I'm sure there will be others that will find something to critique, but I think that overall, it's a very good plan. There seems to be a good triangle between the fridge, cooktop, and cleanup sink. I'd encourage you to really think about your storage needs and make notes about what you plan to store in certain cabinets and then think about the relationships drawn out. For instance, there is quite a bit of landing space beside the fridge to the left. It's removed from the main section of kitchen so it may be seldom used unless you have specific plans such as a toaster/coffee station, etc. For instance, if your plan was to have a coffee station there, consider then how you'd get your water to put in the coffee maker (see what I mean?) If you don't have specific plans for that space, I'd consider moving the fridge to the left and possibly incorporating the current fridge space into the pantry. Of course, this is only generalizing, but having done a new build a few years ago (in a different house), I didn't really consider all those things and I ended up with some major and minor inconveniences. HTH!

Thanks for all your responses. We looked at it again with older, wiser folks ;) and there were some issues that they pointed out. Issues that we don't want to tackle. Also, I decided that if I would ever do a renovation to an older home, it should be on an older home with some sort of character or charm. There's really no point in dumping money into this particular home. There's no architectural charm whatsoever. One thing that I was "right" about, however, is that renovations in areas such as this can be profitable since the homes range from 250K to over a million. With that being said though, I was NOT looking to profit. I just want to be in a good location in a house that I like. The example given by an agent is if the land alone will sell for 250K - 290K, then the land with a 2300 sf house all updated nicely can sell for well over 400K. Baton Rouge doesn't follow the usual "rules" in certain locations. Another example, sort of, is there's a mid century modern house that I really want (husband doesn't like it) for 525K, but they purchased it 6 months ago for 319K, and haven't done a thing to it. Agent expects it to sell for 375-400K according to comps, but wouldn't be surprised if they got closer to what they are asking due to location. Someone may come along and buy it for what they are asking then drive up the price per square foot in the neighborhood. This seems to be a trend over here. Location really talks since the city is running out of IN CITY property. @ Artichokey, yes we have large life insurance policies on both of us etc etc. My husband is an insurance nut. He gets it on EVERYTHING. It's annoying, really. Also, if anything ever happened to my husband and I needed to go back to work, I could and would. KickyMarcia, we took a tour of the house you posted, but the pool is an issue and there were a lot of things that I would want to update and or change. I'm the problem. I'm too picky. So, we will just wait until the right house comes up. Livewireoak, public schools in Baton Rouge are a mess right now. It's a political debate not suitable for here. But trust me, they're nothing like the schools in Tennessee. Either way, we LOVE the Catholic school they are currently attending. It's a great school, Church, and Community that makes the drive just something I have to do. Hopefully, however, we will find a home soon that gets us closer to the school. In the meantime, NancyinMich, I will check out those coolers. :) Again, thanks for all of your opinions and advice! Take care!

Yes, a gut remodel should have everything in the room removed back to the studs (for ease and cheaper running of the needed new wiring and plumbing) and then you rebuild everything from the inside out, and the bottom up.

Sorry for the delayed reply - this week has brought on a septic backup into our basement so have been dealing with that! Here are some questions answered: Do you bake a lot and do you want a Baking Center? yes Do you want a coffee/tea/beverage center? - I would like a separate ice maker and/or drink fridge if possible Do you want a snack center? - flexible, maybe part of drink center Range or Cooktop or Rangetop? - Flexible – we have a freestanding induction range we could re-use and a 24” Bertazoni wall oven - Single or Double or no Wall Oven? - We have a 24” Bertazoni wall oven we could reuse currently functioning as an expensive bread box since barrier island has it in an bad location – would prefer full size though Warming Drawer? - no, we have one under our freestanding range over and rarely use it. MW? (Advantium, MW Drawer, OTR MW/Hood, countertop, built-in, shelf?) - Have a sharp MW drawer - don't care if we reuse it (currently waiting a part for repair of it - happy to move it to a microwave with wall over option DW? Standard or drawers? If drawers, 1 or 2? - Need 2 rregular (18 or 24) dishwashers (non drawer) – they must both be on the same sink - otherwise dirty dishes collect in both sinks in our house. Refrigerator (Top/bottom freezer, SxS, or all-fridge/freezer? Counter-depth (CD), standard-depth, or built-in?) o We have Electrolux All fridge and all freezer units – counter depth · Ventilation Hood? - Need to get a new one – current is underpowered Other? - would love a walkin pantry ***** Very Important ***** Is there anything you: Cannot live without? o 2 dishwashers o Induction cooking o Convection oven o Potfiller faucet I will post a basic layout with measurements. We are willing to move whatever needs to be moved.