My 2¢ worth: first of all replace the dark blinds with translucent cordless single cell blinds in ivory or off-white--they let light through and provide privacy + some insulation from cold or heat. Clean, crisp look.That alone will brighten up this space. #2: clear the counterspace!--so much clutter! Where to put all these appliances that get little daily use? Get yourself a ss 24x20 or larger cart on wheels (see Amazon.com--Seville classic ss cart) and store little used, bulky appliances on its shelves--and roll the cart into a nearby coat closet--out of sight and way-- to be wheeled back when needed or individually carried back as needed. 3#gorgeous blue tiled walls.Don't touch them. #4:Walls: keep as is if off-white--not same as trim white white.Just a fresh coat needed.To make it "disappear," paint the radiator the same color as the wall behind it. #5Keep the white trim white--looks bright and clean.Keep kitchen door white. You might want to stop here and make no further changes #6Cabinets: I like Gast pic above on right, but too much blue for your blue-tiled kitchen...IMO. I'd go cooler and lighter...consider the light gray of the beadboard in the Gast pic above right. Beautiful hue. Don't go for the white white everyone clamors for these days.Too stark for your kitchen and too contrasty with the blue tile, too country kitchenish. #7. cabinet hardware: Look like glass knobs in pics. Go for knobs/pulls like in the Gast pic above--or similar in pewter or ss, my preference. Those "modern" ss bar handles don't work with your cabinets. #8 the round table is not a good fit against the wall. Get a small sq or rectangular ss or butcherblock-top table for that spot. Chop off the top tier of your chairs to shorten....and match their tops as they are now so's won't appear to take up so much visual space and still remain comfy--don't replace w/ uncomfortable stools.Keep white. #9. Do away with wood valance over sink window.Too country. #10 Countertops--solid color Corian type or laminate--depends on budget--don't want busy stone textures of quartz, etc. Consider a medium value cool gray. (Or maple butcherblock?). Can't see color/texture of floor.... hope some of this helps. Good luck! lisianthus' pic tho nice is too busy-cutesy for your minimalist aims IMO

If you are like me who cannot tackle the remodel on one big project expense, I would start with your breakfast table nook. Then I suggest working on the cabinets, and lastly changing the tile wall with or without counter top/sink update. An update of the faucet at the start won't be too much expense either. I am assuming you're not fond of the blue tile - wanting it to be in off/ white or grey tiles eventually. If you absolutely cannot live with the blue tile while progressing with the project, I suggest painting it like several commentators suggested as a temporary fix - just to get the pain out from looking at it :{) Otherwise, I suggest to leave it alone and save your money, time and effort. For the breakfast nook, I think additional storage is always an advantage like two commentators suggested for your wall by your table - using clean line metal/steel brackets and white shelves and wall painted with light cool grey in your ideabook. You can display not only kitchen items but also some artwork on the shelves to make it look uncluttered. I also like your posted ideabook for a bar style chair and table (Mal Corboy) but with low open back chairs for airy look (Kelley Gardner.) Assuming it is safe to cover your radiator panel (sic maybe - not sure of term), the wall end of table can be opened with cabinet doors on both sides or at least the one facing the boiler side. (Pls refer to 1st image.) For the cabinets, I suggest going up to the ceiling even above the window/sink - using simple panel doors with long sleek hardware just like Merry Powell suggested. Going up means less wall tile to change later in the project - an added advantage. I also think that painting the lower cabinet that same light grey as your wall also looks pretty just like in your Cucinabella Bella choice in your ideabook while top cabinets are in white. Just be careful which white shade you choose. A true off-white may not look good with the grey you posted in your ideabook. Your boiler corner can have its own two-door corner cabinet or 4-door cabinet if you paint the lower ones grey. (Pls refer to 2nd image). I am attaching images with edits using my unglamorous graphic 'editor' - excuse the roughness ;) I also included images posted in your ideabook mixed with my added images. May be a lot of work but have fun while doing it. I'm sure it will be much better looking each step you take.

When you are punished, you are sent to the corner..... don't punish your sink/cooktop etc. Seriously now, as a last resort only. It's not fun to stand at the corner with two walls closing on you while you cook, wash etc.

Hi Helen, The fridge position is ideal so I suggest you move the radiator to the other side of the door and turn the door so its opens back against the fridge. This will increase the feeling of space in the whole dining area. You won't regret the length of your breakfast bar so I wouldn't worry about the gap sizes, 1200 is an ideal but 1000 is more than sufficient. Could you turn the door into the utility so that it opens inwards and not into the kitchen area? It would eliminate having to manoeuvre round the door when open and reduce congestion in the kitchen especially with traffic flow past the end of the breakfast bar. Alternatively you could consider a pocket door which slides into the wall if there is enough space. Good luck!