ejh:

Congratulations, and your kitchen sounds interesting! However, I wasn't able to get the link to work. Can you place the link in the "optional link URL box" at the bottom of the message window? That may help us see your kitchen. I'm just a lurker most of the time, but being an old ranch resident myself, am alway looking at other ranch kitchens.

Here's the picture of your kitchen to make it easier for folks to offer some advice.

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Maybe it's me, but the link to your kitchen photos isn't working. I get a message that says the action failed.

Can you try it again?

oh THANK YOU for posting the photo! i could not figure it out! THANKS!!!!

oh i also forgot to add that i would also like to keep the original Nutone copper range hood (not visible in the photo b/c it's on the right behind the fridges) and the original lite pink cast iron double sink.

ejh-no problem. It took me a LONG time to figure out how to post photos here so glad I could help. Do you want me to try to post the inspiration pic?

Also, if you go to the Finished Kitchens website, on the right- click kitchen basics, then click kitchen style and then click tuscan to see what kitchens there are for you to see.

To me, tuscan means warm colors-rich browns, golds but I'm no designer like some on this forum are. I'm sure you will get some great advice.

If the type of rustic you want might work with hand scraped wood floors here's a Indiana manufacturer who will match their floors with a thicker island top finished or unfinished ready for oiling. The chatter scraped camelot line is no longer made. But the pioneer hickory sample has some chatter.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scraped wood

Ok-I'll give it a shot. Warm, earthy colors-golden yellow, terra cotta, olive green, Med. sea blue, burgundy, rich brown. Terra cotta floor? Distressed wood floor? Counters-granite. Backsplash-mosaic tiles, maybe picture over oven area of vineyards, wine, grapes, rustic village?? Wrought iron-wine rack, plant stand, in the lighting? Accent pieces-pottery, bottles of specialty oils, preserved peppers on the counter? There are so many things you could do!!

I did not intend to do any particular style in my kitchen and it's not finished yet but my granite has been described as "tuscan" by the granite yard. It has colors of rich brown, gold, black, cream, butterscotch, caramel, steel gray/blue looking areas, lots of sparkly mica chips. It's a very earthy granite.
There will be lots of granites to put in a tuscan/rustic kitchen. Good luck!

Thanks chris45ny for posting the picture. I would do terracotta pavers (like your inspiration photo) or a darker handcrapped wood on the floors. Replace the formica counters with a darker counter. If you don't have the budget for new counters, consider painting them. Lowes carries a counter painting kit, I think it was around $150ish. There's also a few people on this or the Home Dec board who have done it with regular paint. You can always upgrade in a few years. Tile the backsplash. Again, go for a handmade terracotta or tuscan colors rust, gold-y yellow, cobalt blue, deep red or a tumbled travertine. A new light fixture/chandelier in a rusted metal or wrought iron would look nice. I would also remove the scalloped wood valance. Or if you like it, see if you can re-route or trim the edge to remove the scoops. Maybe a make it a slight arch to mimic your ispiration photo.

If the butcher block is staying, paint the legs a bright color like the blue in the inspiration. Of course, remove the country wallpaper/border. In my area a lot of people "hand-trowel" joint compound right over the wallpaper to get that tuscan look. I DON'T recommend doing this over the wallpaper. The water in the JC loosens up the wallpaper paste and causes it to crack and sometimes peel. One of the previous owners did this in my kitchen, urgh! What a nightmare. If you want that look, remove the wallpaper first and all the glue. Even if the sheetrock is damaged a bit from the removal, just hand trowel the JC over the damage and then paint and glaze.

HTH!
Kathe

Here's your inspiration kitchen picture. Very nice!!

I think I would go with a strong tile floor (something very tuscan, terracotta or some other stone look)
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I would add ceiling beams, even shallow ones made from stacking 2x4 and covering with stained 1 by in a grid like pattern like this:
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I would get rid of the window valance, and make it more of a classic arch, much more roman, echoing the brick arches you have in your inspiration photo.

