Your cabinets are lovely, I wouldn't touch them, maybe new hardware. I'd replace the flooring with tile (perhaps vinyl tile)or new linoleum and the counters in a similar light coloured tone and repaint the green cabinets and crown mouldings to a colour that is found in either the new counters or the new flooring. A friend of mine has hardwood in the kitchen and the spaces between the boards are getting so wide, you can see the subfloor. I'd never put hardwood in my kitchen. Good luck!

Maybe an elegant modern brushed chrome hardware? I think I'd go for a VCT, vinyl composition tile in black or maize, sage, cornflower blue? I'd keep the wood colors blonde; in keeping with midcentury modern and Heywood Wakefield furniture. I think I'd avoid the cork or wood in the kitchen for flooring. Tile or vinyl will handle the wet environment best. Update to SS appliances?

Natural Looking tile

You may want to try a vinyl composite tile, they have some now with ceramic beading in the finish that are easy to install and are warm under foot, not as hard as tile on the legs and back either. I would choose two different shades that compliment your Oak and do a checkerboard pattern!

I put a charcoal colored vinyl on my kitchen. It has a little variation in the color, perhaps some recycled material, which gives textural interest and hides a bit of spilled crumbs. Easy to clean and modern looking, or can be dressed differently for a traditional effect. Softens the mismatch of some other wood tones. It was a very good decision in my house. It would echo the dining room wall in your picture.

My immediate reaction was eek asbestos. Rather than even investigating if there is an asbestos issue, I would use the linoleum as a subfloor for a click together flooring, perhaps cork. If you don't disturb the asbestos and leave it buried it should be fine.

It is too hard to advise on colors as the colors in this picture seem very tinted towards green and red and are likely not an accurate representation. I would try to match the cabinets.

Incorporating some of the old cabinets interesting, and possibly a nice idea BUT they go all the way to the ceiling and the rest do not--so that is odd. We see these views of the kitchen, but wondering what is behind the camera. This seems to be screaming for an open concept, ripping out the wall with the dishwasher and putting in an island or pennisula into the dining room. Then continuing the oak flooring into the kitchen makes a lot of sense, but are you sure there is oak flooring underneath the tile?

I guess, maybe my reaction is a full do over, with an open floor plan, and relocating a lot of the kitchen to wall (if there is one) behind the camera. If not in the budget what to do: I'd try to solve the different cabinet heights in some way. Maybe a carpenter could extend up the new birch cabinets to the ceiling, I think a vinyl flooring over the existing floor as an inexpensive way to make this better is a good idea, and then doesn't disrupt a possible asbestos problem.

I am thrilled I finally took out the asbestos flooring in my home. Yes its costly, but I sleep better at night since I did it. In my area, it would be a problem to sell if asbestos as well, so big advantage when go to sell. However, agree that the other option if in perfect shape. no cracking or breaking up, is to cover it. Agree with others above, the colors might be reading differently than in real life - otherwise it seems to be a major color clash. What is the countertop surface or material? I have seen some that can be painted or refinished. You can then paint the green cabinets/trim another color. It does seem like the birch cabinetry and the floors in the rest of the house might be clashing. Birch wood can be stained; (usually birch does not look the color I see on my monitor). Keep us posted on what you decide!

I like the idea of opening everything up but since a roof is priority I would put my money towards the roof instead of a complete redo of the kitchen. I'd look for some type of vinyl or click and lock flooring that would incorporate the colors of the yellow oak floor, the red cabinets and a hint of the grey from the cabinets. If I couldn't find a vinyl with the grey added I'd make sure I had some accessories with grey to pull out the grey in the cabinets. Personally, I love the upper cabinets with the trim painted to match the cabinets that go to the ceiling.

the lino is the ORIGINAL floor. there is no hardwood under the lino. Paint the cabinets and get new countertops, as your interim visual temporary fix. the lino is consistent with the era of the house. Or do the laminate floor over the lino, allowing the cabinets and counters to continue. I would not want to invest much in this floor plan, since ultimately you will want to gut the kitchen

I know I am the odd one out but I really like the floor. If it's in good shape I would leave it. Linoleum from that era was made to last. The linoleum and hardwood in the adjoining room work together. The real issue is that the birch and the oak really clash. That's a very peachy birch rather than a yellow birch. A new floor will still make that room seem like something is off if you don't touch the cabinets. I'd leave the floor, which can be expensive to redo and paint out the cabinets. I kind of like the idea of going a dark gray because your appliances are white and that room looks like it gets tonnes of light. If money is an issue just leave the countertop for now. It won't seem to stand out as much against grey as it does against the existing cabinets.

By all means, match those oak floors, bringing them into the kitchen, it will make the two rooms connect much better. You can make the cabinets look better by painting them--it's the cheapest, easiest way. And extend them up to the ceiling, easily done, that will update them.

