If expenses are a concern, then avoid moving the sink from underneath it's present window. Put that money that you would have spent doing that into putting a beam to remove the load bearing wall. Just moving the sink down to the other windows only to put a range in front of where the sink is currently makes no sense spacially or economically. If the goal is to open the kitchen up to the other rooms with a minimal amount of expense, then you should consider leaving some of the wall intact to have a smaller beam. This would actually extend the wall, and force some different traffic patterns such as walking through the dining room to the kitchen from the garage, etc. What this would do though, is drastically reduce the cost of taking down that wall because all of the spans that have the be done from point to point here can be done with smaller dimensional lumber rather than any beams. Smaller and shallower headers mean more visual height, and they mean that a one or two man construction crew can handle the job rather than having to have 5-6 handle the logistics of doing a large beam. And, since the only plumbing addition is a prep sink and you're not moving the cleanup sink, there is savings there as well.

Ok. Let me try this again. I have color-coded the drawing to help explain what I am asking. What I am trying to accomplish is to have the benefit of extra space without totally removing the load-bearing wall. With the island I would like to put in, I won't have a wide enough walkway if I line the load-bearing wall with cabinets. However, I was thinking that I might be able to keep the support from the load-bearing wall, place a pantry, closets or cabinets around the supports for that wall, and create a non-load bearing wall behind it. Sort of bumping the wall back without losing the structural integrity it provides and without the cost of removing it, especially because I would need to put up another wall between the dining room and kitchen, even if it is not as long. Otherwise, there is nowhere to put the fridge. This means I would lose some space in the dining room, but we don't use it more than 1-2/times per year. I am attaching some photos of my very ugly current kitchen to give you a better idea of the current layout. At this point, I am wondering if this idea has any merit before I move into other floor plans for the space. I really, really want the big island but am not sure if it is feasible. 1. View from dining room into kitchen: view from front hallway near stairway 3.kitchen from family room 4. view of load-bearing wall from kitchen toward the dining room 5. another view of load-bearing wall 6. from garage entrance into kitchen 8.from bay window area toward load-bearing wall If there are other views you would like to see, please let me know.

Where are you located, HU? KSC's solution probably doesn't apply to your situation because the roof slope looks to be low. But there is a solution, and your best course of action is to seek consult from a reputable GC or engineer. I don't think you would need an engineer's report unless you want them to provide details on how to remove the wall and support the roof.

I believe you're asking about installing a "flush" beam. If so, the opening size will be limited based on the size of the beam that can support the load of the ceiling joists as well as any other loads imposed from above without protruding below the drywall ceiling. Installing flush beams can involve relocating plumbing, electricals and duct work so you'll be well served to do some "exploratory demolition" to aid in determining the scope of work involved.