So here’s where we are with ideas. We’re going to open the kitchen to the dining room by taking down the wall near the patio door. Setting the wall adjacent to that back 21 inches to open sight lines.

This is we’re on design. My hope was to put this house back as it was intended. This is how I’d see it but using today’s updated products. I’d like a focal point on the wall where the cooktop will be and a back splash throughout the space. I am not sure. I am not a designer and have little experience with this big of a project. My husband will complete all the work.

We hate this current peel-stick flooring. It was here when we moved as well as the paint all over the wood trim in three rooms.

I was hoping to have the same floor in our entryway, kitchen and two bathrooms because I thought it would look nice. I am up for thoughts and ideas. Are we headed in the right direction?

This is actually the color we’d like on maple. It’s clove

Photos of little progress along the way.

Our limestone fireplace wall

I was hoping to have the colors in the limestone in our floor. Any suggestions. I am not looking to use ceramic or vinyl. Something very durable and natural colors.

Just a comment. Your home and kitchen may be from the mid-20th century, but are in no way MCM, which is a distinct style.

Looks like you are doing a good job on your updates.

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/luxe-moody-kitchen-reveal

That's a link to a recent reno highlighted on Emily Henderson's blog that incorporated black apppliances, specifically a hood. I really like how the hood blends in and doesn't become a focus on the wall. I wouldn't do a "focal point" in the stove top area-it wouldn't have been done in the mid-20th century and wouldn't suit your kitchen.

With your removal of the wall between the dining room and kitchen, I'd try to match the flooring to the dining room/living room if possible for a unified look. Maybe others can weigh in about an option for flooring that relates to the lovely limestone fireplace. There's certainly limestone flooring, but that will bring in a beige/tan element that perhaps won't relate well to the whiter counter and backsplash selections.

I think your new kitchen is going to look amazing. Your layout is very similar to the kitchen in the house our last house. We remodeled it 12 years ago and we loved it!!!! I would recommend drawers instead of the roll out trays. We took the doors off the cabinets with roll outs in our new house because we find them so inconvenient.

A unified floor would be best but a porcelain tile that compliments the fireplace wall could look good too. It's a very clean look if you can find a contractor willing to do very thin grout lines. I wouldn't do a stone floor because it stains.

Let’s hope some pros weigh in. I think you’re on the right track. Just one suggestion- keep everything on the lower set of cabinets just drawers. You won’t regret it. Make sure to have a couple that are deep 36” if you can fit them in (with one 36” drawer at the top for silverware and serving pieces).

I have a MCM ranch that we have totally renovated this is our kitchen sort of a mix of MCM and 21 cetury since IMO we now live in the 21 st century and bathrooms and kitchens need to reflect that. I do not believe you always need to have ahood larger than the range it depends on the design of the kitchen and also the range type and the CFM of the hood. I will never let that control a good kitchen design.I do agree all base cabinets should be drawers and not drawers behind doors just drawers. I like 30-36" wide deep drawers for dishes, pot and pans so I usuallt do 2 deep drawers and then split set of shallow drwawers for cutlery and all those gadgets you always need. This is my kitchen and my LR I would strongly discourage you from choosing quartz (plastic) counters there are 1000S of really beautiful natural stones .We have ahuge stone FP that you see the back of in the kitchen I love the juxtaposition of the very rough stone and the sleek kitchen cabinets. I run a catering biz from my home so a bit on the industrial style for sure but the pics show the type of drawers I was mentioning

Before I start a project I look at how the home is facing (north south etc) and refer to Vatsu. Too much fire in one area can be an issue plus when you are cooking you want to be able to see whose coming in.

I wouldn't be surprised if the cabinets were originally finished golden yellow pine aka "country America" of the 1960s that was wildly popular. That aside, feel no guilt in putting in the kitchen you want rather than something "appropriate" for the house.

If you open up the kitchen to an adjoining dining area, it always looks best to have the flooring match rather than two separate flooring.

Be careful with black appliances. You may be tired of seeing stainless steel everywhere, but black is a strong color and will stand out in a way stainless doesn't. Stainless is more neutral and subtle.

What about 'black' stainless steel? it is a really nice look.

Nope, not even "black stainless steel."

Thanks so much everyone!

Well, I am learning a lot from you all. Thanks for the thoughts and the advice and time to respond out of your day.

I am to assume the thoughts from others were wrong now on pointing out our home having MCM features. Oh well some say no and other say yes. Idk. I guess I will just do whatever I’d like, as suggested.

I just learned about this interesting information and views....South-facing homes are generally considered inauspicious and get the bad rap many times due to the belief that Lord Yama, the God of Death, lives in the dakshina or South direction.
So our home faces South and looks like the God of the Death is facing us.
Perhaps we will make a move in our future. Idk

I don’t know what my personal style would be called. Lol. I am all over the place. I like clean lines and warm tones, wood and lots of light. Pops of color
that I can easily change with seasonal decor.

