@steph: I really like those pictures you posted. I think the cabinets are some sort of plastic material, and I have zero DIY skills and am afraid I'd destroy them if I tried to do it, but good things to think about. also love the grout paint idea to try to give it a more even look.

thoughts on this? http://www.wayfair.com/Self-Adhesive-Metallic-Mosaic-Tile-in-White-and-Gray-VKGL1882-VKGL1882.html 

I had zero DIY skills when I bought by condo too. If they are old and you hate them, I wouldn't worry about messing the cabinets up. Shellac Primer will stick to anything. Just need multiple coats and sanding before painting.

HI --Don Johnson was in Miami Vice , not Dinglehoff ,oh I mean Hasselhoff . These cabinets will not take a paint because of the finish . Looks like they are possibly high gloss thermal wrap which is like a vinyl type surface over MDF . It is like a shrink wrap covering that should not be sanded .

Here's what I did with my kitchen. We just love the glass tiles.

Funky and neutral.

@lefty47

Yes I know Don Johnson is Miami Vice, but I think the Hoff is more photogenic and has better hair, so there's that. You could hang two pics, one with Don and the other with David, with the caption, "Don't Hassle the Hoff". Don't change anything, just add red accent and the art work mentioned above.

Shellac primer will hold, even to slick surfaces.

http://www.plebio.com/images/2015/12/modern-kitchen-theme-finish-pure-red-kitchen-backsplash-ideas-white-kitchen-cabinet-black-counter-tops-red-kitchen-backsplash-ideas-kitchen-amazing-red-kitchen-backsplash-ideas-for-glamorous-looking.jpg

http://cdn.decoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Bright-orange-backsplash-in-the-kitchen.jpg

Thank you all!! @lefty47: you might be right about the cabinet material...sounds about right.

I like the idea of changing the grout color to a white (current tiles are white with faint gray streams. Would ideally change the tiles altogether, I agree, but have to think about budget).

@kjbjw: those are awesome ideas and I particularly like the orange...Just have to think if we want to go that bold.

what do you guys think about a silver-type blacksplash similar to those below? Would it work given that my cabinets are not matte? Also -- would they install the new backsplash tiles over the existing one or does the original one need to be removed and the new one stuck to the wall?

(color scheme of the above is reverse of mine -- with dark cabinets and light counters)

(this one has a white blacksplash but I feel like it brightened up the space).

just realized my pictures didn't go through. Here are the links:

http://decor.pourgeorge.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Black-and-White-Kitchen-Decorating.jpg 

http://www.backsplashideas.com/Themes/BSI/Content/images/Galleries/Silver/A5050_001_012611_F.jpg 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/58/cb/12/58cb123eba11802759e64f8d131ad787.jpg 

http://www.plebio.com/images/2016/03/exquisite-design-subway-style-kitchen-backsplash-silver-color-metal-backsplash-white-kitchen-storage-cabinets-black-marble-countertop-double-bowl-kitchen-sink-kitchen-backsplash-with-subway-tiles-dec.jpg 

http://cdn.decoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Transitional-kitchen-in-black-and-white.jpg 

Are you buying, selling, or just wanting a change? Do you have undercabinet lights?

I think it's wonderfully outdated. If I were to change anything, it would be a seamless floor option in white or black.

@apple_pie_order: just looking for a change w/o having to overhaul the whole thing

@clubnev: thanks for the juxtaposition! Yes, I think I'm going to get the grout paint and try to smooth out the tiles.

@groveraxle: Thanks for those! How'd you do that?? ; )

Photoshop. :)

here's a lighter backsplash. I wouldn't try to paint the glossy cabinets -- those are still plenty in style in a modern kitchen, but the black has to go. I'd be tempted to try to color the black line that goes around, but the backplash will make a big difference, as would stainless appliances.

thanks so much!

The lighter backsplash looks so much better.

That actually looks a lot like an Ernestomeda kitchen so they are still making that style: http://www.ernestomeda.com/italian-kitchen/emetrica. I think groveraxle's dark floor and bright green accents are stunning and would update the look fairly cheaply.

