Agree that I wouldn't start there myself, but if you just want a change of feel, for yourself, you might fill all the lines in the cabinet doors first, sand it all level, and paint it a sage green, which would fit with your other finishes while giving the room a new personality.

Are you still wanting the country look? That would influence other changes. I would remove the wallpaper border and those heavy balusters from the opening. Is it vinyl wallpaper? I would remove it and paint. The ceiling could use some fresh paint and the trim could match the color in the rest of the house. I agree with Patricia and would save up for a complete redo on the kitchen.

I was thinking of painting cabinets white with new knobs. New appliances & remove border with fresh paint on walls. And maybe a new counter top? This home is for my father who needs a change but not to feminine since my Mother has passed away.

Start with removing the wallpaper boarder, a fresh coat of paint and paint the trim white. Does your dad like the wood? Many times we find that men prefer the wood. If he does, just consider a new laminate counter. If the laminate is cut without a 4" splash, you could then do a simple cream subway tile backsplash. I would probable not put granite on cabinets that old, but there are some lower priced granites and you could look at them. If your dad prefers wood and the cabinet boxes are in very good shape, you could look into new doors.

If you paint, don't go with a cool gray since it won't work with the warm tones of the home. The two colors acm posted would wok really well.

Of course everything depends on your budget and your Dad's taste, unless he's willing to let you take the lead.

I say, yes you need new countertops. If you choose not to go with stone or porcelain, etc., today's laminates look so much better than the wood look currently in the kitchen. As a back splash -- think about shiplap. Suggest removing the spindles in the opening in the breakfast room and paint the trim, strip the wallpaper and ditch the blue flowered border.

Also, I suggest a new sink and faucet. As for the cabinets, I agree with jhmarie: if the boxes are good, considered replacing the doors and drawer fronts for a more modern/updated look. You can then decide what color you want them to be and the all round color scheme for the kitchen and breakfast room.

I would remove border and the window treatments and paint the walls. Also, painting the cabinets and adding new hardware would give the kitchen an undated look. I would also knock out the scallop piece over the sink before painting. New appliances, backsplash and granite would also make a huge difference if it’s in the budget. If not, just painting walls and cabinets then changing hardware would look great.

I agree with the trim matching the rest of the house. A new light over the table would look nice.

I've been enjoying antenna tv, which has a lot of my old favorite shows. Divine Design was just on and Candice Olsen handled a kitchen with the EXACT SAME cabinets using a striae technique. It was a very cozy makeover.

What is the budget?

Yes, the rooster burner covers are going. Those and the furniture in the pictures are not his. He hasn’t moved in yet. That all belongs to an elderly lady that has lived there since 1988. Cabinets are in great shape - she kept a spotless home. Any paint color suggestions?? A new light fixture for sure too!! And I also posted the living/ dining room asking what color to paint the paneled walls, etc. thank you all & keep the suggestions coming.

You absolutely can’t paint those cupboards easily. When you get the curtains down and the wallpaper gone and the aluminum foil and chicken burner covers out, just paint the walls an antique white and see if you can change the cupboard handles. Wash the cupboard doors, get them nice and clean, then get new countertops, new sink and faucet and disposal. Unless your dad expressly stated he wants granite just go for
Formica, ask him what color he wants though.

Okay, this is terrible, but my thought was that the foil and roosters are something old ladies did in the 80s. If someone was that old in the 80s, how old must they be now????

The cabinets might fall apart with heavier usage.

Remove spindles.
Paint woodwork white. Or not if it doesn't bother him/you.
Remove wallpaper and paint walls a light color.
New lighting
New Formica countertop and sink/faucet. Maybe a new cooktop, too, if he cooks?
White tile backsplash
Give cabinets a good cleaning and replace hardware.

That's what I would do.

What is the budget for kitchen changes?

Why not have the cabinet fronts refaced? That would eliminate the dated scrolling and allow you to have more up to date handles. You could paint the remaining parts of the cabinets to match the new cabinet fronts.

You can paint the walls a light greige color like BM classic grey or a white (eggshell)then paint the cabinets the same color just use a semigloss. I think using the same color would flow help make the kitchen appear larger.

