There are mostly windows, so there will be plenty of light. This could be an example of a darker style room.

Congrats on the new house!! It looks like a great space!

There are a lot of windows, but what direction are they facing? I wouldn’t assume there is plenty of light without answering that question.

I vote for light. A medium warm brown wood floor won’t go out of style any time soon and will work with whatever you might want to change later, like wall color, furnishings, etc.

Are you in Nome or Key West, or somewhere in between? If you go dark and live in a dark place, then you’ll need artificial light. That doesn’t bother my husband, but it bothers me. On the other hand, if you’re in Florida, it probably won’t be an issue.

An area that has light coming only from one side is always problematic. This may be cost-prohibitive, but if you could install a window in the back wall where the dining area is that would help immensely. At any rate, a medium-colored wood floor is a very sensible suggestion, and would be gorgeous with Oriental area rugs. 'For now I would keep the wall color as it is, even if it seems sensible to paint now. A dark wall color is dreary on dark days and can be difficult to furnish well. I assume you'll be taking out the wood paneling and that small half wall leading into the kitchen. I would take off the ledges on one side of the fireplace unless you have high-quality porcelain or pottery that you can place there. Light-colored cabinets will make the kitchen look updated, and it's a classic scheme with wood floors that will never look dated or go out of style.

Do the major structural remodeling first. Then focus on the decorative plan. Paint is the last item chosen as it must compliment the fabrics and textiles you use, but can be custom blended to work with them. You'll need to know what the exposures are for light in all your rooms as well. Sample, sample, sample to get it right throughout. Light, or lack of, changes even the same color from room to room.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions everyone! I'm going to go with a lighter color scheme. I believe I'll be going with "whistler oak" laminate flooring from Lowes, which is a medium brown/gray. Looks less brown in person that it does in the sample photos:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/QuickStep-Studio-Whistler-Oak-6-14-in-W-x-3-93-ft-L-Embossed-Wood-Plank-Laminate-Flooring/1000397293

Going to then go with white cabinets from Ikea. I was originally toying with the idea of Cabinets to Go, but read a ton of bad reviews on them, so I'll spend a bit more to get something a bit more trustworthy. We'll get rid of the little portion of the counter that sticks out in the current layout, and then we'll also add an island. We'll do a slide-in range, use the current vent hood, and then microwave will go in the island.

I'm initially thinking I'll just run through and paint everything white for now -- walls, ceiling, trim, etc -- even the wood paneling. If I don't like how the paneling looks painted white, we'll bust that out later on down the line. Probably going to replace the fireplace ledges eventually too. And yes, will be removing the little wood panel box in the kitchen. :)

Great MCM house. Avoid remuddling it and ruining its value. Stay true to it’s inherent style. None of the Fad 2017 Kit that is already fading and gone.

Design Rule #1: First, Do No Harm. Don’t make irreversible changes to the home that can’t be undone when you come to your senses. No pseudo Edwardian kitchen and gray everywhere.

Start with a very clear idea of what you want to do with the kitchen. White and light is okay but instead of cabinets bring it in with tile and solid white quartz counters. Maybe a combination of sleek teak cabinets and white lacquer. keep it more in line with the bones of the MCM house. It doesn't have to be straight MCM but you don't want to do this house farmhouse modern either. I would sit down and study MCM renovations with a very heavy eye. Pull as many ideas and elements from it as you can.

Val -- Thank you! I just plan on cleaning up the fireplace and leaving is mostly as is. I'll likely replace the ledge on both sides with something that fits better with whatever color scheme I decide on.

Sophie -- I completely agree with you. I'm steering clear of the gray cabinets and trendy options. :)

Pink -- Thanks for the tips! I agree that I'd love to go towards MCM as well. Probably not completely that direction, but definitely IN that direction.

I just wanted to say that I love your fireplace and I am so happy to read that you are keeping it! I was really worried to read that you were wanting to remove it and I think it is just phenomenal.

Style wise the fireplace looks very MCM to me. I would look to embrace the linear / modern lines of the home. I hope the experts will keep posting some modern or MCM-inspired kitchens to give you some ideas.

Not design advice but you need to have your chimney cleaned. On both sides there is soot. You certainly don't want to have a fire after you get everything done. Just a little something funny. We had to have ours cleaned and I called and made an appointment with a chimney sweep. When he got to our house I answered the door and there stood a 7' 9" man dressed in all black with a top hat on and he was super skinny. He did a super job and was a very entertaining character!!!