Relax. Your backsplash only needs to stay standing upright until the closing. Then who cares?

I'd suggest:
- Repaint. Unless the green is less acidy than it looks on my monitor. As one idiot real estate agent constantly posts on a local board, buyers like "nuteral" colors. I don't think you need to go beige, but that color (which I do like) may need to be a little less forthright.
- Take the cooktop. Don't throw pearls before swine. Otherwise you may accidentally hear your realtor try to explain it to a young housewife who just says, "I don't like electric." And you really can't sell your house to a woman after you have bashed her head in with a grill pan.
- Try a cheerful little fabric valance. Get a cool modern fabric, like something you'd find at Anthropologie, and just stick it on an extension rood. Avoid humiliating your window with a line of diagonal napkins. It will get angry.
- Coordinate the valance with a runner. Something simple, mod, fresh
- Maybe a nice pot of herbs in front of the huge honking window to emphasize that there really is a huge honking window. Don't get too fussy. Simple, structured. One huge rosemary tree. Or three or five (odd number) identical pots of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
- Take the knobs. They are unworthy of your buyers.
- Swap out the center light. Seems too retro to the unwashed. Remember the grill pan.

I didn't realize you were doing shelves under your uppers. I'll need to see 4389 photos of those, please.

I think your kitchen will be a hit. Your knobs are fine. I would definitely get the shiny air gap. Remember a vacant house doesn't sell quickly. The counters do need a bit of color. What colors do you have? Everyone has a bowl or a mixer to spruce up with color. The items are there to draw the buyers eye down the counter top so it actually registers with them " Oh a lot of counter space". The inside of the cabinets must be considered also. Edit every cabinet down,make sure you have vacant space in your cabinet so the buyers will see they too will have more than enough cabinet space. Clean the ovens. I like the green but it could be toned down a bit. The light fixtures look fine. Do you get enough light in the kitchen. Also, remember when you show the house to have every light on. Even during the day. The kitchen could use some valances or some sort of window treatments over the windows to bring in some more color and interest. You have nice big windows. Show them off. I hope this helps.

Fori, I think that you could repaint and just add some staged touches on the counter to mix things up. Our realtor used cookbooks, those veggies in bottles, and a crock of utensils. She made me get rid of my kitchen aid, but since you're moving out- that probably won't be too big a deal for you like it was for me.

hope that helps! The kitchen is beautiful. I love it.

Oh. The shelves under the uppers. They can actually be removed. Those are funny. Apparently anybody taller than me can't see them, except from the side. So don't put them under 18" cabinets unless you're short.

Thanks for the suggestions, Marc. Now what goes on for knobs? Oil rubbed b Oh I can't even say it. Pink crystal?

Good ideas, LRy! Sadly, my KA is white. Hehe. But I could plop some other more colorful baking themed things on the counter.

Bri--I can't believe your mixer wasn't acceptable! Was it harvest gold? :)

Thanks y'all. Looks like paint is in order. And you're not even seeing the wall with the dinosaurs...

And you're not even seeing the wall with the dinosaurs...

Paint.

I would take the Rejuvenation light fixtures and cabinet knobs with you and replace them with something decent but less expensive and more generic/universal,

They are great fixtures, and since you like them and would reuse them, don't waste them on someone who might not get it.

You've got lots of great suggestions. Paint is a good one. But I've got two more things to say.

1. Please tell me about your counters and your marble bs.

2. Were you always planning on moving? I guess I missed that somehow. But I'm slow sometimes.

If it's something you really like, take it with you and replace with generic stuff that will get thrown out anyway. It's impossible to make a house right for everybody. Who do you know who moved into a house and didn't change anything?

Oh, what that kitchen cries out for is my chartreuse Kitchenaid from 1959.

Wait, don't you live by me? Seems more common to leave the fridge (and other appliances) than not, at least in the inner East Bay...maybe different in the 'burbs? We only looked at a handful of houses with no fridge included, and they were all foreclosures or flips that hadn't been quite finished. Our friends also wanted to take their fridge with them last year because they wanted a second fridge in their new house and figured it was old so the new owner wouldn't mind replacing it; the buyer refused to close if they didn't rewrite the contract to leave it (so, of course, they did!) Check with your agent to be sure of course since this could vary by city, but I think leaving a fridge is pretty normal/expected by many buyers around here. I don't think it matters if it's counter-depth or anything particularly special, though, so long as it's there.

