Your kitchen is beautiful and has so much potential! The first thing I would do is get rid of the low seating and replace it with a bar that has seating on both sides. That way you would be able to enjoy the nice view of the pond while dining:) I would make it higher then the counter tops. I would also put a nice piece of art above the kitchen sink window or a large artistic clock. It just looks like a nice focal point for something interesting in this photo. I think I would continue the bar across the kitchen so that it will cover the sink and any mess in the kitchen from the living area (kitchens can get messy). It will be higher then the counters and a great place to dine while looking out onto the pond and trees.

Are you sure you want a traditional kitchen in your 70s rambler? Everything in this photo, particularly the windows, point to a bit more contemporary style. Houzz has gazillions of kitchen photos for the various styles with fabulous ideas. I would urge you to look through there and see what catches your eye and go from there

You have a solid base to work on. Nice open area.

ruthmand - I agree, to a degree. If there were such a thing a "traditional contemporary" it would be more accurate to describe what I envision. Looking through the pictures on this site, some of the contemporary ktichens steer too much towards a "modern" look for my taste. The house was designed as a 70s version of contemporary, but I don't necessarily want to keep it the same...especially the entire wall of mirrors in the dining/sitting room :)

AMN - very well said. Maybe to combine my response to ruthmand with your observation, I think what I envision could be called "natural contemporary," rather than traditional. Specifically to tie the interior to the beauty of the big lot with heron, deer, ducks, etc in the backyard. Not that I want wallpaper with little ducks...rather the emphasis on wood and stone.

Hi bradfordj,

If you give me the dimensions of the kitchen and a rough layout of the existing cabinet spaces, I can give you a rough estimate of what it would cost for me to supply you with cabinets. I can definitely be well below 70k, but you will need to hire a contractor install them. Once I have a rough layout, we can choose colors and door styles very easily. Please let me know. If you'd like a quote from my company please visit our website www.totalkitchenstore.com. I'd love to help you layout your kitchen and I know I can save you money!

Great ideas posted. I will add the minor suggestion if you do move to add some visual interest and homey feel with sml details like big bowls of colorful fruit, a sml interesting print on a stand and or a cook book sitting open, pops of color with one or two plants on the floor in contemporary containers (big enough to impact pics) plus one beautiful bright colored orchid, etc. There is a house for sale near us and the rooms look so sterile and not inviting...it doesn't show well even though in general it's a good house. Good luck!

Go to Rebecca Robeson her contemporary modern twist are brilliant and have a look on You Tube at her contemporary modern home which is beautiful and she is also very aware of cost constraints which is brilliant.Robeson Design Studios just rock.

I actually like what you have and with minor tweaks you can straddle the contemporary with the traditional. What comes to my mind are

-Stain the doors (if they are made of wood)
-Add detail mouldings around the doors to create a more traditional panel
-eliminate that sit down counter and then extend the island and buy a lighter slab of granite and use part of it as an overhang for seating.
-change the backsplash
-Change the lighting
-Upgrade the appliances
-Lay an engineered wood floor (maybe something handscraped) over the tiles
-Change out those angular windows for something more traditional
-get som simple roller shades for the windows or leave them uncovered.
-Paint the whole room
-Lay some nice pathway rugs to suit the new theme.

Looks like a great space with beautiful views. I appreciate that it is an old photo not showing the current damaged condition.

1) Are the cabinets too damaged to be reused?
2) Can you post a floor plan? The area does not look rectangular.
3) Are there two sinks, including one in an island?
4) Is there currently a cooktop in the island?

Attached you a sample, traditional or too antique, you can try some feeling like this, white color cabinet with walnut color island, that's two tone kitchen, not everything white or dark. Match with a nice granite and flooring.

Here is an example with mix of white, brown cabinets, along with some furniture-like storage units.

Hi I have read all the comments of the above regarding your kitchen. You have a great layout. You have the cabinet boxes in place; just reface with new cabinet doors and yes eliminate the sit down table and replace with an island and granite counter with stools, new appliances and flooring would make this a wonderful gathering place. Yes you can be contemporary with traditional.

