well, the temperature went down instead of up but finally got to spend sometime in the kitchen space this afternoon. C9pilot, ( yea, another pizza lover!) the hearthkit sounds like a great idea, but the pizza oven kit is already on order and should be here anyday. If you are interested in seeing where the pizza oven will be, go back to the original photobucket pictures and look at the 3rd sketch. apparently jamesk had pictures of his pizza oven posted but they are no longer there---I emailed him because I had read about his kitchen and he emailed back with info and pictures but for some reason I couldn't open the pictures or I would try to share them with you.. bmore, if you are still out there--- I had to tear the "dummy" kitchen apart to actually get the feel of all the different layouts. I still love the "idea" of the two islands--so much wanted a room divider and to have my granite be a stunning piece of art but after a all the mock ups.....I'm beginning to feel that the very first layout you drew ---- single island (with the cooktop across from the clean up sink and the seating on the opposite side facing the window wall) really works so much better. To make it work just a little better for the way I use my kitchen though I'm wondering if it would be okay to change a few things relative to that drawing: move R to back side of buffet where you put it in the 2nd layout? add prep sink to end of island opposite the big oven, on the corner closest to R? I know it could be a possible bottle neck but maybe keep it far enough to the side so it won't matter---make aisle a litter wider? put espresso machine where R was in my original layout? storage above and below espresso machine? have counter space next to espresso (where oven) was in the original layout---to be used as landing for R? pantry adjacent to new R space where you had drawn the tall shallow cabinets in the hallway? And more pantry across hallway adjacent to bench? add one stool to end of counter on great room side to creat some type of demarcation from one space to another? not have stool next to prep sink? not have a sink in the buffet area but keep one over in the pizza room? Does this make any sense at all? Thoughts? Thanks m

Thanks Greg... sorry -as a layman I thought "temporary wall" would have been enclosed. The old Ponywall in question is cornering the fireplace. Kitchen Abode I spoke with the contractor about your suggestion of two LVL plys. If we square off the angled wall the basement lally column fall underneath it. He said I'd need a structural engineer to come out again just to see if it would be possible to place the column about the lally and use a wooden support beam to eliminate the stand alone column and/or ponywall. Not sure we have time for that. (took 2 more tylenol)

Good morning Chantelle, I forgot to mention that the black & white daybed in an earlier picture is not an ordinary day bed it is a 2' deep bench with matching cushions and pillows. A standard daybed would not work. Also here is a link for a small couch if you choose to get one similar to the ones in the rendition. Please know that they come in different colors if you don't like the ones you see. This is a challenging room for you to work with, I sincerely hope that you find a layout that works well for you. Best Wishes, Marcie https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdx/langley-street-rumsey-51-square-arm-loveseat-lgly5235.html?piid=21376137 Bridie Mid-Century Fabric Loveseat by Christopher Knight Home brand Christopher Knight HomeBrand Name Here is another couple of small love seat links: Bridie Mid-Century Fabric Loveseat by Christopher Knight Home brand Christopher Knight HomeBrand Name https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Porch-Den-Umatilla-Button-tufted-Blue-and-Green-Tweed-Settee/17969674/product.html?recset=14ae5f85-bafb-4381-8e8d-43771ea3cddd&refccid=TOE7AE4ZOJKIEWCLVLHHBIFE6A&recalg=954,942,806&recidx=14 This settee is Dimensions 32.28 In. X 29.13 In. X 21.65 In. Padded bench that you can add pillows https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Copper-Grove-Mendocino-62-inch-Linen-Tufted-Bench/20461298/product.html?SearchType=HeaderACP Silver Orchid Hasselquist Tufted Upholstered Bench - Off White/Chrome brand Silver OrchidBrand Name This if 60" long. It would fit against the wall near the outside door Hope you have a great day. It was my sincere pleasure putting these renditions together for you. Hope it helped. Marcie

Obviously removing the chimney would be fabulous. We already removed a 18 foot load bearing wall, gutted entire kitchen, reorganized all the plumbing and bought high end appliances. That was NOT cheap. Especially living in NYC. The removing the chimney. Which goes through the basement, first floor, my sons closet, Attik and roof. Would require ALL floors and ceiling on all levels being repairs. and buying a new water heater and boiler. And then venting them outside. So after multiple estimate that 25-30000 in addition to the other cost wasn’t realistic. Trust me. I had no clue it would not be. Till we actually received estimates. Love how I ask a question and people say “ remove it” spending close to 100.000 on a reno. Ask an aesthetic question. And people say. “ just remove it”. Trust me. Give me another 27 grand. I’d love too. Lol.