Well, I agree with the posters who say it looks great to me and I wouldn't change it. It's different for you and will take some getting used to (if you leave it), but I'll bet once you are, you will love having the frig there. I personally love blocking the view into my kitchen, but I'm a messy cook.

I would think about a round table, or a banquette as someone else suggested, or simply turning the table to run the other direction. If you husband is using the table as a desk, then why not recess the refer into the space where the desk is? I'd do that and cover the "window" with the end panel, if I couldn't live with it as is (with the refer where it is now). Your kitchen is really nice!

Marrilyn, I saw your post on the kitchen forum and I think your kitchen looks beautiful. Whenever we make major changes it takes awhile to get used to it. With that being said you have tried to like it and you still don't. In this case I think you need to decide if form trumps function? If so change it but I honestly think you have a lovely kitchen and it is equally functional and lovely.

If you use the end panel as a unique way to display art I think you will have found the perfect solution.

Here's my take on a somewhat easy solution. Panel the rest of the wall.

Exactly!! Panel the rest of that wall -- and add matching paneling on the wall in the eating/dining area to finish it off -- and create a much more co-hesive look throughout the entire space ....

Paint the rest of the walls in the family room in a deeper taupe-brown tone -- to work with your floor tiles AND to blend in with the new paneling.

Add a lamp or two to the desk area (seen through the window-like opening) OR even add a couple of handing-pendant lamps over the desk. Co-ordinate these new lamps with a larger chandelier over the new dining table.

Love the paneling the rest of the wall idea!

Maybe I don't understand then. Is it the look of the wall that bothers you, or that you can't see into the kitchen?

I see the problem . It would be a problem for me as well. The least expensive thing I can see would be to take off the wood paneling and make bring the sheetrock over then hang art on that wall. That would make it not so in your face from the dining room but wouldn,t solve the issue with the view from the kitchen thing. I don,t know where your budget is at this point but the best solution would be to move the fridge straight across to the other side so it sits by the dishwasher even though that would still but it on the end of the kitchen because of the angle you would be looking out at it wouldn,t block the view into the dinning room in the same manner it does on the other side. I had to do that with mine and dh screamed bloody murder but I am still so glad I just bit the bullet and did it then.

I have to say I am just so surprised that so many people think its ok. That's good, though, b/c I am really trying to think so too.

My problem with the whole thing is that I just HATE not being able to see through the kitchen like I used to be able to, or to see from the range like I used to be able to.

I like all the ideas of how to change the look of the panel and especially like the photoshop justgotabme did. That does look better. It's just that none of those ideas fix what is really bothering me about the panel/frig placement, which is the way is obstructs the line of sight there.

KD and designer don't think moving frig to the other side is as good of an option (cost, aesthetics,function). They think it is best to just change that one side.

So if anyone would answer my question about which option I would appreciate it. Even if you don't think I should change it (and please feel free to tell me that in addition), could you please also tell me where you think I should put the frig (on the same side)?

Thanks so much!

If you truly don't like your view blocked then take down the built in fridge and move it where it would work best for YOU. Don't worry about what anyone else says. You are the one that it needs to function for, both physically and mentally. Not any one of us.

Marrilyn, part of the problem may be that your kitchen isn't finished yet. You stand at the stove, you look at that giant fridge surround, and it's all you can see. You've tried to get used to it - but you probably aren't spending a lot of time actually working in the kitchen yet.

In the old kitchen, did you do most of your prepping on the sink side or the stove side? You might find that you don't actually spend as much time at the range as you thought you did.

I do hope you can adjust, because it is a beautiful and functional layout. If not, I do think swapping the fridge with the cabinets opposite might be the least expensive option.

I haven't read the whole thread so if this has already been pointed out sorry...but if you flip flop the pantry and fridge it will be hard to open the fridge door close to the wall. I have this setup and couldn't change it as my kitchen is small..it's not optimal. If you do flip it I would leave a foot between the wall and fridge...maybe put a pullout pantry there or a broom closet.

Marilyn, I'm wondering if you are feeling that your kitchen has turned into a tunnel with that view into the living area closed off. You may be an open concept person. My thoughts would be to leave the fridge down at the breakfast room end where it functions better, but remove the desk and recess the fridge somewhat to improve the view. Then move the desk to another area, such as a bedroom. My first home had a built-in desk in the familyroom. It was nothing but a catch-all and clutter magnet. Never again!
By the way, if you go with a round table, poistion the table on the diagonal so the back chairs will have more room being pulled back into corners.
Your kitchen is gorgeous, especially those cabinets!

I think it looks great but if you simply cannot live with it then I would put the fridge to the back and your range where it was originally. I would not swap the fridge for the pantry or it will be the same dilemma you have now.

I am not saying that this is a must but it seems it is sort of seemingly a must for you as you are not liking what you have now. Again, I think it looks great as is. Its a beautiful kitchen!

marrilyn, Time for a pep talk. Take a deep breath and think in a more positive way, not so focused on the one issue that you didn't expect, but the 100 new great features you created by remodeling your kitchen. You simply have a visual memory etched in your brain of what the view used to be, and you're having a hard time switching to the new view. Designers encounter this with lots of clients.

You didn't make a mistake. Your KD is correct. This is a better solution for your kitchen. Lots of posters have thrown solutions involving moving cabinets, appliances, adding filler strips etc, without the additional knowledge of physical limitations that are existing in your kitchen. Almost all won't work. Time to focus on the big picture of your kitchen area.

How about directing your attention to replacing the old table and chairs that really look dated compared to your lovely new cabinets? A round pedestal table & chairs with some upholstery would be an improvement to the space. Select a new contemporary light to brighten up the seating area ASAP so that area isn't dark anymore. Some new artwork to add color to the space. When you begin to see different items, your focus will switch from starring at the fridge.

Texasgal, thanks for the input. frig can't be recessed any further or it wouldn't open correctly. It is already recessed to make it CD. I don't know that I would always want an open concept, but I sure seem to be wanting it here. :) Desk area has to stay, it's new and matches to cabinets. Its a strange little alcove area where not much else would work.

aktillery, not sure what you mean about putting the frig "back"??

joaniepoanie, yes, we've already thought through some of the issues with door opening if it were placed where the pantry is. It would open wide enough for function, but not be able to open totally.

beverly27, you are so right that I need to think more about the good things. That's why I have everything on hold right now and didn't immediately rush to change it. I feel like I am giving it a good shot at trying to getting used to it. I think that if I feel like I have an option--like I am not forever stuck with this- THEN I can focus more on liking it as is. (Like I won't be distracted by thoughts of "woe is me, I'm hate this and I'm stuck with it!") Which is why I would like to know from people on this board, if I change that wall, which option (of those I listed) would be the best aesthetically (mainly) and functionally? Then when I decide which of those options is best, I can decide whether to change it or not.

I am glad to hear I am not the only one who has this type of "buyer's remorse". I love the photoshop of the table, light and artwork. I get what you are saying about stuff like that taking the focus off the frig and will try to keep all that in mind. And I SO appreciate the pep talk. :) I definitely needed it.

I can see from the photo in your other thread how you were used to interacting a lot while at the range. It wouldn't be quite as close, but have you considered tucking the table back more into the corner and doing a banquette? You could bring more of the cabinetry wood in on them.

I think the end panel of the refrigerator needs to be balanced on that wall. Paneling the whole area seems a bit heavy to me. Maybe just run stained trim and crown across that wall and stained trim around the window to carry it through. Then wood banquette seating on the other side as well.

If you really can't live with it, you could go to the expense of recessing it into the mud room. Most people say those desks don't get used but just collect clutter. You might still be able to do a smaller style window there.