Agree 100% with @tozmo1 on both the subway tile and spice rack or cookie sheets. What do you use most daily? I have a spice rack pullout next to my range and use it multiple times a day. Cookie sheets are stored in my pantry. Could you store cookie sheets in the dining nook?

Also, as for the countertops... pick one for your kitchen and use it throughout. It will create a more cohesive look. Worry about paint colors once your counters and splash are in.

Try to avoid using too many patterns of hard surfaces and fabrics in such a small space. Incrementally you have 2 countertop elements with the metal edge (I hated growing up with the edge that left a mark across clothing if leaning against the counter). Print fabrics, etc. Add in the regular kitchen linens and suddenly it can look unintentionally cluttered.

I only clicked on one of the links but wow that is cool retro fabric. Gotta figure out where I can incorporate that in my place!

Have you looked at Atomic Ranch magazine? Or their website? Wonderful source of inspiration! They also list tons of suppliers in the back of their magazine. It’s the kind of magazine that you should peruse while sitting in your Eames chair with a fine glass of wine. 😊

No, no, no subway tile. It wasn't used after WWII until the 2000s, so it is not at all mid-century. You are going all-in mid-century on everything else, stick with the 4x4 tiles that were everywhere in the 50s. 6x6 was king by the 80s, but I don't remember when they first came on the scene. But with boomerang counters and aluminum edge, 4x4 is the most appropriate.

If you go with the Sapphire faucet, I'd go with the low arc. I don't think any of them are particularly mid-century (I don't think mid-century faucets were particularly distinguished), but the low arc seems like a better fit.

I think you should stick with one laminate pattern as you already have a lot going on. Sometimes less is more. If you really want something different in the other locations, I'd do a coordinating solid rather than a competing pattern. But really, doing the boomerang everywhere is fine.

Assume you know about the website Retro Renovation.

Sorry, but glossy white Ringhult cabinets don't cut it for the era or the feel you are trying to achieve.

Please, please post updates!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

With your collective help, it looks like I'm going with all aqua ripple, 4x4 tile and a spice rack.

If anyone else wishes to chime in, I'm up for the ideas, comments, and as it may be, criticism.

@julieste I've spent hundreds of hours on Retro Renovation and that's where most of my ideas have come from. I've spent some, but less time at Atomic Ranch @B T

I do recognize the limitations of the cabinetry but have decided on it for two reasons:

1. Metal or custom cabinetry would quickly bring the cost of this reno to 50% of my home's value and that is neither affordable nor sensible. I found some used vintage metal cabinets online that cost $10k just to ship and would have required moving walls and changing plumbing/electrical layouts. Newly fabricated metal cabs run a few thousand each and I didn't want a natural wood grain (as much as a I love walnut) against the original oak hardwoods which are non-negotiable to keep with the rest of the 4-square.

2. If I need to sell at some point, I can swap the fronts out for something more current and replace the laminate with a solid surface or stone to make it marketable. I live 3 miles from an IKEA and their doors are all interchangeable on the same hardware, so it would be an afternoon's work and just a few hundred dollars.

@Anna (6B/7A in MD) I will! if your handle is suggesting you are in Maryland, so am I. If you're nearby, I'm happy to show you the final product.

What an interesting and fun project! Have you been using the Retro Renovation website for inspiration?

My suggestions are to use only one laminate pattern and one fabric pattern because you have a small space. Also, use the 4 x 4 inch tile for the back splash. Subway tile wasn't used during the mid-century, and it would look really odd with the boomerang and metal edging.

I haven't seen the IKEA Ringhult glossy white cabinets in person, but I think that they would work. Does it give the look of metal cabinets?

I'm thinking that the sputnik style light wouldn't work with the "homey" look of the laminate and fabrics that you are considering.

Yes, please post updates! (You can ignore some of my questions/comments. I now see your response that was posted while I was typing my comments.)

Elle, I can't begin to tell you how many hours I spent at the Retro Rennovation website before I had my bathroom and kitchen done!

@baldwilm Thanks for chiming in!

Here's an example of the Ringhult cabinets in a real kitchen (albeit being torn out):

https://www.refindkitchens.com/products/sektionringhult

I'm not fooling anyone into thinking they are metal, but they evoke that style, I hope.

And the kind of lights I've been looking at are like this:

I've been working at the kitchen table so I need a lot of light for the winter BUT this can easily be the last item purchased so I can keep looking.

Elle, I think the cabinets will be fine. In my opinion, the light doesn't go with a 1949 cape cod style house.

