Thank you, everyone! You've all given me some ideas to think about. After reading these posts and talking with my BFF, I am going to retract my statement that countertops MUST be first and go instead with flooring first -- for several reasons: 1.) It will require the biggest outlay of money. 2.) It's the one area I feel most decisive about -- i.e., though lovely -- not wood -- nor bamboo, nor cork, nor vinyl, nor granite nor marble (though thank you for thinking about my aching joints!) 3.) Past experience has taught me in order to do such projects-- time, money, and energy all have to come together at once. Right now we have all three and my husband and son are raring to go just as soon as I make the call -- that may not be the case six months from now. (Sigh. Such is the life of a carpenter's wife.) : / 4.) I think it better to lay flooring now before the cold weather sets in -- probably not a good idea to lay slate in the middle of winter. 5.) Once I see how the slate looks, then I can make a decision on the countertops. Yes! You've all helped me realize I am about 98% certain we'll go with slate. I actually have a slate floor in my current kitchen (will post pics later when I figure out photo bucket) and after 13 years I still love it. People thought I was crazy when I chose slate and that was when all sorts of lovely tile was the rage, but my thinking then was similar as now: I want timeless, durable, non-slippery, low-maintenance, practical for our purposes and to still looks nice no matter what the men drag in on their boots. ; ) Hmmm....I never even thought about painting the cabinets -- but I do like the idea, especially milk paint! I really do like the look of milk paint! And I like the fact that the painting could be done "later" -- maybe next summer. Thank you, too, for pointing out there might be too much wood going on if I go with wood countertops. That is definitely something to consider. Have already looked at a number of custom-metal countertop sites (copper, zinc, etc.) but I just can't envision the entire countertops being all one sheet of any kind of metal. Plus while I do like the aged patina look I don't like acid spill spots and scratches and all the dings and dents that come with soft metals. Hubby has actually done some lovely copper work (lamps and planters) and I know he'd do a great job, but you see he's from the Southwest and I'm afraid he'd go a little nuts and get too south-western adobe-ish if I just let him have at it. ; ) Maybe a natural (no stain) sealed cherry countertop with stamped or hammered or beveled copper edges might be a compromise. Then, too, if I go with wood countertops we could always tile over them 10 or 15 years down the road... But enough about countertops for now. I really feel the floor throughout the entire area should be slate. I agree, in part, with the notion of living in a house awhile to see what you want to do. But I thought slate flooring when I first walked into the house and every time I've looked at it online and every time I've been there since. (God willing, the cherry flooring will come later with the living room and bedrooms.) But first things first...I still have to finish packing! :o

Sounds great! Would you be able to post a sketch (on graph paper or something, so we can see the scale) of the new plan?

If it's considered an entry level condo - that is a starter home - I wouldn't change anything major. Just paint the walls a neutral color, clean and edit the items on the counter. Remove the multiple towels and dated canisters. If you have a Home Goods or Crate and Barrel nearby check out new stylish towels. Keep the counters totally clutter free. Clean out the cabs and de-clutter. Allow the next buyer to do the upgrades and updates to their taste. The previous posters are right that some upgrades will actually turn buyers off. In my area of middle suburbia, it is granite on old cabinets that have seen better days, especially if the layout isn't great. If your cooktop is older, around 8 - 10 years or going out - this may be an item to consider updating along with matching hood since you already have the SS oven. The newer appliances are a great selling point on an older home. I've bought a couple of houses where the old 1980's stoves were downright scary. Check out clearance, closeouts, craigslist or sears outlet for a good deals. As the others posted, new lighting can help brighten up the space. You don't have a picture of the sink, but if the faucet is old and dated, that could also be a great upgrade for not a lot of money. My personal favorite, the one I currently own is this Moen Brantford: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-202998687/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=moen+kitchen+faucet&storeId=10051#.UJvZF6UTBvc I don't know what your lighting and flooring is like, but a neutral color I love is called Autumn Haze. The color is by Glidden. I've staged and sold 3 houses since 2003. The following pictures are the kitchens from the two most recent. Both of these have oak cabinets. The most recent (1st) had 20 year old laminate counters. The wall paint was Behr Sand Pearl. The 2nd one actually had tile counters. It was newer with the original builder paint, except for the blue/green color. I had 2 toddlers and a baby and didn't have time to repaint and neutralize.

Do take it to the home decorating forum. We can't tell much from just these photos but it does look livable except for the purple paint and wallpaper. :) Those can go, and fast. It looks like inexpensive updating will take you a long way while you plan the real remodel. The honey oak isn't bad here! If the budget is really tight, don't do anything major until it grows a bit. Small projects tend up escalate and then something unrelated like the furnace might go out. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor