Thanks for the feedback! It's much appreciated. A little more about the table clearance (which I agree is an issue, I'm just not sure if it's a deal-breaker...) I think the layout as drawn has between 2-4'' extra inside the U (between oversized inside corner clearances and clearance around the range), so I don't think the aisle space between counter and table will be worse when built with a 1.5'' counter projection. Our stools project out 13'' at the bottom (widest part), so they shouldn't be much of an additional obstacle. And I just re-measured the wall/counter to table clearances around the dining table in our current rental and it's 33'', 32'', and 23.5'' (the fourth side is open to the living room), so I guess we're used to a tight squeeze! Although having the open side makes a world of difference, so I really am listening to your concerns. I do also worry that a shimmy that works when you've just turned 40 could become a more significant issue as we age, since we're planning/hoping for this to be our forever home. @bmorepanic - it's funny you should suggest that layout b/c I've been noticing a lot of home decor articles lately focused on having a large table in the center of the kitchen. So it would be both very stylish and of-the-moment, yet completely fitting in our Victorian. Your layout also makes clear that it would make our kitchen feel huge. The downside is I'm not sure I like the total openness between kitchen and dining. I was hoping to get away from the feeling of "I'm eating in the kitchen" - but that may be unavoidable in this space, so perhaps I should just really embrace it. I think I'd also miss having a seating option that's puts the sitter closer to the stander's eye level (if that makes any sense). Very good food for thought, though, as it's an option I hadn't seriously considered - thank you. @missingtheobvious - an earlier iteration of the design had smaller clearances in the corner (that couldn't accommodate a lazy susan or pull-out) but I forgot when we changed things around and decided that a 30'' range would be better than a 36'' one in this space that we now might be able to do more with that corner. I love the convenience of just having to open a drawer to grab a pot, but if we can really capture a significant chunk of new space, that would be great. I'm going to take @hollysprings advice from another thread and mock up some drawers to see what will really fit in them and see how much the extra space is needed. Thanks for the reminder to do this. @localeater - I purposefully didn't include any seating inside the U as I think I sit enough during the day and need to force myself to do more standing! ;) I love the idea of a round table. We've just been using the table we already have in the design (which has a leaf, so it can seat 8, 10 if we squeeze) but a round/oval table with a leaf would give us some more inches where we need them. I'm off to hunt for round tables so I can add them to the layout and see what that looks like! And great idea about swagging the light. In our current rental, when we extend the table, it's only possible to do so by moving it away from the center of the ceiling fixture, which drives me a bit batty. So I'm into a creative idea for being able to position the table in a way that allows for maximum traffic flow for everyday, while being able to move it for entertaining (when people expect to squeeze a bit anyway). Thank you all again for replying! It's really helpful to hear your ideas and think about my reaction to them, in terms of clarifying the priorities and concessions I'm willing to make.

Boy does this sound familiar! Our little mouse story goes like this... Our kitchen reno actually started with a basement bathroom--7 years ago! When we moved in, there was just a toilet, and we wanted to make it an actual bathroom with walls and such, since it is a bit off-putting to use a potty just sitting out in the open. LOL. So the adventure begins when we have to dig out all the old pipes and replace them all the way to the street, as our pipes are crumbling and only held together with the tree roots that have invaded. I start to get the idea that a simple stand-up pre-fabbed shower unit was not going to cut it, and I really was lusting after those large, deep soaking tubs. I convinced DH that as long as we were putting in a new bathroom, let's make it a magnificent dream bathroom (or as dreamy as you can get in a basement-LOL). Well, since we have the walls and ceilings exposed, this would probably be a good time to add a bath up-up stairs, and then the boys could have their bedrooms up there. Perfect! Well, maybe since we have finished the upstairs bath, perhaps the main bath could use some updating. That looks fabulous, but did you notice how loud it is when someone is upstairs? I think that we should have our master bedroom up there, and the kids can stay down here, but let's move them into the former master and make their room an office. Yes, let's! Ewww, did you notice how positively grungy the living room seems since all the other rooms look so fresh and bright? It really does. You know, now that the living room has a facelift, this might be a good time to take the wall down between the kitchen and dining room. It only makes sense. Well, now that the wall is down, and we will have to replace the flooring, we might as well make some changes to the kitchen... Someday, we will finish that "dream" basement bathroom and come full circle on our home project, but you know if you give a mouse a cookie....

Birdlover, whether you simply opt for a nice Antique White, or go with a more soothing 2009 color like one of tbe pale green/blue/grays..........I think you would almost instantly love your room again. Warm golds are lovely if you love them and if you are up to that much color. I have Laura Ashley Gold#3 in my bedroom and do like it a lot. But if you can't handle the encroaching gold or it feels too warm to you, then, just change it. Paint is not that huge. And it makes SO much difference to the joy you feel walking into your rooms. Perhaps Gray Mirage, Nantucket Gray, Dry Sage, or another soft muted shade by Ben Moore? Organic Architecture by Pratt & Lambert looks like another soft yet complex blue/green/gray. Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage is pictured in the link here below. Also, the Grey Mirage is in a LR here. Something on those lines would provide a nice rest for the eyes and probably still look good with your furniture. Red Here is a link that might be useful: Gallery Link to some soft greens

I'd replace it, especially since you say it's really big for the space. When I had my old house redone, I had a walk in shower put in (no tub), and they made the shower about 3 inches wider than where the tub was. I'm glad for the extra room in the shower, but I had to get a smaller toilet to be comfortable. I also went with the comfort height.....I'll never have a "regular" height one again. It's more efficient also, and I very rarely need to flush more than once (I won't say why I have to on occasion!). As to being in an area with ample water, you may not always be. With weather patterns changing, places that get a lot of rain may get less and less, and then the water table will decrease. This happened in a few areas near where I live. It was such a concern that water rationing went into effect until we had a substantial rainfall.