henna's Profile

My grandparents had these cabinets in their 1950s split level and the kitchen was GREAT! I say embrace the 1950s vibe you can achieve. They had an amazing olive green and turquoise design on linoleum on the floor and back splash.

here are my suggestions:
1. paint the walls
2. get rid of all blinds
3. focus on windows--make or buy some curtains in colorful retro pattern, make sure all the hedges are clipped and you have a nice view outside if possible, hang up a bird feeder.
4. coordinate everything (if the curtains are turquoise, make sure the rugs and towels coordinate, and consider matching canisters)
5. get rid of that table in the corner and make it a plant corner. Buy a 1950s table at a thrift store, maybe paint it in your coordinating color, and have a little indoor garden.
6. make the details go with your theme--get a new clock, a new calendar, use the built-in shelving for decorations. Take all the stuff off fridge, put one item on it for decor (like a vintage tea towel with a drawing of your state or something). Take out everything you can that is not part of theme.
7. for some reason, the stove hood looks out of place. consider making a little valance for it out of the same fabric you use for the curtains
8. I agree with suggestions for under counter lighting.
9. take the doors off the cabinet above sink and use the cabinet for books

if you really want a backsplash without making the walls look choppy, just do tiles in the same color as the paint. this would also prevent the little 6 inch space from looking incongruous.