That's weird, I've tried to reply 2x and wasn't able to. Anyway, Thanks for all the advice and memories and help. You are all wonderful. I decided to paint the interior bright white and the exterior a soft gray. The white would be pretty, but we're not white cabinet kind of folk. My kitchen is dark, and a Big White Cabinet, might overwhelm the rest of the room. The color we picked matches my Great Grandmother's Spatter wear roaster I think it's from the same era, so they'll look pretty nice together. Floyd, it's actually a Hoosier, I found the original shipping tag. It was from 1929, and just for fun I did some research on the name. According to the 1930 census, public marriage records, and city maps--all available to me via internet one rainy afternoon. The piece was purchased in March of 1929, according to the shipping label. According to the marriage records, the name on the shipping label married in June of 1929. As listed 1930 census, they lived on the groom's family Dairy farm. The farm is gone, but the family still owns the house. I'm afraid to ask any more information though. What if they claim it was stolen and want it back? Ugh. That would be my luck. Messy, messy. So, I am looking for an Ad or milk bottle from the Dairy. I only live a few miles from the origial owner's house, the stuff might show up at a flea market or an antique shop. Thank you all again.

Depending on the availability in your particular area, that looks like a good fair price. Brand new ones being made run about $2,500. You say you do not know much about Hoosiers. If you are interested in a real collector's piece there are things that make or break the value. Many vintage ones do not have all the accessories and that definately affects the value, but they can be picked up individually on eBay and such. Has the piece been refinished? Is it a "real" Hoosier or one of the many other manufactured ones? Is this piece worth $400 to you?

I would still take the top (the enamel one that slides out) to the paint store. Thanks, sonicmom, jadeite was the word I couldn't come up with when I replied. That green trim has a definite "cast" to it and if you pick the wrong (maybe undertone is the word I'm looking for) one it won't look right. If you get a match you can always have the paint store cut it so it's the same tone as the top.

Bottom line: You will need 25.5" for each wall cabinet run (24" cabinet + 1.5" counter overhang)...since you already have the appliances (including DOs) you're locked in to that depth on both sides if you put them in the approx locations in your original layout. You need a minimum of 36", preferably 42" for each aisle b/w counters...whether b/w wall runs or island & wall run. For a galley (i.e., no island), you really should have a 48" aisle since all the traffic + kitchen work will happen in one space. So... No island, the minimum width of the kitchen should be: .....Minimum aisle and no traffic: 25.5" + 36" + 25.5" = 87" (7'3") .....For ideal aisle of 48" or Traffic b/w island & one run of cabinets: + 12" = 99" (8'3") Island w/24" cabinet only (no seating): .....Minimum aisle and no traffic: 25.5" + 36" + 28" + 36" + 25.5" = 151" (12'7") .....For one ideal aisle of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one run of cabinets: + 6" = 157" (13'1") .....For two ideal aisles of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one or two runs of cabinets: + 6" + 6" = 163" (13'7") Island w/18" cabinet only (no seating): .....Minimum aisle and no traffic: 25.5" + 36" + 22" + 36" + 25.5" = 145" (12'1") .....For one ideal aisle of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one run of cabinets: + 6"" = 151" (12'7") .....For two ideal aisles of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one or two runs of cabinets: + 6" + 6" = 157" (13'1") Island w/24" cabinet, seating on one side, & minimum aisle (36" b/w non-seating side of island and other wall): .....With run of cabinets behind the seats and no traffic or counter behind seats: 25.5" + 36" + 40.5" + 48" + 25.5" = 175.5" (14'7.5") .....With run of cabinets behind the seats and either traffic or counter behind the seats (but not both): 25.5" + 36" + 40.5" + 54" + 25.5" = 181.5" (15'1.5") .....With run of cabinet behind the seats and traffic and counter behind the seats: 25.5" + 36" + 40.5" + 60" + 25.5" = 187.5" (15'7.5") .....With ideal aisles: 25.5" + 42" + 40.5" + 60" + 25.5" = 193.5" (16'1.5") If you have only one wall run of cabinets, you can subtract about 2' off each of the above measurements... Now, some questions... (1) Where does the door lead that's to the left of the range? Is it used a lot? (2) The door on the long wall w/the oven cabinets...does it lead to the DR? Is the DR used a lot? (3) The open area at the opposite end of the kitchen from the range....is that the Den/Family Room? When everyone was working on my kitchen, a comment was made that a kitchen that's 11' or 12' wide is more difficult to work with than one that's 9' or 14' wide. The 11' or 12' wide kitchen it too narrow for an island and too wide for the traditional Galley w/a 4' aisle b/w the cabinet runs. So far, no one has disproved this... whew! A lot of #s!!!