What flooring is going in?

Tile, but it hasn't been purchased yet.

The tile color will dictate a lot of what you should do

But since this is a rental I advice you embrace the look of this time period or you will just not be happy

Personally, I like the space - except for the flooring. With the white cabinets and countertops you can add colour in so many ways - a nice blind on the window, some stoneware on the counter, your appliances - coffee maker, microwave or whatever you put out there. Lucky you having a nice clean space to move into. :) Post more pics as you add things.

I will more than likely be there for 2+ years.
I am sick of living in outdated houses that do have a good feel/vibe OR have things broken that landlords say they're coming to fix but never do! ERR!

So even if I have to scrap a little from my own pockets, I want to fix the kitchen up. The area that I have a lot of customers in has mostly old houses. I really to need to live in the area... (Professional pet care service provider) so I'm working with the best house I could find/afford.

**that DONT have a good feel/vibe...

Hey, you have a nice space to work so don't apologize. I think its great that you will do the floor yourself. Once you get that in I'm sure its going to look 100% better. You can then go on to the rest of the room. :)

`If you have a budget of $500 invest in a good 50's kitchen table and chair set, keep the kitchen the way it is, do something funky for back-splash add under cabinet LED lighting from ikea. Paint the cabinets if you want. If flooring tile can be cleaned up and not cracking I say keep it..add track lighting and that should be a bit over $500
Use the pink? tones on the floor reflect in backsplash and 50's style table top...u know the kind. Cheers

I rented in a similar area for 6 years, all old houses, awkward spaces, etc. During that time the best advice I got was to put my money into things I can take with me. Furniture, wall decor, rugs, etc. (I did break that rule by painting when it was needed.) Have you considered a portable dishwasher? I had one in a similar rental kitchen that was super easy to attach and doubled as a microwave cart/counterspace. Would hate to see you install tile or a dishwasher unless the landlord credits you back.

I think Kerry has great advice , the space is good and once the floor is done it will look great, stay in that 50s look and it will be great. A inexpensive way to go withbthat style would be black and white linoleum tiles

If I end up finding more of the same tile that is in the bedrooms, then this will be the tile used.

Home depot has a resilient tile (traffic master ceramica) that can be grouted or not....in a reddish clay color...perfect color...never shows dirt looks deep and rich. Looks like ceramic and is affordable.

Save every dollar for your next place.

Changing the floor will make a huge difference. I kinda like the yellow cabinets but painting the top ones white would give it a more sophisticated look. I would add your contrasting color with accessories that you can take with you such as an aqua kettle or potholders etc. I would maybe change your knobs to nickel or brushed nickel to go with your oven. I would put up a modern low profile, low voltage track light with small caps that can be directed to where light is needed. This is an inexpensive lighting option.

If it isn't too late to negotiate that deal w the landlord, it's worth a talk. If it were me, Id put that money into the dishwasher you want -THAT you can take with you.
If you are determined to do this, there are a few treasure hunts: 'oops' paint cans at the big box stores can provide good choices for next to nothing.
If your town has a re-use architectural store, you can sometimes find paint, tile, lights you- name- it at good prices. Craigs list, Yahoo Local ads also worth a look.
The local flea/farmer.s market may also feature the local cabinetmakers recent returns (I own a pile). Sometimes the tile store has a box of this, two of that and will cut a deal on top of what is advertised. (or paint the floor and seal it. You are rolling your eyes at that; I can see you).
Salvation army, garage sales for whatever else is left.

thx everyone! Keep the the ideas and feedback coming :) Definitely gonna check out oops paints cans!

LOVE this floor!
http://houzz.com/photos/693796

Also like these Herringbone tile layout/pattern:
http://houzz.com/ideabooks/9391941

Look into tile wood planks at home depot. Not expensive and can be set in herringbone pattern. They have a driftwood color that is similar to first photo.

