Go here and scroll down to Trees and Shrubs. Colorado Trees and Shrubs I don't know much, but I know where to look. Nell

I like your suggestions, Worldmom (you must have posted just minutes before I posted my earlier post- I hadn't seen yours before I also suggested "paint the cabinets!") I agree about removing the soffit- if possible. If it is needed for structure or ducting, see if its width can be reduced ( "Push" it toward the dining room side, to help widen the room visually.) I love your kitchen redo crafterbeth- it is a wow. Great job. I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts to Steffie2 (been thinking about your kitchen, since it was the last thing I saw before going to sleep!) I haven't seen your entire kitchen, but could you possibly turn the penninsula into an island by removing a few cabinets at the end of the penninsula next to the range? (Or would there be not enough left to create the island if you did that?)You could then relocate one of those removed cabinets next to the range. (And doors from any cabinets you remove could make great end and back panels for cabinets and islands, by the way.) After all, many of those gorgeous kitchens with long islands are often no wider than a galley kitchen--they just are so open on the island side that you don't realize it! (By the way, once you remove the countertop, cabinets are easy to move around--they are usually just screwed to the wall and to each other.) I had another thought about how you could get new cabinets and stay in budget, besides painting: have you considered RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets? I was looking for bathroom vanities recently and found that there are now many places selling these RTA kitchen cabinets at FANTASTIC prices (even cheaper than IKEA!) They look just as gorgeous, at least online, as regular cabinets. I believe that some of them come from China- which may explain the low price. These RTA cabinets do have face- frame construction (unlike IKEA-which some contractors won't install due to the lake of face frames)and plywood sides (a good RTA cabinet has to have the plywood sides because of the way they are constructed--typical stock cabinets have particleboard sides unless you pay extra) I will post a link below for one RTA company below. (Even though I suggested painting the cabinets--I personally would never have the time or energy for such a large project myself!) One other budget tip if you want to squeeze in money for new cabinets (forgive me if you know all this already): Get estimates from small contractors who specialize in things like cabinet installs, and be your own general contractor (hire each specialist yourself: hire your own cabinet installer,electrician, plumber, countertop fabricator, etc.)this saves quite a bit of money, and the contractors seem to be able to give much better prices if they are only responsible for their own work. (General contractors usually charge 20% for being the general, or so I've been told.) I found a HUGE difference in prices between estimates for the cabinet install between the big box store where I bought the cabinets, bigger construction companies, and the little guys. I was even told that I got a better price because I was having the work done in January, when things were slow--something to keep in mind. Also, find out who does the cabinet installs (usually called the "finish carpenters") for a local home developer. They may be willing to do your install job as an extra side job, and the price will be reflect the fact that it isn't their sole source of income! At least that is what I did recently, and the contractor gave me a fantastic price for a minor remodeling job (I needed a custom corner cabinet built and one relocated.)I was willing to be a little flexible with my timing and he told me that he was happy to have an odd job to send his guys to do if they had an a delay or whatever with the developer, and they would have had nothing else to do otherwise! Just some of my musings--I hope it helps. Here is a link that might be useful: RTA kitchen cabinets

IMO I would first solve the function issues you have outlined and then address the style issues you have requested. As with every design problem there may be compromises to get most of what you've listed, but function shouldn't be one of them. I've attached a layout and some examples of furnishings & unique equipment that may accommodate many of your requests. Please carefully think about keeping a frankly huge armoire, that you still have to spend time and money to refinish, to hold a printer that could reasonably fit on a small shelf. The printers seem to get smaller everyday as do the computers/laptops. How many of us got stuck with armoires to hold huge TVs? The local Goodwill where I live won't even take armoires anymore because no one wants them in their homes. That item in particular, from my perspective as a designer, is like fitting a square peg in a round hole. I often look to the RV industry to provide me with clever equipment that does double duty, like hidden work surfaces that can pull out of standard cabinets when needed, and slide away when not in use. I think you can assemble a workable room, with the special style you're looking for & even that special settee, but I would build in files and storage which is always needed, find a clever way to close away your DH clutter so you don't have to nag, & look for high tech items to help you reach you goals. Built in wall units are not inexpensive, but everything doesn't need to be custom. Cabinets from any modular kitchen cabinet manufacturer, even IKEA, could be used to assemble your workstations. Good Luck

I think maybe not knowing where you want stuff needs some study? Perhaps enlist dh to watch how you actually cook? It can be useful to know what you DO versus what we all like to think we do. Zoning stuff is very personal and completely depends on how you cook or bake. It defines the relationships between the actions involved in cooking and the storage of stuff and food. Once you know that, you'll know where you want the appliances. So below is a bit of what I thought when I saw your plan v. your description. Trying to figure out what might make this kitchen great for you by trying figuring out how you see yourself using this space, not judging in any way. Which way do you want to face? I'd want to face the breakfast area windows and people. I'd try to face that direction or be edge onto that direction when I was at the cooktop and prepping. For me, its not important to face any given direction doing clean up because it doesn't take very long, but facing a certain direction might be important to you. Where the dish storage is in relationship to when and where you need dishes might be important. When you see buffets and guests using the space in your mind, where are the stools? Will you have to relocate them when you entertain in order to set up the buffet? How do buffet diners arrive at the buffet? Where do buffet diners sit? Are you sure you want to pull the stools out, duck under the island top with the overhang and open up cabinets? What kinda things would you keep under there? Why is there an extra entrance from the living room? What do you see when you look out the window over the sink? A wall of another part of the house? Is there an opportunity vista by sliding the window south a bit so a person in the hallway can see out? Where's the bar? If thinking about entertaining and buffets, do you make a seperate dessert display? Where's coffee? Where's wine service? Are guests constantly diving into the ref for drinks? How much stuff do you have and where do you use it? That's an army of cabinets and countertop, but might also be a lot of running around. What do you want in the breakfast area? (If I had one, it would have two wing chairs and a round breakfast table. Maybe some shelves and a foot stool, maybe a sofa, maybe a drop front bill paying desk. Dang, I'd have to rent a puppy too!)