I will check out the Valspar paint color. I don't think white is what I am going for. I also want to look at some deep creams. There is a Wild Honey in Behr premium paints that I want to get a sample of, as well as Haze. I have to make this decision by Monday, when my painter purchases the paint. I have been arranging a major overhaul of my daughter's townhouse (lots of urine damage from cats), etc. and have had to do it in two weeks time. Picking out everything in such a short period is difficult for me, even though I love decorating! Just so want this home to look great and sell, so my daughter can afford to live in Texas, where she is moving to for a job and to continue to pursue a serious relationship. We don't have money for two mortages (who does?!!), so getting this right is important. And I know having a home with a nice welcoming color is so important to get buyers seriously interested.

The new lighting could effect the wall color and the color of the wood - so definitely do that first. Do some research into the lasting effects of gel stain - I've heard both good things and bad things. Here are just some unasked for thoughts- if I was working with this kitchen on a budget, I would possibly remove the upper trim piece and the small wood piece over the windows. I might remove the entire cabinet to the left of the farthest left window and replace with some shelves. I would remove the over the range microwave, which being short I could not even use, and replace with a stand alone vent. You could do a stainless vent for a more modern look. It is more expensive, but you could stain an unfinished wood hood with insert for a more farmhouse look. You have so much lower storage I actually would be tempted to remove all of the upper cabinetry - especially if there is a pantry cabinet - I was wondering where the fridge is - is there a pantry cabinet next to it? As far a curtains - I do like the softness and color window treatments add, though tis is a person style choice. This vent is a little larger than you would want: Less uppers - pretty window treatment: Rustic shelves: If you like a bit of country / farmhouse, beadboard makes an inexpensive backsplash and works well with shelves - rather than tiling, which might possibly need to be redone if you got new counters down the road. This is my basement kitchenette - done very economically with some of my original cabinets (refinished), shelving and beadboard - though in this case I used the beadboard wallpaper to save money - might replace with the real thing in time: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573 My main kitchen is also oak and in my "my pics" idea book - if you want some possible ideas for counters/ backsplash / farm sink - but it is done in a vintage style.

the top color for the kitchen samples was Collingwood and it looked too dark for the kitchen. I contacted Benjamin Moore and they recommended I not use classic grey because it was too close in color to Collingwood so I went with Olympic mountains and it came out really nice

Hmm. I'd be inclined to paint the walls Simply White, too, so the focal point is your range and those lovely soapstone counters. You can always add art or display decorative servingware to up the "happy" factor. See below: