I would look to update the countertop. But otherwise, nice kitchen

Definitely new counter tops, new backsplash that goes all the way up to bottom of cabinets, new cabinet hardware, and lose the lace valence over the sink.

If you don't mind sacrificing some refrigerator space, a counter depth fridge might be great there. You could also move the over sink light back just a touch (maybe even have a slightly directional fixture), so that the light isn't overhanging the window and is at the "normal" ceiling height. Removing all of that insane boxing (why did we ever do this?) over the cabinets wouldn't get you more cabinet space (since you're keeping them) but would lighten the feel of the room. Keeping MCM, you'd want a countertop that didn't have a lot of movement in it -- definitely no marble or "hello, I'm granite" Swap out the outlets for white (they look cream/beige here) to go with the white appliances (and, of course, ditch the paper towel holder!) You're lucky to have found such a gem.

Counter depth fridges sacrifice very little storage space and I find they are not always the elephant in the room also you can find stuff .New counter and backsplash would go a long way.

Keep the cabinet hardware, it's fabulous!

Congrats on your new home.

There are many DIY project that can contribute to some changes along with some smaller renos, such as new apliances and some new glass upper cabinets, a new counter top and some newtral backsplash. Add molding and paint the existing cabinets, and then try to make a serving/bar area across from the big glass terrase dor. A mini cooler for wine would be suitebel for this space.

I like it. I don't even hate the pink.

I wouldn't do granite, I would do a very plain quartz that looked like a laminate color, Corian or new laminate. But if it is in good condition you may be able to work with it. Pink isn't bad in and of itself, people just have negative associations with it.

Keep the cabinet hardware!!!!!! At most, if you like, spray paint it silver to go with your new appliances. Too bad you can't find vintage avocado green or harvest gold, or even copper appliances for your MCM kitchen. ;). You might consider a color blocked floor made of marmoleum or even click tiles. Love your kitchen!!!! Are the baths in this great condition, too? Will we get to see them???

Thanks for all the good advice, everyone! @ptreckel - Here's a bathroom!

I'm leaning towards lighter Quartz counters and a backsplash similar to one of the first two photos. Floor like the 3rd. I want the kitchen to look updated with a nod to MCM. Not toooooo authentic or theme-y. Just not out-of-place, ya know? We're in the Pacific Northwest, and I like that the middle pic has a natural, woodsy vibe. I like the floor in the third picture.

Glad some of you agree that the hardware is cool, and I was thinking of a counter-depth fridge also!

Thanks everyone!

Oops, here's the third photo! (Floors.)

I know pink is not every ones taste but I love your counter tops. Love the hardware. I agree with everyone, stay away from the granite. I would stay with the period and replace with laminate for your counter top. I would not do anything to the bathroom. congratulations on your house.

@jean Benelli - I think the pink laminate is kind of cute, too. I think the top priorities are new floor and backsplash. :)

The problem with the pink countertops is that the clash with the yellow in the cabinets. I like the neutral quartz option suggested by others.

interesting that there seems to be a lot of agreement on what would work in this kitchen.

I vote for very light quartz countertop, the slate tile floor, the white geometric backsplash.

If you can, stainless appliances (they will look great with that floor color).

I like the flooring in the third photo too. I would install a white or slight gray counter with white subway tile backsplash. The appliances look new so I would move replacing appliances to the bottom of your priority list (though I love my counter depth fridge and agree it would work much better in your space). The white appliances will look much better with white finishes like tile and/or counter.

I know you dont want themey, but I kind of like the kitschiness of the pink counters and hardware. I dont know a lot about MCM and what is authentic, but I think the cabs would look great painted white with a white tile backsplash to make the pink standout and give the room a light, fun vibe :)

What colors do you love and want to incorporate in your new home? What colors can you live with on a daily basis? Do you want these colors to flow consistently through your MCM home? My suggestion is to do some research looking at photos of MCM homes and color themes, print or take them out of magazines and start a scrap book to brainstorm, collecting ideas that hit a chord with you, and think about how these ideas and colors fit into your home. Collect enough ideas until you can get an overall feel for what strikes you as a decor you really warm up to, instead of instantly changing hardware or counters, or painting when you don't have a big picture of the finished design. It may take a bit of time, I feel that one has to live in a space awhile to get a feel for the right way to decorate, and that will save you money in the long run. What appeals to you most about the MCM style? Be true to what you love about that style and the flow of that style in your new home and you will be happier with the final result! Congrats on your new digs!

I think you idea of a light Quartz counter top and the flooring would be a great look in that space.

Adding custom hardware to your kitchen is the perfect way to keep the style and add your own imprint to your new home. Knockout Knobs uses 3D printing technology to create hardware which will make your old cabinets knew. It is like adding jewelry to your home.Your Passion Your Design Your Hardware.

Have you visited www.gbmglass.com? The have a lot of tiles for backsplash. You can add a little class, a lot of bold for few bucks. The tiles are very affordable and look great. You can buy them on any budget.

A couple of Brio backsplash choices, and some marmoleum samples. Leaning towards the flooring on the left, backsplash on the right, and maybe lighter quartz counters. Thoughts?

Marmoleum Striato samples I liked. I felt the more contemporary feel might be better, but once I brought them home, I thought they might not be as good at disguising crumbs and dirt as the marbleized pattern. (My kitchen is not usually the cleanest...) ;)

What a gorgeous MCM kitchen. If you like the cabinet color, just clean them really well and re-seal them. Mine were shellacked (sp?), so I continued to use it. Clean the handles. Mine were originally copper colored, so I re-did them in the same color. If you want to change the countertops, corian or quartz in a solid color. A greygreen countertop and white backsplash would pop. I like that geometric pattern. My backsplash was 4x4 white tiles embossed flowers (which were a pain to keep clean, lol). If your range is a drop-in, consider updating it to a slide-in. Your bathroom looks like some of the older fixtures have been updated (toilet, tub and lights). Rimmed sinks were the norm, and they had color. Light cal, aqua and pink were normal for that period. Have fun!