Disclaimer: Not an expert, but I do have a place in the City that one day may become a rental and have seen a lot of property in that size range. I would consider the U-shaped plan or even an L-shaped plan. Don't chop up the plan with the peninsula. As others point out, you are creating a lot of pinch points, danger zones and a lot of dead space in some valuable real estate. I would not consider an undercounter fridge; that would be a huge rental liability, I think, especially depending on which neighborhood you are in. A smaller one is OK, but this is not an efficiency. I could not see your plan, either. Where is the window? Usually there is one in the back wall of these Victorians, or at least a door with a glass portion to let in light. If you move a range to the wall opposite the dining area, you open up space to put your double bin recycling center next to your sink. An overhead microhood could go over the range, and is pretty typical, even in the Victorians I've seen (subject to venting needs and window placement -- this could be flip-flopped). Is that a window near the current peninsula? If so, that makes the better sink location. If you make the layout a U, consider adding a full length cabinet on the other wall, next to the fridge as supplemental storage for the apartment. I don't know what the rest of the flat looks like, but usually there is a big deficit of storage elsewhere for things like vacuums and other things. If the tall cabinet(s) are arranged correctly, they won't appear oppressive and you'll have plenty of counter space elsewhere.

Jillies, the green will be cooler. The yellow is really warm! Do you wear more blues or more earth tones in clothing? Those are probably the colours you are drawn to. I'm a blue green lady personally. Maria Killam can be catty but she really makes you think about the underlying tones in colours. Beware though...once you can see the undertones clashing it will bother you forever! She thinks often if you're dissatisfied with a room and can't figure out why, it's probably undertones like a pinky beige clashing with a greenish beige. The general rule is of the rainbow we learned back in school Red orange yellow green blue purple Red, orange and yellow are warm, with orange being the warmest Green blue purple are cool with blue being the coolest. Green blue is cool but warmer than straight up blue. Yellow green is quite warm but cooler than yellow orange. Bluish (like cherry) red is cooler than orangey (like tomato) red. @davidahn....lets just say I'm more like you in that equation!! But let's weight the votes by good taste, too! Here is a link that might be useful: Maria Killam on undertones This post was edited by robotropolis on Wed, Feb 6, 13 at 17:22

Sometimes decorating around what is often a "design mistake" is a 2nd mistake. If one does not like the first mistake, the 2nd won't somehow neutralize it. I once had a client who carpeted the entire, LARGE first floor of her house with rust, somewhat "shady" wool carpet. A VERY expensive mistake and one she should not have tried to decorate around. She finally gave in and had it taken up, to her husband's great chagrin. A mistake is a mistake. I'd save my money and replace those floors before doing anything else.

Etiolated plants??? The Succulent Society would revoke my membership! I've never seen it bloom. When i first saw it (years ago) i thought it was a weed and pulled it. Then, it kept growing back so i really thought it was a weed! Interesting to know you and Kara thought it may be a type of sedum/cremnosedum, i would not have guessed that although quite possible. Another observation, the coloring: when out of direct sun it's gray-ish-green. In direct sun it's a very deep violet/purple. I've watered it as if it were a cactus (very infrequently). This plant thrives on neglect. Like peanut brittle the plant snaps off very easily. I had at one time thought it may be some type of euphorbia/spurge but, ruled that out as no latex was evident. I can split the plant and send it to you both (bare root of course) if you like. Kara, it would not surprise me if you had a hi-tech microscope for cellular analysis! Thanks to you both! --N