Thanks so much for your input everyone! Bevangel, special thanks to you for modifying my picture. It definitely helps to have a visual! I think moving the doors further into the hall will work, and should be very easy for the builder to do. We'd lose a little more exterior hallway space (the bedroom doors were originally at the dotted line), but having the longer hallway within the master bedroom will be more dramatic. I love this website! I'm glad I finally decided to join and stop lurking. ;)

Thanks for your replies, ronna and randy ... Yes, for sure, I'm aware the old wiring can be abandoned in place. As for access, yes from the cellar but no from the attic. I think you're both suggesting that gutting isn't necessary. This has occurred to me too. That stated, I've read here and there that cutting access holes and then replastering can be more of a bother than just tearing down the old lath and plaster, wiring, and putting up new rock. Keeping the project as simple and ***quick*** as possible are the highest priorities for me. As I wrote previously in the "Am I nuts?" category, maybe the idea of adding new wall to old wall is waaay off base. Thanks!

too much expense...I'd move the end curtain rod positions in, and select a tall glass etagere display cabinet for each, or even one corner...display some wine glasses...serving pieces..formal things you have stored. That will free up some kitchen cabinets and be less costly than what you are thinking of.

Thanks everyone. Not sure what's going to happen, but removing the trap pull and installing a pop up drain seems like it could be a solution vs. ripping it out and starting over. I would prefer a redo, of course, but we shall see how it works out. @Sophie, I chose the sinks and faucets. The counter tops are Ceasarstone - all custom. I showed the counter top guy EVERYTHING on his first visit to take measurements - he even took a sink with him and I asked twice if he needed a faucet too, which he did not take with him. The sink's flange is super skinny width and should have had negligible influence on faucet placement. I agree the sink is too far back from the edge - looks to me like he centered it to the slab. No idea what drove the placement of the faucet. Since he fabricated the matching back splash too, one would think he would have taken those dimensions into account. My mistake was assuming there were standards for sink distance from the edge, faucet distance from sink, etc. and I'm learning that's not how it works. I shared on FB too and am surprised at how many people are living with this issue - faucet so close to the wall that it just barely functions and it's impossible to clean behind. I don't aim to sound snarky or marginalize the skills needed to craft a counter top but holy cats the ONLY MAJOR JOB they have after getting the dimensions right, is putting the sink and faucet holes in the right place. Apparently, if you don't specify the layout of said sink and faucet holes, you're at the mercy of the counter top installer. I just don't understand why so many installers refuse to communicate and simply discuss layout with totally clueless homeowners like me when they show up to measure. Seems like this is a design mistake that could easily be avoided with some helpful input on the front end from the professional craftsmen doing the job - or maybe I'm missing something?