I would hit the legs of that butcherblock with some paint. I'm not feeling the blue, but maybe a blue milk paint? Or glazed overtop of it? I would lean towards yellow.

If you want to keep the black appliances, they would be fine. If you are buying new, I would lean towards stainless. I can't see white working with the copper, pink, orange tones here.

Are you happy with the countertops? I only ask because if you are okay with a pink sink, which many would run in horror from, but I think it's kind of awesome. If you are happy, leave 'em for now. If you want to replace them, I would probably stay light and neutral, maybe a gold-ish cream granite?

Actually, the first thing I would do is take down the wall paper border, get rid of the ceiling fan and ditch the curains.. but somehow I assumed that this was given. If it isn't... consider it.

As for paint, you aren't going to have much wall showing, assuming you have a full backsplash. So maybe just a warm yellow cream color up on the soffit? Maybe with a faux paint effect?

And finally for the backsplash I would do a brick. Again I like the brick from your inspiration photo, so I might try and get something like that. Here's some thoughts, the first is more of my style
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This is slightly more tuscan

i am speechless over your genius! thank you all so much for the ideas! i am soooooo bad at this; i need all the help i can get! absolutely the wallpaper, ceiling fan and window stuff is coming down. look, i have a lot of admiration for the sicilian woman who custom-built this home in 1963 and meticulously cared for it; the place is more spotless than many NEW homes i have seen! i wish you could see the condition of the pink sink. it's immaculate! and plus it's HUGE. you would have to special order that size sink; it's like two regular size sinks side-by-side. one thing i could do is have it reglazed, like in ivory or something.

do you all think that quartz counters would be a mistake? specifically this color? i had been thinking that a marble-colored quartz would work......

http://www.ecabinetsetc.com/Zodiaq_files/image014.jpg

i was thinking quartz would be better because of no radon and no sealing. however i do think that granite might look better b/c it's more "earthy" (and the colors you all suggested are perfect)

Here's the quartz picture. It just doesn't scream tuscan but that's my opinion. It is nice but think granite may be better???

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The only problem with keeping the sink pink would be to find a tuscan looking granite to match?? Reglazing it ivory may work better??

I'm all about re-using what you have. I love a good make-over but I'm not a fan of being wasteful. If you want to re-use anything, do it. If you can't look into recycling, reselling, regifting (kidding) options. Reglazing might be expensive, if you are on a tight budget then I would look into the DIY stuff that someone above suggested, though I have no idea how good a finish you will get with it.

As for the quartz, I appreciate it's benefits as you listed them. I think it's generally considered the king of low maintenance and durable countertops. That said... I'm not feeling that color. Something about it looks like paint sponged on to laminate to me, and kind of dingy for some reason. Granted, that's my opinion and really if want something don't let anyone's opinion sway yours, I doubt that will make you happy in the end. But every time I see that quartz, I just think it looks unfortunate. I would rather see scuffed up, stained and chipped lovely marble than pristine but homely quartz. Again, this is my opinion, if you choose to ignore it that's totally fine. There are plenty of kitchens that make my eyes twitch, that people love and wouldn't change a thing about.

And picking an inspiration photo is a great first step, all we did was pick out what we think you might like about the photo and recommend those pieces. Chris had a great list of things that might really transform the kitchen and if you are going to DIY (or even GC the reno) then Kathe's tips are invaluable.

It might help to know what your budget for the project is? Will you do the work yourself? I think we've all assumed that the layout stays, most of the appliances stay, the cabinets stay so picking out pieces of the inspiration photo becomes a lot easier because the focus is much more narrow.

It is generally not recommended to reglaze a k itchen sink. A bathtub can be fine but a kit chen sink gets too much abuse and the glaze will wear or chip off. Better to find a granite that harmonizes with the color of the sink.

I don't think the backsplash is big enough for brick to look good. What about Deruta tiles?

