oh so helpful, y'all! lavender - wood on bottom, white on top? or flip? If I have to go with ikea fronts for cost, I'll do white on both. Countertop definitely TRIMMED. No seating there at all. Just to cover the cabinets & nothing fancy. Franklin edge. Wrap frig. That would really make a difference to trim it. bmorepanic. Hi! The petrie sofa looks so much like a sofa I got at David Edward access excess. like this one, but no arms: From banquette layout? I moved it from my LR to try out as a 'banquette' sofa. Love it, but it is too low for dining table height. Presently wondering whether I can alter it somehow to make taller. Laughing at the boat anchor analogy for my current table! The table is from my former (married) life and was purchased for a very different space. rhome. Oh I think I'd love to use color on the uppers. Will depend on whether I can afford scherr's or go with ikea premade fronts. Rhome410, you brought up the peninsula overhang too. I really feel like there is not the space for a peninsula with overhang and still able to keep DR space not too crowded. btw, LiGHTING: I do not like my pendants at all. Another poor choice! These will eventually change. So no design based on these. Hoosier. I had not planned on using it originally. Peninsula lights. Don't love them (another chance to sell on CL!) And thanks for asking for my original inspiration photo. You hit key points re: what I like about this kitchen: colorful without being circus-like naked wood a bit of whimsy tile from ceiling on down upper to the countertop from ceiling clean lines transitional style but still looks solid. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/divine-kitchens-llc-contemporary-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~66894) [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Boston Kitchen And Bath Divine Kitchens LLC Here is photo of the space without hoosier or peninsula lighting: From In Progress Kitchen From In Progress Kitchen DR light (thanks live_wire_oak) From In Progress Kitchen Uppers From Coffee/tea/toaster Ideas From Coffee/tea/toaster Ideas A less expensive version of the AnnSacks Tile - yet to be discovered: From Ideas Soapstone counter From Soapstone and Slate Lower (boy does this VGFir look yellow!) From In Progress Kitchen A warmer wood? From In Progress Kitchen Hardware From In Progress Kitchen Ummmm -- pawa. right on. I am buying piecemeal. Backwards! Most of the stuff I have (excepting OTR microvent, buffet table, not quite right peninsula lights) I already had. The backstory is that this remodel I started fresh from marital break up and right when I moved into my new all-mine house. So, while I've been energetic, I violated the live in your space for a while and think through/prioritize changes. It's ok. I needed the project at the time, badly wanted to 'nest,' have it all done . . . probably still do. That said, now I am ready to be done! I really appreciate the help you all are offering.

It would be possible to put a play corner in the first two drawings but not in alternative 2. I would recommend a corner of storage furniture to corral the toys. I am usually a fan of built-ins but not in this case because eventually the kids will outgrow their toys and you won't need that storage there anymore. The built-in exception would be a window seat under one of those windows on the plans. Some of the storage could be cabinets or bookshelves for bins or toys underneath a window seat. I'm not a fan for toy box style storage because they either become a black hole or the kids throw everything out of them looking for what they want and then do't put the rest of it back. As for the kitchen placement, near to the deck would be best in you like to eat outdoors on the deck or entertain on the deck. We entertain a lot and the kitchen is on the other side of the house from the patio. It's a real pain and a big part of my design brief for the architect was for the kitchen to be next to the patio. I even wanted a pass-through window from the kitchen sink to the patio for ease of clean up but unfortunately I wasn't able to work that out.

@Vinnya DeLuca - the entry to the great room is through a 8-foot wide cased (actually, steel beam-framed) opening near the kitchen. There is a hallway parallel to the length to our guest room area, but wanted those to be private, so only one entry to the great room. The entry is across from the main entry to our house, through the foyer. And thanks. That mockup/render was an early attempt to see if I properly framed the view the way i wanted. We have enough framing up to know that I nailed it!

So many things to consider! My first thought is that the couch is too far back from the fireplace and the coffee table as you show them placed here. Moving it a foot or so closer makes a more cohesive grouping with the chair and coffee table and eases the issue of the unused front door area. Also, using a rectangular coffee table will give you more room for your conversation area. Yes, eliminate the indent at the front door for sure. I'd want to try the couch in front of the big window, but I guess that makes TV viewing a problem.