Here's what I'd do.

Clean, clean, clean...(actually, it looks pretty clean already, but I bet those cabinets need a really good going over...)

Paint, paint, paint...(I'd use two shades of off-white...a slightly ivory toned one for cabinets, and a barely darker, grayer one for the brick and backsplash). Use good paint and do the prep really well.

Glass doors on the two cabinets on either side of the window, with the insides painted the same color as the backsplash, and your glasses and good cups stored there.

New countertops (there is lots of really attractive laminate out there now), new deep, wide single-bowl stainless sink, better faucet, new cabinet hardware.
Flat glass cooktop, new hood.
A big framed mirror hung behind the cooktop to cover the brick and open the wall.
Roman shade in a great black and white print hung at ceiling height, instead of the shutters on the window.

A few thousand dollars later, you have something light and functional that you can live with until you are ready to do it all over. Figure that you will be living with it for five years, add up the cost, divide by 1,825 (the number of days in five years), and that's what it costs you to be happy in your kitchen every day while you wait. Spend $4,000, and it's about $2.20/day. Less than half a latte.

(Can you tell I've made this pitch with clients before...??) ;>)

Awesome, Bronwyn'smom--do you have any sample pictures? I'd love to see examples.

I love the roman shade idea especially, as well as the mirror behind the cooktop.

I would rip down the brick backsplash. Even if you harm the wall behind it you could add new backsplash tile. Below is a link to a post on painting cabinets from the kitchen forum. Some good before and after pics.

Here is a link that might be useful: Painting cabinets

Brownwynsmom made some great suggestions. I agree with kitchnkelly about ripping out the brick backsplash. As she said even if it tears up the sheetrock that is easy and cheap to repair. Once that area has nice smooth sheetrock you can tile it yourself. I love tiling, that's my idea of fun and you can be as creative as you like.

I would leave the brick over the window and cover it with a shade or valance.

I remember when that brick was all the rage. The problem here is where they placed and didn't place the brick.

I love all of bronwynsmom's ideas, but I wouldn't spend that amount on money on a kitchen that I had plans to gut. I understand where she is going with her ideas, but you need to assess how far down the road the kitchen replacement is going to be and spend accordingly. Also, think about what else needs to be done in the house - bathrooms, A/C, plumbing. The surprises can kill your budget.

That said, I would keep everything that is serviceable and that I felt I could live with. For me, that would mean keeping the sink, countertop, faucets, cooktop if they were in good working condition. But I would either replace the fan or take it down, clean it and spray paint it white. The fan bothers me more than the brick.

I would paint the brick and live with it. But if you hate it, it would be a DIY job to remove it and repair the drywall.

When you paint the cabinets, I would replace or spray paint the knobs.

As for colors, soft white on the cabinets and a neutral stone look for the vinyl tiles.

My Mom had that brick behind the stove in her last house. She painted it white and it actually looked pretty cute. I think I liked it because it was different...something you don't see so often. Of course, the way I cook (sauces flying!) it would be a PITA to keep clean. So for me, it would have to come down relatively soon.

Look here for threads on white vs. SS appliances. I would never have a SS fridge again. Again...cleaning it is a pain. (Do we see a theme here yet? :-))

Looks like a pretty functional space, btw. Even though it's dated, there is a lotta good about that kitchen for the time being.

I can sympathize as my kitchen is from 1966 and will be going through an update soon.

Be very careful with your measurements-everything back then was smaller and trying to replace an appliance, could snowball into a larger project.

I do agree with the others-paint the cabinets, newer countertops-or cover the existing with new laminate, do something with the floor.

The awful brick stuff is known as Z Brick. Some people paint this as a cheap fix but it may become a cleaning nightmare then. It will come off like tile (maybe more difficult), but you would want to cover up the wall behind with tile, beadboard, or tin that you could leave shiny or paint.

Be sure to read and see all of the changes that Layla and her husband Kevin put into their kitchen .... painted cabinets black ..... etc.

This is a GREAT blog!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: The Lettered Cottage blog

Another fantastic blog -- This Young House -- check out their ideas for the kitchen too!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: This Young House Check out the