We need pictures you need to go get the appliances for sure. A to scale floor plan is always a good idea too. The reason I say ge the appliances is becuase right now they are hard to get and without hvaing those chosen there is no way to get a good kitchen design. Also info as to how you cook how many you cook for all the info pertinent to the kitchen

The space is a rental. So far there's a new fridge and dishwasher. I am searching for space efficient oven/stove and stacked/washer dryer. The i coming tenant doesnt have a preference as to whether the oven/stove are gas or electric. Electric is beneficial since it's safer, but this is in Houston where gas is a must during a hurricane/freeze.

I can attempt to get a photo today. The space is in pretty bad shape.

Our house had a big remodel in the 1940s. When we were planning our renovation I spent a lot of time looking at kitchens from that decade. Retro Renovation had a great series on 1940s kitchen design formulas. Here's a link: https://retrorenovation.com/tag/1940s-kitchen-design-board/

I think the fact that this is a rental is quite important. You want materials that are rugged and durable and I presume not high end. I would focus on a few key touches that signal 40s vibe - vintage looking lights, checked floor, white appliances, and the original cabinets. I would not use a stone counter material - corian or linoleum. All else I would focus on durability and ease of replacement.

Checked floor

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Very much looking forward to the Before Pictures. Sounds like a fun project.

I lived in a Houston apartment from the late '30s during grad school. It had a 20" white Danby stove with rounded lines that went with the vintage look. If you can fit a 24", this Summit range has vintage vibes:https://www.nordamappliance.com/_CGI/MODEL?KEY=DAN:DR202WGLP

I see you have a fridge, but something like this would be adorable, depending on space: https://www.discountbandit.com/galanz-12-cf-top-mount-refrigerator-retro-style.html?gs=1

From visiting various Houston homes, garage apartments, and apartment buildings from that era, I'd use small hex tile as the backsplash...many of the original counters were made from it. The places that felt most desirable to me as a renter played up black and white, like black and white tiled floors, white cabinets, hex tile backsplash, black counters, etc.