If children are a concern, consider lightly distressed cabinets so dings and prints won't be as noticable.

I'll give you the same advice, my sister gave me, when I found myself in a similar, rapid reno, situation. Look at a bunch of pictures of kitchens, when you see a picture that appeals to you, save it. Don't analyze the picture, or just pick pictures that you "think" are your taste. Pick pictures that immediately appeal to your eye.

Then, look at the photos, and see what they have in common.

Next, go to the store, and see things in person. When something appeals to you, take a picture, and see how you feel about it the next day. Above all, trust your gut reaction to things, because as you know, it's always right. :)

How about white uppers and black lowers, set the kids stuff for the lowers;)

Since you are up grading, take down the wallpaper border, paint and don't forget new lighting;)

ooh, Lacanche, my favorite!! What color?? Depending on your choice for the range, you can select a cabinet color to harmonize.

All good advice, DS. Another suggestion - build your new ensemble one choice at a time. Start with cabinetry style, material, color. Then decide what floor tone will be this cabinetry's best companion. Add one element at a time. Then countertops, floor color, appliances... Some elements could be chosen as things proceed ...backsplash, lighting, cabinet hardware, etc.
Have Fun! Mark

Please let me know if you need any Lacanche advice :) Will be delighted to help...
Elisa@frenchranges.com

Elisa, I want one for my kitchen project, which will be happening late this winter.

You should eliminate the soffit and take your cabinets to the ceiling. I would also like to suggest that you remove the fluorescent light fixture. Add recessed, undercounter and pendant lights. Make sure you have them on dimmers.

Hi Elisa, thanks for the offer! My husband just visited the showroom in Seattle and that cleared up most of my questions. I am still debating on gas vs electric ovens. I was thinking about putting an electric wall oven in and keeping the Lacanche gas. We lose power where we live frequently, and it can stay out for several days, so a gas oven as well as cooktop would be handy. If I am going overbudget (dont have an estimate on cabinets and stuff yet) with all this though, then I may want electric oven and skip a wall oven. So I guess my question is: how do the gas ovens cook? I have some frinds that have had gas ovens (not Lacanche) and they didnt like them at all, said they always overcooked at burnt stuff. And thinking of a camp gas oven we had, I seem to recall it was tough to get it's temperature right, it was hot alot. Again not a Lacanche. Sorry so long. Thanks! Dorothy

I will definitly be ditching the light fixtures, and I like the look of cabinets to ceiling, especially when the top row has glass and are lighted! I have a textured ceiling, so I'm hoping that doesnt present a problem.

Elisa, just saw you put an email, I'll shoot you one.

It's tough to tell in the picture, but those cabinets are only 36" high, and those are 9' ceilings. Which means I can barely reach the second shelf in them! They are 24" above the counters! While that makes the kitchen feel bigger I do want to drop them some, has anyone done cabinets at 20 or 21 " instead of 18? Do you like it?

Very easy to get rid of a textured ceiling if you don't want it anymore. I also went with a gas cooktop and electric oven. Electric ovens produce even cooking as opposed to gas. Would you consider tile floor instead of wood since you're problem was a leaky dishwasher and that could happen again :( (happened to me 3 times-thank goodness for tile floor!)

I had tile in my last house and hated it for two reasons, it was so hard on my back standing and cooking on it all the time, and it was white with dark grout - ugly. I know I can use whatever color now, but I still think its too hard on my back.
As for the ceiling change, I have one continuous ceiling for the entire first floor, except for the closets and half bath, so I think any change of texture would be pretty impactful.

New design, what do you think? I am concerned the fridge wall section with the 27", 24", 27" section will look disproportionate, but not sure how to make larger cabinets fit though.

What is a doable distance from fridge to sink and stove? I have a 10x10 kitchen. I want to drop the wall in the center of the house and extended to the right...but how far can I push fridge and sink/stove triangle?