Very cool kitchen, but your question confuses me. What part of the kitchen do you want to change and need advice on? Sounds like you want new stools and paint (on the cabinets or walls?) Is this correct?

In my opinions your floors, cabinets, and windows are fantastic. Your overhead, pendent lights, range vent, clock, window blinds, and stools seem very off.

Wow! That's an advertisement for the virtues of real linoleum (I assume). As for advice, what are your goals? Do you want to keep the current layout? What is your budget, and are you open to structural changes like moving windows or doors?

Art Deco style.

call in a pro linoleum company and have those tiles cleaned.

what exactly is your question?

The lights don't really work w/that style. (those aren't original)

the lighting would have been something like this. a simple ceiling light,, maybe a pendant over sink.

this one has been redone, obviously.

I don't think those are original countertops. (it's possible, but they look pretty good for 80 years!)

I don't care for the pot rack. I'd do some 1938 style pendants over the island.

I'd prob switch out the 4x4 tile to another color, but keep the black pencil liner. Kind of like this one:

Do diff island stools. (before choosing those, you need to pick out the other changes first)

if replacing cabinets, I'd do full inlay like these. if keeping what you have, consider adding some glass.

these are 1930s kitchens

1939

This soft yellow color might look nice on your cabs. if they're still in good shape, have them professionally painted. I'd do diff hardware.

I'd prob pick a lighter countertop.

1940

do you want to keep the cabs?

I'd change out the countertops and prob the tile splash.

just depends what you want

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https://inspiredkitchendesign.com/1930s-kitchen-21st-century/

https://sweeten.com/sweeten-renovations/plywood-cabinets-moroccan-cement-tile-in-kitchen-remodel/

https://artsandcraftshomes.com/kitchens-and-bathrooms/kitchen-for-a-tudor-of-the-arts-crafts-era

I love your kitchen and would only change up some details. I’m not a big fan of pot racks, so I would remove that. Then I would add some recessed cans on dimmers, thé smaller thé better. Then find some retro pendants for over thé island. Then I would reevaluate. That might be enough.

Is the backsplash tile plastic? If so, likely original. great kitchen!

work on a little bit of shine somehow w details also....not sure what the budget is.....stools/hardware/lighting....use of mirrored/chrome surfaces . space is large ..plenty of opportunities

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For pure aesthetic, I would look into the colorful Big Chill Retro series and start replacing the ordinary stainless steel. If the floor check is gold/yellow and black, you could go with black or play off the gold with a bright blue. I find this kitchen particularly great: https://www.houzz.com/photos/bright-english-beach-cottage-beach-style-kitchen-los-angeles-phvw-vp~6629957. See about replacing the track lighting with goose neck wall lamps run through your soffits. Look for bright porcelain knobs. Check out the hood overlay. No pot rack.

Photo

Thank you to everyone for your great responses. Just to let you know, this picture was taken from the original purchase day. The pot rack has been removed. The original counters are under these counter tops and I would gladly change those. The blinds have now been removed as well. As for the range hood, I am looking to remove that as well and add a stove with a rear/back vent, just not sure which one yet. The stools were there as well and will be replaced but am looking for ideas on that and the lights. The backsplash is not plastic but ceramic and will be staying as is. The floors are fabulous but the pics don't do them justice and is black, mustard and beige. I want to keep it as well.

That photo above is from my personal Houzz Ideabook for my vintage kitchen. Just in case the floors were unsalvageable, that was a paint idea, I loved the knobs, wallpaper at back of cabinets, and soffit lighting was brilliant as was the mismatched appliances/white dishwasher. I ended up finding another photo that was almost exactly what I wanted, and I used that as a template for everything. My kitchen is not exactly the same but the details match. Decorators do this too. I would suggest going to the Photos section of Houzz and searching under retro kitchens or 1930s kitchen (that’s the era of the kitchen above). Save everything that catches your eye to and idea book, then go back and look to see what is thematic in all of the photos. Maybe you’ll see something that “looks exactly like” what you want — then use that to make all your choices. It’s a lot easier to talk with contractors, etc. when you have a photo.

To an ideabook.

Be still my heart!! I can't add anything to the advice already posted, but I just want to say, what a great way to add all the modcons while still keeping the spirit of a vintage kitchen!

Thanks to all who posted pics of other vintage kitchens. :)

I love that floor. I'd full embrace it. Paint the walls a popping yellow that complements the mustard, beige for the cabs that works with the beige. Clean up your hardware real good and if its got decent shine, maybe chrome barstools. Maybe black ones that are a bit fancier or garden-ish scrollwork sort of thing with a different pop of color to them. Maybe a deep blue or green.

I'm not up on lighting styles, but something modern in use but with a retro feel there. Those are too modern for the rest of the room. If that is an original sconce (is there also a chandlier?) in your dining room, you could take inspiration from that to complement your kitchen to the dining room.

I'm diggin' your kitchen. It almost has a vintage diner look and feel! Would this type of barstool suit you - not the red seat but perhaps in charcoal?

Following

I have no more ideas than the ones already posted. Thank you for preserving and loving your original kitchen. It’s amazing.

Wow what a terrific kitchen! I would lean more into the historic English-style kitchen look than the diner-style personally (especially with the black in the floor and the gorgeous arches over the windows - that clock is gone yes?) Love the changes you are making - new lights for sure and for the stools not sure of your budget but Devol has some terrific wooden ones (Room & Board and Rejuvenation are other choices)

Maybe just change out a few cabinets to glass doors.

Some inspiration:

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Your kitchen is an absolute gem! It is rare to see one so beautifully maintained. I think just a lighting change would make a world of difference and really help emphasize the charm. As others have said, the pendant fixtures over the island are off. I don't know where you're located, but the kitchen has a very "California bungalow" feeling, so I'd suggest a fairly simple fixture with a glass shade. Personally, I'd go for holophane, which would give good ambient lighting and add a bit of sparkle, too. Maybe something like this or this? The one in the second link is seriously adorable. For the style of house, there really ought to be a light over the sink, too. Maybe there is, and it's hidden by the clock. Getting rid of the track lighting is more difficult because you need good light in your kitchen and won't get it from just the pendants. Is there access from above the kitchen that would allow an electrician to add some recessed fixtures? You could do it from below, but it might be a bit messier. I'd go with the most unobtrusive small fixtures you could get - probably LED because most old houses also have inadequate electric service.

Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous kitchen! It really brightened my morning.

p.s. When you get to the point of needing a new dishwasher, I'd strongly suggest looking at panel-ready models and have a front made up that matches your cabinetry. The location is a very clever retrofit, but it really looks dishwasher-y right now.

I love this era of kitchens, and I'm so glad you are embracing yours. These stools might work:

Etta Wicker/Rattan Stool

Schoolhouse pendants over the island would be authentic:

Elk 69039-1 Schoolhouse 1-Light Pendant

Just wondering what the current countertop material is; could it be PaperStone? https://www.ghsproducts.com/news/paperstone-recycled-paper-countertops/

I was thinking more about your outstanding kitchen. I would stay clear of intentionally retro products that have a diner vibe as I think they will read cliche. Instead I'd use really pleasing pieces that don't evoke a specific era but are complimentary to the room itself.

Lighting: A grid of four or six would look great in this space. (I just put 3 in my galley kitchen and they are fantastic.) And, I'd like wood stools that are similar in color to the brown diamond on the floor, such as thesePottery Barn Cline counter stools.

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