Is it like a split level? We lived in a house when I was a kid that had two bedroooms, laundry, bathroom and recreational room all partially underground downstairs. The windows were big, but at chest level to ceiling. This setup was very common where I grew up (in a cold climate). Are there other homes like the one you are describing in your town? Were the bedrooms added later and permitted? If you like the house, the bedrooms are legal and not too dark, and the area is appreciating, I might strongly consider it. I would also make sure there is no risk for flooding. If you move in five years, the home might make a good rental property. Also, look in the area to see what lots are selling for and how that price compares to the home price. It is possible someone may buy the house when you move just for the lot.

Cody, Against my better judgement I'm going to guess there is a header beam where indicated. You say you have tons of attic space, which to me means you've crawled around up there. You could confirm the ceiling/wall framing if you dig around the insulation and look for the beam. It's likely holding up your living, kitchen and dining room ceilings. It would be a guess for me to say, but the presence of beam would mean this is a somewhat complicated endeavor to make the entire space have 10' ceilings. That would involve reframing a new beam in your attic space and reframing the dining room and kitchen ceiling joists. A good GC should be able to give you a ballpark number, but like Carolina Kitchen and Bath said, it might not be a worthwhile endeavor. ETA: it's also possible the wall between the kitchen and dining room might be supporting the ceilings, but I can't tell by the picture. A trip up to the attic could confirm. Look at the direction of the ceiling joists and report back.

A - Options with marble backsplash with white backsplash with some other backsplash B - Designs #1 (no island, one continuous counter) #2 (island, one tall cabinet at very end) #3 (island, two tall cabinets (one on each side of window)) something else C - Aesthetics make the cabinets in the dining room look just like regular kitchen cabinets make the cabinets in the dining room look more like they belong in a dining room, despite being used for kitchen things something else Last but not least: D - Countertop black with white veins solid black some other dark option light grey dark grey something else Hi...what an exciting time for you and congrats on your adorable house... :) I highlighted my own preferences....but they are MY preferences...why?: I adore carrara marble hands down. I think white tile would be rather industrial looking. In fact, I would do carrara on the island if it's in the budget (and you don't mind the inevitable wear) I have always loved the idea of "extending" the cabinet run into the dining area. You don't have to keep kitchen stuff in it. It will fill up with "good" dishes, games, wrapping paper, tableclothes....all of the things we need on the daily. Plus you can NEVER have too much cupboard space. Also, I like to work at an island. My back isn't facing everyone else... I would have a soapstone counter. Once again I love it, but also if you love the carrara, I think the marbled counter would be too much of a opposite, negative look. Good luck on this. The examples you've shown are just lovely...

I will look to see if I have a floor plan, but if not, how would i go about creating one for you. I know I sound like an idiot but obviously I am clueless as to this kind of stuff and wish my husband would just let me hire a decorator lol! However, he just now gave me another big fat NO to hiring one lol! So needless to say, I am going to have to learn how to do this on my own and asking for help, however annoying I may be, is the only thing I know to do! So I apologize in advance for my ignorance! I will look for the floor plan! Thanks for responding!