The potential "problem" here is the word "timeless" because it raises certain expectations that will not be met. Sure subway tile as a Restoration Product was available *somewhere* as a relatively expensive, custom ordered product. So were stone countertops always available. But in the scheme of things virtually Nobody was installing them--and in the case of subway tile, nowhere but a restoration-type or period-specific project. Timeless is different than classic, and timeless means that you really wouldn't be able to identify when something was from, when it was done--and that's near impossible to achieve. Look at the kitchen materials that *are* timeless in the sense that since the modern kitchen came on the scene, they have been readily available. White appliances. Some kind of vaguely abstract-patterned, plain colored phenolic material for countertop surfaces (laminate). Shiny chrome fixtures (which replaced shiny nickel fixtures). Partial overlay cabinet doors. (And in general, shiny brass doorknobs). These are the materials that a lot of GWers are turning their noses up at, right now, and yet they are clearly "timeless" because they have been available in every decade of the modern kitchen's existence as soon as the material itself was introduced.

For practical purposes, moving the refrigerator to the left of the sink makes perfect sense, but I wanted to give you an alternate opinion. I had that exact layout previously. Sorry to be the naysayer, but speaking from my own experience, I did not like it. As soon I walked in the kitchen, my eye went to the big hulking frig. Even though it was counter depth, I felt like it blocked the light from the beautiful windows in the bumped out breakfast bay, and when clearing dishes from the table, you had to walk past the frig to get to the counter. There may be a better way to re-work the mudroom entrance so you can get the frig in an appropriate location without blocking the counter space next to the sink.

I stink at layout, too. I just move things around until I'm happy -- then I change my mind. Some things are more permanent, such as cutting off my peninsula, or moving my fridge to the mudroom and putting countertop across that fridge space. I also moved a door recently, and am putting casement windows in where a slider in the dining room is. But much of that has been whim. However, I'm always there for you if you need a crazy, sometimes sarcastic observation. Yup. I'm your woman. I also have a very keen sense of the obvious. And it's obvious you're a very thoughtful friend.

@ Belaria Seriously? Keep the brick? Nah! I'm old enough to remember when this sort of edifice was new and the latest au courant thing in all the home decorating mags. It was a terrible idea then, and is more so now. Think about it. As a cooking area how does it rate? It does not have any "countertop" on either side of the cooktop. Where do you put hot pans? Across the room? How about storage? Where are the pots, pans, condiments, sauces, hot pads, etc -- all the stuff you use in cooking? Since this bomb-shelter was built kitchen design has moved on to arrange kitchens in task groups in which everything needed for a task such as cooking is located in the area where the cooking is done. It would be impossible to do that with the bunker still in place. There is no storage in this "cooking area" to speak of. It violates at least a half dozen of the NKBA's kitchen planning guidelines. I could go on, but I'm getting a headache. Sorry, but the brick really has to go. As to the rest of the kitchen, I agree with herbflavor. Hire a cleaning service to give everything a good scrub. Update the technologies (add electrical, new faucet, sink, range, refrigerator, etc.). Leave the cabinets alone except to load them with the latest pull-outs, swing-outs, drop-outs, fall-outs and organizers of all kinds, maybe replace the tile floor, save scads of money by not re-doing a kitchen that does not need re-doing, take a nice vacation to Miranmar with the money you saved.