I love your walls and light fixtures (obviously I'm the wrong person to ask about green walls! ;) so I wouldn't worry about those (unless you want to use the lights in the new place, in which case I'd change them now for something simple/inexpensive so you don't have to get into a back and forth about whether they stay or go later). I would probably take down the blinds, though, and either put up curtains or nothing (if it's an okay street to look out on) so the room would get lots of light. I vote for taking the knobs with you, too, and just replacing them with something simple. The buyer might hate them and dump them, and that would be horrible!

I really don't know on the cooktop. I like gas, and we looked for gas connections if not gas appliances. But you have the hookup, right? And now that I know what induction is, I wouldn't scoff at it either (but notably, I had never heard of it pre-kitchen reno; I cook a lot, but induction isn't the kind of thing you ever encounter in the context of rentals). So it might depend on whether you're in a first-time buyer area or not. If you leave it, I'd just put a little "about this cooktop" placard or something to highlight what it is and how it works---I wouldn't rely on your realtor for that, since if your house is on lockbox, you'll have buyers' agents coming and going who won't know to explain it.

Good luck!!

Maybe see if your local TJ Maxx or Target etc. has some cheap, colorful countertop accessories, kitchen towels, valance. You're almost there!

Frankly, if winter was as long there as it's been here, I think a few colorful Spring-y accessories should be all it takes -- none of the below are my average everyday taste, but I think they would be a perfect It's Spring Let's Sell This Kitchen look...

Dwell at Target (there is also a yellow/blue colorway and yellow/tan),
www.target.com/Dwell-Sevilla-5-pc-Kitchen-Textile/dp/B00488Q1M6

More from Target,
www.target.com/Green-Geometric-12-pc-Melamine-Dinnerware/dp/B004CNPUBK

I love this and if I had a nearby Target, I would probably buy it : ),
www.target.com/Multi-Floral-3-Tier-Melamine-Tiffen/dp/B004CMTQ8Y/

Valance idea,
www.etsy.com/listing/69206164/window-curtain-valance-suzani-yellow
www.etsy.com/listing/63004626/window-curtain-valance-damask-turquoise

PS **Love** the baking counter edge!

Becky

I'd take your light fixtures and knobs with you. As marc pointed out, the un-TKO population just isn't worthy of them. Replace with not-expensive generic "vanilla" stuff like brushed SS or satin nickel round knobs, and light fixtures that are all the rage in Home Depot.

I wouldn't bother to paint, but I would do a fabric valence over the blinds in the window. Some good staging will pull in the lemony green nicely. I'd also leave the electric cooktop unless you want it yourself for the new house. Again, the chances of you getting a TKO buyer are pretty slim, and ALOT of ordinary people really like flat top electric cooktops.

glass cloches, wood bowls, plants, cookbooks., a gorgeous bowl of apples

I wouldn't bother with the cooktop -- its new and clean --- you never know what people will want

You need to get more light from that window.

take your knobs, no question

paint -- ask your realtor what color given the rest of your home

is also get those pottery barn-ish clear glass pendants with exposed bulbs

and some anthropologie dish towels

it's all been said! so i'll just say hi and good luck. :)

I'll just echo what others have said here-I would paint (something more neutral) and swap out your hardware and the special pendants for something more generic. And "staging" with cookbooks/accessories/pot of herbs etc. will warm it up.

And marcolo, you're hilarious! I was laughing out loud at your first post.

I agree with all of the above, and I would especially change the flush light fixture in the ceiling, going for a less harsh quality of light as well as a more stylish fixture.

Looking back at your "What edge for counter..." post, however, I note that the pics in this post -- with blinds down -- totally obscure that you have a GORGEOUS window with a splendid light and a fine view. I.e., I don't know if you need any window treatment; just put up the blinds.

PS. Although you seem quite sanguine about it, I would abandon those beautiful cabinets with great regret.

Wait- isn't the cooktop induction? Or am I mixing you up with someone else? If its induction, take it and replace with gas (if you already have it hooked up) or cheap electric (which will probably get upgraded to gas by buyer).

