I think we are going to use the white subway tile to keep the budget down as I priced new tiles and it would blow out the budget. Really like the contrast grout idea to add a bit of texture and pattern. My partner is a builder and he loves the reclaimed wood shelf idea as we have a lot of spear old wood left over from the renovation. We have made a dinning table and fire place mantel from it already so it would tie in really well.

I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested.

The floor and cabinets almost look like the same color. I would lighten the cabinet color - making sure it doesn't clash with the floor color. I would also modernize the open cabinet above the microwave by removing the moulding, or adding a door. I'd find an inexpensive countertop that pops against the wood (or painted) wood cabinets. Change out the cabinet glass to clear, and do a new backsplash that brings it all together. And, finally add a cool light fixture, and maybe a kitchen rug.

Black and yellow are both very strong colour choices and I feel you'd be sick of them before it was time to change them. Black also shows marks more than you'd think. Clear is fine, but have you considered a piece of art behind clear?There are several companies that do this, imageglass.co.nz had one with tuis in it which has black and yellow. As for size are you having a range hood? If so this might affect your choice of size.