Pony wall makes no difference for function, but I was trying to hide some of the dish mess and give you a separate clean-up area, where there is no zone crossing during prep and cooking time. It wouldn't be difficult to extend the pony wall to the ceiling. There are windows flanking the range--I just forgot to remove the label. It is open concept, with easy interaction between the cook(s) and anyone in the LR, but it sounds as if that's too much interaction for you. I feel the same--we closed up a wide pass-through from the kitchen to the LR when we bought our house. I also switched the door and window in the DR (door could be a single or French door). Accurate plan: M/L flipped to the other side--I don't think you could have seating at the island, except for a seat on the end, unless you cut the top at an angle (red lines). the entry from the deck would need to be a single door, 60" French doors, or single with side lights: Eta, with the kitchen and DR flipped, you could have a deeper, framed pantry wall, with a coffee center or bar in the middle section. Drawing the plans is no problem--I just rearrange boxes in my Paint program, but all the rearranging of the windows and doors on the back wall might be more than you want do. Good luck! :

Consider OSB. It can be lacquered, clear-coated, shellacked, burnt and varnished. Or just painted imaginatively. OSB wall, alternately stained and clear coated and clear-coated.Stained OSB You can also consider textured panels and veneer plaster.Textured Panel As panels can be expensive you can use them as highlights or accents.

I don't think you need anything on that wall. Since you have pet bowls on the floor right in front of it, it may be awkward to try to get anything off a shelf. I would consider painting the wall(s) a different color since they seem to blend with the ceiling. A little color is all you need.

Both Oakleaf hydrangea and Bottlebrush buckeye can handle sun and shade, though they may need more water in sunnier conditions (and especially the year you plant them, when they are getting their roots established.) You are correct that the oak will cast some shade when mature, but that will be years down the road, so you could definitely get started with some fruits and veggies now, and worry about shade later. I'm also in 7b, and I've had luck this year growing strawberries and figs, and understand that blackberries/raspberries also do well in this zone. Blueberries can be tricky because they love cold winters. Another native shrub,American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), LOVES sun and grows tons of magnificent magenta berries. The birds will love them in the fall, and/or you can pick them to make jelly (they are a bit bland right off the bush). (By the way, I made some plant names link to articles about their growing conditions, one my screen it shows up as green text that I can click) Butterflies will love species like Phlox paniculata, Mountain Mint (genus Pycnanthemum), and Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), plus many others. If you see butterflies on flowers while you shop for plants at a local nursery or botanical garden, that's a pretty good endorsement that they'll like it planted in your yard too. Your oak will also be great for attracting butterflies, since many of their baby caterpillars eat oak leaves (usually minimal so you don't notice, especially once the oak gets tall). American beautyberry in fruit: Painted Lady butterfly on my blue mistflower last fall: