lindar2540, it is easy to embed images in a thread from a photosharing site. You can find the instructions in the Posting Pictures portion of the New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me! thread that is usually found on page 1 or page 2 of this forum (unfortunately, no way to "sticky" it to the top of the forum). I linked to the specific post for you below. All I did to post an image from your Flickr site was to click on the image to bring only that image up, click on the "Share" button above the image to bring up a window, click on "Grab the HTML/BBCode" to open up that section of the window, made sure that the HTML box was still selected (just below the code) and then did as instructed, "Copy and paste the code below" into this thread (Ctrl A, Ctrl C & Ctrl V). Here's your plan as your home was designed (if I understand what you're saying, that is). This is the photo size setting of Medium 500 (might be default setting). And this is photo size of Medium 800 (click on the pull down area next to photo size to see your choices). You'll get more responses if the images are in this thread instead of making us hunt through your whole list of images to find the one you're referring to. One of the key things we need - and what is missing from the "as planned" images found at your Flickr site - are dimensions of the space. We need to know overall size of the room, size of windows and doorways and where they fall within the space. It's really hard to judge from images or plan whether the window is 48" in from the corner or 60" and those 12" will make a difference in proposed suggestions. You don't need to have professionally drawn up plans. It doesn't even have to be pretty. But it does need to be legible. So grab a sheet of graph paper, assign a value (for example, 1 square = 6") and draw up your existing kitchen. Then scan it to upload to your Flickr site so that you can embed this image here. If you don't have a scanner, take a photo of your drawing (I've done this) instead. Lastly, it would be helpful to know more about you, including size and ages of family, how you cook, what you like to cook, how many cooks there are, etc. You can find the info we need to know in the Layout Help post in the New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me! thread (you'll also find tips about drawing up a kitchen plan in this thread). Here is a link that might be useful: Posting Pictures portion of New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!

I think a lot is going to depend on your budget. Personally, I think you need to break up the roofline with a gable, either by creating a gabled entryway or by changing the roofline above the garage door to a gable. You might also consider adding a a shed roofline above the garage doors to create some visual interest. Here are some images that I found on houzz.com. If you've not discovered that site yet, it would be worth a browse for you - there are literally thousands of photos that come up when searching for split level): [Traditional Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by Chicago Design-build Normandy Remodeling [Traditional Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by Minneapolis General Contractor Knight Construction Design : Chanhassen, Minnesota [Traditional Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by Portland Kitchen And Bath Fixtures Designer's Edge Kitchen & Bath Hope that helps!

*sigh* Lost my entire post -- during submission. That's been happening more and more lately. Let me try again. (I'm going to post piecemeal so I don't lose everything at one time. So, bear with me. When you see "END" at the end you'll know I'm done.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I recommend waiting to make any major changes until you've living there for a few months. You may find there are different changes you want to make once you'er actually living in the space and not just a short visit. For example, you might find that it would be better to move the Kitchen into the Dining Room (Area) instead of the Sitting + Breakfast areas; and then make the Sitting + Breakfast area your new Dining Room. That would move the enclosed porch access into the new Dining Room instead of the middle of the Kitchen, which may present issues creating a functional layout. You might also consider enlarging the window in the current Dining Area....maybe as wide as possible and, if you do move the Kitchen to the current Dining Area, then put the main sink on that wall under the large window. (I'd make it counter height for the best view!) Regardless of what you do, when the time comes (now or later), we need a fully-measured layout of the space, including the thicknesses of walls that you are considering removing or changing. (See if you can get into the home b/f you settle.) "Fully measured" means the width of each wall/window/door/doorway is labeled along with the distance between each wall/window/door/doorway. See a sample below. Where are you flexible? Can doors or windows change (moved, changed, added, eliminated)? Is there anything that cannot be changed or moved? If so, please precisely locate them on the measured layout (see the "post" in the sample layout below). Also, tell us why it cannot move/change -- we may think of something you didn't that might allow a change. See the links below, When asking for layout help... Layout Help FAQ: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500789/faq-how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-what-information-should-i-include Ice.Water.Stone.Fire, a humorous discussion of Kitchen design:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first . Kitchen Design Best Practices/Guidelines: Work Zones, What Are They?:https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500762/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they Aisles Widths, Seating Overhangs, etc.:https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500771/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc Storage Planning: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500787/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage +++++ END +++++

great space, you just need a few additions. for sure I'd do some walnut shelves, here: It would be great if you could do a sconce above the shelves. and change out your pendant lights maybe something a bit more mcm/industrial? before you tile, remove that little 2" piece up the back. it's easy. score the caulking to release it and gently pry it away from the wall. I'd do more of a modern layout w/the tile. a vertical stack off-set or regular stack or like this. and you could use a similar type of tile in a very pale sage green to coordinate w/the dining area. the pale sage will work w/your granite. for the dining area, get yourself a nice rug, and new light. Since you have the greens in the print, maybe look for a vintage over-dyed rug in the green, or bring in the blush color rug. or accent w/both the blush and the soft greens If you find the right blush tone, it would look great w/the floors. or look for the green. here are two examples here's one w/both colors!