I would do something very different from the above suggestions. I would use the roosters as a starting place. There are great colors in them - that emerald green and the red - and great patterns - the black and white checkers. The cabinet fronts seem to be in excellent condition. Does your dad dislike them? If not leave them. The counters: I would change them but not in a hurry and I would only do it because I don't like them and they seem wrong with the cabinets.

Perhaps simple curtains in a black and white gingham or buffalo plaid and a vivid red counter top. Before painting the walls I might try hanging pictures that your dad would enjoy - cars, nature, - I don't know - something that have him smiling in the morning. I would keep those silly roosters for that reason - the smile factor and the utility.

Of course I am old and find it offensive that people are so ready to dismiss things that are not to current taste.

It's easy to change out the countertop and sink/faucet and pick up an inexpensive cooktop. Those would feel cleaner and fresher than the stuff that's been there for years. The border/curtains and wallpaper are dated and fussy. Again, not that hard to remove with some time. Fresh white or cream walls would go a long way to making the space brighter and more updated.

I would live with this as is for at least a year. I can see some real problems with making changes right now - before your dad has moved in, or shortly after.

The countertop material was laid diagonally up at the ends of the counters. If you remove that, the walls underneath will have to be at least retexured and may even require some new sheetrock. I wouldn't paint until that's been done, unless you're willing to just repaint at this time and delay the countertop replacement.

If you're not going to replace the countertops now, then I'd paint, including the cabinets. I remember moving into a home that had dark, dated cabinets. I knew I'd be replacing them in the future, so had my painter just paint them the same color as the walls. I was able to live with that for about five years before I totally gutted the kitchen and redid it my way.

Bottom line, though, what does your father want?

Hi Hmjax,

What a lucky father to have a child like you at this stage of his life!

Personally, I would simply add better lighting and a simple coat of white paint and let dad live in it for a while, give him a chance to catch up and see what works and what doesn't.

Did your mother do all the cooking? Did your dad spend much time in the kitchen? What are his habits? Does he want lots of company at the new place? How is his dexterity?

Consider an induction cooktop for Dad...easier to clean than a glass electric one. During frequent visits to my widowed father, I found several instances where my dad left the burner on with the used pan in place...fire hazard!!!

When we started our kitchen remodel, I passed on my induction range and gifted him a try-ply stainless pot/pan set ($60 on sale with additional coupon) for Christmas. I worried about him being confused with the digital controls, but he has been okay. He has trained himself to just take the pan off the burner when he finishes cooking. If he forgets to turn off the burner, the induction just turns off IF the pan is not on the burner hob.

Several different brands from $800 to $900...maybe less on a holiday sale???

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50182620/

What is your father's taste? Does he like dark wood? What kind of furniture is he bringing?

One thing is for sure: the countertop does not fit the style of the cabinets. Why don't you present your father with several style options and let him say which style fits him?

Actually I myself like this old style and also the handles. I don't mind dark brown either. With some light terra orange on a wall it could get a lively new vibe.

But if your father likes something completely different, and has some budget, then for under 10,000 dollars one can have a completely new kitchen including all appliances and paint, lighting etc. when one buys a new kitchen this size at the big shop from Sweden. Have done that myself twice already.

It's really nice of you to try to help him. So be careful to consult him every step of the way, since he has to live there. It would be a shame if you put in a lot of hard work, only to find out it doesn't feel good to him.

Your Dad is a GUY...and retired. Strip the wallpaper border, eliminate the fou-fou curtains. Buy an induction cooktop and a set of cookware from Ikea. Install bright surface and room lighting. Done.

I like the cabinets. I would use milk paint of any lighter color or white. Add a glaze to bring out detail if you like. acm mentioned sage green and I loved the color in the pic included above. All the trim could be white. With white trim the kitchen cabinets would look better in a color in my opinion. Bamboo shades would be fresh at the windows in warm light grey or white. I really do like the cabinets. Those dark handles will look good on painted cabinets. I too like respecting the integrity of a home & making changes that are agreeable to it. I think it can be very homey with easy changes. I'd love to see pics when you finish this.

This sweet lady is asking for advice, not a lashing. Depending on budget, I would paint cabinets and freshen things up. Good Luck.