Paint, for sure, especially if you're serious about the dinosaurs ;) In know, I know, everyone here likes kitchens with character: but it IS true that you're narrowing your appeal by being individualistic. You want to set a stage where people can walk in and easily imagine adding their own touches to a space that's already appealing. And most people just DO NOT HAVE the sort of vision to see what "could be" rather than what is. If it looks like a magazine kitchen, they can imagine adding their own stuff (or paint colors) a lot more easily that if they have to overcome bright colored paint. 'Course, some people will love that color, but personally I'd go for the average joe appeal. So your cool bright paint and retro lights might benefit from replacing with more universally appealing versions.

Knobs & lighting: what everyone else said. Simple brushed nickel round knobs/pulls, and simple classic lighting from Lowes. New and clean and simple is the way to go.

I love the valence idea. A yard of cloth and a $5 cafe rod and two seams and you're good to go. I personally really dislike blinds, but if you make sure they are up and tidy when the house is shown, don't bother replacing them: just add a cute valence above.

Your counters are really pretty and the baking area is great. I'd just accessorize, as others have said. A few pretty items on the undercabinet shelves (matching spice jar set from TJ Maxx or something like that), couple plants, bowl of fruit..... beautiful.

Good luck! I'm sorry you have to leave such a nice space!

I've bought and sold 3 houses in the last 13 years and have toured countless homes. If it were me, I'd paint the walls in a lighter neutral, maybe BM Linen White, or just a tad darker. On my monitor, the green looks a bit hospital/institutional. Even if it's a lovely color in person, most people will be viewing pictures on MLS and they might see the same thing I do. As Marcolo said, it doesn't have to be beige. Beiges are hard to do as so many have a pink or fleshy undertone. Ugh! Stay away from any strong color statements.

A valance might be nice if it's not too loud or too floral. Make it rather than buy and if you can't make it, just leave it off. Tonic Living has some retro fabrics, but go easy, something that evokes retro rather than screams it. Keep the blinds, but pull them all the way up and roll the cord neatly so that it isn't hanging on the counter. You'll want to bring in all the natural light you can. If the street is too much of a distraction or is loud or busy, then pull up only part way and have the slats open.

Again, if this were my house to sell, I'd attach twill fabric tape over the rope string. It's a very vintage look that is clean and tailored, my personal fave, but attaching the tapes might be tricky.

I wouldn't worry too much about changing the lighting or hardware unless you're sure you want to re-use these in another house. Those items tend to be personal, so even if buyers don't like what you have, they'll know those things aren't expensive to change out to suit their personal tastes. If you do decide to change, don't go with Tiffany style.

Now, all you need to do is set the stage. Just a few simple accessories is all you need. Don't go too overboard, or it just looks like clutter or worse, like a store vignette. Personally, too many things like spices on the counter, canisters, jars of oil just make the kitchen look like there's not enough storage. For the cooking counters, a glass bowl of lemons, limes, or granny smith apples (think bright) can make a lovely statement.

For the baking area, set out a cookbook stand with a cookbook opened to cookie recipe. Or just lay the book open on the counter. If you already have a large glass jar or if you can buy one cheap (Target) like this:

Fill it with flour. Set out a couple of cookie cutters and a rolling pin. That's it. It's about evoking emotion and an idyllic lifestyle. Most people don't have a baking counter in their kitchen, but it's the perfect thing to highlight as a lifestyle upgrade. If you stage it to look like you just stepped out and were about to bake, people will be drawn to that. Even if the surfaces, hardware and lighting look a bit dated or cold, the set baking table will give the kitchen a sense of warmth and home. Even for people who don't bake.

If I may, I recommend you read Ready, Set, Sold! by Michael Corbett. I've read a bunch of books, watched a bunch of shows, and spoken to a several realtors about how to sell. I even paid to have one of my houses professionally staged. Corbett's book is the best I've found regarding practical and simple ways to stage. He explains how house buying is an emotional experience and how you are a selling a lifestyle. It's about 4 years old, published just after the downturn in the larger housing markets. Check it out of the library or look at a used bookstore like Half Price Books.

kathec, another great contribution to this thread, I especially loved the example you gave about how and why to stage a baking counter and that it will appeal to the masses (even those who don't bake.)

I've just requested the book you recommended from the library-thanks! (For clarification-the kitchen we're remodeling that I talk about here is the house we'll be moving to, but we're listing our current house for sale next month.)

