This may be totally off ... but how does a point of reference influence our perception of balance? If one were to step out onto RoseAbbey's patio from the house would the perception pick up on a mass over there and another over there, but the primary focus would be on the lake. Then one would realize that, "Oh, if I go to the gazebo, I'm going to have a better view of the lake?" How does the lakefront play into this, or am I rowing my boat in the wrong direction? I guess what I'm really trying to point out is that some of the responses have been frustrated with an apparent lack of demarkation or definition ...But doesn't something as big as a lake change things? Several hints from RoseAbbey point to a real spaciousness here. Possibly an issue of scale? In my neighborhood lots back up to the back fence of someone else's yard. In a way that tends to make one want to protect or enclose closer to the home, tricking the perception by blocking out the neighbor's in an effort to play with the impressions of both privacy and, oddly, spaciousness. But if my backyard backs up to a lake, there's something different going on, isn't there? So is "balance" here also helping to frame that primary experience? And, so, moving us over to the gazebo to get a better look? RoseAbbey- Without knowing what your plant palate already includes, it would be hard to suggest specifics. And what do you want? Simple, elegant, somewhat formal yet natural? Low key enough that your DH won't find it distracts from the gazebo's form? What has your designer used in the front and side areas? Any favorite shrubs there that would work as the base for the gazebo bed? Wellspring

Sure, the cabinet distance would have to be appropriate to the undercounter appliances kept there. I think though, if your toaster can scorch the bottom of your cabinets when they are the standard height of 18" + above the counter, you've got other problems to worry about :) For what it's worth I covered the entire underside of my cabinets with stainless to better reflect and diffuse the lighting and to make them a bit more heat resistant. This "hutch" is not in a run of cabinets so it can be whatever height the poster needs and it would not throw other areas off. The doors may have to be folding AND pocket in order to retract fully enough. A tambour that opened side to side would be historically accurate, but it would need a bottom track which would catch crumbs and that would be a pain to keep clean. The side styles could be wide enough that each door was under 24" and at least then it would retract past the depth of the fridge, and that would solve that issue. I actually find the water things in most refrigerators really inconvenient. In that regard I think the coffeemaker could end up under one of the cabinets on either side of the sink. This kitchen is large enough and the two seating areas distinct enough in location that there really won't be a single point-of-use for a number of things, but the distances from point A to point B in this house are substantial anyway, so that's ok.

My expertise is selling real estate, not interior design. To me, the function is most important then style. You have very beautiful wall of windows, and it is great to step out onto the deck out of the bedroom surrounded by the trees. Roman shades would look good, and provide privacy when needed, and you may retract them when you want light. Not sure about the door though. May be it could work as well. Another option is wood blinds. We have off white painted wood blinds and love them.

Photos of my home