Wow, they went crazy with that tile! Maybe keep it as a backsplash, but yank the rest and make them painted walls. Then the tile won't dominate the room so much.

Gpraceman, believe it or not, that's just an rather upscale look for earlier eras. My MIL had lots of tile AND a list of instructions for her cook that included wiping down the entire kitchen every day. I still have that around somewhere. The furs and white gloves she wore to go out with the girls while this was going on are long gone.

I think it would be best to keep all of the tile. Only keeping the back splash tile will completely destroy the vintage look. Then I think it really would look dated and in a bad way.

I would also start with the suggestions above with removing the wall oven, putting in a range-maybe one with a double oven, and put in so.e pretty Marmoleum.

Narrow LR--I have one of those...the key seems to be to set it up more as 2 smaller rooms than as one. Which is kinda what it looks like in that pic, but they've got WAY too many different chairs in there.

Kitchen...well, I'd lose the useless peninsula w/ seating & maybe do a banquet or something for the table--those chairs against the wall look pretty nonfunctional. And change the paint color, not sure what would complement the tile happily. We have similar tile in our kid b-room (probably same vintage!) and went for a strong color on the wall for sort of a "Sea" feel. That way the tile doesn't stand out as much--it all kinda blends. But the bathroom is alot smaller than that kitchen! But white walls made the tile stand out ridiculously.

I also wouldn't lose all the wood cabs, can't tell for sure but they look like fairly nice wood. The knobs are offputting to me--I'd hate something in the middle like that.

I'd say to keep the tile. Clean the cabinets. Embrace the teal.
What's the round hardware on the upper cabinets?

Here is a link that might be useful: retro kitchens

I love the tile. You can do something in your kitchen that I absolutely wanted, but couldn't do because it doesn't fit the style of our house. A vintage, or vintage look stove. It would be so perfect with your tile. Look at the link below, imagine the stove gone, and it replaced by one of these beauties with a really cool marloleum floor and some fiestaware dishes displayed. I occasionally see them on Craig's List here for much less.

You can even get some really funky cool vintage look fridges.

Probably what you're trying to get away from, but something to think about at least...

Here is a link that might be useful: Cool vintage stoves

I think marmoleum is not in the budget but hopefully some other changes will be easier to make..I cringe thinking of fiestaware because its all my mom ever used growing up haha

I agree to embrace the tile and see what you can do to complement it. Also, for what it's worth, the light in the corner of the kitchen looks very similar to the one in your first inspiration pic, and I seem to recall many folks looking for that type of light in the last year or two. So, you may want to keep it - even if you don't want it in the kitchen. Or hold an auction here on GW, lol!

Yes, Yes! Jansin has it! Use a vintage (or vintage-look) range. Get rid of the the oven to open up the space (although I don't know what you do about replacing the tile behind the oven.) And use a vintage-look fridge from Elmira/Northstar or Smeg or Big Chill.

The wood is pretty, but I think they need painted either white or cream colored. I also can see an ocean or seaside theme
new hardware for sure.

I quite like your kitchen...except for the cooking area. I agree with debrak_2008 that you should make it a priority to replace the wall oven and cooktop with a range. Reclaiming some counter space next to the range will make your life so much better from a layout perspective.

Like many others, I love the vintage tile. I think white walls would probably be easiest on modern eyes (although part of me keeps thinking yellow, it would be a bit Easter-eggy). So white wall, teal and black tile... I like the wood cabinets, and think they would look great with a bit of cleaning. As a second choice, I liked the idea of gel staining them gray, which I think would work nicely with the teal and black. Formica counter in White Ellipse or Endless Graytone. Or, if the rest of the counter is in okay condition, you could just put in a stretch of stainless or butcher block near the stove until you do a full-on remodel.

Because I was interested in your problem...

I couldn't find a good pic to use for the tile, so you get a solid color instead, and solid gray stands in for the cabinets. Counter image is Formica White Ellipse. The floor is in a driftwood color (the image is of vinyl flooring), and the table is cerused oak. With the table, I was thinking that you take out the peninsula, lose the breakfast nook, and instead go with a central dining table that serves for both dining and prep.

I managed to get a little bit of rustic in there with the midcentury.

There was a fabulous kitchen posted at some point that featured a turquoise and gray color scheme. If I can find it I'll post it, and perhaps others might remember whose kitchen it is?

It had an induction cooktop and modern in style cabinets

What a great time capsule kitchen! Are the trim tiles maroon? I agree with a soft white paint for the walls, or even a very pale yellow.

