Thank you all for your helpful information given previously. I have my new mini-stove, a 24" electric with smooth top and self-cleaning oven, which fits in the space in my 1927 kitchen with just enough room for my
18" portable dishwasher to snug beside it. They're too close to the door for "proper" kitchen design, but working very well for us. I love the stove. The burners heat up and cool down rapidly, and since I'm still not much of a cook, I've had no problem with burnt on spills (knock wood) but have purchased a scraper to be ready just in case.I also finally found light fixtures that filled my requirements -- it's terrible to get something in mind, then go look only to discover that nobody has that. But I found a site with thousands of lighting fixtures! They had just what I wanted with large pendants and matching mini-pendant in the style and colors I had fixed in my mind.
The lighting problem reminded me of one I often have with patterns, when I have a style in mind, then can't find a pattern to match.
My next project will be a new floor, and I'm not finding it any easier than any of the other improvements. Right now I have vinyl tiles which are worn and chipped. Underneath there is hardwood, I'm sure, but covered with all sorts of mastic and tile, and possibly even some old linoleum. When we moved in, there was indoor-outdoor carpeting because the owner was on crutches and needed a surface that wasn't at all slippery. We ripped that out of the kitchen, hallway, and one bedroom. So my choices are pretty much ceramic tile, or other hard tile; one-piece vinyl; more vinyl tile, or...... I'm thinking cork would be nice, but then I see it's not recommended for anywhere there might be water, and I do drip water sometimes. I've had Cuban tile and terrazzo when I lived in South Florida, and it's very unforgiving - of dropped items and on the feet and back.
Meanwhile, I am loving my countertops, backsplash, sink, lighting fixtures and new appliances. None of this has made me a great cook, but that's all right. ;-)