What is that appliance? Is it an oven? It is very cool looking. What amazes me about these old appliances is that many still work. I don't think anything you buy today would last as long as those good old appliances. Sorry I have no advice.

it is a fridgedaire flair. It is a double oven and the handle on the bottom pulls out for the stove. It is from about 1960 It is really cool and if we did not need to replace it, we wouldnt. The larger side oven does not work and to find someone to fix it and get the parts is almost as expensive as buying a new one. We are trying to sell it though, if nothing el.se, for the parts so someone else in a similar situation can re-use their oven.

You can sand the cabinets with an orbital sander and 220 grit paper and then cover with an enamel paint. Be sure to apply the paint with a high-end trim roller to get the cleanest look. Brush application will leave brush marks even if you use the most expensive Purdy brush. I would then opt for a new vinyl floor and new color on the walls. It doesn't look like you have trim on the door but I'd use a paint scheme that utilizes the same color for both the base and cabinets. Finally, I'd cut the wall color 50%-75% for the ceiling. Good luck.

Lots of people have success with this product
http://rustoleumtransformations.com/

Paint! And the floors and light fixture! I think if you changed those to something you like and want to have in your house the cabinets won't seem nearly as bad! I (personal tastes of course will vary) would put in a white tile on the floors and paint the walls either a bright white or another color you love -- a gorgeous blue-gray, an incredible jewel tone purple or maroon, or a great red :) It seems enclosed enough to go with a strong color without feeling obligated to keep it going elsewhere, and you seem to have enough light to pull off something richly colored. Finally, it will take all attention off of the cabinets, and the cabinets are so simple that they just won't compete with any color you pick! Perfect temporary canvas!

Unless the cabinets are in bad shape, which they don't look like they are, I would leave the cabinets alone. They are EXACTLY what everyone is putting in now. Just add some contemporary hardware. As others have said, change out your light fixtures. I would consider panels for your DW and refrigerator http://www.frigodesign.com/custom-kitchens/appliance-frames-and-panels.html or for an even cheaper version, paint them with appliance paint. Some dishwashers have reversible panels, too - you can check yours.

Install a backsplash. There are quite a few out there - maybe a glass tile? - which are nice-looking and pretty reasonable. Check the big box stores or online. You have a lot of options with a white counter, but I would add color (even if it's just neutrals) in to your backsplash. Don't just do white, in other words. It doesn't look like there is too much wall space, either, so that will keep the cost down. How about something like this? VERY reasonsable! http://www.lowes.com/pd_354324-88283-76969535723_0__?productId=3477503&Ntt=glass+tile&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dglass%2Btile&facetInfo=
OR for a little more
http://www.lowes.com/pd_245414-87523-CHIGLABPDS1212_0__?productId=3878712&Ntt=glass+tile&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dglass%2Btile%26page%3D2&facetInfo=

Anyway, a tile something like that would go with the cabinets and the feel of the room. As for flooring, you can get very inexpensive ceramic tile but you would have to see if that would work as this area transitions into other rooms. Otherwise, just use a vinyl tile. There are some out there that have a decent look to them http://www.lowes.com/pd_356393-84875-SS2897_0__?productId=3382562&Ntt=vinyl+tile&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dvinyl%2Btile&facetInfo=

As for wall paint, select a color from out of the backsplash tile. I would then paint that wall behind the table with a bit darker color.

I think this kitchen can end up looking very contemporary and very sophisticated!
Good luck!

PS I have a Flair freestanding range in our cottage. Even though it's tall and doesn't fit the layout that well, I love that thing! Some of those old appliances were really well designed. The matching Frigidaire refrigerator has roll-out shelves!

Shuler and ASV Interiors ideas I like very much! I'd go with the full MCM design and paint the cabinets white enamel (professionally for best results) and new hardware. A terrazzo floor (or terrazzo look concrete/vinyl) would look great. Modern furniture, new recessed lighting and it will look fabulous. If you really don't want to paint the cabinets, if you can bring the cabinets to life with a good cleaning, shine, and new hardware that would look great as well.

Thanks everyone for the amazing tips. I have to admit, I had to google what MCM stood for. Im really not a designer at all!!

