karalouise, Agreed, first of all to get a structural engineer involved to get the proper lumber sizing. You also may not be able to recess the beam if there is a bathroom above. There may be plumbing and or heat ducting in the way. You could certainly do a boxed beam pattern in the ceiling to play off the structural beam, it's done all the time and I think you could be very successful with an 8.5' ceiling. However, you need to be aware of how the beams will work into your upper cabinet layout. Will you do a soffit out of matching millwork so the cabinets bump into the soffit which matches the beams and crown moulding or? One thing you might want to consider is a half recessed/half dropped beam so it doesn't extend so far below the ceiling - maybe only 6" or so. This may be enough to re-route any plumbing or ducting that may be in the floor space. That way, you could still do your 8' high of cabinets with a 1" x 6" trim and crown for the soffit and return that back to the beam and false beams. It can be a lovely look!

We moved to Germany (a few times) without known measurements. We lived in a 4-story duplex built in the 50's so the size was nothing like today's modern Eu standards. We brought a three seat and love seat and they fit. Many Americans brought their overstuffed sectionals that worked. What you REALLY need to consider is how they'll get the couch into the flat especially on a higher floor. If it can't fit through a window they'll leave it on the sidewalk. A sectional may be pushing the limits but not out of the question. If you buy something locally, you could sell it before you come back to the US. Don't stress. This is an adventure of a lifetime. Have fun! Stress over paperwork accuracy, passports, school requirements, not knowing the language (start practicing now).... but not taking a sectional. You have lots of things to deal with after this.

I'd have a completely different approach. Contorted or a very sculptural structure of branching is common to these and one of their features. I would not remove any major branches but instead work on removing all the epicormic growth or water shoots and enough of the smaller, twiggy branches sufficient to open up the canopy. And "leaders" on these types of trees (decurrent growth habit) are really inconsequential and in any case, both are far too large to remove one now. And you can certainly cut off the stake at ground level or as close as you can manage. In any case, other than the epicormic shoots, do not remove more than 25% of the canopy this season.

Here, I did one w/the wood posts for you so you can see Also gave your door color a similar green, but a tad darker. You can easily DIY some of the yard stuff yourselves. you can make these cement large pavers. just frame out the size you want, get a bag of concrete quick mix, and pour it into the form and let dry! try something like this in diff sizes. spread some pebbles in between or, be on the lookout for used brick that people try and sellf. pick up those (try craigslist or something) and set them yourself for a walkway. with the brick or pebble rock, make yourself a walkway to the front. border the porch like this w/flower beds, if you pour a slab for the porch area, try something like this or go simple like they've done here. buy some cheap terra cotta pots, paint them bright colors and plant flowers in them to give the porch soem color. paint the underside of your porch ceiling a Haint blue Spray paint your current porch furniture a brighter color. (or look for used ones on craigslist that you can paint or refinish. ditto rocking chairs) you have a super cute house. let the front porch shine! look for cast-offs that you can refurbish, paint, fix, whatever, and give yourself a cute porch area.