Cleaning the cabinets and spray painting or replacing the hardware would make a world of difference.

For some great vintage kitchen ideas, check out this website:
http://retrorenovation.com/retro-kitchen/

Turquoise and gray and pink and gray were both quite popular color schemes for a period in, what, the 50s? Bringing in gray with paint (as opposed to weathered wood) should reinforce a retro midcentury look.

Your current circumstances combined with the special elements in this kitchen give you a great opportunity to experiment and try out different looks. Far better for that than a big budget and plenty of time that might lead to premature decisions. Wouldn't it be fun if you fell in love with the style of this kitchen (also)? Although not many people are doing midcentury, as posts show, a lot of people like it enough to want to see nice versions preserved.

Oh I love your kitchen! Love the tile! Three colors, black, white, and turquoise. Any wall not tiled I would paint a crisp white, use the same white for the cabs as they would be set off by the beautiful tile. I would use a black and white checkerboard floor and for the counter top a black formica with a rough slate like finish. I would also try to use vintage appliances and a neat retro table and chair set. Hmmmm I don't remember if they did sets in black and white..... but I am pretty sure they did.

Congratulations! I like your kitchen... it has potential. I think that tile would look really fun with white cabinets. I'd vote for changing the floorings to wood or something darker.

You have my sympathy regarding your mother but I'm happy you found a home so you can be close to her.

susan

How about laminate in a retro pattern? White or gray cabinets and black and white checkerboard floor.

Here is a link that might be useful: domino laminate

I don't know why but i just HATE checkerboard floor haha so many people have suggested it- it's making me wish I had a different design aesthetic but oh well I guess I will just do a modern version of retro since the typical retro (checkerboard/fiestaware) style type isn't really clicking with me. Hm :(

Baunlee, definitely time to go look at a bunch of pictures and start educating yourself.

The "typical retro (checkerboard/fiestaware) style" you're imagining is not. Those are just a couple of simple elements that are now--by some apparently--considered design cliches found everywhere in that era. No. Just as not everyone decorating over the past 30 years chose white cabinets and white subway tile, or ever wanted anything like that, midcentury style played out in a variety of ways. Most people didn't own even a single piece of Fiestaware, and lots undoubtedly didn't like checkerboard--just like you. Linoleum, only one flooring, was sold as sheet and tiles and leant itself to lots of patterns.

Now, a nice old kitchen that's one of only two I remember had what I recall as a soft corn-yellow linoleum floor and white painted cabinets that must have been built in place running around a big sunny room. This may just be why I like both today. I'd love to have the kitchen I remember.

Of course, the biggest part of YOUR education needs to be figuring out what you really like. You came here wishing for a dramatically different look and thinking people would dislike the aged surfaces of your kitchen, then were clearly influenced by those who said they liked them and felt YOU should have a retro kitchen.

I thought maybe you were looking with newly appreciative eyes at the possibilities. Now, in spite of what's actually in your kitchen (neither checkers or Fiesta) you're ignoring that big clue and instead choosing to associate midcentury with elements you strongly dislike. Strong flashing warning lights for me here.

BTW, IF you actually like that tile, some kind of dynamite fusion look is just waiting to happen there. In checking out upper scale midcentury kitchens (probably in old magazine stacks in libraries) you will find stainless steel counters. If you look at old European kitchens, you'll find the kinds of walls and ceilings your pictures show WITH extensive tile work. But--if you don't like it, what does what anyone else likes matter? No one else is going to be in there every day.

Do you have a Pinterest account? Maybe you could just starting pinning everything and anything you like, forgetting what's actually doable. After a while, some real patterns will leap out at you. Unfortunately, pix on line are heavily from our current era, and a greater depth of possibilities will require a little more effort to uncover.

Have fun.

rosie thanks for some of your suggestions! I'm actually aware about that.. The reason I would keep the tile is not because of being wishy washy about my preferences as you say I was swayed by others opinions but because as I said in the original post, that there are other pressing matters of the home to be dealt with first so it is very likely I would not get to removing the tile. Anyways I think it is a good thing to be influenced by the opinions of others in some ways (not the whole feel of the kitchen). Sometimes disagreeing might set of a firestorm but since a few people suggested it I thought I would steer them away from that suggestion.I hope u would know what I mean, maybe not. Anyways I was just mentioning I do not like black and white tile because many people suggested it. I don't think it's necessary in a retro cool vibe though

This post was edited by baunlee on Fri, May 31, 13 at 14:47

HEY guys thanks for all of your help!!

