Hi Tammy! Congratulations on your new home. In order for people to offer suggestions you will probably need some more info. I see some photos in your idea books - is that where you are headed with this reno?

Who is living here? What needs do you have (homework space, how many island seats, formal dining area)? Budget? Do windows need to remain in place (except for the dining room one)? Will you be removing the wall next to the fridge between the DR and kitchen? Do you have plans to even know what is load-bearing or not? Full plans for the main level would help to understand traffic flow.

This is a great place to get ideas, but you will want to hire a talented architect and kitchen designer to make the sweeping changes you are envisioning.

Thanks Beth, I appreciate the feedback. I am also a first time forum user.

I get the plans rendered on Tuesday and will update once I have them.

I love this kitchen style a mix of colours and simple and clean palette. I am also realistic that our ceilings are also standard height unlike this photo.

that's one of my fave kitchen photos. I love the black and white and French Oak flooring.

I hope you have a healthy renovation budget!

LOL oh no....probably not healthy enough

mnmamax3 thank you - Its just my husband and myself. But we want the option for a child friendly home.

Actually regarding windows, one the kitchen renderings we received said we should get rid of the kitchen window over the sink to create symmetry. But it makes me sad to loose that view.

The main wall is loading bearing and I believe it will be a steel beam, the contractor has been finalizing all that. The plan is to have no walls in that entire area. Thank you again.

Congratulations on your new home! I know that the push is on for open concept, but your living room and dining room have a nice layout which allows ease of furniture placement. Have you lived with open concept? There are advantages but there are also negatives.

Getting unified flooring,a new kitchen and hopefully a more traditional stair railing will be such wonderful improvements.

As some pictures have shown there are then so many exterior options. You can have modern amenities while still maintaining a lovely traditional style. I hope that you enjoy the process!

Now is the time to get your architect to rework the plans! I would refuse to lose that window over the sink! There are always options.

Who is doing the kitchen design. I hope not a cabinet sales person . This is a huge undertaking and the first step is finding out if that wall can be removed or if you will spend 1/2 the budget getting that done. You need a designer, an architect a contractor and a kitchen designer. Get all of them on board before touching anything or making and decisions.Be careful about wanting all open concept I kind of like DRs and kitchens open to eachother but I like my LR a bit more not so open We have a huge fireplace tha separates our kitchen from the LR so when we entertain we all sit at the table to eat but go to the LR after dinner and not have to look at the mess. I would strongly suggest living in the space for a bit to see how it functions for you, you might be surprised at what you planned on is not right. While you are thinking get all the other people lined up to do the work. First on the list id find out how much that wall removal is going to set you back.

I agree, don't let a kitchen designer design your house. They will want to put upper cabinets on every wall. I try to use as few upper cabinets as possible. One window is never enough.

Many times the solution in a remodeling is to buy another house.

The style of the house is a 1976 builder special.

I agree with Mark on this. Unless this neighborhood is hot, hot, hot, and everyone is spending the price of the house on remodeling it to actually look good, it would not be a wise investment of ones money to spend much on such a house.

A friend who is a realtor has always said that one must never overbuild the house or overbuild the neighborhood. While I love the look of all those "before and after" pictures Beth posted, unless this is a neighborhood where everyone is doing this, it would simply cost way too much - money that would never be regained someday when it is sold.

Categorizing a house style is only useful if it provides a clue to a design solution. That is not the case here so its a problem that cannot be solved from a photograph. Avoid doing it piecemeal; it time to hire someone who does this for a living.

That house is popular in my city and most were built in the late 60s. They're called cottages around here and the layout is considered more traditional than the split-level bungalows that were interspersed with them at the time. Lots of load bearing walls so a huge expense opening up that first floor. The expense and disadvantages of an open-floor plan (e.g. the noise and furniture layout limitations) would quickly dissuade me from attempting that kind of reno.

Regarding exterior renovations, I would remove the shutters and not put them back. They aren't appropriate for the double windows. If your budget included enough to replace the siding then a wider siding would make the front look less busy. You could even go with a cedar siding. If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers of the exterior check my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.

I know your house isn't a ranch and this architect may not be near you but I wanted to show a good before and after renovation of a house that was well done IMO and illustrates why you need a good architect first and foremost. Your local architect who you vet and see their work of similar type projects as yours will be invaluable to help you set a realistic budget and pair your project up with the right team. So don't be overwhelmed researching all of the design professionals - start with just one. Architect.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/pond-vista-modern-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~129235571

Gorgeous transformation, thinkdesignlive. Anglophilia's caveat bears repeating: consider the neighbourhood. Rarely a good idea to overbuild. Consider consulting a realtor along with an architect.