Diana I'm planning to keep my white refrigerator and dishwasher for now as they are practically brand new. The "white" cabinets I picked are technically ivory, but still pretty white and they blend well with the appliances. The stove and hood are going to be stainless and I was considering doing a stainless apron front sink to tie it all together, but now my husband says he hates the stainless sink so it's back to fireclay! The wall with the stove is the "focal point" of the kitchen, and I want to do an interesting backsplash on that wall. Greenfish, I DO have a spot for a swinging door! The doorway to the dining room had a door on it at one time and the trim is still notched out for hinges! I think I'll do a french door with glass though, my kitchen is at the back of the house and doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Joyce, that's awesome! You did a fantastic job with that kitchen. My kitchen has been evolving over the years (basically deteriorating!) It looked great when it was in Country Home Magazine in 1984. But years have taken their toll and the layout in '84 was not practical. I've been making minor changes over the last ten years to try and just "live with it" a little longer, but it's finally time to do a total re-hab, and I just want to be sure to do it right. Thanks everyone for the tips!

You need a good finish carpenter. Such craftsmen are harder to find than the big box stores. Also check for lead paint which may be a challenge. There are ways to sand and smooth old drawers then rub runners with a candle, wax paper or soap bar to help them slide. There may be hardware pull outs or lazy susans that could help problem cabinets function better. A rope of led lights above cabinet and under cabinet lights would bright the area. A backsplash of tin ceiling or light beadboard would bounce the light more. There is paintable wall paper for both of those too. Beadboard plywood could also be a ceiling option. I would paint cabinets a creamy white or very pale green or buttercream yellow. then pick a midtone neutral counter top. Pulling up old vinyl and refinishing wood would be beautiful but time consuming. laying new vinyl right over the old could work well especially if the flood might be too uneven for ceramic tile. A small bakers rack and kitchen cart could add some storage and work space. Lots of possibilities but lots of work

We live in a climate with four seasons and have a lot of gray days. The one thing that I am grateful for is that the back of my house gets the beautiful morning light. I love walking into a bright kitchen in the morning and that is one reason why I have always had white cabinets as well. Our house is a Georgian and we have four skylights, and in two of those places they make a huge difference in lighting the space. I personally wouldn't hesitate to do it, especially in a spot where you likely spend a lot of time. Once it is in, I do not think that you will even think about it being up there. Years ago a friend told me when I was struggling over picking just the right fixture for a bath vanity that no one would even notice what it looked like. They just wanted to hit a switch and have the light come on.

I walked into an brokers open years ago, a small beautiful Spanish style home that was just an untouched jewel box. It was being sold by the ex-wife of the owner at the time, for way under market at $350k. Never let your ex sell your house! A friend of mine had just said to me that if I ever see a small character house for him to let him know. I called him immediately and told him to come see this house. He said he couldn't leave work. I said, "I have your house you need to come now... 'right now!'." Lucky for him, he did. He put in an offer that morning and got the house! A number of years later he was featured on This Old House as he added a period appropriate 750 sqft addition. He added a family room on the back that was adjacent to a bigger open kitchen, it had the historic details of the rest of the house. It was a nice well-proportioned addition. He also gained a view of the lake by going a little out of character, the pay off was great. If you can find the two episodes I think it was nice way to update and keep the character of the place. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/los-angeles-house/21017409/los-angeles-house