Unless you're putting tile or stone on the walls (backsplash, for example), I think you can just use sheet rock. But, you will need to have the studs, etc. to hang cabinets. This is not my area of expertise, so I'll leave this to others. However, I suggest you think about a layout before you get too far down the road. You don't want to be stuck with a poor layout b/c of decisions made & work done w/o the Kitchen planned out. First, read the "Read Me" thread & then take the "Sweeby Test" (linked in the "Read Me" thread). The thread gives a kind of summary of what to do...no, not the detailed steps of the whole process, but a general idea of how to at least get started. The test will help you define & refine what you want from your kitchen...it works for other rooms as well, btw. Some questions to ask yourself... Is this the best use of the room...will it work as a kitchen? Are you OK with the kitchen being the first thing someone sees when they come in the front door? If you do make it into the kitchen, do you want to leave the FP in the kitchen (kind of cool, I think...if it doesn't get in the way)? Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

I'm quite sure moving the sink won't be easier (that'd mean moving the cabinets which I can't really do). But it'll be within 1-2" of centre (if not bang on...I need to try and put the box up before I know), so I'm fine with that. The purple drop-down fixture I'm guessing the position on based on where I think our dining table will be...but it's not exact by any means. The boxes on the right of the room represent our stairs, so it doesn't make sense to have the table centred in the room. The other fixture (blue) is the living area, and given the layout plus the recessed lighting I think it makes sense to have that one centred. As for the 4' rule, would you suggest lining up the light by the pantry with the pendants over the island, and then centring the other one between that light and the counter light? That would put it closer in line the stoves, though then the pantry may have a _little_ less light (maybe in in-cabinet light?).

I think that all of your furnishings work very well in your space with the exception of the shelving unit. Is it used primarily to display pictures or is it more for storage? I think that it appears more utilitarian rather than decorative. Could it be moved to another part of the house and used for storage? If possible you could then replace it with a more attractive, functional piece. Try thrift stores or CL to look for a hutch, China cabinet,bookshelves, chest, or table. It would depend on your needs. It would give your room a more finished look. Your home is very lovely.

IMO no pictures no help.