Ok, so I just re-measured to be sure. I should have pointed out that the 11' x 9' did not account for the hallway closet that intrudes on the space. So footballmom, you are right. Because of the closet, functionally I guess the room is a lot smaller, as the closet takes up space next to the dishwasher. So here are the more specific dimensions; - Long wall with range in the middle: 140" (currently about 54" to left of range and 56" to right) - Sink/pass-through wall (up to closet): 87" - Window wall: 115" - Wall where fridge is now (up to doorway): 60" Note that the window isn't centered, so there's only 23 3/4" on the right side of it, but 37 3/4" on the left. This is why the fridge sticks out beyond the window where it is. Part of the reason we were thinking of "regular-sized" appliances is resale. Not that we are planning on selling soon, but are trying to take into consideration what potential buyers would want. Also I wonder whether smaller appliances might actually make the room seem smaller by association? Maybe not I will definitely give the idea of a smaller fridge and DW some more thought. 3" of space next to the fridge is do-able. I think that this would only allow opening the door to 90 degrees -- I would be able to pull the right crisper drawer out enough to reach the contents completely, but not quite enough to remove the crisper drawer. I don't think this would bother me. Would it bother other people? Buehl, what do you think? The OTR is vented to the outside (that wall is an exterior wall). Jillypie, I don't think I would have room for a fridge where the D/W/ is now. Bmorepanic, we don't have a basement, just a crawlspace. We had toyed with the idea of moving the sink and making an opening through the passthrough, but it would probably be too costly. No heating in that closet, just a million coats and shoes and an electrical box. I'm interested in the idea of running cabs under the window, but then still have the problem of where to put the fridge. In one way, I do like the idea of the fridge on the range wall, as this would help to visually break up the cabinets on that wall - esp if we get a nice-looking ss one. Divamum, I very much appreciate your Sunday morning musings :) I agree that the kitchen should be a place to live rather than just cook. I'm thinking that maybe if we open up the pass-through wider as well as taller (ie above dishwasher), then maybe we could put a couple of bar stools up to the counter there. There's not a whole lot of space in the DR, but maybe just enough? Kitchenkelly, we are planning to go crazy with lighting too :) I really like the idea of pendant lights over the sink area. Definitely undercab lighting. Hmmm a sconce is an interesting idea maybe I can find a place to put one of those Seems like everyone is in agreement that cabs should all go to ceiling in this space and not be varied heights. Anybody disagree? A couple of KDs (I'm still deciding which KD to go with) have suggested leaving a gap at the top and putting lights up there to flood the ceiling with light and make the tops of the cabinets "glow". One of them had suggested having only the cabs above the range go to ceiling. What do you think of this idea? Thank you all so much! I will try to post some pics soon of different options. Meanwhile, please keep those ideas coming!

Last week, the electrician who works for the general contractor came out and said we can move the panel to the location that is 10 feet away. We'll need junction boxes in the attic and in the basement crawl space. We have not signed a contract yet with the general contractor, and we also have a handy man who is a licensed electrician, does HVAC and plumbing etc. He is wonderful. He knows the code because he works for a large institution. He says there is nothing we would be doing in our kitchen that even needs a permit UNLESS we decide to move the electric panel. The ONLY reason we would move the electric panel would be to meet code and get the inspector's approval. Handyman says all the structural work is done, that installing cabinets, countertops, under cabinet lighting, there is nothing to inspect. That we would be throwing money away to pull permits to do this work. We are not going to even move any vents or anything. The electric in the kitchen is already up to code. Handyman has offered to do the installations for us. It would be so much more reasonably priced - OTOH, we'd be without a kitchen a lot longer because he works on the weekends. Has a regular job during the week. So I guess the general contractor wants to pull permits to cover himself? He is also going to ask us to sign a contract with allowances, which I think would be foolish on our part. Does anyone have advice about the advisability of pulling or not pulling permits, or should I post this on a different forum?

Lemon Panna Cotta (America's Test Kitchen) 1 cup whole milk 2 3/4 teaspoons gelatin 3 cups heavy cream 2 inch piece vanilla bean, slit lengthwise with paring knife (or substitute 2 teaspoons extract) 4 pieces lemon zest (about 2 inches long by 1/2 inch wide), cut into julienne strips 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from 2 medium lemons 6 tablespoons granulated sugar Pinch table salt Pour milk into medium saucepan; sprinkle surface evenly with gelatin and let stand 10 minutes to hydrate gelatin. Meanwhile, turn contents of two ice cube trays (about 32 cubes) into large bowl; add 4 cups cold water. Measure cream into large measuring cup or pitcher. With paring knife, scrape vanilla seeds into cream. Place pod in cream along with seeds, add julienne lemon peel, and set mixture aside. Set eight wine glasses or 4-ounce ramekins on baking sheet. Heat milk and gelatin mixture over high heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved and mixture registers 135 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 1 1/2 minutes. Off heat, add sugar and salt; stir until dissolved, about 1 minute. Stirring constantly, slowly pour cream mixture into saucepan containing milk, then transfer mixture to medium bowl and set bowl over ice water bath. Stir frequently until thickened to consistency of eggnog and mixture registers 50 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 10 minutes. Strain mixture into large measuring cup or pitcher, stir in lemon juice, then distribute evenly among wine glasses or ramekins. Cover baking sheet with plastic wrap, making sure that plastic does not mar surface of cream; refrigerate until just set (mixture should wobble when shaken gently), 4 hours.~~

To everyone who commented: Thank you!! Lots of ideas and things to consider here. Rearranging the furniture is something I haven't given much thought to. I did what I did because I like my sofa to be close to the tv (well, I'm nearsighted), and coming from a studio apartment, that's how it was previously - everything close together. So it's hard to change. Yes, I should eventually get a new tv stand. The tv is actually safe on the stand, as the tv legs are less wide than the stand itself and the stand is pure wood, so its construction is quite good. It's a relic of the tube tv days, but it worked for the new tv when I bought it a couple of years ago, so I didn't bother changing it. As to the stuff I have all around (especially in the corner) - those are things I want on display. They are model buses from England, many in their own display case. Eventually, I want to get a curio cabinet as I have a much larger collection not yet on display. As for the curtains, I chose that color because it matched the color of the wood floor and the wood furniture. But I may have to re-evaluate that also. I agree about having the curtain rod pulled out on top. However, if you look at the photo of the left side of the window, there's no space to install a curtain rod just to the left top of the window, as the original window frame and the corner of the wall are extremely close. If there's a solution to that, please post!! And thanks for the guide to hanging pictures...I will definitely be taking this info into consideration...I also have my bedroom to work on!! Thanks again!