather like the rounded peninsula with shelves, just not digging the faux brick-like material on them. But if you need to square that off, go ahead. Don't paint the tile - epoxy is a messy, toxic process and it looks cheap, like something a low-level flipper would do. I agree that a retro fridge would be awesome. I've coveted one for years, wish they weren't so pricey!

I would not touch the aqua tiles, if they are in perfect condition. I would paint the black tiles white. Modernize with stainless appliances and use mid century modern furnishings and enjoy your new home!