what is your budget?

Have you looked at the Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformation?

Try Atlas Homewares for hardware...
http://www.atlashomewares.com/
Great hadware, affordable pricing.
Hope that helps. Charmean Neithart

If you have a habitat restore near you they sell handles for a buck and knobs for 50 cents. You can spray paint brass ones bronze if that is the look you want. My last reno had 110 knobs to replace, 55 bucks is way better than 330!

Formica countertops have come a long way. Shop around and see all the colors and faux looks that are available . From your picture, it doesn't appear to be too much area. Hardware can be anything you like. With a budget of $2500, you might even be able to squeeze out a nice tile backsplash for a pop of color.

You might look into Gianni Granite Paint for your countertops. There are several different granite looks to choose from, and then you can customize to your liking.

Ikea butcher block is a great suggestion. It will be clean modern and not break the bank. Idea also has wonderful pulls and knobs.

When the budget is low, you can't go wrong with plain solid black laminate counter tops. No special edge. Just a 4" backsplash. With the white cabinets, it will look very sophisticated. Look for plain hardware that's comfortable for operating drawers & cabinets. If you do go with black countertops, why not select plain black knobs? Very inexpensive at Lowe's, Home Depot, IKEA & Target. Good luck!

I usually get my hardware on ebay.

Thank you everyone!
Could anyone give a suggestion on lighting fixtures? Currently there is an outdated ceiling fan and no light over the sink. I am thinking of a pendant light over sink but ceiling fan replacement will have to be flush with ceiling. Thank you everyone you comments have been a tremendous help!

There are some great, simple, sleek hugger ceiling fans these days. We just replaced two old, ugly ceiling fans with ones that sit close to our ceilings and don't call too much attention to themselves. The first one is my favorite, and it comes in white or brushed aluminum, with three different blade sizes and with a 6" rod that makes it the same size as hugger fans:
http://www.modernfan.com/altus.html
http://www.modernfan.com/auroraHugger.html
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/52-inch-minka-aire-concept-ii-white-hugger-ceiling-fan__70525.html

Add a small tile mural or randomly placed imaged accent tiles..low cost but a wonderful focal point.

http://www.AliciatappDesigns.com

IKEA has great inexpensive lighting and the best part is a lot of their pendant lighting comes with a long cord and plug. I did this and got an inexpensive switch/outlet plug from the hardware store to easily switch it on.

IKEA has great butcher block counters that are inexpensive/I have had mine for 2 yrs and they look great

If you can get to an Ikea, befriend the folks in the as is department. Got a $1500. side by side for $300 because it had a stain on the front. Less than $5 appliance paint fixed that. Habitat store-fabulous and helping a good cause, Got a bathroom sink for $10. Saw a funky idea for a pendant lite - turn a flower basket usually lined withh cocomat upside down. Good luck! In the same boat!

I second the suggestion for IKEA's wood countertop material. It's SOOOO much cheaper than butcher block, but look just like it and is classic with white cabinets. It can be cut to length with a regular table saw. For a small kitchen, you can often purchase expensive tile at really great prices if you call around asking for overstock from big decorator jobs. Just measure your kitchen carefully so you know exactly how much you need before you ask around.

check your local builder's surplus. THey often have precut countertops that are very inexpensive. We did a rental property for 90.00. Black textured laminate, looks like stone.

Cabinet hardware makes a world of difference and it doesn't have to be expensive. Same goes for faucets. We carry a line of very affordable faucets on oil rubbed bronze, satin nickel; most finishes. Don't let the box store prices scare you.