This is simply one of the gazillion examples we see here, almost daily, of a CAD operator designing sequentially, one floor at a time, for the owners approval, before moving on to the next floor, designing it sequentially, one floor at a time, for the owners approval. When all the floor plans are "approved", then, and only then, does the CAD operator throw a roof on it, getting owner's approval. Final stage is to design elevations, get the owner's approval, and quit. Said differently, designing sequentially, one architectural element at a time, simply results in terrible (and expensive) designs. It makes it easy for the CAD designer, but the owner gets the very worst sort of design possible. Of course, this approach to design disaster is made worse because the CAD designer simply drafts whatever the owners say they want. And very few owners know anything about design or how it takes place. So...the owners walk into the CAD designer studio with a mish-mash of ideas about their "forever house" And the CAD designer bangs them all together inside some walls. See...you asked for X and Y...and here they are...! Be careful what you ask for...

That sectional is too big and IMO who wants to sit all lined up on a giant sofa not coducive to conversation or TV watching look at a sofa and 2 chairs so much better for both There is lots of space for a TV so why infront of the FP or above it for that matter IMO you never buy furniture for a space you do not live in . Many things pop up in real life that a floor plan cannot deal with. Wai until you are in and have lived in the space for a bit You can watch TV from a dining chir or lawn choiuar until you get it right

And Patricia waiting to until the trees are cut down is exactly what the people who work at the nursery suggested. My gut tells me that you are right. They are building like crazy in my neighborhood even though it’s rural. Some of my neighbors built natural screens using shrubs years ago. So when the trees are cut down next to there property there is a natural barrier in place. Other neighbors that have nothing in place go into shock when the trees are removed. They quickly plant anything to fill in the nakedness. So I’m trying to be proactive. The builders are supposed to leave a 3 foot buffer on either side of the property and 7 feet in the back. However, they are cutting every single tree and the hoa is not opposed. (They cut every tree on our property too. But on the back and the right side of the property there is a strip of land that belongs to the golf course that they couldn’t touch) Also, even though the property line is wooded it’s on the east side of my property and it gets hot afternoon sun. The only thing that can survive/thrive in that section are full sun plants. I learned the hard way. I purchased 3 grey ghost anise to plant beside the house which I assumed was shaded all day. One had to be moved because midday it was being baked for about an hour. So I said all that to say Patricia you are probably right. But I don’t want to come home from work one day and go into shock when every tree up to the property line is gone.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!!! Ugh-Wish I had a scale drawing with all this momentum! I’ve drawn a diagram that is the best I can do from memory plus educated guesswork. I’m reasonably confident in the measurements that are there. The unit is 16’ wide on the side with the window. I’m saying the stairs stick out +/-48” from the cabinet with the water heater which leaves approx +/- nine to ten feet to the opposing wall. Key distance that I don’t have a good guess for is the distance from the kitchen cabinets to the fireplace. I really LIKE the idea of a banquette at a peninsula rather than trying to squeeze in stools and a dining table. This would provide the additional counter space that faces the room and additional storage and take up a lot less space. Of course subject to a proper scale drawing. I really like the style of the second picture you shared Peggy! When I get up there on the first weekend of December I’ll get all the measurements you need! Assuming all this will fit, a key question is whether to just add the peninsula drawn in Red with the blue banquette or also add the purple side cabinets and replace the one tall cabinet in the corner marked “P” for pantry??? I added the original pictures of my kitchen to spare you from having to scroll to the beginning of the post.