Lighting is everything in a basement. And white walls in any shade almost never work. Definite color...and it doesn't have to be dark...is almost always better. Yellow rarely adds sunlight...it actually looks best in sunlight...but if it is reflective and clear, and the light is very bright, it can work. Luminous pale blues can give the sense of sky, particularly if you also paint the ceiling...which you should do in any case to keep it from sitting down on top of you. Very clear light is key...some of the new florescent corkscrew bulbs give a wonderfully bright light, and without the heat that halogen generates. I would add big mirrors to crack the wall open visually wherever you would have a window, if you had them. You can even hang drapery to the sides to increase that illusion if you like. Lamps that are reflected in them them will throw the light around.

Still has a retro vibe because the style of cabinet shows...late 50's . I'd get the boomerang or retro laminate type....maybe solid color-avoid gray or black- just not upbeat enough. Look for retro hardware they are reproducing now.-chrome-have you purchased the satin nickel pieces? Lighting can be ceiling or close to ceiling fixture-catalogue search at your leisure-maybe a track fixture if one suits the space. My goal would be a lighthearted fun attitude w the counter /hardware.

Small condos do well with lighter flooring. And laminate does NOT work well in kitchens. Leave the slate if it works well. Real slate has much more value than laminate - especially in kitchens. Photos of what we are working with would help.

You have a beautiful kitchen. Rather than painting the back of your cabinets, accessorize them with colorful plates and appliances. Something that you can change as your taste changes. At the most I suggest that you cut out foam core sheets to the size of the back of your shelves and wall paper or paint them. See how they look. Again, Change them out as you desire. But I would not touch the surface of your laminate cabinets or shelves.