The cabinets are probable melamine which is a thin low pressure laminate (as opposed to high pressure laminate).Some parts might just be vinyl over particle board.

I'm no expert, but it sounds like laminate cabinets. There is a cleaner called Countertop Magic that is supposed to be great for laminate countertops, would probably work on this as well, if it's vinyl (I've never used it myself).
I have almost the same exact big a$$ fridge: I'm going to try taking the handles off and using silver vinyl dye on them, in the spring.

What about painting the walls a light yellow with a little gray to it, such as Valspar Star Bright? It would harmonize with the gray, the green, the wood color, even the white.

Re the lights, if you're looking to eventually go for a retro look, as I gather from your reference to vintage flour containers, you could get some schoolhouse light fixtures, either pendants or semi-flush. The great thing about them is that the white glass globes give off a bright even light, without the glare you get from a clear globe, and they could hang below the suspended ceiling, by as much as you need. Here's some at HD:

Love the table!

Here is a link that might be useful: Home Depot schoolhouse fixtures

Don't waste your money on trying to make laminate cabinets look "good". It's impossible. Save up your money for an Ikea run. You can probably do the whole kitchen for less than 5K, counters and all. I don't know what the PO did to create under cabinet lighting, but it will never be cheaper than now when the electrician is there to fix the ceiling lights to have him fix the undercabinets. This is a kitchen that desperately NEEDS them. Add a couple of semi flush light fixtures for general lighting, and maybe a pendant or two above your table would also help.

Thank you pal & iroll! live oak, yes an Ikea kitchen is in the future but maybe slab doors from sherrs (sp?). I think I am going to hold the ceiling guys off for a week or so until I get a better handle on the lighting. This is my sons place and I'm trying to set it up for the future now so there will be less to do when he is ready for the new stuff. I had laid out the future kitchen with tape - it has a very large area for a kitchen table beyond the area shown. However, the townhouse also has an open dining room to living area next to the kitchen. My idea is to just make the kitchen & kitchen table area one big kitchen with a big island with seating and storage under. So, I need to think about it all some more...just feeling a bit overwhelmed when I get tired from the physical labor.