You can get a portable dishwasher that you can put in the middle like an island. Ours has a butcher block top and its our most used work surface. It can be removed from the box to install under a counter at a later time.

Just wanted to share an update: boyfriend would not do the herringbone pattern :/, so I had to settle with being grateful with what he would do... see photo

Wow - that looks really nice!!!! What a difference the tiles are making. I hope you'll post more photos when done. :)

Now paint cabinets white, change/update knobs (nickel handle-style), accessorize with colorful ceramic platter in corner, color teapot on stove, maybe a small rug in front of sink, white shutters on botton of window and vwallaa...!!!

Looks good. Your boyfriend did an amazing job and I have to say herringbone is extremely hard to do.

I second the wow! You're off and running. Okay, for the cabinets get a Rustoleum Transformations kit for about $80. It comes with two cans of the base coat that can be tinted. Have them tint one to a warm white like their Linen, or even the nex darker white if it works with your floors. You might want to get some wood filler and fill the dated routing on the fronts of the cabinets, or you could embrace it with just a hint of the glaze outlining it and the edges. (You could also get some trim molding and outline the edges of each cabinet before painting but the dollars will start to add up so price it out first. And it can always be done later.) The counters could be replaced with either Ikea butcher block very inexpensive or if you have a Home Depot, they have inexpensive preformed laminate in two colors that have an "ogee" edge and look like real granite. Would probably be less than $150 to replace the small amount there as you only need two pieces with pre-angled corners. Then a can of stainless spray paint to paint the hood over the stove and contractor packs of stainless knobs if they need replacing and your cabinets are good. Keep your eye out for a replacement faucet and sprayer on clearance as new faucets make everyone happy. If boyfriend is up to it, he could cut out the routed area in a couple cabinets and then add a sheet of glass to the back. Remove the little shelf above the sink and paint the window trim white to match the rest in the house (it looks yellow now). Finally, for that pop of color, find a piece of fabric on line in a turquoise/green/yellow ikat or some other fabric you love and make a faux Roman shade or valance for over the sink (lots of tutorials out in the bog world including "no sew" versions). Add a utensil jar and in one of the colors and your good. That can all be done for less than $00 shopping carefully. Only issue is the dishwasher (which it looks like you have a perfect spot for to the right of the sink) may take the whole budget. Check the replumbing costs in advance as that can add up. Good luck and keep us posted on the end results.

I meant to say it can all be done for less than $400 if you have the tools (or boyfriend does) and you keep an eye out for clearance items.

looks good boy friends can be useful the 50s style was a good idea but beware had a friend that did things to her rented house then the landlord put the rent up

A great place to go for butcher block countertops is Chop Bloc. See the options: http://chopbloccuttingboards.com/butcher-block-countertops/

Found a almost brand new dishwasher for $150 on Craigslist! The person who I bought from had acquired it with the purchase of his new construction home... he already had new stainless steel appliances in his old home and decided to use them in his new house. He only used the one I bought for a month; hence "almost brand new"! So far, so good.

Sjkingston, thanks so much for sharing! Taking all into consideration!

I love these cabinets! What are you're thoughts on doing lower cabinets like these?

(planning to do upper cabinets WHITE- since I plan to paint walls white)

Do you think it's a stain... or?

What steps would need to be taken to achieve that same look?
(existing cabinets are painted... looks rather heavily-- multiple layers)

I am not sure how you would achieve this look
But I am sure someone will be along who can tell you love the colour. If this is the one you are going to go with. Counter tops also look fab
Can not wait to see the finished kitchen
I have an old dishwasher it's call the husband. But we'll done for getting a good bargin

I think the blue cabinets are a blue paint rubbed with a dark glaze...

you said rental right ? Are you allowed to do all of these upgrades to this place?

As far as the colours go you can work with both they will work fine together

Look Up Annie Sloan chalk paint online. Easy to apply and you have no prep work like sanding, priming etc. there are also recipes online on making your own for a lot less money.