Before going forward with any changes, I recommend you come up with your final goal. Then, split it into phases that make sense in achieving your goal.

Just moving stuff around somewhat randomly usually ends up either costing you far more in the long run b/c of redoing things that weren't carefully thought out in terms of the final product or imposing unnecessary constraints on future "phases".

Ditto what buehl said. Also, if you could post a layout of your current kitchen with dimensions, it would help others come up with ideas for how you could phase in changes.

Thank you - I will try to post a floorplan later tonight. Maybe I should take meet with a kitchen designer. I am sure there are possibilities I haven't thought of.

A KD might give you ideas, but so might people here, if they have something to work with, like a layout/floorplan. :-)

Check out the "Layout Help" topic of the "Read Me" thread for information on asking for layout help.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

Do you need your breakfast table, if you're opening up the wall to the dining room? Maybe you could redesign the space and make the kitchen a U-shape, rather than an L-shape with table?

lavender lass - that is exactly what I was thinking. I am going to get rid of my kitchen table and add cabinets on the empty wall. I am thinking that the fridge will be at the end of that row of cabinets between the window and the door.

Andrea- I think you're right, I'd close off the window on the slider wall and put the range over there, if you can move the gas. Imagine a sleek stainless steel hood and a beautiful tile backsplash! Then, the fridge should fit, between the range and the slider.

Explain to your DH how amazing it will be to have that big bar/prep space, where the range and fridge are now. It could be one or two levels, with the appliances moved...maybe even a little bar sink...with something 'manly' like leather topped stools? Just a possibility, but that window might seem much less important to him, if he imagines himself hosting the next Super Bowl party! :)

I have a similar problem - everyone else (who has never bothered to take out a tape measure or even understands the concept of "standard" sizes) thinks I can magically fit the entire world, along with the kitchen sink, into the kitchen! And, for some bloody reason they are OBSESSED with windows - exactly where they do not fit!

For example, everyone thinks we "must" have a window looking into the back yard (on the shorter wall), but they do not realize that you cannot put a window behind the fridge and freezer! So I managed to put a cooktop between the fridge and freezer, so I could squeeze (literally) a window in there. It's so DUMB! They all seem to think that the window can be used as a pass-thru to the deck outside. Honestly, I think that is highly impractical, considering it would have to be a casement window that would interfere with what goes on the deck, and you could not have a screen, so bugs would come into the house, so it would never be used as a pass-thru!

It's really hard to tell the layout of your kitchen - the only measurement you give is that the sink wall is 12 ft. Well, that is about the same size I am working with, and my sliding glass doors also limit the length of my L-shaped kitchen (interestingly, everyone's "dream window" would be about where yours is).

Do realize that you will need a corner cabinet if you extend onto the door wall - I advise a blind with a really good pull-out over a lazy susan because they only take up excess space along one wall (instead of 36" along BOTH walls), plus they are more efficient). That being said, I HATE corner cabinets - that is currently the bane of my existence!

It's hard to tell from your pics, but I assume that the entire wall behind your range was knocked down and a header goes all the way to the window wall, correct? And you want to eventually arch the entire opening (long shallow arch)?

How long is the peninsula wall? Is it 8 ft (30" cab, 30" stove, 36" corner cab) or does it also include where the fridge currently is approx. 36" = 11 ft?

I am assuming the whole thing was headered out, but there will be a doorway where the fridge currently is. You call it a "peninsula" as opposed to "half-wall" therefore I assume that you can enter the kitchen from the dining room where the fridge is now. Or will the doorway remain (I assume) across from the front door and the peninsula extend to where the fridge is now? Either way, if you are going to arch out over the peninsula, I'd also arch (curve the corners) of the doorway, otherwise it will look really odd (square next to arched). I'm assuming there are studs between the doorway and peninsula (because a header longer than 12 ft would be really expensive), so I would build it out to at least 12"-16" (the vertical part - the base "holding up" the arches) both between the doorway and peninsula and also at the other end where your corner cabinets are. This way you will not see the sides of those corner cabinets from the dining room (a MAJOR pet peeve of mine), and it will actually look like a well thought-out deliberate design. Nothing looks worse than an archway sitting on "sticks" (just wrapping 6" of studs with drywall). You can also use this vertical space to hang wine racks.

As for your range, NO! Do not install an island hood floating in the middle of your archway! You say there is 58" between the wall and window; I assume that means you are including the 24" depth of cabinets currently there. If that last cabinet is 36", then you can replace it with a normal 36" lazy susan cabinet. Even if you get new cabinets that will save a lot of money because you will not have to move the plumbing for the sink and d/w. That would take up 36" on the door wall, and if you put the stove immediately after the corner cab it would land half way under the window; if you put a 21 inch cab and then the range it will land directly under the window. At best you would need a new window because the high back of the range will be above the bottom of the window. Then you still have the dilemma of the range hood. CAN you put it over a window? I suppose, unfortunately it is very difficult to make look right, and I did fit that into my plan for that stupid "dream window" everyone wants, but it sure is a pain in the butt to design around!

Personally, if I was getting new cabinets I'd do a 12" drawer bank next to the d/w and a 42" blind cab along the door wall. Then the range, another drawer bank, the fridge, and end with a base cab - do not end with the fridge right next to the door - you ideally want a counter on each side. Plus, it feels claustrophobic to walk in next to a fridge or tall cab, and you want to be able to set groceries there. I don't know how long your wall is to the door though!

Again, these suggestions are all ad-hoc suggestions with no long-term planning...please come up with a final plan/layout b/f doing things like buying cabinets, taking down/putting up walls, etc.

What Buehl said, times ten. Post a layout, even if it's one you scribbled on a napkin and photographed with your cell phone. We need one in order to help you. And don't tear out any more walls or do anything until you have a final layout!

First I must apologize for this very rough layout. I took ideagirl2's idea and sketched one out and took a pic of it, I couldn't figure out how to post a .pdf.

By way of background, picture my house as being in an "L" shape, with the living room at the front, the dining room directly behind it, the kitchen directly behind the dining room and the family room next to the kitchen. The only interior wall throughout that space is the wall between the kitchen and dining room (the wall that has the drywall removed). My family of 6 uses every inch of the house and I would like that wall open to join all of the living space. My vision was that we would have eating/homework space at the counter between the kitchen and dining room, and then our only dining table would be in the dining room.

I would then move the refrigerator near the patio door and install cabinets on the rest of that wall, creating a u-shaped kitchen.

I would like to move the stove from its current spot but I don't see where it could go.

Thank you for your help and all of the terrific suggestions so far!