I am so sorry for your loss.

1. On marble counters. We have decided to just embrace patina and go for marble. Nothing else quite did it for us. But if you won't be okay with patina you are wise to skip marble. The light colored marble-like options are quartzite, engineered quartz or granite.

Viscount white is the best granite substitute I found in our local stone yards. It passed my quick staining tests and went well with the white cabinets we are using. It was also priced affordably in our area.

White macabus was the quartzite that appealed to us the most. There is a series of countertop geology threads on here with a lot of information about how to be sure you are getting a true quartzite and not a mis-named marble (super white is often named as a quartzite but is usually a marble--which is what I found when I tested a sample.). All of the true quartzites were pretty expensive.

There are also lots of engineered quartz options. I did not look at those as dh vetoed them upfront. I know I have read here to be sure you see a whole slab or a big installation of that material before deciding as many people felt the small samples looked pretty but the bigger swath disappointed in some way. This option is also more expensive than the true carrara marble we have decided to go with.

2. I would not have a refinished cast iron sink in a kitchen. I have not heard good things about the new finish holding up even to bathtub use. I would look for a new in box vintage sink (they do pop up every now and then) or a used sink in an original condition you can accept or a new sink.

3. I have never had an upscale range so I'm not much help on this point, but I will say that this time around I started out researching lower priced gas ranges on the appliance forum and I decided to go with induction. I hate that the lower priced induction ranges currently only come in stainless steel. but the amazing functionality of induction has completely won me over. I love induction and would not willingly switch back to gas. I suggest you check out induction on the appliances forum before trying to choose a brand for your range.

4. Sorry I'm no help on refrigerators. I have always had weird size constraints that dictated my refrigerators.

So sorry for your loss. Such a difficult transition.

If I was doing what you're doing I'd be looking at one of the very good looking (not sparkly, non aggregate-look) engineered stones for counters. Those would point up the mahogany vs compete. But I like low maintenance.

I'd get a new sink but one with an integral back that gives it a 30s feel. Kohler has the 30" Guilford and there are others made in England aside from Shaw's.

I'm not a range person as I don't need a huge oven and hate low ovens. That said, a Lacanche would be the range I'd like. Alternately, I'd go induction plus a high quality wall oven. I've been super happy with my Miele. Wolf has a very good looking whizzy new M series that applnut has posted on extensively. If the porcelain doesn't chip, it looks like a winner.

I had a Liebherr 30" fridge I liked a lot. 2 compressors. It wasn't built in but it can be installed to look built in. The brand seems to have a controversial repair rate. In 2 years we had it there were 0 issues. Others report problems. But it's one to consider. Some also have liked Fisher & Paykel but I don't know about those.

Anyway, perhaps a place to start.

So many changes in your life in the last year! Must be very different and difficult moving and remodeling (not to mention all the other aspects of your life) without the support of your husband. Hopefully the folks here can be of help to you.

I can't offer too much help but I also wanted marble and was too fearful of the etching, staining, etc. I went with the Taj Mahal quartzite which has been bombproof. I have a Bosch induction and can't say enough good things about induction. Our French door fridge with bottom freezer is Samsung. We have had it for about 5 years without any problems. I will have to get a new appliance repair guy, however, since he has told me he doesn't work on any foreign makes.

Your current kitchen is gorgeous! Can't wait to see your new one.

Thank you all for taking the time to answer. I'm keeping all these suggestions in mind.

This must be such a hard time for you. I hope your project keeps you busy and brings you some pleasure.

We have a serpentine marble. Some places mistakenly call it a granite. So far, after 3 years, I have one tiny nick near the sink, which is only known if I rub my finger or the edge. There is no etching and I am not the queen of carefullness and neatness.

I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your DH.

If I was doing a kitchen like yours, I would take a good look at this sink by American Standard. Country Kitchen Sink at Home Depot It's lovely. In fact, I'd love to stick it in my own kitchen now. : )

I would avoid a refurbed sink for concerns of the finish not holding up. I had what I'm assuming was a 50's era porcelain on metal sink (not refinished), and while it had a cute style and I loved the integrated drainboard, the finish was worn out in the bottom of the bowl. It almost always looked dirty since the shine was mostly gone and stuff seemed to seep into the finish. We put a few chips in it accidentally dropping things on it or bumping it with pots and pans, too. I too have heard of refinished tubs not holding up, and we use our sinks a lot harder than we use our tub.

that is a great sink! thanks

We have a 1939 house and just updated our kitchen but kept a lot of the period in the house (cabinets, counter tops). I think the kitchen may have been updated in the 1950s so ours is a bit eclectic. We got a Lacanche Volnay range and the more I use it the more I love it. It was our splurge. Here are a few pics that links to more pics.

Our Updated 1950s Kitchen with French Inspiration · More Info

Our Updated 1950s Kitchen with French Inspiration · More Info

Haha, that dog is cracking me up -- standing as close as possible to the turkey!

Your kitchen is great. Your dog is adorable, too. Love your range! (I'm in Paris right now and have been window shopping the kitchen stores.) Thank you for sharing.

Do you find the Lacanche oven large enough for "American" baking needs?

Yes, definitely big enough for all our needs, including baking. I love the size of the oven and can't imagine ever preferring a larger oven. I mostly bake bread and it turns out great.

Thank you for the response.

I've just looked at ILVE Majestic 36" range, made in Italy. I'm impressed with the options and the build of the range, but need to find more reviews. My neighbors have a Bertrazzoni and aren't happy with it, but this is a different company. It is a 12-week order for the ILVE rather than 4-month with Lacanche (although with August vacations, it's more like a 5-month wait by now).