Kitchen Quandry

Our kitchen... It is a work in progress for sure! Our kitchen is mostly original, except for the early 1960's range, 1980's fridge, and the lineoleum floor from some mysterious time. We did put in a garbage disposal and hung some curtains that weren't ruffled, but we just used the curtains we had in our old house and didn't really like them much anyway. I have moved the 80's fridge to a different location but its original place is something rather odd to look at and is not very functional yet. I have no experience re-decorating a kitchen, but Hubby and I are going to have a go at it. Here is what we are working with:

Super ugly light fixture


Nasty floor



Counter top (This same design is at our cabin, the house I grew up in, one of my best-friend's homes, and my grandmother's house, in addition to our house!)


Original hardware


Towel bar and paper towel holder (I find this to be charming and fun)


Original tile (I actually like this)


Vent/Fan on the wall above the range


Early 1960's range (we have the owner's manual to it as well, and two burners no longer work)



[IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j58/goodgalpal/Old%20Kitchen/IMG_1030.jpg[/IMG]

General messy overview







Kitchen Ideas:
We're going to paint, so we can get rid of that awful yellow. I don't know what posessed my elder family members to select that horrible combo of colors. It is funny (odd type of funny) that our downstairs bathroom has all yellow tile with the blue walls and ceiling. Ick! SO we will paint the kitchen ceiling white, and the walls the same blue as the tile. We'll put in our stainless steel gas range, stainless fridge, buy a stainless dishwasher, and do something with the cupboards. I don't know if we should paint them black, or white. I also don't know what to do with that corner where the microwave is. All I know is that it is ackward and not very functional. Thank goodness we rarely use the microwave....

We could go cutesy, or more sleek



Flooring







Maybe get some Marmoleum? http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/utility/showArticle/?objectID=72

Lighting








Window treatments





Do you like the blue circle sheers or the plain? Are the valances "too much"? Thoughts and suggestions PLEASE!!!!

"Island"- a vintage table with a funky table cloth that I got recently. I can't decide if I want the workspace or my freedom to walk around more.


We already have this fridge but it is in our basement and we are desperate for help to get it up to our kitchen...


Dishwasher desire- We are going for a Whirlpool because it matches our fridge, and because they are American based, as well has the only company we have found that offer the flatware basket on the inside door so there is more space for dirty dishes...



I'd love to know what suggestions or ideas you have to help us out. We're looking to keep the character/integrity of the house, but update things a bit and make it more suited to our needs both now and for the future.