Definitely a white backsplash in subway tiles or a white stacked stone with allot of texture and maybe a little natural sparkle, and definitely stainless range and brushed nickel modern hardware. I like the wide plank oak floors and with that you might be on the mark for a wonderfully 1970's updated vintage modern.

I think that the most important feature to change is the floor tile. Everything else can be classified as contemporary but the tiles show how outdated the kitchen is.

Adding cabinet hardware will change the look of the kitchen without a huge expense:

http://www.houzz.com/pro/glideritehardware/__public

Please let us know if we can assist you with anything!

Best regards,
GlideRite Hardware

thanks again all!

Vinyl plank would definitely make a big impact at very low cost. If you have $10 to spare, you can upload a photo of the kitchen to this room designer and see how it looks with different vinyl plank options:

http://flooret.esignserver1.com/gallery.do

Here are a couple photos of kitchens with vinyl plank:

Stavern Vinyl Plank Flooring - Wood Grain · More Info

Client Modin Vinyl Plank Installs - Parkhurst · More Info

Thanks everybody for your comments/input. My trepidation with a wood-looking floor is that the adjacent rooms have real hardwood and I think the juxtaposition (primarily in color) would be odd. If we do end up doing the floors (which is an IF), what do you think of (updated) white porcelain tile...like 24x12

May be too much white for the room to do the floors and the backsplash in white, and I dd suggest the white backsplash will justify the white cabinets, (perhaps),, However, maybe a ceramic tile that looks like the existing wood floors? There are allot of ceramic tiles that have a wood grain in them. Not a big fan in general but in certain applications they re perfect! Unless, in this case, if your current wood floors are dark, that would not look good...

Ok, so I am going to bite the bullet and redo the flooring. Which do you think works best: the light or dark grey tile in this photo? (the adjacent dining room is hardwood, so I'm not going to do wood-looking tile). I fear the dark might make the space look too small. (It' snot a huge kitchen.) I also have a little dilemma: I want to change the tile of the adjacent entryway to the house to be the same as the kitchen tile. Being that the kitchen is to the right of the entryway, that would mean that the length of the rectangular tiles would appear vertically rather than horizontally when entering the kitchen. Is this a huge problem? (hope that last question made sense...)

They both look nice but if it is a small kitchen, I'd lean toward the lighter. Do the two rooms touch each other?

Thanks. Yes, they lead into each other.

I like the darker, what do they look like next to your existing adjacent floors?

They both work next to the wood floors--just different looks.

I should add that I think I'm going to change the backsplash to a lighter color (either white or maybe a dusty gray? have to see samples...), in case that matters on your vote for the floors.

Cheers for a new floor. I think the grey a bit better, and a high gloss option would look well here,too.

Thanks. You mean the light grey?

On my monitor,at least, yes.

Not sure I could pick between light and medium grey. What tone is wood nearby: light, med, or dark? I'd match the depth of the wood.

Also, any thoughts on/solutions to the issue of the rectangular tiles and their positioning on the different rooms (entryway vs kitchen) based on the entry of the rooms? Do I need to go with square? Is square up to date?

Either can be used. if you go w plank, the floor will simply look a bit more elongated than it does now. I wouldn't consider that a deal breaker.

If the two rooms lead into each other, it seems you have no choice but to run them the same direction - but I think that would work since your kitchen seems square. I would not go with square tiles. I think they are dated and that's the whole point of your changing the floors - to make the kitchen look less 80's Miami Vice. (of course, this is coming from someone that has 80's gray/mauve on the brain with matching mauve wallpaper to match - yikes!).

Thanks all. I feel better about the tile . Now a question about the backsplash: I was thinking white or white with grey accents to tie in with the tile. But I'm afraid these color schemes (particularly the latter ) won't tie in with the countertops and it will seem odd that I have black countertops at all. Thoughts? Do I need to incorporate black into the backsplash?

I read what I had missed earlier, and you posted wayfair's stick-on tile. That might be nice. Rated well by customers too.

I guess that idea is gone by now -- are you for sure using grey floor tile? [Backsplash ideas can return after that hmm?]

New tile and a nice backsplash would help a lot. I like the silver hood someone added above the stove as well.

Looks like 1990, not 70's.