I really like your home so far. Your hall and view down the house are wonderful and will do great things for it. I have something similar, with windows and single French door at the ends, but less "clean" and lined up. I want yours (!) and agree with recessing the bar slightly so there aren't always messy snags to the view you've created. Ours not only makes our home feel much larger than it is and connects us to the outside, but its simplicity makes our home seem more orderly even when it's not. That rear cabinetry could be much, much shallower and still provide excellent bar storage. Although if it doesn't fit your lifestyle, it just won't do, the three rooms carefully opened to each other could be fantastic, with an open staircase too. A neglected or unappealing dining room is definitely something to worry about, though. If you were to leave the dining room where it is, could you work on its function a bit, "break" the usual dining room box? How about putting a TV in there too for when a game's on? The table could have the kind of comfy armchairs people end up spending whole evenings in. Even a couch, or a very cushy wall-to-wall banquette, where the china cabinet is. What's out those side windows in the dining room? Do you have 8 (even 5?) feet to...perhaps a creeping fig or ivy-covered wall with a quiet water source dribbling down into a little deep green pond running along the wall, even a few ferns poking out of the corners, resident frogs, mossy brick if you wanted? If so, how about "breaking" the otherwise front-rear orientation a bit with windows across most of that wall to your secret garden? If so, would you need a window in the kitchen?

I think a sitting area would be sooo nice. I used to have a wing back chair in a corner of my kitchen which was very popular when we had guests. I kept a basket of decorating and gardening magazines next to it and a small table on the other side. Someone always left with a new idea or two for their own home. It was also a great place to sit and relax while waiting for water to boil or something to finish up in the oven. I am seriously considering putting another chair there, but I'm waiting until we put the new slider in and remodel the kitchen. I miss that sweet spot! : ) You could really personalize your "spot." Do it up in the colors and fabrics that make you feel the most comfortable. And a large picture window - lucky you - does it look out to a pretty view? If not, now's the time to create one. You know us "cottagers" will enable you into some lushish bloomers. : ) Diana

If you do something similar to what Drjoann has, be sure the table is easily moved b/c it will not be easy getting to the seat along the back wall w/the table in-place...unless you're a child! Each person needs 24" to 30" of linear space + 18" of legroom not shared w/anyone else (so a minimum 36" deep table). Additionally, if you have seating on all 4 sides, you need to be sure the length of the table accommodates the legroom for both the end seats and the side seats...with no more than a 3" to 6" overlap. So, if you want a table to seat 6, you will need one a minimum of 6' long (12" end seat legroom + 24" seat + 24" seat + 12" end seat legroom = 72"). The 34" deep island your KD is suggesting will most likely not be deep enough (assuming it's table-height). Is this "island" fixed or portable/movable? I don't think I'd want a permanently fixed island in a nook like that!

Ditto what Annie said. You are talking about the structural integrity of your house and it looks like you have a second story, and you probably also have a basement. By removing the wall, the beam needs to support the floor above and the roof. And if you're in a "snow zone" that has to be factored in as well. Another thing, walls are distributing the load from above to the floor or foundation. When you remove a portion of the wall, you are creating point loads on the floor or foundation, which may require additional work to your foundation in the form of footings or additional beams below. These are examples of how removing a wall can get complicated. Maybe you are already aware of this. I hope so! Edited to add another thought I wanted to share regarding openings to let in light. You're only going to get sunlight during the daytime. How often are you home during the day when you can benefit from the daylight? Painting the paneling and better lighting in the family room will to wonders for making the room look brighter. Also, consider replacing the back door with a slider. That will allow more light into the family room. This advice is coming to you from someone who is considering taking down walls to let more light into her dark family room. :) But I've been in my house a long time whereas you haven't even moved in yet.