Regarding the table--I think IKEA does a knockoff of the gorgeous round Saarinen  table that would look great in your room. The shape would very nicely soften up the space.

You are very fortunate to have parents that realize that old and outdated means "replace/modernize". I just spent a hellish week trying to convince my mother that her hideous kitchen needed not just new lino (because where it had worn out she had nailed in pieces of samples...) but, perhaps, new knobs and pulls that did not resemble something from the Black Forest in the 70's. Arrgh!

ps--good on your parents for having the best coffee machine. The Essenza makes the most delicious coffee ever.

The Ikea Bjursta would compliment the new kitchen nicely. We have one and love it's clean, simple lines expandibility.

Lovely new kitchen, great job!!

The new kitchen looks lovely. We did an IKEA kitchen a couple of years ago and my husband did all the installation. We got the appliances from Sears but otherwise everything is IKEA. I absolutely love it! We used the glass front cabinets for the "pantry" and I have all our dry goods in big glass canning jars - it looks great. We used the IKEA wooden countertops and so far so good. All in all - I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and it is a real pleasure now!

That's funny, Elizabeth, we wanted that exact table but it's a bit too long for the space. Believe me, we were very disappointed!   What we're actually thinking is to use a piece of the IKEA butcher block counter top and have some steel legs made for it.  It's similar to what is there now, but will be a much nicer colour and more modern lines.

Bonnie, we also looked at that sideboard - not enough room behind the table unfortunately.  We do love it though.  

And PKitty, I have those butcher block counters in my kitchen!  They're great, just make sure you oil them once a month. It will definitely prevent cracking, especially around the sink where there's constant moisture.  

Looks gorgeous! I really like the green and I love those TOBIAS chairs, two of them are actually next on my home purchase list for my desk/kitchen table (really, it's a desk, I eat at the coffee table).

wow, what an improvement - love the tiles and the sink! this is scaring me a little as i want to redo my kitchen, but wanted to spend somewhere around $10K.  not sure if that's possible:(

The big splurges were the glass tile for the back splash and the counters.  The cabinetry was the most significant chunk but that's going to be the same no matter what.  If you can install it yourself, it's save you around $4,000.

I suggest something like this: wingardhome.com/LargeOpArt.html, however in a larger scale for the wall by the table.

Fresh and lovely.