You have some good ideas but if you're going to sell soon and aren't planning on taking the soffit out, I would just do some minor changes and keep the cabinets (just add a couple cabinets). I wouldn't move the sink but just get a nice stainless steel sink and update faucet. I'd get a stainless stove vent. Remove the wall on the left of the refrigerator but then just do a small pull out pantry on the right of the refrigerator. And, put a cabinet above the refrigerator and make it look built in. A glass backsplash, can lights on the ceiling and pendants above the penninsula. I think a raised counter will make the kitchen/room feel smaller.

I have same thing on white. It's a pita to keep clean. I was told you need to have the ceramic treated with something in order to protect it. I guess with that its ok. I would go for black one rather.

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.

I love all your ideas....bu as we currently have a new + good bin in there already, i don't want to spend another $100+ on another..and this is only a temporary solution...for the nxt few years..as the kitchen won't last much longer. I already have my 'kitchen' cleaning products under my sink..which is unfortunately a separate cupboard to my bin. We couldn't fit the bin under the sink! Prob not much point me taking the cleaning stuff out of my laundry to put in the bin cupboard!! I think i might put some plywood up beside the bin to keep one side of the cupboard separate! That way i have at least 1/2 cupboard of useful space!!