It sounds as if the kitchen is over 13' wide, so there would be space for one wall of cabinets and an island. I doubt you'll get more advice without a measured plan with all windows and doors marked.

The first pic has measurements along the side. You’re right about the width. It’s a little over 13.5’ wide. This is what I drew today. Each box is a foot. But I honestly think @Designer Kitchen and Bath is right...sigh.

There are some fabulous talents here on houzz, but no one can envision the space without seeing the floorplan with measurements.

To get to this stage without a detailed plan is a disaster waiting to happen. I would need a lot more info than is here to be very helpful. You know a lot, so just ask questions. Perhaps point her to Houzz but nothing messes with friendships more than trying to help where it isn’t wanted.

Yes-that true @Flo Managan. She had asked me for advice on size of slider to get and where to put it. And that’s how I got into this rabbit hole! But I’ll get myself out and just let it go. I’ve suggested Houzz and this community as well as shared basics of kitchen design/measurements. It’s tough to see someone spend her hard earned money and want her to be happy with it at the end.

I surely understand. It is a very hard spot to be in but you can only do so much. It is quite kind of you to want to help. And I know you want to jump in and fix this. Gentle persuasion is all you can do. Many people just don’t know what they don’t know. She has to learn lessons the hard way I guess. Find a project you need to get done and put your design energies there!

Love that idea! I need to finish wall papering (peel and stick) my pantry and then try doing my bedroom.

Don't force your idea down her throat, but a good friend should be honest. Maybe she can't visualize the space. If you have a couple of the folding banquet tables you can take them there and show her just how far apart the cabinets will be. Tape the floor if you don't have banquet tables. She could probably do an 18" deep full height cabinet on the far wall and an island, giving her plenty of storage and plenty of counter space.

2' counters on the main wall,

3.5' to island

2' island ( no seating)

4' behind island

1.5' on opposite wall

Well you can make a 2 page bullett point presentation and give it to her . No sense verbal back and forth just leave it in her hands. First: patio door creates new experience in space ... destination ... access to exterior etc ...2nd : given ISLAND plan enhances and optimizes the change , then 3rd : with straightforward lines to install , she’ll have reduced costs and no corners which is better in several ways ...4th : w newer storage capacity in drawers she may not need cabs behind island or 5th : reduce depth to 12 in behind island may offer something and does she have chance for 6th: between stud recessed install behind island for some storage. As a friend a great help would be assist in inventory so she knows how much storage she needs / acquaint her w efficient function of drawers ...and simplified island plan can go forward then.

I would put the sink and DW on the generous island, put the pantry to the far left of the window, range to the right of the window, fridge as far right as possible. But--the layout is probably a moot point if your friend is not open to advice.

BTW, your first pic shows as a big blank box on my screen. Maybe it's just my browser, but after you mentioned the measurements, I clicked on the blank box and a small pic appeared.

ETA plan adjustments:

If nothing else, you can certainly point out that the planned peninsula is not going to leave anywhere near enough room for a dining table and chairs, unless the furniture and the people using it are all Smurf-sized.

ETA: If they want the slider as far left as possible, they might consider an L plus island layout with the range on the back wall. A 6' slider would leave 5'+ for the short leg (excluding the corner). Would allow for direct venting of the range, too, which would be nice.

In her era house an island is not appropriate this might be why she prefers the larger empty floor space.

@Hemina - Your plan is certainly better than hers. IMO, her plan is a hot mess. Sometimes people just can't see clearly. If it were me, I'd say that since she asked that I've been playing around and have put the project out on Houzz and this is what they've come up with. If she doesn't like it, then you've at least tried to help. You can walk away with a clear conscience that you've done what you could. When she hates it, that's her problem. Heck, she might think it's great and when you come to visit you'll be rolling your eyes. There's no accounting for taste.

In her era house an island is not appropriate this might be why she prefers the larger empty floor space. But a sliding door is?

Oh it is all wrong but it is her kitchen. I agree with designer kitchen and bath, a friend should be advising her to us a pro nothing else. If she ends up hating any change suggested by this friend via a public forum the friendship might not survive. Tactfully say it is a tough space you need to get a professional second opinion.

Sometimes I wonder what has happened to this world. Maybe my mother was right and there is a reason we get old and die. My friendships just are not this fragile. I am almost 60 years old. Still close friends with my best friend from 3rd grade. The rest of my friends have all been in my circle of friends for decades, high school friends, college friends and friends I met through work/passions. I moved from my home town and lived 2000 miles away for 30 years and friends of mine have moved as well - we have been all over the country and remain friends.