Cawaps I like your idea of a central dining table and I agree that the peninsula needs to go! Hopefully there will be enough room once it is gone. I also agree a butcher block would be great.

Susie I like your idea of maybe using a wood flooring but overall I think I’m going to go with a gelstain for the cabinets because once they are white it is kind of hard to change your mind. If I don’t like the dark I can always switch back.

A few more things...
I have been having a hard time picking a white color for the kitchen ceiling. Right now it is pink as are the walls.

Do you guys just use like a bone white or any kind of special shade. Lemme know your thoughts on ceiling color.

Also in the closing yesterday I got a few better photos of the tile. I think it is interesting the way there is like a cream swirl, almost iridescent feature to it.

**Also I noticed that the tile is not actually black but almost like a chocolate color.**

Do you think I should do white walls and white ceiling in the same color??

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it!

debrak_2008 6 , what color walls do you think would make the tile pop

I'm sorry I don't have suggestions for a specific white, but I am happy you came back. I know others will chime in because there are not a lot of people on here keeping their kitchens somewhat original (for whatever reason).

I do really like that tile, and I'm hoping once someone suggests a great paint color for you it will be easy to live with.

I also really love the farmhouse table idea and gel staining the cabs a darker color. I think your kitchen can become a new version of the great farmhouse kitchens you posted earlier.

Welcome and congratulations on your new home! Actually, I rather like your vintage kitchen as well. And it actually looks quite spacious to me. I absolutely agree that the cooking area look awkward. And I love the idea of using Big Chill or other vintage-style appliances. While I love some vintage floors, it looks like yours may have yellowed over time and maybe could use a replacement? I also really like the arched doorways. I think it would be sad to lose them. If you do open up a wall, I hope you'll put in an arched opening in keeping with the house. It looks to me like your living room isn't that narrow. Rather, it looks long enough to fit a dining room on one end and a living room on the other.

Just found out last night that those tiles are plastic!!

My parents have plastic MOP 4x4 tiles in their bathrooms that are original to the house (1963). I think they still look pretty nice. They did remove them in the downstairs bathroom, and it still took off parts of drywall.

Sorry but removing them.will probably be like real tile, and you will be repairing or replacing drywall.

This post was edited by IowaCommute on Sat, Jun 1, 13 at 9:03

I would remove the tile. If it had been a solid color and ceramic I might have thought differently.

I would also consider if you really want to gel satin the cabinets, looking at your inspiration pics only one has really dark, and then one other with stained semi dark. The others all appear painted.

For a ceiling color I would just use sherwin Williams ceiling white.

I would also look at the inspiration pics and decide out of each one what it is you like about it and then consider all of those items and see what could work in your kitchen.

baunlee - in the house we were in before, the tiles you have in the kitchen were the tiles we had in the bathroom - same blue. Our accent tiles were black though. And yes, they are a "plastic tile". We embraced the retro and grew to love it actually. Of the colors that were out there (blue, pink, yellow, and green that I know of), you won the lottery - I think the blue is the prettiest by far.

I think that you can embrace the retro with the tiles and do things to update the kitchen. You're not really going to wind up with a kitchen like your inspiration photos without a TON of time, money, and effort...money being the key in that one.

From a distance, the cabinets appear to be in good shape, so that's a plus also. The hardware on them is a bit unfortunate (we have the "center knobs" in our current kitchen - don't know why that was ever something that people thought was a good idea!) The bad thing about getting rid of those is that you're going to have a hole that you have to deal with. So, if you are keeping the cabinets natural wood, you'll have an issue. If you decide to paint them, you can use some wood filler and eliminate the holes...so you may need to paint. Some were suggesting grey when thought that the accent tile was black, not brown...obviously, grey would be a little more difficult. And grey seems to be kind of a bit of a current trend right now - I'm not sure that I would try to do that. In this case, I think that white cabinets and white walls is probably your best bet.

You definitely don't have to do checkerboard flooring if you don't like it!

I think that you've got the opportunity to have a fun, retro kitchen until you are ready to put in the money for your dream kitchen. Start looking at the different things that are out there in photos to get ideas of that style of things that you like. BTW, I like your inspiration images at the top too and in a perfect world, that's what we would be doing. But, reality is that we're doing a kitchen that is radically different from that...and we'll love it too!

