We had the standard formal layout for years. So when we needed to move to be closer to family we bought a good size house to reno for a forever home. We lived in it as is for almost 3 years. So glad because I really love what we decided to do. Our dining room was/is still formalish. It however faces the back one wall with windows looks out to the pool area another wall looks out to backyard and foothills. (Sits on 5 acres) we do have a neighbors house thats on the slope behind but so landscaped cant see. We took down the wall between entry and formal greatroom and the wall betweek kitchen and formal great room. That particular wall had to have a beam so we put 4 columns in two on each end then the beam runs to the diningroom wall. We wrapped the engineered beam with quartersawn red oak. Looks great we think! Between the columns I found someone to custom make a buffet that on the kitchen side has drawers, open shelves and bin openings for fruits/veggies or whatever. Its 31 inches wide by 123 inches long. So our kitchen has a 10 x 5 island that sits on 6 legs. Almost like a giant table... The dining room I made a point to always use for dinner nightly. Breakfast on the weekends. When everyone is home it is really used more than the kitchen island. Homework and parties the island gets used a ton. We have a sun porch off the kitchen also and a family room that most never go in unless family. We used the buffet as a food station because it can be accessed on either side. With plugs on the columns so if we need to use warmers etc. The back side has just enough over hang when we host Thanksgiving we use it for seating and use the island as a huge buffet. I had a plug installed on the floor under the island on one end. That way if we ever changed island Id have electrical access. Things i wanted were not done in '17 so I compromised. Had a wood piece made for the island that over hangs on the sides and we can slide it anywhere I want. 3 pieces looks like a big charcuiterie board. Our kitchen closer toward the entry i had a builtin china hutch. So the view from our front door you can see the kitchen dining and great room with a switchback satircase off to side of the entry. We are now wanting to start a second phase of reno... 4 years later. Now had a meant to be baby lolol... at the beginning of Covid. He needs a room and our now college kids need their "own space" when they come home on breaks. Plus double as inlaw space. I think we tried to blend casual and formal. I will say the kitchen yes is open but we keep it tidy and after gatherings people gradually help clean. I have to push them away... but no matter what home we've had the kitchen is where everyone gravitated. At least in this house we managed to open it up but the spaces are more defined than just one huge room you do have to walk into/through openings. I say do what works for your family. Im over the "resale" factor. When anyone has come they all have said if you sell call me first. Even the contractors who worked on it before. So must have done something right. We are not show people we tend to keep to ourselves so home reflects us not worried about keeping up. If anyrhing builders could think outside the box a bit more. Track neighborhoods are so boring arg spice them up and put more floor plans in and rotate that you can't look at the elevation of the homes and see the ones that have the same floor plans. Its maddening and most women hate that! Not fun walking into your neighbors house seeing your home boo. Been there done that. Yada yada on cost id pay more not to look like my neighbors back then! Esp having my dining room on the front so all the neighbors can see us eating. Our view ...the street. Yep we knew when our friends were coming and going. Curtain yep thats not a view. My two cents worth ... lolol

Buehl, please do! I was just trying to save something of use. I'd been checking the GW all night, turned my back for 15 minutes to watch the Health Care vote, and whammo! all the posts were gone. I kept refreshing, thinking, "This can't be!"

Wow, Kathy, I think I'm as impressed with your "can do" attitude and common sense as your impressive kitchen redo. Thanks so much for sharing. Love all your color sections, especially the way the fabric in your kitchen window curtain pulls it all together. Before, the kitchen was chaotic, and now your colors are so soothing. Also love the way you rearranged the cabinets to maximize your space and storage. By the way, I know what you mean about measuring as that scares me too when I'm spending real money. I do have two suggestions for when you save up more $$$. The first is that you order full extension drawers, or trays, to go inside the large base cabinet with the double doors on the right side of the range. I ordered from Quikdrawers.com for the cabinets in my dining room and am extremely happy with the company and the result. They make a quality product, the guy who helps you (Keith) knows his stuff, and spacing between the trays is fully adjustable to maximize storage for what works best for you. Those pull outs certainly beat standing on your head and rearranging to see what's in the back. The second suggestion is to add a light rail and led puck lights run by batteries that you can just tap to get them to come on. My daughter-in-law knows a number of her neighbors who have used that approach and that it works pretty well if you don't want to go the electrician route. Those lights should be available at the big box stores or online elsewhere. Again, five stars on your project all the way around. It is well worth all the time, stress, and worry. Also, your low budget is hard to believe.

Exceedingly small update: I pulled a throw blanket with blue, turquoise, and yellow out of storage. And moved throw pillows around a bit. Does this seem like a good direction? I am leaning towards this rug atm. Haven’t shown any of them to Dh so he may have an opinion. But this one is fairly dark overall and has colors from the painting I am planning to move into the living room. Painting again: And maybe add these throw pillows form Etsy (and take away the solid pale blue ones)? https://www.etsy.com/shop/LiveLoveSmile/items?ref=pagination&page=3