The problem with the current layout is that all 3 of these rooms are isolated from each other with walls. This prevents light from the two large kitchen windows from entering into the other spaces, and prevents comfortable flow of traffic and conversation when hosting guests. I enjoy hosting parties and dinners, and have found that I have to keep the number of people down because of this major limitation. My goal with the remodel is to open it up so that it both feels larger, and more modern.
This view from the living room shows the wall that blocks the kitchen from the living room.
The same wall from inside the kitchen, where the fridge and stove sit:
The kitchen, as shown here, is comprised of a U-shaped counter, and a small area that is supposed to be a breakfast nook (I hate breakfast nooks). As you saw above, the wall between the kitchen and the living room is where the stove and fridge sit.
Below you'll see what changes I intend to make via several renderings from a 3D model I created using Google Sketchup (Free).
In this first picture, you can see that I'll move the fridge and stove to either end of the kitchen space, and get rid of the breakfast nook entirely. The wall where they used to be will be removed and replaced with 2 pillars for support (the wall IS loadbearing). Between the pillars, I'll use cabinets that are currently in the kitchen to create an island.
For those who know something about kitchen design, this change maintains the "working triangle" between the fridge, stove, and sink. The image below is looking down on the kitchen from the top. I've drawn the "working triangle" and the distances are shown (approximations only).
The rule-of-thumb of the "working triangle" is that each of the three components should be 4-6 feet apart, with the total distance between all three being 22-24 feet. This layout pushes the outer limits of the recommended total distance, and the fridge is a little far from the stove and sink. But my wife and I have agreed that's okay because the fridge has counter-tops close by and is only a short distance from the island.
Plus, none of our other ideas worked well.
Where there is currently a breakfast nook, I'll add a small desk beneath the window. This can serve as a computer desk. The window is lower than the level of the cabinets so I can't extend the cabinets there. The cabinets surrounding the fridge will be the cabinets that are currently in place along side the fridge in its current spot.
Here you can see that the stove and microwave will go where the dishwasher is now. They are 3 inches wider than the dishwasher so I'll have to extend the wall behind them by 3 inches. Easily done. The dishwasher will go where there is currently a lazy suzan. The cabinet that is to the left of the dishwasher will have to be constructed or purchased.
Finally, the living room will get a significant facelift. We'll extend the arch theme from the kitchen wall by sporting an arch over the fireplace. Embedded in the arch will be recessed lighting, and wiring for a flat-screen TV and speakers. Book-cases will box in either side of the fireplace, giving it a cozier feel. To the far right will be more shelves for stereo components, DVDs, etc.
The flooring will be upgraded to wood floors. To save money, I may use a nice-looking lenolium in the kitchen that blends well with the wood flooring throughout the rest of the space. I'll try to buy the wood flooring at the Rebuilding Center.
That wraps it up. Those are the major changes. There will be other changes such as base-boards, lights, door and window trim, etc.