Those cabinets are gorgeous and certainly worth the work to re-stain. I would love to see a close-up of that hardware too. Is there tile behind the oven area? If it were me I would hire a carpenter to remove the ovens, take out that whole range top, below and above range cabinets. Put in a slide-in range and cool hood. Re-purpose the doors and cabinets that were removed and use to adjust areas where the ovens were and possibly also add a matching refrigerator wood surround with upper cabinets above. Some matching shallow open wall shelves on area wall by the snack bar would tie it all in nicely. I would not touch the tile if it’s in good shape. If there is no tile behind the ovens I would remove enough tile from another part of the room to fix. There are lots more I would do with flooring and countertops but I would start with the above. You are lucky in that you have some very nifty items to work with. Get things arranged to your liking first and then re-visit the color and decorating.

Well, congrats on getting off the mid-century conservation hook. The immediate adoration out here was based on the assumption that this was good-quality solid-color ceramic, not swirly plastic.

So, that's nice in that respect, and great to hear you're moving ahead slowly. I think you may just love having a family table in the middle. In the meantime, I hope you do have fun with what you have, as long your long-term planning moves steadily toward something that's really "you."

Below is a link on plastic tiles with some interesting info.

How old is the house, i.e. are they original or a renovation in the 50s?

Here is a link that might be useful: 1950s plastic tile

I could be wrong but I am getting the vibe that you don't have a lot of time (time with Mom is WAY more important than any of this) nor money. But I know what it is like to want to see changes, it gets your mind off of the other things for a while. Everyone has offered many wonderful suggestions, but once you start taking down penisulas or wall ovens, other problems can be created ~ as in what do you put where the wall oven was, new cabs, countertop etc., money, money, etc..

I think it would behoove you to make a money and time schedule. Maybe something like Step 1, what would I do with my first $250. It may simply be to remove the scalloped piece over the sink and buy a nice cloth valence (or whatever) to bring some color there... teal perhaps.

Step 2 - those handles may just need a good cleaning and repositioning to the corners. If they can't be salvaged, this forum is THE place for referrals for good buys on handles and knobs. That may not appeal to you, but just a suggestion as to an inexpensive project that might make you see immediate changes for small amounts of dough.

As appealing as those Elmira fridges are, they are far from inexpensive. Plenty of other ways to freshen up the space, a little at a time.

I did notice that one of your inspiration pics has teal and salmon. I did like the teal color(although not with the brown trim) but less so now that I've seen the swirls. I vaguely remember seeing this tile somewhere in my life.
Painting the walls will make a huge difference.

I've been looking at Martha Stewart paints (at home depot) for color ideas and think that she has some great colors (blues, blue-green-grays etc and whites, color coded for coordination too) that would work with the tile. Definitely get rid of that pink!

Another option might be to paint the tiles. There are paints formulated to adhere to plastic. I would be incline to do that for a quick fix if it were my kitchen.

From what I've read, removing these tiles is a HUGE pain, mainly because of the adhesive, frequently involving taking down the wall with it. If you can't live with the tiles, maybe look into putting beadboard or wood batten or shingles over it.
Do you know what the walls are made of?

For a fast-ish fix you could have a woodworker/cabinet maker come in and re-configure your cabinets utilizing much of what you have. Take some of the plastic tile from that little hall and put in areas near the wall ovens if there is no tile back there. Then, go out and buy some cool new appliances. Have your counters resurfaced with nice Formica or other top, maybe stainless in parts. Down the road you could re-stain the cabinets and decide if you cannot live with the back splash. Take out the snackbar counter and put frig there. Put cabinets where the frig was. I took the hint of a touch of industrial (chair) and a touch of vintage rustic (your above inspiration pictures) by leaving the cabinets as is for now as far as stain or paint goes. I would try to bring back close to the original glory of the cabinet knobs by some serious polishing/cleaning.
Pretend the range is stainless or brown and NOT White.

This post was edited by jterrilynn on Sun, Jun 2, 13 at 22:50

What did you decide on?

Sorry no color ideas but I like what jterrilynn posted.

Me, too (liking what jterrilynn posted). The rug really changes up the space.

Hey guys, Just wanted to update:

so far I have painted the kitchen and replaced the ovens with a stainless steel gas range. I also purchased a SS dishwasher because I don't have enough patience to do them by hand.

I will be putting granite where the insert oven was to use as a cutting board.

The color, not sure if I love it - but anything is better than pink.

Next project here I'm guessing will be the floor but that's up to the boss so we'll see :)

tile removal is in future (before we resell in a few years) just not anytime soon.