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holy smokes those tiles are EXACTLY what i had in mind! exactly the vibe i want! THANK YOU! now if i go with this style of tile, should i do the whole backsplash with them or interweave them with plain tiles (like white or yellow or whatever)? dumb question, but i think i have seen both things done and i honestly don't know what would work

i completely agree about the quartz; it's "highly recommended" by everyone including C Reports, but the colors are underwhelming. there are a lot of granite places where i live so i know i can find some gorgeous granite nearby in the colors suggested. guess i'll have to learn about sealing!

you may think i am nuts, but i am not too worried about the pink sink. i actually think it will look fine and possibly old worldy. i am more worried about choosing the right countertop color and the right colors for the floor and backsplash. the only sink hiccup could be getting that puppy out of there after 47 years, and then installing it back; i may have to take the granite guys out to lunch!

FYI this is not a DIY; i will be hiring a floor person, counter person, tile person. the layout, cabs, sink, hood are staying.

I love that you are keeping that sink--they really don't make them like they used to.

If this were my kitchen, I'd look for a quartz color that closely matches or complements your sink. Maybe a shade or two darker or lighter, but close. There are a range of browns in the Caesarstone palette that look like they may work. The reason I say go with quartz over granite is because I think you'll have an easier time finding a good match to your sink, and I think a quieter and more uniform pattern would suit your "look" better--especially if you go with those lovely Deruta tiles!! I think a busy granite would be too much visually with that tile.

Caesarstone and Zodiaq will send you good-sized samples... I'd get a few of those and lay them in and around your sink to see how they look.

I'm not a fan of "tuscan" themed or "old world" themed kitchens (or really, themes of any kind!), but I love the idea of mixing rustic elements with new. You have lovely wood cabinets, that raw wood butcher block, the terra cotta floor tiles someone mentioned above.... those can be your rustic elements. Temper them with cool stainless appliances (or copper fronted appliances... who has those, KitchenAid?) and quiet, smooth quartz. Echo the copper hood and cabinet hardware with a few more copper pieces (pots? Canisters? A pot-rack/light combo over your butcher block?). The Deruta tiles will give you enough Italian "flavor" and color to be Old World-ish without being over-the-top with grape vines and Chianti bottles all over the place.

Good luck with your choices, I hope you share as you go! :)

I might take it easy on the number of Deruta tiles; they're very strong. Mix them with other tiles. Or, just use a border that's simpler (they make them) right along the base of the backsplash, fill in with complementary field tile, and then save the really strong looks for a line of small Deruta plates along the soffit.

I agree amanda--the misty carrera probably wouldn't work, but other caesarstone, silestone, etc. products are still worth at least a look.

I also agree, don't get too themey. A little goes a long way. Somebody here posted a link to rustic moveable islands that might look good, though I can't find it now. Even this one from Sundance would work, though it's 1800 bucks. I'm sure you can find cheaper if you want.

Oh, also from Sundance, a copper pendant might work (the picture won't post, I don't know why).

BTW I read amanda's comment again--great advice all the way through.

Here is a link that might be useful: Copper pendant from Sundance

Really like the top Deruta tile sample posted by marcolo. It would look great with your copper and with terra cotta floors if you decide to go that route. Even think it works with your sink. Agree with marcolo to use the tiles as a border/accent. Could paint island legs one of the colors from the tile. Like amanda t's advice about having some copper pieces/accents. Your cabinets are lovely. You could keep the black appliances or go stainless.

Keep us posted on your choices/progress.

Madura gold and shivakashi are two granites that usually have a pinkish swirl going through them. Whether it's the right pink...

I'd recommend sponge or rag painting over using joint compound for adding a textured look. Much easier to undo the former if you change the decor later.

This is technically not tuscan but still rustic and you can see how well the pink sink would fit into this kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: rustic kitchen

I went for a Tuscan-ish kitchen in my 50's ranch, and although not completely successful in getting it olde worlde, it came out pretty nice.

Was...

Here is a link that might be useful: (My unrelated cooking blog)