krabbypatty: Glad you're finding that your plan is workable. We do like our kitchen--we spent $ on the "infrastructure" in order to get the space--a high priority. A goal was to not have to say "excuse me" in my own kitchen. Each of the vital areas--sinks, breadboards (cutting boards, range--have two exits from them so that no one is trapped there, with the possible exception of the most used cutting board/breadboard which is in the crotch of the peninsula side of the U. The "sandwich station" pullout next to the refrigerator has proved to be a really wise idea. There we cut tomatoes, butter toast, open and cut cheese, pour milk into cereal, serve ice cream, plunk grocery bags. We're really enjoying the freedom to spread out. The dehydrator's been resident on the countertop for 2 months yet we still could do other activities. (It goes into storage pretty soon, as soon as storage closet gets shelves and a door.) Recently two couples joined us for dinner. I went to one corner and zoomed up some blender salad dressing. Went to another corner and pulled out materials for popovers and heaved them into the oven. Two women and I all messed with veg peeling and cutting on the peninsula and built two casseroles and a salad. DH puttered around with two marinated Alaskan salmon and headed to the grill on the deck and bothered no one. Various adult beverages were served in appropriate glasses at the top of the G and yet I could continue working and orchestrating, uninterrupted. Used dishes began to pile up but it didn't matter. Our flatware box was open and ready on the peninsula all through the dining room meal and was consulted twice. Afterwards,well meaning helpers began messing with the dishwasher and I didn't care. __ Drake the Lab claims to run the place. We've developed a new command: "lobby!"so he will leave the G and go to the very spacious T between the two corridor halls and take his blinkin' dog chews or whatever with him. He loves to carry about wood hunks or plastic pop bottles. Also a nested pair of large black plastic flower pots, one inside the other, a clumsy toy that has survived for 3 months without being torn apart. Needless to say, I'm concerned for the future of the oak floor, but hey, DH chose it and he installed it and Drake is HIS dog. Buehl: Not sure if I've ever seen your kitchen. Thanks for the photos and the description of the scouts in the kitchen. That brings back fond memories. Good of you to work with these kids. Many children today don't much exposure to real cooking. Or proper understanding of eating with others. Sounds like your well-planned islandless kitchen is up to all kinds of adventures.

Thanks all so very much. I'm jamming for leaving at 5AM Weds. to drive to the land. I understand what seems to be at least 2 votes for keeping fridge in "niche" at periphery and single wall oven & microwave in corner; and the rationale for doing so even with its greater distance to cooktop. Tons of votes for more windows - will think about that. The cooktop wall faces North and in Oregon mountains paying some attention to energy efficiency is warranted; views are wonderful, but not the knock out view to the west. You might see original post of overview of 1st floor. While K, might not have many windows itself, it is open to windows in an arc of perhaps 280 degrees through DR, LR, and Entry. This is NOT a substitute for windows that are within arms reach, so might keep the one in the corner and simply add one to where I was mentioning. The image below is from the LR looking toward K. None of the furniture is right, none of the colors are other than the defaults in the software. Windows in DR, and proposed for K are about right. From where this camera view is taken in LR the window wall to the left will have a 9' picture window, plus a smaller one and these will be borrowed views from K (prep sink in particular when looking at a diagonal). The mountain shown in the image is NOT at all accurate and any mountain view to the N thru DR will show Mount Jefferson as quite small and over 39 miles away. For views to west the mountains are only 18 miles. Thanks for all of the continued help and interest. I will provide prelim elevations after I get back from trip and look forward to adding windows. My designer/architect loves windows, but even he showed restraint so while I won't skimp in K, it might be fine with one or at most two - will see.

I know you said you did not want to switch rooms; but since you like the look of the sink in the bay (the outside views are awesome), it may be worth exploring. If your DH is like mine, change is hard, but he comes around eventually. Perhaps posting another thread that asks people to weigh in on the two kitchen locations with a mock layout for each might get DH to consider the possibility if he can read what others have to say concerning the positives and negatives of each kitchen location. Many people are remodeling to get a larger kitchen space by eliminating two sit-down eating spaces in their homes. Thus, If you switch the rooms, I do not think you would have to “stage” a formal dining room if the time comes to sell. The larger, well designed kitchen would be a major selling point. Keeping the kitchen in its current location does not gain you a whole lot more space for the kitchen because of the traffic patterns; moving the kitchen to the dining area gains you much more kitchen space. You gain the space for family friendly island seating, and the kitchen does not have to be in a location that “fights” with the traffic patterns of your home. The generous dining space combined with the larger kitchen space would be awesome to entertain in. One negative would be carrying groceries a tad farther but not a whole lot more. ;

Back again, now that I know my suggestions to move juke box won't work. It is a very wonderful piece, so keep it where it is, but don't make the grandfather clock compete with it. Either move the clock to the left of the fireplace or where your desk is in the dining area. (Relocate the desk to another room or sell it on Craigslist--again you have way too many random pieces of furniture that make your space feel crowded.) So in the den area, move the piece you currently have next to the fireplace to the juke box wall. Turn that into your bar to the right of the juke box. Then get a large vintage posters from the fifties--bar art, music, retro images for that wall. In other words, make the juke box a centerpiece for the den, which will make your husband happy. Replace curtains with bamboo roman shades in white. Don't add any small decor items, small art, or little furniture pieces.. I think you're unhappy with the space because it lacks flow and airiness--too much stuff to look at and walk around. Here's a Houzz article about something called "negative space." This will help you part with pieces when you realize the importance of leaving some spaces open and empty. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-power-of-negative-space-in-interior-design-stsetivw-vs~97343035 TV area: Remove the large chair. Get a small proportioned sectional with one side facing the window. Since you will have quite a few small art pieces that are currently scattered around the room , create a gallery wall around the TV so the screen doesn't dominate the room quite so much. Don't have any small art works or decor items anywhere else. Also, the console doesn't look centered, so make sure you center it.