Hi, Nan! I keep thinking, "It's too hot, time for me to go into summer dormancy; *no more plants*! but they keep following me home... & every year I say, "I'm not going to water these pots of plants through the summer. Anybody left in a flowerpot after May 30 gets composted." Pots of plants have homesteaded 3 plastic wading pools here.

Cpartist, yes, the fridge landing would have to be the island, maybe not ideal, but I think I prefer that over doing a counter on the fridge wall. I'm going to do 54" between the island and cooktop, we have this same spacing on our current island and it's comfortable. But, I LOVE the idea of the pocket door in the pantry. Didn't think of that, and it's a great idea. Thanks! Caligirl, my asthetic objection is that the fridge wall is maybe a little over 11'. By the time I put 6' of refrigeration and freezer, and the oven cabinet and spacers, there will only be 2' or so left and to put a countertop in there with those masses surrounding it makes it seem like a cave to me, even with good lighting. I think I'd rather just use the island across, but I do appreciate your advice and will keep it in mind. Palimpsest, Where would you put the glasses? LOL on the matched bottles in the fridge. We do have a glass door fridge now, and it actually looks good even when the stuff inside is disorganized (as it always is, I'm not that OCD)

whatever has been said..your landlord sounds like a real nice guy..:) unless of course you have agreement that your improvements hugely lower your rent? what I'd do though..if I was as handy and as eager as you.. -the mosaic in the kitchen where the backsplash is-hard to see whether a real backsplash or wallpaper? if wallpaper-get rid of it and repaint. if real mosaics-just repaint. ETA-ok reread your post..real mosaics. I love peel and stick options that do exist, but I'm not sure I'd go for them here..it's not so much mosaic as its placement..countertop backsplash plus mosaics plus wrap around..too much. And it won't be easy to find something that will work. But. Check your options. Etsy has pages upon pages of tile decals, for example. https://www.etsy.com/search?q=tile%20decals&ref=auto1&as_prefix=tile%20decals -you seem to have no space next to the stove..I know IKEA carries these narrow tables you know? or something of the kind..that you can put in between the stove and the fridge, have some landing surface, spot to place a pot you know -is the floor in the kitchen real tile or linoleum/vinyl? you can try and cover it with something if it irritates you of course(to me it's actually the worst offender. along with the blinds that I'd take out and put on curtains. but you're going to do that anyway). it can be tile decals, it can be floor cloth, it can be big inexpensive rug.. the rest of the kitchen, just deep clean and let be. new paint will make a huge difference -your door is fine..hard to see the living to make helpful furniture placement suggestion, but generally I find that sofa plus two chairs is the most versatile in most cases -the bathroom is cute and blue in cabinets picks up the flooring. Wallpaper is best to go though since it clashes with flooring. Clean the grout..and ask your landlord to change faucets etc if they're problematic. If they're not but you hate them-well maybe you can split the price. New paint, shower curtain that you love-and you're good. What's your style preference? I'm crazy about shower curtains so can look them up and suggest for you, and would be my pleasure:) you do need some "landing strip" as they call it..and I can't see whether youn can fit small dining table in the corner of the kitchen? .. if you want more suggestions about colors, furnishings, furniture layout and such, I recommend cross posting in Home Decorating forum. They(ok, us. lol) will ask you a bit more about dimensions, layout, preferences in style, budget, needs, etc. Congratulations on your first renting place, it's exciting..and good luck!

You might also consider pressed metal wall art. If you like music, you could focus on that theme: https://www.ebay.com/itm/164052298799 https://www.ebay.com/itm/TrebleClef-Black-Musical-Note-Music-Metal-Wall-Art-Decor/153839029144?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225085%26meid%3Dd4be207d83a54d30b922d5c0faa0c77d%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D153580763612%26itm%3D153839029144%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/MUSIC-MUSICAL-SMALL-VERSION-WOOD-HEART-NOTES-TREBLE-CLEF-WALL-ART-DECOR/333137467780?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225085%26meid%3D3bd6740fe0b540afb31fdbe05a838fa1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D153839029144%26itm%3D333137467780%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 You could also add wood related items, including an actual guitar or any musical instrument or even music related art made from wood. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sing-Word-With-Treble-Clef-Laser-Cut-Wood-Wall-Art-Decor-Music/333342757798?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225085%26meid%3D5bc81f7047ee44c59138591ae6535dfd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D333137467780%26itm%3D333342757798%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 Or add pictures or posters (framed or unframed), even abstract art with that same theme. https://www.bing.com/shop?q=pressed+metal+wall+art+music+&FORM=SHOPPA&originIGUID=A06FB88FF1364E6A9BB53EE23FB0BD95  You could choose the beach or the mountains or race cars or sports or even outer space as your theme. What interests your family?