You definitely need some kind of back splash. I would use a light color to help open up your kitchen and make it lighter.

Good morning. Your ideas sound solid. My two cents...Go with 24" appliances. I have done small kitchens before, and the 6" here, 6" there additions of counter make the kitchen feel larger. Second, pick something light. In my experience, small spaces should reflect light. That does not necessarily mean all white, but try to void dark upper cabinets. Third, go with a higher quality floor that compliments the wood out in the other room-tile is always good in a kitchen. Fourth, never forget about your working triangle of sink/stove/frig. This relationship is key when you are trying to make any meal. Finally, if you can, see if it is possible to widen the opening into the room. This will give the space a larger feel and visually not block you from the rest of the house. And as to a small table under the window, this would be uncomfortable. The door would always swing into you (unless you decided to remove the door???) And the oven would need space to open-or be relocated. Good luck with your remodern!

A backsplash is the last decision to make .From what I see you will not be able to put a table under the window. i would start by removing the wainscotting all together including the trim on top. Strip the room down to the bare walls and then send me a detailed floor plan with plumbing marked and I will see if I can give you a design that might work pcolwell@ambiconsulting.com. Once you have the kitchen empty get the wiring checked to make sure it is up to code quite often in these old kitchens they have not done it there is no point in covering it up without fixing it.

IMO you cannot beat price and quality over Ikea I have used them for 20+ yrs and will continue to do so in my business if you believe Ikea only sells cheap junk get over it they have not been in business in Europe for this long by selling a bad product. The new line has some very interesting cabinets that could make this space awesome and useful

Cute kitchen!

Is it possible to open the wall to the living room half way (where the plate rack is.) Put a bar on the other side with stools and you won't need the table.

I agree that the table won't really fit under the window even without the door there.

It would be nice if you could move the access to the back door to another place. Is that a possibility?

Lots of great ideas! Thank you. There is no option to move the door. The curtains are from the previous owner, we are not living in it yet, they'll be gone and thanks for pointing it out, you are correct. We could open the wall to the living room but the house will be for seniors and I know they will be unable ( and unwilling) to sit at a bar. We may open the door way 6" or so to make it more of an opening than a doorway. Still contemplating all the great ideas. We are going to peruse IKEA this weekend for more ideas.