It occurs to me that this disconnect between how we really live and how we romantically might want to live is at the heart of why I am having so many kitchen remodeling dilemmas! Even if I don't scratch bake every day, I want my kitchen to feel like I might ;)

Everyone has already mentioned the obvious things, so I'll just mention the accessories. Don't make the mistake of going overboard with them! You want one large item on each of the counters and that's it. No small stuff at all. A mixer would be great on the baking counter with the dough hook attachment on it. A couple of color coordinating pretty towels by the sink. A colorful enamel pot on the cooktop. (which if it's induction, definately replace with a cheap electric or gas if you have the hookup) Coordinating DIY valances over the windows with the blinds pulled all the way up when showing. (and all of the lights on too!)

As far as the paint color goes, you can use what's there as a basecoat and sponge some grey green on top of it so that just a little bit of the more intense green peeks out occasionally. The grey green will tone down the acid, and the faux finish look will give the walls some texture, depth, and interest.

Thanks for all the advice y'all!

Breezy, the counters are stainless steel and "Bardiglio" marble (same slab as backsplash). I'm not happy with the marble counter edge as it's huge and doesn't go but we had to have a thick edge to cover some supports and I had to go froufrou to avoid an obvious seam. Looks like something you'd lay a corpse out on, but I hope it'll be fine once I get some junk back on it. I wasn't always planning on moving but a very similar slightly larger house on a much better lot on a less busy street in our subdivision came on the market so we just went for it. Not completely baked, but we like the neighborhood. :)

So. Paint and light fixtures and knobs. (The lights aren't quite as blinding in person--they photograph badly.)

Pinchme, I know things will get changed. I guess I just don't want to scare anyone! I'm hoping they don't notice all the drawers. People think it's weird if they notice.

Peanut's avocado green mixer. You know I want it.

Artemis--that's interesting about the fridge. I'll check with a RE agent. When I moved here the sellers offered to leave their large appliances for a low price and we accepted since you DO leave washer/dryer/fridge where I was. And the new place I made SURE the sellers wouldn't be leaving any appliances.

The street is a little busy and sidewalk smarmy with pedestrians but not a bad view. Probably opening the blinds or removing and something nice over the top would do. (Note to self: measure windows in new house built by same company same year 3 blocks away.) (I'm really cheap, aren't I?) It's not a first-time homebuyer area so I guess people might be picky.

Becky--those are all wonderful! What are you doing this weekend? Wanna come shopping? :)

Alku, a leave the paint vote? I do gravitate toward the easiest option. Although, technically, I need a permit to change a light fixture, and technically, it would have to be fluorescent...

Good tips, Mtnredux. I will research! The windows do open into a covered porch but do get a decent amount of light. Privacy not so much, but nobody will notice that. :)

Thanks, IC. Li'lsmokie, you must be right, right? Swap 'n' stage. I mean, that marble counter is seriously morbid all naked like that.

Honorbilt, thanks--the blinds definitely need to be up at minimum. As far as the cabinets, well, next ones will be even better, right? --although I'm not sure the cabinet guy would be stupid enough to work with me again! hehe.

Stacy, yeah, it's induction, and it's a brand with no recognition. If it were a Miele or something, at least it would have THAT, but it's a Windcrest which has perfectly respectable performance on paper but what the heck is a Windcrest!?

Kathy, thanks for pointing out that it doesn't matter what it looks like in person, it's how bad it looks on a computer! Now I'm totally in agreement with paint. It wasn't quite the right shade anyway. :( I could probably do the tape on the blinds. It does snazz them up. I bought these blinds even before the moving truck brought my stuff to this house because the previous owners had left the windows empty (with a valance) to sell the place. But at night it's like being on a big screen TV in that kitchen. (I have started walking the dog at night to spy on my neighbors' kitchens for ideas. If they don't pull the blinds, I learn a lot!)

I have that jar! It has dog food. I can change that. Thanks for the book recommendation--I'll get it.

LWOak, good points. A subdued sagey green (is that still trendy?) might work. I do have the blue ceiling to keep in mind. So a nice enameled pot instead of and 80 year old cast iron Dutch oven that is so scary I use it as a Halloween prop? OK. I see where you're coming from.