Thank you for the source of the fabrics. Perhaps I will find something to go with my renovated 1950s kitchen.

Yes, I AM!! would love to see a retro renovation. 😂

Clicked you link (great concept) to see the Ringhult cabinets. Did you happen to see the steel cabinets listed there?

https://www.refindkitchens.com/collections/modern/products/vintagesteelyoungstown

At IKEA did you see the Bodarp cabinets? Matte grey green color that would work with your sink and other choices.

I love MCM but the kitchens from that era are really not what you need in this era as far as function. I have a 1956 MCM ranch this is my kitchen which we actually put in the original DR because the other pic you will see is the original and way too small to function for me. IMO high gloss white Ikea cabinets are great in a MCM house not everything needs to be from the era we have come a long way with kitchens. I lived with the metal banded counters and never again they are awful to keep clena everything gets into the edge of the banding.

@julieste those Youngstown cabinets are spectacular. Coincidentally, they are the same price as my IKEA order, almost to the dollar, but by the time I add cross-country shipping, rent a storage locker to keep them in the meantime, get them all repaired and refinished, and move walls to fit them in my kitchen, I will have blown my budget many times over. I found a similar set in Michigan but in nearly-new condition on Etsy in the Spring and spent a whole weekend trying to problem solve and make them work.

I did look at the Bodarp in store with my laminate and sink samples. They would work well with the Wintergreen Daisy laminate which has some olive daisies, but clashed badly with the Aqua Ripple and the Elkay Mint Creme sink (already purchased). They are more of a khaki color (indeed, they reminded me a lot of my ACUs from my days in the guard). If they hang around IKEA's lineup long enough for my basement kitchen to be replaced, they're a contender. The IKEA Akurum I installed down there in 2009 are still in great shape, even through some rough use by roommates.

My ceiling fan came today and I'm ordering my faucet now. I found an assembler yesterday and am awaiting a labor quote for the install. So excited to move things forward! Still looking for a ceiling light.

Ikea is having stock issues, make sure you can order all the parts you want. I could not buy in person or online a pantry carcass that I planned for. I went into the store and they would not even allow me to order it. That is how bad their stock issue are now.

I'm planning an IKEA kitchen, and I too am worried about this. I assume it is primarily the boxes they are having difficulty getting.

@julieste I know you meant cabinet boxes but I had a laugh because on Saturday, I received two pairs of dish towels I had ordered from IKEA and they came in this box. No shortage of boxes at IKEA!

@tozmo1 free storage/shipping box with purchase! you can use it next time you visit the store since they don't have bags or boxes

@julieste 4/13 of my boxes were out. I was able to get 90% of the parts overall and most were expected next week. Cover panels look the most delayed but those go on at the end anyway. The laminate is 4 weeks out also, so the sink cabinet (and 3 uppers) being a little behind should be OK. I also live 3 miles away, so it's not a big deal for me to swing by every time a piece comes in from my backorder list.

I did take @Valinta's advice and went with snap on smooth counter edging instead of the ridged. Materials are arriving daily and I've found an installer who will handle the whole scope of work. I'm only 7% over (the original, very conservative) budget at this point, so as long as I exercise restraint on the accessories, it should turn out well.

follow up question -- Does anyone have a recommendation in terms of laying out the square backsplash tile in a straight grid (as above my range now) or offset like brickwork?

Thanks for the update on the availability of the cabinet boxes and panels. I think IKEA is like so many stores and having problems with the supply chain.

Hello there.... Update please! I am planning almost the same reno and i need to see the cabinets finished. I had the same fabulous idea! -faking the look of metal cabinets. My house was built in 1955.

@Skactus. The project went sideways so I haven’t taken many pics - waiting to complete it. Heres one of the cabs until I get home this weekend.

Oh no! Sorry to hear! I hope you get everything sorted out!

Well, it looks great so far! (except for the door handles facing the wrong way towards each other- no doubt it was probably your contractor not listening to you and instisting that “this is how it’s done!”) it really captures what you were going for.!!! The 4” tile was a great choice too!

It’s really really cute!!!!

Thank you so much for letting me “peek”!

You probably saved me thousands!!$$$!!

This kitchen is fabulous!

Love how it is turning out!! The mint green is spot on and 4” tile the way to go. My parents cape was built in 1957 and had mint metal cabinets with boomerang hardware and pink, green and gray patterned Formica. Wallpaper was green/gray pattern. I remember it well!

ooooh, I love it so far. what is that mini fridge on the right? I must have one!