Hi Whitney,

Congrats on you new bungalow!

I grew up in a quintessential Chicago bungalow built around the same era.

Can you post more pics and your current floorplan? Do you have a back porch?

So exciting and fun!

Noooo! Don't paint the cabinets! The walls, maybe. It looks to be almost the color of my kitchen, so it's not like I don't like the color, but I think something more muted would flatter your cabinets more.

The biggest issue is layout, with all the doors and low windows, no counter next to the range, and the fridge in the next room. There are some short term fixes--I have a run of stainless steel commercial work tables across my low-silled windows to make my older kitchen work--but a real permanent fix is going to be an expensive major overhaul.

Definitely paint the walls. I love this color for everything.

I wouldn't touch the cabinets. Too cool. What is the room connected to the kitchen where the fridge is in the last picture?

Although I love a white kitchen, I'd leave those cabinets unpainted. To improve the layout, you could fur out the bump-out wall (red line), and move the (24"?) stove to the wider wall, with a little landing space on each side. Then plug a 24" fridge in the alcove, sharing landing space with the stove. You could put a ledge all the way across the window wall (red rectangle), with a mobile cart tucked below.

Click to enlarge:

LG 24" fridge

I'm drooling over those floors.

How will you be using the bedroom behind the stove?

Hi!

Okay so fist off, I love the character of the flooring and cabinets. But you are right, its tight and could use a little TLC. Super small fixes that I think could open the space up would be to take out the little panel of wood on the last photo on the right side that connects the top cabinets to the surface of the counter. I think it obstructs the view a bit. I know this is tiny, but every inch helps and I think it would open up the sight-line a bit. I would also consider switching out the light fixtures to something that emits a little more even lighting throughout the space (something bright and clean looking. Not necessarily fancy.) Last thing, if budget permits, would be to switch out the countertops to a stone that you like. Honestly I think any stone could look great in here. But if that's not in the budget, I would definitely strip it and lighten the finish, and add a brightly colored backsplash as well. You could even choose a vintage inspired wall-paper in the backsplash portion and really play up that old-charm feel. (I'm thinking something semi-floral or foliage paper that isn't too busy.) Regardless of what you choose, congrats on your new house! Enjoy!

With a one-drawer kitchen, I'd add a couple chests of drawers. One next to the stove, one where the portable dishwasher was.

If hot water and Dawn is not enough to clean the cabinets' dark grime off, you can try mineral spirits in an unobtrustive quarter-size spot. The doors and drawer can be taken outside to reduce your exposure to fumes.

Could you change the door to the mudroom so it swings the other way? Might make it a little easier to position things in the kitchen. Also, is there any way to even out that cut-in next to the stove so you have a flat wall going into the corner? It might be impossible, it might be really easy! Depends on what's behind it. Then you would have a bit more uninterrupted wall there for the stove, fridge, etc.

I'm having kitchen jealousy issues

What potential. Very, very, cool. Congrats on a great find!

I just wanted to say how lucky you are that the trim is in great original shape. What a gem!! I also have a bungalow but all trim has been painted and kitchen is no where near original like yours. I love it!

What a great space. It's going to be a gem when you are done.

What is in the bunpout next to the stove?

What geographic location, roughly? What view through the kitchen window?