We agree on some things, disagree on others, but it hasn't destroyed our friendship. We have disagreed on things far larger than a kitchen design (relationships/child rearing).

I give advice freely, speak without hesitation as do my friends. If I tell them I like the white sofa and they buy the brown sofa, so be it - they picked what they wanted. I'm not offended and neither are they. If I tell them I think they should leave their husband and they decide to stay that is their decision. I admit, my friends told me to leave my husband long before I did and they were right. I just didn't have the guts to do it at the time. They didn't fuss with me about my decision, they stood by me.

What are you so many of you afraid of?

In my mom’s generation one would not go to the public for suggestions on another person’s kitchen. Does your friend know you were going to a public forum about her?

Would you be appreciative if she came to your house and started pointing out all of your big expensive mistakes? People that exhibit Dunning Kruger think that their ideas are the best and that no pro, and certainly no amateur, could possibly know better than them. And they don’t appreciate suggestions that show that they are wrong, and that they are not brilliant. It’s a mini repetition of daily posts on the forum where someone huffs off because they weren’t looking for suggestions. People look for approval for their brilliant ideas, and not betterments that essentially discard them.

Direct her to a pro, and be too busy to be involved. Some people pay attention to advice when it’s paid for, and not free. Some don’t. Either way, your input is not likely to be appreciated.

@Celadon - do most of your friends exhibit signs of mental disorder? Wow - mine are just normal people. No "Trumps" in the bunch.

Maybe she just doesn't like an island, or maybe she wants to sit at the table and enjoy the full view through the slider. I think by using French doors, and an island more in the style of a work-table, she can make the kitchen more appropriate to the house. If you decide to approach her with more information (try NKBA guidelines, New to Kitchens? thread, Old House forum), send her a link to CarrieB's wide galley with a patio door. IIRC, it's not as wide as your friend's kitchen, but close to the same layout. ETA link. CarrieB--pics in this thread

With the self-imposed covid lockdown (m/l), and the recent spate of cold, sunless days, I am in no position to give mental health advice. ;)

I think you all made very valid points-both about the kitchen and about advice/friendships. I’ve talked to her about this openly and was hopeful that maybe there were points that neither of us has thought of...and there were lots of great ideas/insight. Thank you!

I love the picture of the Carrie B thread. It helps me see the kitchen space they will have can work well. And love the idea of adding a farm table.

Love mama goose’s drawing-brilliant idea! And idea of mocking up the space.

I agree that an island/peninsula could be the issue without her being able to describe it. I know she shared a pic of a neighborhood house in a similar layout that had that same layout and she couldn’t put her finger on what she didn’t like. Thanks for the insight!

I think that pointing out mistakes when they are already done and nothing else can be done (or too expensive to correct) is different than trying to stop one from making a mistake. The first situation is like if your friend got an awful haircut, you keep quiet (or maybe even say a white lie) - the deed is already done! The OP's situation is the second one and the appropriate approach is dependent on the kind of friendship between OP and friend.

I think it’s ok to speak up but use the rule of 3. You can say it once or maybe twice but if you bring it up a third time you are being intrusive.

so Say your piece then let it go no strings attached. I think you are trying to help and your motives are good. So good luck to you And her!

@RTHawk-You’re right that if her project was completed, or cabinets ordered/finalized and she didn’t ask for my input, I would never have said anything. I’m sure it’ll look great and it will solve the issue she was hoping to solve. I was hoping there was something she might not have considered and ways she could get both a functional kitchen and the inviting patio door/space she wanted.

I’ve done 3 kitchens and 4 major remodels in my life. I had made some painful, expensive, annoying mistakes in my prior remodels. For the most the recent one, I spent countless hours on Houzz and learned so much from all of you. I’m forever grateful for all the insight I’ve gotten from the Houzz community.

Oh my! This is the 2nd friendship thread I've come across in the New Year. Much like the other thread about friend being asked for advise, friend giving advise, etc., etc, I thought I was almost reading the same thread! Anyhow, after awhile with lots of good advise on the thread, the OP and her friend sat down and read the thread together. The friend asked some questions on the thread which were answered and the OP came back and said that her and her friend had appreciated the time taken by Houzzers to offer some advise and ideas and that she would take it all under consideration.