I think it could be done. Looking through the finished kitchen blogs, Gina_w's could fit your idea.

Here is a link that might be useful: gina_w's Kitchen

I'm no style maven, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Sounds like you have some ideas on how to blend classic materials into your modern home -- I think it could be quite nice. Any specific thoughts on those twists?

Well, for starters I was thinking about having the stainless steel hood visible, not covered by a beautiful wood soffit (is that the right word/spelling?). Our floors would be dark wood, and I might go for more modern drawer pulls (even though I love the traditional cup ones). We might put in a more modern backsplash - maybe subway tile, or small colorful tile. For the upper cabs on either side of the sink, I was thinking about frosted glass instead of mullioned. I would still have crown molding around the edges, but maybe tone it down a bit. More modern light fixtures over the island. Maybe darker/black counters around the perimeter, and something lighter on the island. Maybe even have the island be constructed of the darker wood we like, with a lighter more marbly countertop.

I'm not sure exactly. Does any of this sound like a good idea? My husband is skeptical.

I like your ideas. Classic with a twist.

I think your ideas sound beautiful, especially in a 60's house.

Here is a photo of my in-progress kitchen makeover. My house was built in 1957 and had knotty pine cabinets and goldish laminate counters. I had the cabinets painted white, got new cabinet doors and hardware, glass tile backsplash and new plumbing fixtures. Like you, I was very conscious of the age and style of the house and was trying to incorporate new and modern into my old, retro kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful:

My house was built in 1952 and we chose natural maple cabinets ( a nod to the Heywood Wakefield in style at that time). They also go great with my red oak floors which are new in the kitchen, but perfectly matched to the 56 year old floor in the dining room.

There are no hard and fast rules to home design. Do what makes you happy with materials you love. Sounds cliche I know; but that's what makes this forum so fabulous. People to encourage and support your decisions and also to help point out when you're so off base that you can't even see it.

Well, I went the full-bore traditional route because, well, for a few different reasons. One, I happen to love the look! I also spent a long time thinking about what would work best in our eleven year-old builder's special (as in especially generic -- ugh) tract house, the floorplan, our furnishings, and what we planned on doing in this house.

A kind, generous soul (A GW member) wrote that with our kitchen, we'd turned a sow's ear into a silk purse. Immodestly enough, I agree, but I think we did that with the whole house.

On I go, but my point is that by paying attention to your house you can absolutely make a traditional kitchen work. I love your idea of the more modern, kicky backsplash, pulls, hood.

Yours is going to be a fun project to follow!

I say go for it! My house has a cottage look on the outside but I was tired, tired, tired of the "country" look. I have had that for 30 plus years. So, I went midcentury modern. I pushed myself. Originally, I wanted the white cabinets on top, black cabinets on the bottom with soapstone counters. Couldn't afford the painted cabs nor the soapstone, so I thought perhaps marble. Couldn't afford the slabs I wanted, so I went with maple shaker style (always a classic) natural cabinets with a black espresso stained sink cabinet (I have a small kitchen and determined the black on the bottom would be too overpowering).

I went with all stainless appliances (even though white appliances are my first love) because of the more modern look. I did wild granite (lots of movement--even though I originally stated I wanted quiet and subdued) on the counters and backsplash. I did a modern restaurant rinse style faucet for the sink. I also hid my electrical outlets with plugmold under the cabs. Much more sleek and midcentury modern.

It is not a look I ever thought I would go with but I LOVE it! I pushed myself design wise and am happy I went with my choices and expanded my designing "horizons". I say go with what you are talking about. It sounds absolutely wonderful.

Old kitchen

New kitchen

Obviously, by the painter's tape cabinet pulls and no knobs on the cabs, I am still not quite done yet, but hope to remedy that this week. Keeping fingers crossed.

Best of luck to you. I think it will be wonderful and I am dying to see pictures!

Oh my god mustbnuts your kitchen is INSANE! I cannot wait to see more, MUCH more!

Wow wow wow.

Thanks rmkitchen. So far, I am very happy with it. I just wish I could take a picture that would really capture the look. It looks so much better in person!

My hood finally was delivered at 5:30 PM today. I am hoping that it will get installed this week along with my blind corner cab unit pull-outs and my handles and pulls. Can't wait for those!

mustbnuts, you must be inspired! No way would I believe that is the same room. So many fantastic choices -- the darker sink cabinet is sublime, and pulls in the darker colors of that gorgeous stone, and that natural maple is what we're leaning toward in our own new kitchen. You made some brave choices, and they were right on the money.

To the OP, I can only agree with what everyone has said thus far. I've seen white wood kitchens with classic styles in brand new glass-walled NYC condos, in contemporary beach "cottages" (yeah, right, 7000 sq. ft. is a cottage) in the Hamptons, just about everywhere. Meanwhile, I am doing mid-century modern in my neo-victorian New England house. Go for it!