Oh my, who would have thunk!! ... a chicken feeder!!! (my DH gave most of our away when we quit raising chickens some yrs ago)! Isn't that just the cutest! & if you don't like the metal look (which I do), you could spray paint it! Looks great w/her painted blue island! I can see this on a serving table at a picnic, too! TFS, PM. Jeanne S. Love those roosting nests in her pic, too...I have this pic saved in my "future projects" folder that was on GJ forum some yrs back (you may have shared it, I don't remember)...it's so cool!

I just disconnected it for the time being, was my method OK (im totally new to wiring). House wires (2 black and white)>Cheap plastic attic light>attic fan thermostat box. The house wiring and the attic fan wiring was capped under the light and then piggybacked (stranded) to the light fixture. I removed the wire nuts and put the house wires (solid) directly onto the screws of the plastic light fixture. I put a yellow wirenut onto each of the attic fan wires and tossed the piggyback. Checked with voltage detector and no power to thermostat on fan and attic light works. Is putting the solid wires directly onto the screws of the lamp OK or did it need stranded wires piggy backed again? Also noticed the electrical box and everything was very warm.... surely because the attic is about 120 degrees.... is there anything I should do to assure protection from these elements?

Your cabinets are quite beautiful. Overall, the existing kitchen has very nice finishes. The main thing that I see about your dream kitchen is light, light, and more light -- and more space. You could have the cabinets painted a white or pale color, a shade that compliments the counters, but I would be reluctant to cover that beautiful finish (and I have painted cabinets). I don't think knocking down the wall will really give you either, although a wider entry into the kitchen would be a plus. Also, I don't see what new appliances would do for your goal. I would at the least shorten the island to allow more movement in the main kitchen area. Perhaps it could be removed entirely and partly re-used to create a short peninsula at the breakfast nook end, which would save some storage. If you want more "flow" from the family room, even if you knock down the wall, you have a bottleneck with the island and narrow aisles -- if you are hoping to have guests in the kitchen, I think you will need to completely re-design the layout. We have had some talented amateurs here in the past who will help with innovative ideas, so you should consider starting a thread with your house plan. Be sure to look at the "read me first" topic. The floor is beautiful too but I think, with the cabs, adds to the "closed in" feeling. If you make any change to the island or wall, you will have to do some patching in of flooring -- so maybe just changing to something lighter would be a good move. Likewise, the counters are beautiful, but add to the almost monotone feeling. Keep them if you paint the cabs, change to a light/white if you don't. Can you enlarge the window? or add one?

Seal it up imperfections and all.....