I would beg to differ with athensmom regarding ranges. One of the most telling demonstrations of the difference between a professional chef and an amateur came when a friend of ours, a restaurant owner and head chef, cooked for us at his home. He make an incredible meal on a 30 year old gas range that must have put out maybe 5000 BTUs max. And topped that with a perfect souffle made in the oven which didn't even have a door that shut completely. Just because Bittman can cook on junk doesn't mean that I can. I need all the help I can get, and a great range is a big part of it. No matter how hard you try, you just can't really sear right on an electric coil stove. You can't really stir fry on a feeble 5K BTU gas hob. So BS and Culinarian ranges really DO cook "better" than builder grade dreck. And even Bittman, in the article about his kitchen, says what he dreams of is "A functioning oven, the best possible stove." So just because he cooks on a tiny low end gas stove doesn't mean he wouldn't agree that a great stove makes you a better cook. Now, I will agree, however, with athensmom, that when we're talking about bluestar vs wolf, that the differences are small, perhaps too small to really make a big difference in how well people cook. At that level, the differences are likely outweighed by other kitchen skills--I'd take a really sharp knife, a Unicorn pepper grinder, and All Clad pans any day over the extra 4K BTU's that a Blustar might put out over a Wolf. So your choice of a sealed burner Wolf is perfectly rational.

This reminds me of the thread not so long ago with the analogy of the children's story, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". This was our $30K faucet-- Our kitchen reno actually started with a basement bathroom--7 years ago! When we moved in, there was just a toilet, and we wanted to make it an actual bathroom with walls and such, since it is a bit off-putting to use a potty just sitting out in the open. LOL. So the adventure begins when we have to dig out all the old pipes and replace them all the way to the street, as our pipes are crumbling and only held together with the tree roots that have invaded. I start to get the idea that a simple stand-up pre-fabbed shower unit was not going to cut it, and I really was lusting after those large, deep soaking tubs. I convinced DH that as long as we were putting in a new bathroom, let's make it a magnificent dream bathroom (or as dreamy as you can get in a basement-LOL). Well, since we have the walls and ceilings exposed, this would probably be a good time to add a bath up-up stairs, and then the boys could have their bedrooms up there. Perfect! Well maybe since we have finished the upstairs bath, perhaps the main bath could use some updating. That looks fabulous, but did you notice how loud it is when someone is upstairs? I think that we should have our master bedroom up there, and the kids can stay down here, but let's move them into the former master and make their room an office. Yes, let's! Ewww, did you notice how positively grungy the living room seems since all the other rooms look so fresh and bright? It really does. You know, now that the living room has a facelift, this might be a good time to take the wall down between the kitchen and dining room. It only makes sense. Well, now that the wall is down, and we will have to replace the flooring, we might as well make some changes to the kitchen... Someday, we will finish that "dream" basement bathroom and come full circle on our home project, but you know if you give a mouse a cookie....

your project scope will drive your costs. details below from my project still in planning phase. 11x13 original 1942 kitchen, full gut, no changes to footprint, full rewire and new plumbing to bring up to code, new inset cabinets, honed granite countertops, shaw farmhouse sink, rohl faucet, new stainless steel appliances except fridge, hardwood floors, subway tile backsplash. i was aiming for a 40K budget, am currently ~30% over budget - low to mid 50's depending on final scope (partially my fault, bought a pro range and am picking higher end stuff than originally planned). trying to find ways to reduce. key takeaways: -plan for the unexpected. i have not even begun construction yet, permits not yet filed and i already have $6000 in unplanned costs (ie 15% over budget just in unplanned costs). $4000 because i need to install a new tankless hot water heater to enable me to remove a venting flue going up the back of a cabinet in the kitchen. Another $1800 to pay a lead abatement company during demo as there is a new lead law that went into effect. make sure to set some money aside for the unplanned... prices below reflect SF Bay area with a good GC firm who is not cheap (still negotiating): lead abatement/partial demo $1850 homowner demo of some portions $0 remove flue chase, old electrical and plumbing $770 framing where flue was removed $200 rough plumbing $1000-1500 still defining this section new tankless hot water heater: TK3 with new 1" gas line, filter and labor to install $4200 minus 30% energy rebate finish plumbing $869 electrical $5,000 (still defining lighting scope, this number under review): full rewire of kitchen with knob and tube to include new panel in garage, 4 20amp dedicated circuits, rough in for all lighting to include pendant lighting, recessed lighting and under cabinet lighting. this number will reduce slightly depending on how many recessed lights i get, install GFCI receptacles and wall plates, install pendant lights, under cabinet lighting, install recessed lights, includes all supplies except pendant lights. HVAC: $1350 cost to update duct work for vent hood and install boot for heater vent kickplate insulation: $973 subcontracted so there is a markup on this. negotiating this line item drywall supplies and labor $730 subcontracted interior millwork and trim: supplies and labor: $700, need to match original trim which is not standard tile: 0 am doing myself (he quoted $1000) painting: 0 am doing myself (he quoted $2000) granite counterop fabrication including honing, install cabinets and countertops: $7600 i am paying for slab separately. this rate seems high, working to negotiate hardwood flooring: random plank to match dining room including materials and labor $2813 subcontracted install appliances: $800 protection: (porta potty, dust and floor protection) $650 cleanup: GC quoted $1382, we are negotiating based on reduced scope. supervision of subcontractors and job site, inspections: was originally at $4000, currently at $3500, aiming to negotiate to $3000 based on reduced scope. This GC came in ~10% higher than the other one i talked to but is much better. leaning towards going with him but still checking references and want to get 1 more quote. other parts of my budget to give you the overall view: cabinets $10,000 appliances $6700 sink, faucet, disposal $1600 cabinet hardware $400 tiles for backsplash $210 granite slab $850-$1000 permit fees $1000 glass for cabinet fronts $175 paint $100

I don't think a door from the kitchen, to the left of the sink, makes it too choppy. A french door there would be nice. Is there a deck that the door would open to? Alternatively, a door to the right of the range would work, if you don't mind walking down the side yard. There are pros and cons, but I'd consider if the dishwasher should be to the left of the sink. Reason is, if you prep on the counter between sink and range, then it would be nice not to have the dishwasher underfoot. If you like the view, you may consider fewer, or no, upper cabinets on the sink. Have a wall of windows instead. You already have considerable upper cabinets on the refrigerator run, and a walk-in pantry. Finally, if it is all about the view/connectedness to the backyard, you might explore reversing the kitchen and ''dinette'' area, and giving the dinette some french doors too. It would make the kitchen a bit less straightforward, but would allow for the dinette to be a part-indoors/part-outdoors space. I can see eating there, doors thrown open, food coming directly from the grill - assuming your climate cooperates. The kitchen would be closer to the pantry and to the ''dining room'' (if that is actually a dining room right off the front door).