WOW. It does make a difference. I would paint the cabinets, too, AND, get new pulls...to modernize it further. My kitchen is essentially in the same time zone as yours. I need a new floor, and I bet mine is also 50 years old. They did make them to last, didn't they? I love wood cabinets, and the 1950-1960 look...good thing. Did you/are you going to paint the walls? I would go with something, if you haven't already, that has some COLOUR! Let the cabinets be nuetral, you know?