Are you keeping the sink where it is now? Right now, the wall is high enough to block the view of the sink from the eating area. If you lower or remove the wall, you will be able to see all the dirty dishes in the sink and everything on the counter. This would bother some people, and not bother others. To get your homework/snack area, if the kitchen table doesn't work well for those activities, I'd consider removing the wall, but not making the counter all one height. I'd have the counterspace, then a backsplash-y sort of thing, and then the counter for homework and snacks, raised about 6 inches from the rest of the counter, to block sight lines from the eating area. You could even put some electrical outlets in the vertical area, giving you more functionality for that stretch of counter. The big challenge in doing this would be the flooring--finding new flooring to match. The backs of the cabinets should be easy for a contractor to fabricate, as should the supports for the counter overhang. I don't necessarily think doing this would make the kitchen seem larger. But it would give you what you want--a space for the kids to sit and snack, do homework and chat with you while you are working in the kitchen. But I'm also going to suggest, if you haven't already done this, posting this question on the Kitchens forum. You'd need a few more pictures and a floor plan to do that--they always ask for them. And the posters over there do not pull any punches. But many of them are quite talented at seeing solutions to problems that no one else can see, or ways of redoing a kitchen that hadn't been thought of before. So I think it's worth getting their opinion, too. Here is a link that might be useful: [split level counters[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/split-level-counter-phbr0lbl-bl~l_144949)

Here is a picture of underneath the sink. We are on concrete slab. We do not want that bar height overhang, or any overhang at all because that limits how far out the base cabinets can move outward due to the slider. I'm short and it's hard to see over it to watch my very young children playing. We want it level. The width of the kitchen is only 45". It's very cramped. We want to move the new cabinets outward as far as possible to give us more room. The sliding glass door obviously limits how far we can go, so complete removal of the wall and figuring out somewhere the plumbing can go would give us the most room to work with. It's 10" from slider to wall plus 6.75" of wall. A width increase of 16" in our kitchen would be very significant. I appreciate all the thoughts so far, and that picture was excellent. Thanks!

Celerygirl-Thanks! I could have totally done a Super modern home or even a really cool Spanish style home! Love the photos you posted...although I’ve had my interior figured out/dreamt about for quite awhile now. ;) Rmsaustin-I might not do arched on the exterior...it adds quite a bit of cost...and I’m not sure that I want the curves there. I’m ok with doing straight outside and arched inside. On 75 acres and 1/4 mile off the road, nobody will know the difference anyway..lol. I didn’t really care about the kitchen design being laid out on the draft. I am pretty picky and knew I would change it anyway. I am doing a large Rangetop on the left wall (against the pantry). Double wall ovens at that lower left corner of the kitchen before the “bar” space. Double drawer fridge under island facing Rangetop for often used cooking items like butter, diced onions/peppers/etc. NO sink or dishwasher in island...just workspace. A much larger sink (48 inches) at window with DW on either side. Column fridge/freezer as well as a baking center on the right wall. Fridge will be sort of by the corner, so it opens into the intersection of both aisles. Bar space will have coffee/tea center, microwave (popcorn). I did find out when I started laying out pantry that I should have made it bigger...lol. Decided against changing plan for an even larger pantry anyway. Basement will have a cold storage pantry under front porch. My last Garden was 40*60...I’m going larger this time, dreaming of a huge greenhouse, and have a 3 acre spot for my orchard. I can’t wait do do lots of canning..so need a lot of storage for my supply of farmtotable food. :) There is an exterior door between the pantry/bar that will go do a 12*18 covered outdoor kitchen (as well as larger deck). So lots of focus on eating here! I have my family on a very healthy diet..and having space to spread out so we can all cook will be awesome. My 14,13,10 year olds all cook/bake. The oldest wants to make/sell goat soap, so I’m sure I will be wishing the kitchen was larger in no time! :)

My vote would be to leave block planter & work with it. From lowered depth view of the planters sitting in it looks like it needs a good amount of soil added to it before planting. To cover the wall, tall & substantial trellis structures could be added at several key spots, the area you‘ve highlighted with green circle for one. This would give the long narrow area a place for plants with height that aren‘t trees & things that will spread out into your yard space. Vining plants such as bougainvillea on the trellises could be show stoppers for color & continue your tropical theme. Once you have that long planter filled, and also have your ground base either filled with grass or hardscape, you won’t even see the planter! Right now it’s empty so it is the focal point & all that sun bouncing off the wall & planter is hard on the eyes