We’re going to probably end up laying oak flooring and try to match it up the best we can.

I need to decide if I want all of this dark wood. All this wood in general scares me. Lol. I love wood but hey, it’s a lot.

Oh the decisions to be made.

The thoughts on the black appliances are true. I have thought about it and The wood will be so dark and the stainless might be a nice way to break up all the dark wood.

First thing is to remove the scalloped border over the sink.

Just because your house is not true MCM in style does not mean that you cannot follow that esthetic in your remodel. It can be work perfectly well with your 50's ranch. I like your kitchen ideas already. You might want to look at a lighter color in cabinets., but stay away from anything orange-y.

It’s hammer time! Lol. Once something starts it gets finished! We had another valance over the fireplace wall. So ugly! I was so happy when my husband had time to take it down and repair the ceiling drywall. That scallop in the kitchen definitely has to go we’re also removing the soffits and put in cabinets all the way to the ceiling.

Have you thought about integrated appliances with the matching wood? Counter depth fridge and covered dishwasher. Answers the question about stainless or black and looks more streamlined.  Just a thought.

Lots of mid century homes had a mix of features just based on the market or the purchasers taste. My house has your horizontal band windows, it had a renaissance revival carved wood front door, flush slab interior doors with colonial revival casings, a French style family room and dining room, and an entry hall and family room that was full on lodge with every wall covered in knotty pine or brick. UGH We decided to make it closer to MCM by removing all the other elements. We even had the tacked on shutters like you had...

Updates

I ordered my other appliances and opted for stainless. Ugh. I think that makes the most sense right now.
Not sure if the budget will allow for integrated wood covers for any of our appliances right now. This kitchen would have cost so much less had we done it right at move in! Kicking myself!

Also I have spoke with several folks about quartz being plastic. I can’t find information that states it’s plastic. Can you explain what you meant by that?

I have Ménière’s disease and sometimes patterns and movement make me get vertigo and dizzy. I love real authentic stone such as granite but sometimes the patterns make me super sick. I haven’t experienced that looking at lighter quartz yet.

So now I am questioning using quartz. I have a solid Cambria quartz slab in my basement work area and love it. Is this just opinion or facts?

I’ve decided to do whatever I want with cabinet color. I have to say my husband and I like this lighter wood cabinet color. Now I am not so sure about how matching our oak floors will look. Does this ever end? This is exhausting?

I think Tilebar has some fantastic choices. I just need some mood boards so I can decide on where this is going. I am wondering if I should hire a designer to help pick those things out like backsplash, counter, and flooring? It seems overwhelming. So many good selections.

I like pattern like herringbone and shapes like hexagon tiles. Also not sure we can match up our oak flooring. They look a bit orange in my opinion.

Anyways thanks everyone!
Any suggestions, I am open for them. I will update this as time goes on. I always like to see what people do with their projects.

I also updated the cabinets doors with pullout drawers to drawers. Thank you!!

I like that color wood for the cabinets. Is it too close to the color of your wood floors? I don’t remember what your kitchen floor was - tile or wood? As for backsplashes - that is decided after you do the cabinets, flooring, appliance and MOST important - lighting! I’m glad you’re doing what you want and not worrying about if your home is a “true” MCM.
Have you considered soapstone - either the real or the Silestone that mimics it? It would look great with that wood color, has no pattern to make you dizzy and feels right for your look.

E quartz is great, it’s something like 80% resin by volume and 80% stone by weight. That doesn’t make it bad- it has lots of great qualities. If you want light counters that don’t stain quartz would be one of the first places I would look, or the old workhorse corian. Every counter material has positives and negatives.

I ordered the Bylthe slabs in the Macaroon stain. I have decided after walking through a granite fabrication shop... it’s granite all the way! Wow! Such beautiful works of art! Now to decide on dark granite or light.

What do you guys think? I loved the colors in this slab. There’re warm golds, black, grey, cream, white. It’s beautiful! I was able to handle the shop too! Did not get sick! Good sign!

I will keep updating our diy kitchen. Cabinets are delayed about 4 months out so that really means 6 months. Ha!

Hi guys!

Things are getting real here! I am beyond overwhelmed and second guessing all of my choices!

Too late now! Cabinets are on schedule to be delivered February 14, 2022.

My husband has ripped the kitchen apart and taken down a wall and pushed a wall back!

He’s going to prep floors for flooring and install electrical this week.

Now I am trying to decide on under cabinet outlets. Anyone have experience or thoughts? We already have under cabinet LED lighting my husband wants to use. So looking at Wiremold or Legrand under cabinet outlet system.

Also what should I do about lighting? We have purchased recessed lighting but don’t I need something over the sink or in the center of the kitchen that is nicer?