If you are handy painting, you can do it yourself. I've done my own kitchen cabinets and they looked spectacular, saved myself literally thousands of dollars. Be sure you take the time to do them right: take all the hardware off, take doors off, light sand, wipe with damp cloth, prime with good primer, lightly sand again, wipe with damp cloth, paint with very good paint. My cabinets have never chipped, cracked, or anything--even when I've dropped knives on them, spilled just about everything too.

I'm now working on a 1950 remodel and we've removed two rooms of asbestos linoleum, laid over plywood, which was put over tar paper, which was put on top of original hardwood floors. Not to downplay the hazard of asbestos, BuT, I don't think a professional is required for this type of asbestos removal. There is no dust involved. And I'd bet the same oak floor is underneath.

Have you considered porcelain wood look plank tiles? There are a lot of color and texture choices to choose from. Or even larger rectangle plank tiles. I just redid a kitchen floor because the engineered wood floor had some pretty bad water damage. Lay the tiles in a brick pattern on diagonal, with at least 3 levels then repeat. Use a wood transition piece that matches your current wood floors.

I've had wood floors in my kitchen, also used brick and now cork floors. I love the cork floors, easy to care for, look good next to the maple wood floors throughout the rest of the house and best if all, easy on the back and legs for extended cooking and baking during the holidays.

My first choice for a kitchen floor is oiled hardwood. It's less hard for the legs than tiles or other hard surfaces and it's water repellant.

Just have a look here : http://www.usfloorsllc.com/product-display/natural-oiled-hardwood/why-natural-oiled-hardwood/

I know computer monitors might not show true colors, but when I saw your cabinets at first glance, I thought they were pink. I honestly thought this was going to be an old GE kitchen from the 50's like my mother used to have. Anyway, I think the red floor is pulling the red out of the Birch cabinets and the surrounding oak floors only exacerbates the red color. Hate to say it but I agree with the others. By the way your kitchen looks on line, paint or refinish the cabinets. I don't think changing the floor will be enough to keep the cabinets from clashing with the oak. Sorry, but you asked!

REAL linoleum is a GREAT floor.

Consider keeping it and tweaking everything else, so as to keep it. Add a burnt orange vase or frame in dining room to tie all together in line of site.

replace counter with medium or dark grey, to pick up and colors from dining room,

on the counter, put an item or two with same rust tones as the linoleum.

with the money you saved on flooring, have fun, look and explore and get a stunning light fixture.

done.

I love the floor that's there, and linoleum is a "green" material, which is highly durable with virtually no maintenance. If the current flooring is really worn, you could recover it with another sheet of real linoleum. There are fabulous colors and designs.

I actually like the linoleum too, and people pay a pretty penny to get that look now. I would paint the cabinets a lighter and perhaps a bit more putty version of the grey in the dining room to go with the swirls in the flooring and keep the green, or maybe ditch the green and go with something like aqua (something like what I see on the dining room table)with retro nearly solid or linen-like laminate to match, or maybe dark grey like the dining room. Have fun and embrace the funky mid mod theme and don't be afraid of color.

I highly recommend Retro Renovation for ideas for houses of this era. I think the previous owner was on the right track but erred in trying to match the color of the lino. I actually like the old cabinets and wish more were there, but they have to contrast more to make them look intentional.

Like the fridge by the way. One thing I did to my stove was to swap out the handle for stainless to give it a bit more retro look. I haven't tried it yet (considering doing it for the knobs) but there is a product called liquid stainless steel, which is something like automotive paint with stainless steel powder in it, that you can purchase online for about $50, and use it with a foam brush to add chrome highlights where you want them. I think it could be used on the countertops even. Worth checking out.

Also asbestos flooring isn't a health problem until you try to tear it up. That stuff will last a long time, way longer than most anything they make today. New linoleum and VCT tiles, as others suggested, are also options, but that doesn't change the color of the cabinets, which is the real problem.

I agree use matching wood on the floor...white cabinets & walls ??? maybe match the trim & counter tops would be better

The floor is fine. The cabinet color on the other hand is awful. Much too orange for any of the rest of the wood, including the oak floors.

about tile remarks, if this is a pier and beam, house, the tile can be a very bad choice, this type of foundation moves more than slab, and it ends up with tile cracked and coming up. The weight can be way to much too. the older houses, did not use the thicker support lumber that we use today. floors need to be looked at carefully, and so does the rafters, and any beams. lots of the beams can be undersized, and arte to sort, not even ending on a support. big problems. tile in a pier and beam, can be sooo COLD, you'll hate it. Lucky that there IS fake tile, if you want the look! maybe you could find a stone, or tile look to tie in the cabinets and oak floor then look at the cabinet trim, green cabinets, and so forth. Make a story board, and pin photos or samples to it, that you like best. other choices can go into a file, till you throw them out! always take with you when you are shopping, really helps, as most of us can not tell what matches, with out a sample! good luck!!! I'm trying to figure out a floor, for most of the house, with no money! LOL

Use stone tile

@diyer59 can you tell me what kind of paint you used? Roll or spray? My daughter and Son in law are planning to do theirs this summer. THANKS :-)

I was so happy to see comments about the beautiful floor. I think it is real linoleum. If so that is a great product, green and easy to take care of. I clicked on the photo because I loved the color. It looks salmon. I'd paint the cabinets white or gray and save yourself a lot of trouble and get a terrific looking kitchen. I would never add a wood plank tile to compete with the existing wood floor.

