If you are considering a microwave that acts as a vent for the stove, forget it. The “vent” of a microwave just sucks up any smoke or smells and spews them into the middle of the kitchen. A true VENT pulls smoke and smells from the air and sends it OUTSIDE through the wall or the roof.

I hope you have not oredered anything yet. The best way to get help here is to post a to scale floor plan of the space clearly marking all windows, doorways and all measurements . IMO in this smal kitchen a smaller fridge would bea big item to consider or at least counter depth. You can get a proper vent for above the range that vents outs out the back. or you might even find the spce to vent through the soffit.I do agree about the gray and I happen to love gray but not for cabinets. OTR MWS are pretty close to useless for venting so no to that idea IMO. Are all the soffits filled with plumbing? Usually some were just there to hide the plumbing in one side but not the other . Yes to the pantry but make it a true pullout pantry you will get a lot more useable storage that way. The same depth as the fridge too.

Over the stove microwave are LOUD and what are a major appliance repair job

And natural wood is timeless, easy to clean, and hides scratches better than paint

No, to the OTR MW. Your kitchen has enough space to put the MW elsewhere (as existing location proves). MW location should be near fridge, and yours is a favorite of mine--next to it, although mine is in a box which sits on the counter. It looks as if you have some space ot the left of the fridge. What's on the wall behind it? Any chance you could extend the wall behind the fridge, and add a side-loading pantry? You could have storage and keep the MW where it is, or put the tall pantry on the right, and move the MW to the left--although a shallow side-loading pantry would be more easily accessed (and less expensive) than a narrow pantry requiring ROTS.

I don't comment much on colors, but IMO do what you want, unless you plan to sell soon and what you want is way out of the box. It's your kitchen--if grey makes you happy every time you walk in the kitchen--go for it.

Post your layout for more advice.

Thank you all!

I would do a hood over the stove. But include the soffit in it so it doesn’t look squished. Meaning you’ll need a custom wood or cement hood.
Cabinets I’d stay white. Or blue. Personally.
I’d also consider adding an island if you can. For more storage and the microwave. And overall look....