**At this point I'm just looking for some ideas on what colors might be complementary or contrasting to the aqua, and plumish brown (for decor ideas). Maybe a coral(ish) not sure! the brownish purple is making it hard for me to pick. Any ideas?

delete due to double post

This post was edited by jterrilynn on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 11:02

Hi, I would look at Behr 490E -3 Celtic gray, its a gray/green w/ touch of blue, a mid to light tone or look at the lighter yet shades on the same chit. The lightest is glimmer 490E-1 and that maybe the best for your room. It will even things out nicely and you could then add a bit of eggplant or red accessories.

This post was edited by jterrilynn on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 11:00

Nice improvement. Funny how much impact small changes can bring.

I'd try a lighter shade of the same brownish tile trim color, but one that has some blue/green in it. I can't think of a color, and I hate all beiges and browns, but in this case, I think it could work. A paler shade of the turquoise might work also, but you'd have to test it out. I usually tape up about 40 of those little paint samples, and look at them in all different lights. After a while, the correct colors start to jump out at you. The white definitely does not work, but it's better than ghastly pink!

I would not remove that valence! I love those curved valences! We had one in the house I grew up in, and I miss it. BTW, I love your kitchen, plastic tiles, metal-edged formica and all! I think it's great! I'd never pull out those cabinets, but the round pulls would have to go! They are just bad, period.

I love the arched doorways and hardwood floors too. Your house looks really charming and loaded with potential!

I'm wondering if you can put a wash over those cabinets? It might give you that rustic, but modern look in a lot of your inspiration photos. Have you considered milk paint? With some new nickel pulls that would give you a lighter feel to the room, but you could still see the wood grain and it would feel updated/vintage. There may be a milk paint color that looks good with your tile.

Can you move the fridge to the wall where the table is? The fridge seems too close to the range, so I wonder if it would work on the other side of the room. Did you take out the peninsula? Could you turn it into an island? It has an eating area, and I just love that metal-edged formica and those shelves, although it's a bit skinny for an island. OR maybe get rid of it, and find a nice old table to use as an island.

Here is a link that might be useful: milk paint

Can you show us a close-up of the cabinet knobs?

I like the beige tone in this inspiration piece

Oh I love all these color options! I wish I would have thought of some teal options, but I've always dreamed of having my yellow kitchen!

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen remodel jonesboro arkansas

When you said you're putting in granite on the counter to use as a cutting board, do you mean it will be a place where you'll use your cutting board? That would work. But cutting right on granite ruins knives. If you want to cut right on the counter, you can have butcher block put in. I have a Boos cutting board built in next to my cooktop, and I love it. It had to be sanded or cut or something to match the thickness of the counter before it was installed.

What a great, handsome place to chop that onion, Ginny. I just bet you love it. :)

Baunlee, I think I'd try ignoring that brownish-purple. I'm guessing it was supposed to be maroonish long ago, but in any case it functions as contrast, so leave it at that if possible? If it refused to be ignored, paint it.

In any case, you could then concentrate on colors you would enjoy with that aqua/turquoise. Beige? Yellow? Coral? I'm an orange with blue person myself.

I just realized. If that were my challenge, I like Persian and other Middle Eastern rugs, which often come in rusty wine reds and golds with light blues in the design, and I might try using one as an organizing principle in the room. Just for instance, I might try

1. A rusty red-based, heavily patterned wool Persian rug under the dining table, rather large for impact. I'd want it to define the room, not the tile. They're extremely durable, and those complex patterns are a big reason why they can be used for generations and look good right up until they finally wear out.
2. A soft muted gold, or muted straw color, or golden-orangish yellow on the walls--a color that harmonized prettily with the cabinets but was quiet enough not to do a big wow! blue-yellow excitement thing with the tile. It would be as close to the same saturation and value (i.e., neither brighter or duller or lighter or darker) as the tile as I could bring it without the wow.This way it wouldn't add light-dark contrast in addition to its color contrast. They would blend together in a warm but calm way.
3. While I figured out what I wanted to do with that nice recessed ceiling, I'd cover it all with the same color mixed with some white on the ceiling--in a gloss if the ceiling were smooth enough.
4. Your picture is gone so I can't check it for ideas, but I'm sure I would use more of the same soft pale yellow often above the floor level to avoid too frequent color changes. Also, I'd keep the upper areas mostly light and keep the darker, vibrant color of the rug mostly on the floor. Such as curtains with the background similar to the wall color. Then smaller accents of the red here and there, and of course the aqua that's already here and there. :)

Then, being me, I'd probably paint the walls, cabinets, woodwork, everything, all cream, leave the rug and hang antique blue plates on the walls, but only after a year or so had gone by and I was finally in the mood to do it. :)

I would think that the cabinets were probably built-in place and cannot be reconfigured. OP, would you please clarify this.