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.

This made me laugh: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/09/seagull-turns-orange-after-falling-into-vat-of-chicken-tikka-masala I couldn't copy the picture, but it's hilarious.

Thank you for your feedback. Personal taste will always impact on how one feels about design, architecture, art, even how food is presented. When renovating to sell this needs to be considered, however one cannot meet everyone’s taste. Your comments and critique are appreciated, especially in regard to the appliances. The client has renovated for sale in the past and this particular location allowed him to be more daring with the design in particular in regard to the staircase. He was positive that he would get the return on investment. We ensured that we picked the points of impact and ensured all other costs were minimized by updating ceiling, wall and flooring finishes with cost effective materials that are aesthetically pleasing and hard wearing. By making necessary repairs and updates, one can improve the property's overall appearance, functionality, and appeal, making it more attractive to a larger pool of potential buyers, as well as being able to set a higher asking price and have more leverage during negotiations with potential buyers. We do not believe that a paint job alone and sharing the ideas with the new owner would have assisted our client in making the best return on his investment.