Just make sure removing an island doesn't leave you with bigger problems (no workspace, replacing flooring -- especially if that could lead to larger or other changes). An isolated change is one thing, but project creep is the one thing you want to avoid in you situation. If your solid surface counters are in good shape, I wouldn't change to granite. Some folks don't like granite and would rather have the alternative. A lot of folks might prefer their choice of granite over the generic one chosen for resale. And the folks who might rather reno the whole kitchen if they aren't paying for the updating too have already been mentioned. You see a fair number of whiners on HGTV who want move-in ready, but even they seem to be willing to paint a couple of rooms, change a floor before they move in or even have granite put in to make a good house their own. The higher the market, the more people seem to want something to make it their own. I also wouldn't paint the cabinets white. My next door neighbors hired painters to paint their oak cabinets white, then paid a contractor to resurface them. We gutted our kitchen and changed out to frameless cabinets with more drawers, added organization and function and a lot more usable space and our kitchen probably took less time in the end -- we wonder if they spent much less or even more than we did. We know it took longer. First thing I would do is look into refurbishing the finish on the cabinets. I'd remove the hardware on a couple of those drawers and see what you can do with them. First thing is to give them a good cleaning using a cleaner intended for wood finishes and make sure you don't leave any residual cleaner on the surface. Products to try once clean would be Old English Oil and/or Scratch Cover (look at their website for more info before you shop, but you can probably find these at your grocery store, Walmart or Target), Restor-a-Finish in a color to match the cabinets (both this and Scott's Liquid Gold have some solvents that will smooth out a worn old finish -- they are meant for solvent based finishes, not a poly based, so test if you aren't sure). Formby probably has some similar products, but the point is that if you give the cabinets a good cleaning and then make the best of the cabinets as they are, you will probably come out way ahead. Working with what is there is almost always the best bang for the buck. Go from there.

Rebunky - will do. Contractor is sending someone out tomorrow to take measurements. He did tell me that he sent my sketch (the one above) to the builder, and that the builder confirmed that it could mean significant savings. Of course, I have no idea what "significant" will mean. No, I understand what you're saying about the transom, and that could work. I'm not sure that I'd do it only because, well, I think if I try to make the window & door match too much, it might end up looking stranger - like, trying to make two things that are clearly not the same look the same, but I'm not sure. The other though I had was just leaving the existing window, and cutting out the bottom to put a second, stationary window right below the existing double hung. The stationary window will be bigger than the transom above the door, but maybe it could actually be a point of interest, if not symmetry. I wasn't clear, earlier - it's not that the slider would cost what I paid for the house, the entire project would. If I went for the big slider, transom, and all bells & whistles (under cabinet lighting, etc) the project would cost close to what I paid for the house. House is worth a lot more, now, but still... My compromise sketch is really growing on me. I find sliding doors to kind of be a pain in the butt, for one. Maybe still talking myself into it, but, if so, that's pretty good, eh? If only I could talk myself into preferring cheap wine, cheese & chocolate... I agree with you about the grids - time for them to go! I bought this door at Lowe's some 5 years ago for $200, it was the only glass door they had in stock at the time, so I got it. I may get rid of the security gate, too. Maybe remove the bars on the back window, too. I hadn't thought about that, whether it makes sense to do so in terms of security. Hmmm. That's a questions...

Consider undermount LED strips for kitchen cab lighting or other areas where you want accent lighting. Not that expensive but you need to plan as it requires a transformer. If you are doing entertainment system, dedicated 20amp circuit where equipment will go. If you have fans in beds make sure you space cans from fan to avoid strobbing. Also keep in mind there is a difference between accent lights, work lights, and lighting to generally fill a room with light. If putting cans in kitchen for work lighting for example install so they are in front of the person cooking. Otherwise you will cast a shadow based upon the direction of the light. This is one of the reasons why I like LED under cab lights. Also pay attention to the color of the light. Especially with LED. I find that most people ignore this when they finish there house all the light is different colors/tones. Make sure you like the light output of the 3000k lamp and get your other lights to match if in the same room. I also like putting walk-in closet switches on inside of closet and on occupancy switches. My son leaves his closet light on all the time and it drives me crazy. Instead of cans over island I would put pendants. Can lights should really be reserved for walkways or to provide general lighting in a room. Consider LED work lights in laundry areas. Similar to old fluorescent but better. If you don't work in the garage I wouldn't spend all the money on those can lights. Sorry for the verbal deluge. Going back and forth from lighting plan to comment. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I have pants like these and I dont mind the fringed edges. I honestly never thought about it until now. I have my go-to places to shop- saks, Nordstrom’s, anthro. And sometimes black/white store and j crew. I dont care about generational differences. I just buy what I like. But if you want to go to a store which seems to appeal to multiple generations, check out anthropologie. I buy a lot of my clothes there now. I see 20 year olds up to over 70 year olds shopping there. I introduced my mother (late 60’s) to it last month and I had to drag her away. Before you say Anthro is too expensive, I will tell you that my mother is extremely frugal at clothes shopping, but the deals in the markdown room were too good to pass up.