Appliance dealer and the guy they sent knew everything about every appliance. He gave tips about using the GE Monogram oven and GE Monogram induction cooktop, the Miele dishwasher and the F/P dishwasher drawer. He even came back on the weekend when we discovered during the installation that the electrician had not wired properly for the induction cooktop and the installation had to be delayed until the electrician fixed the wiring. I know we probably lucked into a real gem but in general I would go with someone who did this every day for a living rather than someone who did this as part of a larger and more diversified job. HTH.

You should post this question on the Kitchens forum. The people over there are extremely helpful with questions such as yours. Good Luck!

Location is everything! Painting the walls and your own furniture will go a long way. You could paint the oak; I don't mind oak but the grain is a little too pronounced on yours for me. But it's more expensive to hire out, and more time-consuming to do yourself, thank you might think. Try to work with it for a while. Wall color helps a lot. The main think you'll want to do is get some roll-outs for the bottom cabinets. Container Store, in Northbrook and Schaumburg and maybe OakBrook?, have their big sale going on right now, check it out. I think it goes on into February. And the ikea in Schaumburg will have some good ideas, too.

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..))