I am a fabricator. Given "very farmhouse/rustic" I'd also suggest soapstone. It's a great countertop material and fits your "rustic" décor perfectly. Soapstone was once the countertop of choice for the affluent because of it's beauty and substantial durability advantage over marble and limestone. Back in the day those stones were the only ones that could be worked with the tools available at the time.

One pretty much holds as much as the other but the configuration may be better with the pullouts. Depending on what you want to store. The difference, usually, is that the pullouts have shorter sides. Basically, it's a shorter drawer box possibly set at a different height. I usually recommend pullouts over drawers when my client has over sized items such as extra deep pots, etc. Drawers have more of a height restraint than pullout shelves since the drawers usually have a standard height they are set at.. However, some companies have certain heights they install pullouts at. It would be advisable to consult your cabinet supplier about what heights they install the pullouts at as well. Also, measure the usable heights of the drawers just to double check. You can also ask if the installer can "field install" the pullouts. Meaning, they can install it at your place instead of at the factory. This way you can have the pullouts installed to your specified heights (if not an option for factory install). If you're considering pullouts, I'd recommend installing them in a "full height" cabinet. Not in a cabinet that has a top drawer. This will maximize the usable height for each.

Here is a plan that could work. You could keep the same basic kitchen layout (the appliances work where they are, IMO), just remove some walls to open it up, essentially transforming it into a galley kitchen. Some of my measurements are off and the cabinetry could likely extend a little more to the left as you have it in your plan. On the right of the kitchen, bring in the peninsula and cabinetry so that they end at the wall (otherwise the passageway between the kitchen and pantry becomes too narrow). I would skip the overhang for benches, and fully use the space for storage and extra counter space. Remove the uppers above the peninsula. Remove the pantry around the fridge and add uppers and more counter space on that wall between the fridge and range. I would consider mounting a small TV in the kitchen somewhere, on a full motion/swivel wall mount so that you can push it against the wall when not in use. Or use a tablet computer, and get a stand/mount for it. Removing the hall in front of the bedrooms and bathroom, and the overhang for the peninsula, gives you enough space and clearance to add a pantry and more cabinetry, or just a wider pantry and no cabinetry. Alternatively, you could also place a desk, wine bar or message center against this wall. Moving the entrance closet by the front door provides separation, no more "walking into a big room" feeling, and improves the flow between the living room and kitchen. It also give you a wall for your tv, making it easier to lay out your living room. I would replace the wall unit and purchase one that is less substantial. Consider mounting the TV on the wall and having a unit underneath, and maybe shelves on each side. Do you currently use your living room or your family room more often? I would suggest making the larger one the family room, and the smaller one with the fireplace into the more formal living room or sitting room. Mounting the TV above the fireplace (or removing it altogether) also makes that room much easier to lay out. The master bedroom door is in a awkward location in terms of natural flow. Even in an open space, it would make more sense to have it accessible through the "hall" passing from the entrance between the kitchen and family room.

We have finally revisited our kitchen dilemma and think we will replace backsplash and counter to get a few more years from the cabinets. We are unable to replace the cabinets in the same design as we cant find a cabinet manufacturer that has a 9 inch wide cabinet. Our stove area is very tight and in order to have one cabinet on each side..one side has to be 9 inch. Any suggestions on this circumstance would be helpful. There is a window that prevents from altering also. We cant afford custom. without counting the rangehood the space for cabinets is 21 between both sides of the rangehood. Right now we have a 6 inch and a 15 inch cabinet. The photo is of the backsplash and counter we are considering for updating.