I have to say the activity on this site is quite amazing. Per apple_pie's request, I am providing the following additional detail.
1) The cabinets were apparently custom made in Italy in the 80s. The doors look like pressed wood...not solid. The hinges are very high quality and the boxes are in good shape but also pressed wood.
2) I roughed-out a floor plan with adjacent areas if one wanted to consider traffic flow. It is pretty much a rectangle; the kitchen does come out farther than the living room wall...not even like the drawing.I don't have details on counter dimensions yet; possibly this weekend I might arrange a visit to the house.
3) Main sink is in the corner by the windows. A small sink is also on the back of the island. It seems like windows over a sink get the most "use" since everyone goes to the sink several times a day.
4) There is a gas Jennair cooktop (pop up vent) on the island. I'm playing with the idea of moving the cooktop off the island. All appliances will be replaced.
Other notes: Corian countertops are gouged and cracked. They must go; perhaps some repurposed in the garage for work area. Most of the light fixtures are damaged and the replacement glass would have to be custom. I think we are better off buying new...plus the light fixtures are critical to the design (for me).

Thanks everyone!

This is one of my favorite kitchens on houzz. It is what I would call "edgy" traditional with simple Shaker style cabinets and classic subway tile paired with the drama of contemporary hardware and lighting.

I don't have a picture of the view out the windows, but attached is the exterior bird'e eye view. Dytecture - it is eerie that you posted that picture; the actual house is about 5 minutes away from us. I like it, but it is not quite what I envision. Unfortunately, I can "feel" what the space should be, but I can't yet translate it into materials and design. In that photo, I like the different woods, and the contrasting countertops. A less "finished" floor with more texture, e.g. shaved as previously mentioned, may work better in our kitchen. The comments here have been very helpful!

@bradfordj ... That is something that I chose a picture so "close to home" literally !

Interesting attachment you have there.

bradfordj- Thanks for answering the questions and posting the photo and layout. This kind of property (architect designed to take advantage of the unique site) really needs a professional designer for the kitchen. He or she will know if the Italian cabinets are a high grade of MDF or something else and if they can be reused with new fronts, for example, which could save you many thousands of dollars. Given the other work that goes into refurbishing a damaged short sale house that was originally gorgeous, you really need that designer expertise.

I can't resist adding that I think you should look at kitchen layouts that have windows on the "pond wall" instead of upper cabinets. There are spectacular examples on houzz if you search on "kitchen windows".

Apple_pie - I agree that a professional designer is necessary. While I am a DIY'r, the consequences of not planning well is a little more than just pulling apart a door and reinstalling (did that last weekend). I just wanted to thoroughly think through what we want first with the intent to:
1) minimize influence of bias from the individual designer. Even if they really want to think like you, they are only human (at least I've been told) and their own preferences will influence the guidance they provide.
2) If the designer can spend less time extracting the mental image of what we want, the more time they can spend making it a reality.
I'm in awe of what a good designer can do, both for function and beauty, and won't flinch to make that investment.

Bradfordj: I agree with your reasoning. IME, designers get a much better idea of what you want when you do your homework. Then you can show them pictures, floor plan sketches, a prioritized wish list and a budget. Not to mention a hefty reserve for contingency.

Fantastic,practical help from really useful ideas all emannating from this Houzz community.I will be using this a lot in our remodel.

You have a very nice kitchen space to work with. What I would recommend is investing some time and a little help, billed by the hour so as much or as little time as you want, from a residential architect. Not expensive considering what you want to spend in making a kitchen you will love and not regret later. Please consider getting recommendations from a licensed residential architect. You will not regret seeing options from a professional who will integrate your own very personal design style. Good luck

What stands out in the photo is the flying saucer light fixtures. They were high style attention-getters. Without their pizzazz, the 1980's kitchen is quite sleek but lacking in wow factor. Depending on what you and the designer choose to emphasize, you could use spectacular new lights in the same way or pick some other feature such as countertops or windows or cabinets.

I'd look into moving the cooktop to a wall where a real hood and serious fan (like Vent A Hood) can be installed.

If you go out to the house this weekend, you might look for the Italian manufacturer's name on the inside of a drawer (that's where American manufacturers tend to put their stamps). Take a drawer home after escrow closes so that you have it in hand when you contact the original manufacturer to see if they offer new doors for those cabinets.

I think you will have to make a decision about whether you are going to fix the place up for your family or for sale. That will affect the budget and possibly the style of the fixup because you'll want to do better than break even after carrying costs and the 6% (or so) sales commission.

Bradfordj- I'm curious about what you decided to do with the remodel. Would you like to post an update on your plans?