Do not be embarrassed about your kitchen! You have chosen to stay home with the kids - more important than cabinets any day. Normally, I don't encourage cabinet painting, but your finish is worn and that is the time to consider it. I have white appliances and I love them - I will never do stainless. I have a friend with a newer white kitchen and she has white appliances. There is nothing wrong with white appliances. Turn off HGTV:) Just make sure if you go white, that it works with the appliances. One of the fun things about an older kitchen is you can get creative with it, especially if you are at all open to cottage style. You can have the center panel of one or more cabinets removed and replaced with glass or for a farmhouse touch, chicken wire with fabric shirred behind it. It is hard to make an older kitchen look modern, but if it is your style, it is easy to make it sweet and cozy. I would not do a countertop paint - they don't last and your present counter is fine - it is not bright orange or red so leave it alone:) I retrofitted a plate rail in one of my cabinets - if you want info just ask: from Pinterest If you have any sewing skills, you can make a faux roman shade for the window. I also have no problem with your signs on you soffit. I have plates on mine. Your kitchen should express your style and be unique to you: My faux roman shade, plates on my soffit and white appliances: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 If you don't go with white, consider a soft green: Another thought since you have kids is white uppers and navy or royal blue or gray/blue lowers - might be easier to keep looking nice with kids. An inexpensive backsplash is the textured, paintable beadboard wallpaper. I don't generally like faux products, but this is good, inexpensive product ($20 Lowes), and very easy to do. Beadboard wallpaper backsplash: I used it in my basement kitchenette: https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573

yep..change it to white if changing anyway. I don't know why but-at least to me-white works better with white ..than with stainless..it'd create a bit of contrast with your cabs though..ah it's a pity they either don't sell colorful appliances or one needs to sell half of his kitchen to buy these..)) thank you for opening this thread, and for sharing the pics..delightful challenge. You realize there's lots of people out there that dream to have your blue tub and rose toilet? There are. I for example wanted green lol. No luck. I think: keep the character whatever you do.. In the kitchen ..with Formica..I like it as is..if you don't-I'd consider another Formica.:) .but I see nothing wrong with it except for this crack. Others here will know whether possible to repair?.. I'd rather change the floors.(even though from my brief reading-they're true to the era.). But I don't see how relates to the rest of the space, the kitchen and the flooring..that's important to know, to estimate how the transition will be..if easy trasition-I'd be bold..I'd go with color..smth Marmoleum? maybe even simple pattern..unless you're reluctant or transition is hard.. I'm just thinking out loud what I'd do if I'd be staying there, you know? Are you sure you'll sell? lol You need to consider all your elements together. If you sell soon, thus don't, or almost don't change the color scheme, that's one thing. You just need to mind it..anything new that goes in should work well with whatever's there. If you're going to spend there who knows how many years you might as well go all house-proud, you know? They didn't play it very safe back then Bathrooms. Oh. Change outlets in the bathrooms. Whiter ones. In the blue bathroom..I'd say white tile but I'd be honest with you-I myself get very irritated cleaning it. So. Tell me if you're like me. Why to suggest something that irritates on the daily basis, right? Please leave the vanity in its glory!! Especially the woodwork Your blush bathroom is like wow, blush bathroom-and I'm deadly serious. What a glorious color. I find vanity and wall cabinet are a bit too loud and compete..need to think..easiest would be to change the hardware. Would go with white.. Flooring works better in terms of colors..seems newer too..I can't say it's best for this bath, but it's not first priority, unless I miss on something. Walls, I'd do warmer white if not blush pink.. Something with a bit of black, like art, would look smashing with this pink plus white loose the rug around the toilet ..if you can.. take the beauty of your place and celebrate it..besides decluttering...I'll continue to think..hopefully while I'm writing this there will be other more coherent comments..))

I'm glad my idea was helpful to you! "my question is... the peninsula that gets extended towards the living room... how much space between the end of the counter and the wall/opening to living room do I need?" I did a rough estimate on aisles for you, based on the incomplete/inaccurate information you posted with your drawing. I estimated that the wall with pantry closet, fridge and desk at 115" based on where it ends in relationship to the peninsula. Your measurements list that as less than 8' but the desk ends beyond the peninsula - approx where the window starts? - so I'm guessing that wall is closer to the distance between top right corner and nook window. Anyhoo, here's an updated drawing based on that assumption. I recommend that you put a trash pull-out under your sink. You'll need to go with a single bowl, off-set drain sink and watch the overall depth but it can be done. Here's mine: I shifted the fridge towards the peninsula so that there's counter within 48" of the fridge. MW goes on a counter in the pantry: Hopefully the above amended drawing is enough to get you started. Tweak it as needed to suit your needs.

The oak would work nicely with slate or slate-look porcelain flooring. or, even a porcelain limestone tile. I'd do a 24x24 or 18x18 (no 12x12 tiles!) Lowes has this porcelain tile that resembles slate in a rectangle tile. Ivetta is the name. you could do a Marmoleum. they can come in a sheet or tiles and all diff colors this is the 24x24 porcelain limestone looking tile (tilebar.com) or do a simple oak flooring the other things I'd recommend is finding some hardware for your cabinets for a finished look and removing the white curtain for something in a blind. Inset in the window for a cleaner look. Paint the ceiling a bright white and find some neutral colors you like for the walls. Pale Oak is nice