I prefer to use the same metal cabinet/door hardware throughout the house. Most are the same style, but all are polished brass in my house. It unifies the house. And your hardware will never distract the eye from a gorgeous view! It would draw the eye so much that a big pike of dog poop. In the middle of the floor would be unnoticed and stepped in!

I have never made this comment before here: I think you need a talented kitchen designer to get eyes in there to make this the best it can be. Cost and maximized space use is something an expert can help with. I think the biggest issue with that half of the house is the sense of going from that spacious foyer into an immediately confining, constricting, cramped-feeling space that is the kitchen. A person has to get past that to get to another open feeling space. I just do not think the front part of your current plan does justice to the rest of your home based on the paper measurements. This is where experienced “eyes” and knowledge can help you. Is this concrete slab or crawl space/basement construction? I am asking because of the plumbing being installed. If you can redo plumbing, the current kitchen could be turned into a small living room and maybe the opening from the entry widened (adding the current mud room makes it bigger?) You could then have the remaining space to configure for the kitchen, dining (and maybe mud room entrance). Do you want a dining table or is island/peninsula seating adequate? Do you need to consider entertaining as you design your space?

In answer to the questions above (I cannot figure out how to comment to each individually - weird): 1. I've been waiting four months for my Bosch 500 series dryer. However, it appears I finally will have it installed this next Monday - the 20th! I learned a lot about ordering appliances from a big box store vs. small appliance store, and I recommend strongly using your local appliance store over big box any day of the week. 2. Thanks to all re the stainless counter. I'm very happy with it. As for cost comparison, given that it's 130" with a built in large sink, backsplash, and drainboard, I'd have to look up those individual costs, but it was less than $4,000, including freight (which was from Charlotte SC to Atlanta). Given that it comes with the plywood attached, the labor cost of putting it in was minimal. It took my contractor's crew all of 10 minutes to get it from the loading dock, up the elevator, to installed.

You’re going to have to go through a local dealer. No one of quality or reputation reputable sells direct. Only junk RTA does that. Because they have extremely limited offerings. Infinite custom offereings absolutely requires a Kitchen Designer. Find a good KD first. Their skill and experience is more imprtant than any brands. Once you get to a certain $$$ and quality point, there are a lot of good brands. This should be planning for a next fall or winter project . At double the budget you planned to spend. To start. Luxury type kitchens like Devol start life at 150K. There’s no upper end cap