Refreshing my 1986 kitchen- input needed
Album: https://imgur.com/a/xDxH2PB
Hey everyone. I have a 1986 custom built kitchen that was installed in my 1965 built home. When I bought the house, I found all the original invoices, blueprints and documentation for this custom build which is awesome. The local contractor and cabinet builder is still in business today!
It’s starting to show its age. I’m planning a mild, non-gut renovation and would like some input or advice on each of these points.
Cabinets: not changing them. They’re solid quality custom hardwood, and it would be a travesty to replace them with box store units, or paint them. I’m going to clean them up and replace the hardware, that’s about it.
Backsplash: currently this ugly dated cheap vinyl. I plan to fully tile the backsplash with this beautiful green tile: https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/cloe-tile/?itemNo=DECCLOGRN28G
3: hutch behind cooktop: tile it with the same as above? Unless anyone has cooler ideas.
4: countertop: currently this cheap laminate stuff. Plan to rip out and install custom laminate countertop to stay in budget. Thinking a darker grey/quartz color would coordinate with the green tile backsplash and dark wood cabinets, but any other ideas are welcome.
Fridge: same case as dishwasher, not replacing. Would love to find a way to update the fake wood skin.
Dishwasher: it’s a tank and will probably outlive me. Not replacing. If anyone has a method or ideas for updating the ugly faux wood skin, that’d be highly appreciated.
Oven: not the greatest, but it still works and I’m not replacing so I don’t have to cut out the cabinetry.
Cooktop: this thing sucks, it’ll be replaced with a gas downdraft cooktop since I can’t fit a hood vent in this configuration. I’ll run the gas line myself and retrofit the venting.
Flooring: would love to tile the kitchen. Open to ideas on color scheme that would match the wood cabinets, green tile backsplash, and black/greyish countertops.
Sink: replace with a black deep-basin sink.
The TLDR is that I’m very handy and capable of carrying out all this work myself, but lack in creative vision and choosing beautiful color schemes. Any advice or brainstorming is welcome! This is just a rough plan and can be changed. The only non-negotiable that’s set in stone for me is the tile selection.