I love the original linoleum floor! Your flooring could be an interesting retro feature if it didn't clash with the replacement cabinets. Paint the birch cabinets white and then the green trim and countertops will probably look fine. There's just no way that birch color is going to look right next to the yellow tones of the oak flooring. Also keep in mind that adding thicker types flooring on top of the linoleum will create clunky, annoying transitions where it meets your existing hardwoods.

I second the suggestion that you check out the Retro Renovation website. It really helped me embrace the value and beauty of my midcentury ranch's remaining original features, which were initially not my taste. Often the original materials were of much higher quality and durability than trendy replacements that don't match the integrity or feel of an older house.

I'm a Realtor of 32+ years and have seen a LOT of kitchen remodels. I personally love the red floor. Grew up with something nearly identical, in fact. If it is in good condition I'd be tempted to leave it. In a 1948-built home it was most likely not put down over hardwood. The only problem with that old floor is that it requires upkeep that today's vinyls do not such as waxing on a regular basis. And though it is most likely asbestos, it doesn't have to be pulled up if you decide to go with a vinyl or laminate over the top. This week I am finally getting my new kitchen floor in my 1952-built home. I chose sheet vinyl (which replaces a 20 year ago linoleum) and they will spread something like a Thin Set over the top to fill in any ridges and bumps and bruises, let it dry, and lay the new floor right on top. It's the easiest way to go. And much easier on the legs and feet for long hours of cooking and baking. I truly despise all the grout lines of tile but you can get the same 'look' with the wonderful new vinyls. Also I'd never put hardwood in the kitchen. Been there, done that. Water is always an issue with wood flooring. As for the overall look of it, I don't think the cabinets are the big issue, but rather the blonde oak floors. I am not a blonde floor fan and had mine redone less than two years ago in a deep espresso color and they are unbelievably beautiful. Totally changed the look of my home! I'd leave the kitchen and concentrate on the oak floors and I believe it would make an amazing difference in the entire appearance of the home and how you feel about it. I always suggest to my clients that they live with a lot of the things in a home for awhile to get a feel as to how they'd really like to see it evolve.

I thought those cabinets were pink (my computer) looking lie a 50's retro kitchen - that is what caught my eye on this article

Run dark oak floors into the kitchen! Having the same floors throughout the house is elegant

Thanks to everyone for all the ideas. A lot to think about! We aren't yet living in the house - so I think I'm going to live in it for a couple of months to see how the kitchen works for us. Went back to look again and discovered that there is only a subfloor, not oak under the Lino, so wood flooring is not an option. There also 2 areas where the linoleum is damaged, looks like it was cut out when the cabinets were installed. Counter is laminate, and not in best shape, and sink (and scary garborator) are on my replace list too. I like the idea of white or even grey cabinets - which would work with any floor, and if I splurge on counter and sink then I have new cabinet look. Dining room furniture by the way is previous owners. Mine is modern too though - Chrome and glass table, chairs are Chrome and white leather. Rug will either be seizal or a green coloured silk rug which I have. I'm planning on either painting out the brown wall area in green or putting in a funky wallpaper in that small area or the dining room. So many things to do! Which is fun, assuming my budget holds out LOL.

Money saving tips to keep you on budget: 1. Nuvo Cabinet Paint Kit - so easy to use that you don't have to sand your cabinets! 2. Find a company like Granite Transformation to do recycled glass or granite overlay on your existing counters.

Overlay sounds great idea! I'll definitely look locally for that. Not sure if cabinet painting is a DIY job or if I'll need to find a pro.

Sarah, here is a YouTube DIY video for the Nuvo paint kit. They walk you through the complete process, and it really isn't difficult. Had I been aware of this 2 years ago I wouldn't have had my cabinets refinished but would have done them myself. You can purchase this through Home Depot. They also carry the Giani granite transformation kits by the same company. You could transform your countertops right along with your cabinets if you so desire. It looks like you could do the entire cabinets and countertops for about $100. Pretty easy on the budget. Check it out for yourself.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYdKUJGoMZ4

We remodeled our 1958 ranch home...under the carpet was beautiful oak flooring except for the kitchen and bath was tile. We removed the tile in the kitchen...it was plywood, so we continued the oak...we love it. We replaced our cabinets with antique white box store cabinets, very affordable. I would paint them white for sure and maybe a buttery yellow for the walls to make it look brighter. Good luck.

