How about using open shelves between the hutch cabinets and the window? And possibly mirrored on the other side of the window as well. That's the simplest solution. If your budget is bigger, it would look fantastic to make the window wider.

Live with the kitchen as is for 6 months to a year and then decide as you may decide you absolutely hate the layout and then the dollars you throw at it now will either be out the window or hold you back from the redesign you really want.

@millworkman .Unfortunately, that isn't an option....we are remodeling the entire home before moving in.

@mcarroll16 The window idea is one I hadn't considered. May be too much for the budget but I am going to think about that. Thank you!

What is this Goop you refer to?

If you are remodelling before you move in, then you definitely need to make room in your budget for a professional kitchen designer. See the "We designed our kitchen too long!" thread for a good example of what you want to avoid. Even if it's largely finish updates, a designer can really help you maximize your outcome.

@ShadyWillowFarm When I say goop I mean the ornate / decorative stuff. Over window, rounded corners on cabinets, all of the "extra" stuff over the vent, etc. The footprint of the kitchen isn't changing at all--and all appliances stay at least for now....they are standard size thankfully. There is a massive pantry behind the door on the left. Perimeter cabinets will be a warm white. Island will be something like SW- Balanced Beige and I have a similar colored tile from Walker Zanger that will be backplash. Counters TBD but possibly a Dolomite or Quartzite (We have bianco macubus in our current kitchen and love it).

How tall are the ceilings? They seem too high ( to go all the way to the ceiling. Lots of expense for unreachable space. To me the entire kitchen should be under the low ceiling, so I would get rid of the left dishwasher (seems there is already one to the right). End the cabinetry on the left at the beam. Then in that nook beyond the beam a freestanding console or even just art.

@User The ceilings are 11 ft. I have been going back and forth on whether or not to go all the way up too. Definitely want to keep a second dishwasher. We have in our current home and use them both frequently. We entertain a lot too. I have considered ending at the beam but am having trouble thinking of what piece of furniture to put on the wall up against the cabinetry....was thinking something built in (no countertop) would look better? I feel like I am chasing my tail.

Looking again you have plenty of room to keep dishwasher. You could just plants in that space beyond the beam. A bar cart, I would just leave it empty until the kitchen is finished and you move in and you get a feel for your storage needs and how the space flows for you. But I think it looks weird to have the cabinetry extended there

I think that the cabinetry will feel overwhelming if taken to the ceiling. Definitely worse where the ceiling height gets even greater!

Definitely think you can not go to the ceiling with the cabinets and it would look better and cost less. Are you going to change the fireplace also? Once you change the style of the kitchen the fireplace will look out of place. In fact, if you're eradicating the whole rustic vibe, have you looked into removing the beams? They're probably just decorative.

@kandrewspa on the fireplace we are removing that big piece above the mantle. I think that will make a huge difference. Beams will be painted....the issue is they are all over the downstairs so I think painting them will be less costly than taking them all out at this point. Appreciating all of the comments. I am going to re-look at the space with an eye towards not going all of the way to the ceiling.....opens up options in terms of working with/around this bean. So appreciate everyone's comments. @acm Agreed NO WAY I am taking cabinetry all the way up beyond the beam in any scenario.