First, is the orientation of the sketch turned 90 degrees to the left from the picture of the space in the very first picture of this thread? Now other questions: Is the kitchen itself planned for the top section in the sketch/right section in the first picture? Is the addition the part with all the walls torn out in the first pictures (left section in the sketch)? If yes to the above two questions, does that mean the doors/windows are not being replaced in the kitchen area? If the above three questions :-) are "yes", what are the dimensions of each window/doorway/wall and the distances b/w each window/doorway/wall? You just have windows (W) & doorways (D) drawn in w/o dimensions of any kind for them and the walls around them. Is anything planned for the large space on the right and below the top section in the sketch? I'm sorry, but I think we need more information. Not only related to the questions above, but also other questions about how you plan to use the entire space, etc. Unfortunately, "general" ideas are often not very useful w/o all this information b/c when ideas are just thrown out there's no way to tell if they'll actually work in the space! The best way to do this is to get a detailed layout, post it here with other information (more on that in a moment), and have us work it through with you. I think you'll be much happier with the results in the end! Have you had a chance to read the "Layout Help" topic in the "Read Me" thread? It describes what information we need to help you find the best design for you and your family. (Once in the "Read Me" thread, scroll down to the "Layout Help" topic.) Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens! [Help keep on Page 1]

I used to get the magazine "Cottage Living" and loved to see what people did with smaller spaces. I loved the look of the charming and carefully done houses. Our house is not small as in cottage-like, but it is also not a mansion. I think seeing what can be done in a smaller space helps when designing for not so small. Your house is not small, but the look is more of a charming one that an exotic style. If you embrace how nice it is and what it can be, you will have a lovely place to live. When I was younger, I always wanted to be glamorous, but could never pull it off. I looked like the girl next door and wished I could be more grown up looking. Now, many enough years later, I am grateful that I look young(-ish) for my age and had never been at a loss for suitors before getting married, so I wish I could tell the young version of me to be grateful because if one is wishing for something else, they miss what they do have. I still can't wear red lipstick, but am ok with that now that I am wiser, lol. I subscribed to Cottage Living for the decor and appreciated the smaller scale once I started to read it. I also love the aesthetic of what were mostly charming homes and the variety of what could be done while also keeping their appeal. The nicer ones were not mini versions of big houses, but were their own proud more modest size. It was my one foray into house porn, so I can't recommend many others, lol. It is out of print now, but you may be able to see back issues at the library or if someone is getting rid of them such as on freecycle or CL. I finally parted with mine last year or I'd send them along happily. I tried their old website that was up past the magazine going under, but it directed me to another site, which looked cute too. Apartment Therapy may give you some ideas. You will have a larger amount of space to work with, but the feel may not be far off from what would work for you. My kitchen is fairly large now and yet it was done in a modest way for the decor. Its look fits with the overall scale of the house. If we had done fancy, there would have been a disconnect with the rest of the house no matter how much we updated it all. If you have seen a woman who is wafer thin where all the bones in her neck and ribs are protruding, and she is sporting double Es or more, you know what I mean. More is not always better.

katie brings up a good point, but a half-a** paint job is only going to last so long. even a handyman is going to charge thousands. Read up on how cabinets should be properly sanded, primed, sanded again, and then painted, so you'll know the steps. If a cheap estimate is given to you, they'll prob just deglaze them apply a quick primer, and paint right over it. (and they'll leave everything in place) . after a few months the paint will chip. another option is to keep the skeleton base, (and even the drawers since they're a slab-face) and just get new doors. I had new doors added when I had my cabinets painted. Although, your doors really aren't that bad. At least they aren't arched. pickled oak before/after. new counters/ splash, and they coffered the tray ceiling (like you have) basically it will look like this before: and After, once painted (horrible handle placement though!) you could even add some glass in a few of the doors. Maybe paint the island a diff, darker color (these oak cabs were recently done. but your door style is better than this one) Trim out you island so the end panels look finished! do the island top in something like this, and the other counters in plain white then add some modern style handles similar to these. Do a simple tile backsplash.

This site may help you. https://www.homenish.com/banquette-dimensions/