Will accentuating the baking area make it too obvious that the oven is a cheap 27" non-convection single?

I really do very much appreciate all this. Thanks so much!

Possibly because I am a messy cook/baker and because I hang on to old favorite cookbooks for a very, very long time, it occurs to me that you might want to check your cookbooks to see if you have something clean and newish with nifty photos to leave on that countertop with the cookie cutters...

Something like the one below, though I don't know what the inside looks like. Maybe also one that sits open nicely, too lol. Then you get to take the book to the new house as a housewarming present : ).

Becky

Here is a link that might be useful: Crazy About Cookies

Mmm. My cookbooks are all pretty icky.

Is this one too pretentious? I've thought about getting it but it looks fattening....

Here is a link that might be useful: breadbook

Paint: take a look at Benjamin Moore's Affinity colors: grasshopper might be great. You want a duller green that doesn't turn acid but still highlights the hipness of the color scheme.

As I said before in agreement with Marcolo and others I would not waste the fixtures and hardware on a new owner.

My question though, is what is selling in your neighborhood?

I have been looking at houses for over a year, (and have been on the market myself since August). What I am looking for myself is a not recently renovated property, because my taste varies greatly from what "recently renovated" means around here, at least in properties that are not triple my budget. However, I look at a *lot* of different things.

What is *not* selling are pristine, turn-key, ready to move in, recently renovated properties. What *has been selling out from under me are properties with pans in the attic to catch rainwater, short sales, houses that were bought in 1970 and untouched ever since. And not all of them are bargains either. People don't seem to want to spend money on properties it looks like someone else just spent a lot of money on.

My apartment is near magazine quality (failed the last editorial cut in a couple of places :(--its relatively inexpensive because its saddled with high condo fees. But still what Has sold (most linger really--one for years) in my complex are units that are *perceived to be cheaper because they are shabbier, (while a couple of them were actually a higher price per square foot than mine). There are many things that people do Not analyze when looking a property for themselves, and *actual monthly costs and price per square foot are apparently a couple of those things.

You may want to put in the big box store light fixtures and leave it at that and see what happens, if a similar scenario is playing out in your area.

Keep the paint. It is pleasant and you want to get noticed/remembered.

Change the 3 funky light fixtures for more basic pendants. Re-use the funky in your new home.
Same for the knobs.

A toile valance would look lovely over your window and should be easy to find (black or gray with white).

The white KA mixer adds a homey touch. Leave it out for display and don't waste money on fake staging.

In our area, the banks often won't write a mortgage unless the appraiser sees a fridge or stove in a house (either staying or put in by buyer before the appraisal). I am surprised it is so different in other areas. We have had to have buyers buy their appliances prior to closing for foreclosures or other situations where appliances were missing.

BTW - I am a full time r.e. agent for over 21 years.

Thanks for the input.

That's crazy, Dianalo! I lived in rural Texas--take your appliances. Detroit--leave them (and have extras if you just left Texas). Stoves get left, of course.

Hmm. The selling point of the subdivision is just the neighborhood. The homes aren't anything all that special, although the yards are larger than newer homes in the area. What sells? Fixer uppers sell here, as well as recently remodeled upgraded homes--the price difference between the two on similar lots can be pretty big, but many people don't mind having the work already done for them. When I moved here a few years ago, the house was pretty much turnkey except for the 80s-over-50s kitchen, which suited me fine. (I can't bear to look at a place with a "new" kitchen. The place I'm moving to has only had the kitchen done, not recently, and badly. It's definitely a fixer upper.) I guess when a large subdivision is 60 years old, you have everything from original (sometimes with original owners) to new. So refrigerators range from Kelvinator to SubZero.

But really, it would look better with a new fridge. I could take it or leave it--it's an insignificant amount compared to my two mortgages. :) The current fridge is the wrong size, shape, and color. Do I want stainless, black, or should I introduce yet another color?

And at risk of appearing excessively frugal, can I recycle these pendants (one barely pictured in the upper right)?

I gotta keep it out of the landfill...yeah that's my thinking!

Okay...sorry to drag this back up prior to consulting with a Realtor, but is chrome that bad for hardware? I can switch out the knobs and the pull on the trash but I'm not as comfortable redoing the pulls on the dishwasher.

Can I keep 'em shiny in a more trendy shape?