Imalm53 - I usually avoid offering opinions on color because its so subjective and personal, and because monitors affect what you see. But yours is one of my favorite kitchens. Plus I appreciated the step-by-step granite install photos that you posted awhile back. So here goes . . . I agree with some of the previous posters that bold colors would detract from your beautiful cabinets and granite. But I LOVE the colors of your accents . . . burgundy and yellow. Those are the colors of my kitchen. Sort of a mustard yellow on the walls with a burgundy rust on my window soffit. I love it for me, but I dont have the dramatic cabinets and granite that you have. (Its not done yet, so I dont have photos. ) I do like your idea of putting color on the fireplace wall. Hows about putting your burgundy on that wall, with your yellow on the mantle trim. Then using a softer coordinating color on the rest of the room. Then pulling those colors into your window treatment to tie it together. I was going to try to do a mock up but my monitor is playing havoc with the colors (getting mauve and some strange yellows). I just did a search and saw Benjamin Moores Pottery Barn Collection. Looks beautiful . . . at least on my monitor. Can you imagine doing some combination of this? (not sure if you need the green, though) Benjamin Moore's Navajo white Wedgewood gray Brick red Hampton green HTH!

Aynb-- Exactly the same thing (major water damage to our kitchen) happened to me a year ago. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. You are so lucky you found this site early in your process. I know your pain about living without a kitchen, but I just wanted to tell you that for us it was really, really worth dealing with the kitchen-in-the-garage situation so that we had enough time to make plans. Take some time to set up your temporary life with temporary kitchen (we used downstairs powder room for washing dishes, microwave meals, take out) so you can get your kitchen right! In the FAQ on this forum, there is a lot of really good advice about reconceiving your kitchen and planning well. The only things I regret about our remodel are things where I rushed or had decision fatigue from the fast pace of decisions. Good luck!

Sure it is my age - born in 1943 and my parents built their first house in 1951/52. I have very distinct memories of "Mid- century" and they're not fond ones! Very kitchy. I'm just not into kitchy and chrome breakfast room sets and scalloped wood trim. But if others are, go for it! I have similar cabinets - my kitchen guy says they're RTA and were assembled on site and are often all locked together. If mine had given me more flexibility, I would not be getting new cabinets in 2 weeks! i have been able to keep my new kitchen costs down dramatically due to the two upgrades we've done over 32 years (late husband was a teacher - no money). We spent money an the Corian countertops when we first remodeled 31 1/2 yrs ago. We also added a wall of cabinets and moved the sink at that time and put in a big bay window over it. Fast forward 19 years, and we again painted the cabinets, new wallpaper, new sink and faucet, and hardwood floors. At that time, we redid lighting - lots of pot lights in ceiling, and good undercabinet lighting. Made a huge difference. Then a few years later, I got my big Vent a Hood to put over my huge 1948 O'Keefe and Merritt stove. Also got a gorgeous stainless counter depth refrigerator. Finally, I'm getting new cabinets! But I'm able to re-use all appliances, sink, countertops, faucet etc. I added one more pot light, removed the hideous soffits, and am relocating the refrig. When ones does ugrades in the right order, it saves when it's time for the big ticket item - the cabinets. BTW, I've had red oak floors in a kitchen and they were fine, even with 2 children, 1 big dog and 1 small one.

IMO you need an independant kitchen designer right now . What happens here usually is you come with the design and we critique it . Do not use a cabinet sales person to design your kitchen , I have a 1956 MCM ranch house that we totally gutted except for the huge fireplace which I came to love. These houses have great spaces and that is what I love about them so get someone who loves this style of home it will pay for it self over and over. I actually traded the DR and kitchen spaces in my house to get the kitchen I wanted so take your time to do this so it respects the house and works for you. BTW I love corner windows so MCM. I am not seeing the whole house plan but do not see a DR maybe if you have one use the nook area for the kids if they are small. I happen to love galley kitchens and I do not like kitchens open to LRS. This is apic of one kitchen I did for client and where you see the pendants was one of those typical 1950's cabinets doubled side glass and wall cabinets along the window wall with a much better choice for storage I removed all of those cabinets and made the space so much better the penisula where the pendants are is now open to the DR Please get a good KD