Darzy- our original plan was to paint the cabinets, but we were told it would be quite pricy to get it done properly, which was when we decided to try to work with what we have. We are getting a quote on that this weekend though.

Kathryn- thats so funny that you have a flair. It seems great, we planned on keeping it for now, but once we realized that it did not work properly, we decided to try to sell it. Thanks for all the tips. its so helpful!

ASV- thanks for the examples in pictures and ideas, looks great!

alewpanda - i agree, im going to look into light fixtures and paint colours this weekend.

mkmort - thanks for the idea - ill look into that

shuler - thanks for the info on how to paint properly. Unfortunately, im 6 months pregnancy and cannot do much diy, but my husband is doing what he can. So Ill pass the info on to him.

1 more question - my mom keeps telling me that i need a lighting fixture over the sink. I initally just planned on changing the current fixtures and not adding any new locations for lights since we will do all that when we renovate in the future. What is your opinions on that?

Mothers are usually right! With just the ceiling light on at night and behind you, can you see as you wash up in the sink. If you can, then no need, but if you can't then you should get one.

I agree with ASV on the cabinets...fwiw!

New light fixture over table. (Those are some of the best-looking "dated cabinets" I have ever seen.)

I don't think I would paint the cabinets as they would loose the MCM feel. Instead clean and maybe restain. They are lovely as they are. Maybe a 6-burner will fit in the old oven location.

The pros are giving you great advice. I would leave the cabinets alone unless maybe you stain them. Change Hardware, paint walls and install a new floor. I don't know that I would bother with a backsplash since you plan to re-do it all in the future. If you install it yourself, that will Keep costs down. Definately Change out the light fixtures too.

omg, that's awesome. there are people who drool over this kind of mid century find. (it's true, see http://savethepinkbathrooms.com/ ) Please consider restoration!

this too http://retrorenovation.com/

Why don't you just get some affordable track lighting for now, all the new LED lights give great light and last forever (really). I agree about the cabinets they look to be in great shape
maybe just refinish to a nice sheen and change the handles.

mean design - haha I have a pink bathroom and have actually looked at that website for ideas on how to decorate it. :)

Wonderful space. With the replacement of the Flair range, you are likely to have additional expenses to rework the cabinets for the new slide in range and install a new vent hood over it. If you move the dishwasher, there will be plumbing expenses, too. You'd need to buy new cabinets to fill any gaps, of course.I would take anything leftover from the $2000 and put it into a light fixture over the sink and a new light fixture in the dining area. New cabinet pulls would be next.

A couple tips on restoring vinyl flooring and countertops: try Gel Gloss (or rather, have your husband use it) on the countertops. It cleans, shines and leaves a nice easy-clean coating behind. The previous owners of my house left a can behind; I'd never heard of it, but it works like a charm. Read the label: it may have solvents you should probably avoid.

The vinyl floors look in pretty good shape. A local floor shop can repair any separation between seams. In my area, it runs about $100-$150 to have the pro do it. A good scrub with a rental buffer and a coating of Johnson's Pledge with Future acrylic floor wax will make it much, much easier to keep clean. New flooring can run you thousands of dollars, so try living with this floor for a year or so.

For wood cabinets, I recommend Scotts Liquid Gold if they are in good shape. If they need another coat of varnish, have a pro do it, and limit your exposure to fumes and solvents.

Interesting light fixture in dining area. It looks like macramé.

If you have time and elbow grease rustoleumtransformations.com is getting great reviews. Major impact will be a change in ceiling lighting.

Try some Solid Pine Wide Plank Flooring we have great prices on our flooring. Cherry, Walnut, Rift Oak and many more.

I agree with apple_pie_order. New flooring can be expensive and you wouldn't be able to get them done under the cabinets. Try to give these vinyl floors a good cleaning and replace them when you remodel the kitchen. Add new hardware and lighting. Paint the walls. I wouldn't install anything expensive that would just get discarded when you remodel. Try stainless sheet metal for the backsplash if they're not too expensive.

thanks so mch for all of your help. we ended up getting a new oven, painting the cabinets white, changing the hardware and putting new floors. the quality of the cupboards arent the greatest and they are super high, so eventually we will tear it down and redo the whole thing, but for now, we are happy with how it looks.