funky - I totally agree with the practicality of the extra sink, water by the cooktop, the baking area and as a beverage center for parties. Ranges, I don't like them much. The simple freestanding ones are out of the question, spills run down the side into the netherworld between cabinet and stove...yak, shudder! The slide-ins don't create that type of mess and cost less at the outset than built ins, but if either the cooktop or the oven stops working, both need to be replaced, not much of a savings there. We currently have a GE top of the line slide in range in which the oven racks keep falling off the guides as (can anyone even believe this?) the oven walls have started to bow out. So much for "American made" and "top of the line" in today's appliances. Also, we're aiming to achieve a minimalist scandinavian look, and ranges, even the slide-in ones just have so much bulk to them. As to occasionally bending down, it's probably good for us, and just doesn't bother me. I'd say the bending when filling and emptying the dishwasher is much more of an issue, as we do that repeatedly each day and often for a prolonged time. If my DW would butt up to tall cabinetry in my kitchen plan, I'd elevate the DW center to counter height, the way Europeans build theirs right into their cabs, now that would really make a nice difference. benje - I've seen that kitchen, it's very cool looking. An open galley like that is what my dream home would have, so practical and no corners. And yes, it would look and work fabulous in our family room. But, he problem is, the family room would not look good in the old kitchen space, for one the space is just too small. Secondly, the almost wall to wall and floor to ceiling window and sliding door in the current family room are what make sitting there and gazing into the backyard ideal. We also enjoy these views from our kitchen, as we can see through the family room into the backyard. The reverse would not be the case, the kitchen cabinetry would block the view from people who are sitting on low couches. In the current kitchen, the window sills are at ca. 37" and cannot be changed (beneath two of them sits our tall AC). anyway there is no view out the side yard, and we will not add a "picture window" to the front of our house. So, no, I don't think we would ever use this space as a family room. Nice try though benje - thank you.

Is there space for two sinks? I made that layout with Word and couldn't read the numbers well, so it's far from exact. You'd have to do the math. What I do know is that with one sink you'd have ample drawer storage, and with two you'd have near to none. I have to have my toilet in a closet...as a mom, I would never be able to go to the bathroom by myself. Respectfully, a toilet in a closet isn't something anyone "needs". I think this layout has the same problem as the original: It isn't balanced. Your major players are all cramped together, while you have oodles of empty space in the middle. Beyond that, you can't walk through the half bath, and you don't really want an outswing exterior door ... so that part doesn't work at all. I still think though it's worth working to get at least a powder room that's for the pool. A powder room for the pool ... attached to the master bath ... is a very good idea. Everything in life is a trade-off. There is rarely a perfect solution. Most ideas will have both pros and cons. Yes, and when you're determined to have things "just right", it's easy to lose sight of this.

Best use of 2K would be replacing those arched windows with rectangular ones. Maybe tall ones, the height to the top of the arch. But would it sketch out to scale first to make sure taller windows 'work'. The front portion around the windows is on the concrete, That trim is probably some kind of synthetic stucco over foam board. Not hard to get rid of. See it being installed at the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tow5sURpJH0 Later on, replace the front door.

I also vote no shutters. Please don‘t take what I’m about to say the wrong way : ) ... Yes your home is old, and all the other homes in your area may have shutters....however your home was never designed to have shutters. You can tell by the placement and design of the windows. While shutters can act as eyebrows for your windows, the original purpose was to “shutt”. If visually you can’t shut and open the shutters it will look off, and therefore, wrong. Bellow I illustrated what your shutters would need to look like if they propperly fit your windows: See what I mean. Every shutter needs a window, but not every window needs a shutter. Your home won’t look “off” without them, they will look right. Your windows on your first level are wood, leaded, and original- let those shine! Now, as far as trim and door color...I’m pegging you home between 1910-1920....possibly early 1930?? When choosing trim and door color, go historic. I went and did some quick research for you on archive.org. You can also find historic colors at any local paint store. If you design your homes exterior in the era it was intended, it will never look dated. Yes, many of these colors seem bright (not everything was pastel back then as we usually think...) Also remember that your colors will be outside, bleached from the sun. Always go darker and more colorful than you think. Choosing your color outside will help :) 1920 https://archive.org/details/TheMuraloCompanyInc.C1920 1910 https://archive.org/details/RuekelBestQualityMixedPaint 1930 This one is for galvanized iron, but it could still easily be applied to your door and trim. https://archive.org/details/GalvanumForGalvanizedIronTheOneOutstandingPaintNotedForItsAbility Here are two examples of historic homes with proper color pallets, see how they come to life! Notice while this home from 1929 has shutters, visually they can all close. Hope that helps, and good luck!