Really great inputs from all of you. Thank you for taking your time reading and responding! There are some great ideas here, but unfortunately, we will not be able to make all the changes due to various reasons. For example, we will not change the framing of the windows because that will require extra permit (I think); We will not re-do the walls and the ceiling in the wood room so we preserve its historical look (and to keep the budget down); etc. But @kaismom, you gave me some idea for re-doing the kitchen. (Love it in SketchUp since it doesn't cost anything to tear stuff down!) I moved the fridge to behind the division wall and made it tall cabinets all across. I realize that this will make the galley kitchen look even narrower, but it got the fridge out of the way, and since this is a single cook kitchen, being a little narrow is not too big a problem (I have about 39" of clearance between the counter top edge to the other cabinet wall.) I also moved the dishwasher to the left size because now I could put a 33" drawer base by its side. Now, I have two 2-basket trash pullout (for trash and recyclables). Not sure if that's an overkill. The only non-drawer cabinet is there because the code require access to the propane shutoff which is hidden behind that cabinet. (We will not use propane but the pipe is already there.) However, I still face the choices what to do with the opening at the kitchen: leave it completely open, have a one tier open counter, or have a small breakfast bar. I personally like the look of the one tier counter, but I have no good aesthetic sense; hence I appreciate your input. Currently, I'm putting this IKEA VÄRDE drawer unit for the two non-open options. Either way (one level or bar), I have a 40" opening from the short wall to the other side of the opening. I wonder if that's too narrow for the kitchen installation. But with the hallway at 39" wide, and the opening at 40", I can't foresee any problem with getting the appliances and cabinets in. Hope someone can point it out if it will be a problem. Without further ado, let me take you on a tour in our newly remodeled house. Again, click on an image for its full size. Overview. North is up. Living room, seen from the wood room. Looking into living room standing at the front door. Same exact angle, but this time, we put in a bar (open counter or tiered) at the kitchen. You probably have to bring up the full size to see the difference. View from the couch. This picture explains why we choose dark cabinets in the wood room -- so that they do blend in. Now, what if we have a bar (open counter or tiered) at the kitchen? A look at the living room from the desk area. Okay, this series is important. which option would you vote for? Open? One level counter? Tiered breakfast bar? Here is a look into the galley kitchen. Three options again. The wood room.

I think the KD's latest version makes problem worse. The talls now seem to go on forever. Also, by recessing the refrigerator, you make it even farther away from any real landing space. It just seems like it would be a real ordeal to get out more than a couple of ingredients at a time. I certainly don't want to push my plan on you, but I also don't want you to lose out so dramatically on function in an effort to create a visual separation that I don't think the pony wall accomplishes any better. I've seen many islands that seem to do a nice job of separating the kitchen from the family room. If you don't like this look, you might want to consider exploring other ways to create that visual separation. You have space for such a large island that adding some architectural accents like columns at each end and, perhaps, an arch of some kind above it would create a real feeling of separateness without sacrificing good kitchen functioning. There are several kitchens in the FKB that have this set up. Perhaps others can name a few. You could even use part of the island that faces the family room for shelving or something else that might look less kitchen-y. Even if you decide to stick with the U and the pony wall, I really think you should reconsider putting that island where you have it. Others have pointed out the many functional drawbacks. In addition to those, I think it would just look awkward.

We have a septic system & limit what goes down the disposal so I hadn't planned on one in the prep sink. During our reno, we've been using our kitchenette in the basement & not having a disposal in that sink drives me crazy (the crumbs, the stuff that sticks to dishes that you have to rinse off). I also remember reading in someone's post that their biggest regret was not putting a disposal in the prep sink. I added one to the prep sink.

Couple of things You could try a light on a timer above plants in basement to get them out of dormancy earlier. Set lamp on 14 hours or more starting in March. Extra heat might not hurt either. Another might be to concentrate on varieties that are known to be good bloomers. Penang Peach and Divine come to mind.