Thank you, bmorepanic, I appreciate your response. I will try to answer your questions first. The family room is pretty formal and traditional with dark wood antiques and I am hoping to make my kitchen more transitional and lighter in feel, with slab cabinetry, so I think it important to keep the wall up between the two spaces. I also use that wall to hang art on the family room side, and cannot figure out where those paintings will hang if the wall is not there. The sunroom is currently where we eat almost all our meals, on a Moroccan tiled table that is 39" x 78.5" and I hope to incorporate that table into the new kitchen/sunroom area as it's a very functional piece. I am ok with the sunroom becoming more of the hang out place, but am not sure where the table will go if that happens, as it seems too large for the breakfast area. We currently have three stools at the island but the overhang is only 7 inches so knee bumping is a regular occurrence, and the gas cooktop is there, so there is not much room for plates, etc. I only use the dining room when I am entertaining, and when I have the extended family over we split up and sit down to our meals in three different rooms (the dining room table, the sunroom table, and the living room sofa and coffee table.) It isn't ideal, but it works. Problems with current kitchen are too little usable counter space (microwave, toaster oven, juicer, coffee maker, drying rack, etc. occupy too much space), and lack of storage. I also have all of my 12 year old builder-grade appliances breaking this year. We seem to be in each other's way as a result of the layout, getting stuff out of the fridge, using the sink, getting to the pantry. My garage has a ton of stuff I never use that belonged to my husband, old gallons of paint, old chandeliers, etc. I think I can clear out the back part, and still have enough room in the front half for the stuff I do need, ie. trash cans, recycling bins, bikes, scooters, etc. We are able to split up responsibilities with one person needing prep and oven and the other person using cooktop. By my count there will be one regular electric oven (30" Wolf) and one microwave/speed oven (Miele or Adv) and one warming drawer (also 30" Wolf). Finally, the load-bearing wall that separates the kitchen from the solarium holds the HVAC return and I don't think I want to deal with the expense of re-routing that, so it will probably remain as is (behind and to the right of the current ovens). I was thinking the bottom half of some of the load bearing wall could remain, at least for additional counter space and now that you mention it, to stop people from coming into the kitchen prep/cook area from the family room, what do you think of that idea? I like your sketch but don't know what P1 and P2 refers to, please forgive my ignorance. Thanks for clearing up the dimensions and aisle widths, good to know that 48" is the minimum for two cooks. Currently, I have a couch and table in the breakfast area, and my boys sit there all the time and use the table for coloring, legos, etc. I am having a tough time imagining that area gone, especially if it means I have to replace the windows in that area with ones that start 42" from the floor (which one designer tells me is necessary if I am to put the clean up area there) and deal with the exterior siding of the house being matched to the 12 year old pre-existing shingles. If I can keep my existing windows, then I would be more amenable to the idea. I look forward to your response. And thank you again for taking the time to come up with a plan.

Tamara....I know this thread is old, but your kitchen is simply stunning! Are your cabinets Chantilly Lace? I read you kitchen delays and had to smile. I've lost weight and sleep over my darn remodel. Who knew how stressful this would be? If you used Chantilly Lace did you paint your ceiling the same. I just ordered my paint yesterday and I'm freaking out that it might be too bright.....

you guys are all fantastic with valid points each. Moving walls, load bearing, HVAC, electrical etc. is a hefty job, fortunately husband is an elctrical and mechanical engineer that goes beyond application. Unfortunately, finding additional qualified help is also becoming an issue, I suppose that's why I was trying to find a way to not move big walls or do an addition. I keep seeing all this space.....anyway, we are not opposed to moving anything, it's not out of our realm. The foyer, first let me clarify the closest are recessed on the outside walls and we do not have a covered porch. I'm going to grab some pictures, the foyer in all feels huge, or perceptive wise due to catwalk/2 story. I almost felt we could steal space from here to use for other spaces. The closets are deep, but narrow, 17" wide by almost 3ft deep. I thought of doing a pull out pantry with a single door for the closets, due to their depth, with rods for hanging, and a shelf or two for shoes & boots. As for decorative benches/tables etc., I've had a hard time for placement because it is so open and no pony walls/dividers, etc. Currently it turns into a shoe free for all for everyone. We've discussed wall dividers, free standing closets, wine racks, blah blah blah, but again, we weren't sure the future of this space and wanted to hold off. At one point we even discussed making this our office space. I'm so appreciative of all - we have been working with already proposed ideas, you all have given us hope ! I have been taking the plans and trying my best to assimilate each, which is hard in an existing area, but I knew immediately I didn't want my back always turned. As for laundry, I've read a lot with pros and cons with it being ideal being near the mudroom area, keeping the mud from the house. I REALLY like Kristin's idea, especially given the master is right off the great room. I have a secondary entry to the basement through the garage, plumbed for another bathroom, would it be unwise to add a second laundry in the basement in addition to first floor laundry? just curious? I grew up with basement laundry, it's not awful, but not first choice if it's not necessary either (I keep thinking longevity-down the road). okay, sorry, and thank you again!! sending everything over to the husband now.

The can lights are installed to light up the counter over your should der to avoid shadows and any good lighting store will help with the layout. IMO fans in a kitchen are a bad idea get a good hood with a bit higher CFM and that will be a much better choice. All your LEDsshould be 4000k and IMO if the under cabinet lighting is on its own switch you really never need dimmable lighting in a kitchen