Thanks! Under $100 is definitely doable!

Suzanne - were you able to match the floor exactly?

With Nuvo Cabinet Paint it is definitely a DIY! I know 3 different people who have done it themselves. All were amazed at how easy it was! Google it and see what others are saying.

I think cork would work nicely.

It looks like the dining room wall is gray. I would use a slightly lighter gray on the trim (wherever the green is today) and a darker gray tile (solid) with matching grout on the floor. If the budget allows, go with all stainless steel appliances. Keep the walls a warm white. Those steps will create a simpler color pallet and be much more cohesive.

If budget is not an issue, I too would change the cabinet color.

If you like the floor, and I love it!, keep it. Change the countertops to the same reddish hue as the floor (if you like that color) or a blackish color (if you don't): use a Corian or other solid surface material (or granite, if you must). Keep the color darker than the birch cabinets. Then paint out the green cabinets to a color similar to the reddish floor and/or the countertop color. Add the same solid surface material (or solid looking granite) as a 12" deep threshold at each door opening. Center the 12" on the wall thickness so that it extends evenly into both the kitchen and dining/entry thereby uniting the other areas. I might also paint the crown molding the same reddish color-play that one by ear!

Definitely live in the house for 9 - 12 months before spending any sizable amount of money to change things. Maybe tile floor? Maybe cork? maybe an area rug? So many options. Wait and see.

If you are planning to remodel and have to put out money for the roof. I would just change it up with paint. What about painting the floor a nice jade green?

Personally, i love the flooring and would paint the cupboards. Paint is still the cheapest way to update a room.

If the flooring is true linoleum you can probably still find that color. Linoleum has been in production for over 100 yrs. It's made with tree resin which has antibacterial properties. I think it is easy to repair as well. I would talk to a flooring expert before tearing it out.

A period detail is to have a darker border on the floor around the base of the cabinets. You could perhaps inset sheet or tile linoleum (the glue-down, not the click type) and cut out the damaged sections, or overlay with a similar treatment. Get the tile and glue tested first.

Then if you want to change, the difference in the floor isn't as obvious as having everything in one color or in sheet lino or vinyl.

If you are interested in the old fashioned metal edged countertops, Retro Renovation has a lot of sources.

I don't recall reading what the condition of your floor is. If it is like much of the old lino and wearing like iron w/o cracks you might consider keeping it and working the rest of the kitchen around it. I wouldn't be afraid of red-would love to see red sort of checked in the backsplash tile and the old cabinets could be painted a really wonderful red. Gray and red along with gray and pink were some hot colors in the late 50s-60s and there is always black as an accent or as a color too.

If the floor is not in great shape consider pros/cons of surfacing over vs ripping out (esp w asbestos-it has been found that most of the asbestos floats into the air and stays there for ages in rip-ups that is why you get specialists to do it who take the asbestos particulates away as well). If the floor is so so you can go over it with a host of things-cork-marmoleum-wood-tile-lots of green options around

Hi, Have a look at these... They're original tiles that were in fashion up until the 60s and are in a come-back today. They are custom made in colors and patterns.

Original Encaustic cement tiles.

If the floor is real linoleum from that era, it's likely NOT asbestos. Real linoleum is a composite made from natural products like sawdust and pine and linseed oil. As for your cupboards, I too see very peach toned cabinets which I think clash with your oak floor. Imo you might consider putting down another layer of linoleum in the same shade/tone as the oak floor, to give a cohesive look. If the cupboards are indeed a peach tone, I'd also look into refacing or painting them. I like white cabinets because they are classic and very liveable and white appliances blend in, but I've also really been enjoying some of the kitchens here on Houzz where the cabinets are painted a colour - blue, red, grey etc. which might be interesting. I'd also think about putting up a backsplash of some sort. The possibilities are endless but you have to do something that makes sense for you and your budget. Have some fun with it - and I hope you post some pictures when you are done.

Keep the awesome vintage floor, paint the cabinets, replace the appliances with vintage-look appliances like the GE Artistry series (or something even better- see link at the end of this post):
http://www.geappliances.com/products/artistry/
We bought a 1947 house, the original linoleum was just like yours, but in awful shape, totally worn down, with only sub floor underneath. We put new, vinyl tiles with a retro look in, but made the original kitchen into the laundry/mud room because it was small (see the blue and white striped floor below).

We put in a new kitchen on the back of the house, but tried to keep a retro feel by using the GE appliances. Wish I could have used something from here: http://www.elmirastoveworks.com/ (but we were on budget)...

Thanks Nancy. I love the looks of the GE appliances - will be definitely replacing appliances, will search these out for sure. Mulling over the many suggestions, lots of great ideas.