How often do you have company? For the time being, could you not just remove the leaf? It should still seat your family of 6. I have a 60" square table (with the leaf in) that seats 8. In our last house it fit fine in the kitchen, but in our current house, the kitchen is smaller. I just removed the center leaf and made it into a rectangle (I store the 2 extra chairs and the leaf in the basement). It still seats 6 and I don't have to reach so far across to wipe the top. But, if you are set on reno, I would remove the wall and that desk (it's pretty large). Then move the pantry over to the other doorway. (I would not close off that entrance, if anything I might increase it's size a little). This should gain 3' - 3'.5. Not to be bi*chy, but, I think you should paint those lower cabinets white also. Those dark lower cabinets suck the light out. I feel lighter lowers would help to "open" that space too. When we moved in here, our cabinets were golden oak (personal preference, I don't care for golden oak). I painted uppers and lowers white. It brightened up the room and made it appear larger.

We went with all the same colored door hardware in the house. But after that, we tried to keep it consistent throughout each room, or close to blend. I think the appliances look best when they match as best as possible. Since your range is white, you could get appliance paint and paint the fronts of your other appliances to match. Or my old dishwasher actually had a removable panel on front that was reversible. I like a kitchen where the knobs, faucets and light hardware match, so that's what I did. But it is open to the breakfast nook where the light fixture there has a different finish, but the shapes coordinate. Master bath has the curtain rod exposed (tab top valance) so the rod matches the ORB finish on the faucets and towel bars.

Slinkey: You're the one I saw recently with the wood table and Parson's chairs! I love your set. But I think you're pretty far from TX, aren't you?? ^_^ Susan209: I got on Craigslist all the time! And I would totally consider getting a second-hand one. Biggest issue is having the cash for one (where at a store I could pay for it in installments). But, I keep my eyes peeled. Although, just yesterday I found someone selling 6 Parson's chairs (with decent slipcovers) for $50 each. So, things are out there. Joann and Linda: Thank you for the wise advice. You're right about taking my time. My husband has already suggested getting one of those folding tables anyway, and with 9-10 adults and 7 kids (ranging from 1 yr to 18) slated for Thanksgiving, they wouldn't all fit at a formal table that would fit in that space anyway. And, of course, another issue is money. I'd rather save for something nice than put something on credit (and then have something happen where we couldn't pay off, ya know?). That's why I love coming here and reading everyone's points of view -- many, many years of experience. Thanks again! You've given me much to think about (and I really do think that maybe the rented/folding table and chairs may be a better solution for Thanksgiving, and I won't feel so frazzled to get a house in order and new furniture in and can focus on what matters most -- family!). *hugs to all* ^_^

Hi, Dave-- Appreciate the renderings here. Depending on your needs, a lot of folks have been wishing to throttle back a fully-opened plan. I think keeping the corner here allows you to have cased openings (if you choose), and also makes it easier to isolate off the room as quiet space, if ever needed with doors. I'd keep it in the mix for now and live with it. It may make millwork easier in the short term, and be useful in the long term. Hope that helps; cheers!