Thank you all for taking the time to consider my dilemma. I really appreciate it. Artistsharonva, I know it's hard to imagine that anyone can cook in an aisle that narrow, but we do it in NYC all the time. Here's the floorplan of the room, with the old galley kitchen we're ripping out. It will go right back into this footprint, but we'll annex the back wall of what's now the dining area. The kitchen and dining are on a raised platform that I've indicated with the dotted blue line. I'm not worried about the dimensions of the aisle. I've been cooking in this kitchen for four years now. The new design will at least be better than that: Herbflavor, the sink can't be moved. Given this, I don't think moving the pantries to that wall will help. I'd rather keep them flanking the fridge. Dan1888, the board won't even consider it, and I can't blame them. Since the gas explosion last year, any NYC building that touches a gas line these days has to be stress tested - and almost all prewar buildings will fail. I know a Brooklyn co-op that had to replace a hot water heater last March, their building failed the stress test, and everyone was without hot water until September while they tango'd with the conflicting demands of various inspectors. Mamagoose, I like the idea of the sink there and turning this galley into a U, however the water and waste pipes can't be relocated there. And there's an exposed steam pipe and a gas pipe that can't be touched where the dishwasher would be. I think I'm stuck with this: Instead of a wall of tile, I'm considering a curved marble backsplash right behind the sink. I'm not a fan of open shelves, but I have enough storage given all the wall cabinets on the opposite side. What I'm having trouble visualizing is the countertop material. Because of the proximity, do the two sides have to have the same material? If I want marble on the cooktop counter and backsplash, can I have white quartz on the sink counter? Thoughts, anyone?

Wow I guess we all have different eyes. I would change backsplash to a white subway , paint walls lighter (near white) keep cabs and counter as is and get a custom treatment for existing window(swing arm w classy fabric you can swing open or close or halfway if not sitting at desk) . A white subway tile with tan/brown grout showing in same position as your tile and whitish walls would do a lot. You want the 4 in backsplash and rip out that granite and paint the cabs and pay to rip out a unique window? I'm confused then. The cabs in truth are good looking but older w no drawers. Best leave them add hardware as you will want to replace at a certain point.

well, you could always remove the chair rail. but yes, if you paint the walls, you'll have to pick the same color to carry out through those adjoining halls I think Pale Oak, , Smoke Embers, Nimbus, or Light pewter would all be lovely in your space. I'd also hang a nice piece of art here to tie in the pale aqua chairs, maybe to some pillows on the sofa w/those colors. the fireplace/mantle is way too traditional looking. I'd remove everything. if you want more Boho, try some zellige tile on the surround I love this selection^ or a cement tile with natural wood mantle or, do more of a modern surround w/a marble tile at the very least, do a diff surround w/out the fluting

I have a similar question that I hope is appropriate to ask on this thread.... I'm trying to decide between a matte black kitchen faucet, or Delta's champagne bronze. I have Taj Mahal counters atop Walnut stained island and Dynasty Magnolia (taupe white) painted cabinets that surround the island; windows are matte black and all the appliances are stainless steel. I was going to match the cabinet hardware to the faucet and then do either the matte black, or champagne bronze for fixtures. I'd appreciate opinions on whether to go with the matte black, or delta champagne bronze color for faucet, hardware and/or fixtures. I'm concerned about using too many different metals....stainless appliances and black windows are a done deal as well as the Taj Mahal quartzite counters and cabinets.