DMH makes great points (once again, DMH!). Good design is integral to the function of the space in the end. In order to achieve good design, however, all the criteria needs to be laid out on the table. A freezer is a fairly big issue. It will make a difference whether it is a chest freezer or an upright, what the size is, etc. A kitchen has a lot of "moving parts" which can be interchanged, to some degree, but the "known issues" need to be accounted for. Several points I agree with: I think the refrigerator would be handier to the sink if it goes in the "desk" location, but it also works where it is shown (albeit a bit far from the sink). Also, as someone else mentioned, it looks like you could recess a full-depth ref. on the interior wall and make it look built-in - this can not be done on the exterior wall. Having said this, I think the ref. needs to be pulled back from that corner cabinet (i.e. reduce the size of the pantry, whether cabinets or walk-in) Both a desk and a refrigerator work best if they are at the "outside" ends of the working kitchen. You want everyone to be able to get to the ref. without crossing through the work triangle. The desk is not part of that triangle, either, so needs to be out of the way. Therefore, either of these positions works for either. If you retain some kind of walk-in pantry for the freezer, make sure you plan for a good pantry system. Simply putting up some shelves will not make your pantry user-friendly nor efficient. Using a good system in the pantry might not be too different from purchasing the actual cabinetry. Try this for ideas: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/pantryOrganizers?mr=pantry I also agree that the dishwasher location is going to create problems for you when putting dishes away. Look at your plan: if you are standing in front of the sink and unloading, you can't reach the cabinetry. Unless you have accounted for what the corner cabinet will be used for, and know that your everyday items will have to be walked across the room to be put away, think again about the location. Don't make more work for yourself. The best scenario is to stand at the DW and unload directly to the cabinetry. At least move the DW to the left, where it will still interfere with the corner cabinet, but where you have more cabinetry beyond the corner in which to store your dishes, glasses and flatware. I think that addresses some of the issues off the top, but I would look carefully again at your plan for further tweaking! Also, a st. st. sink is fine in a rustic house - st. st. is kind of a chameleon material which goes with whatever you put it with.

I try not to be but then I say 'hmm.. just in case' lol It is logic though NOT to go under any ladder during work going on anyway. What is so weird anyway, is that when we went on holiday a few years back, weird stuff happen in the house we stayed in and a next door holiday maker left their house for the same reason but we stuck it out,, what was eerie though was when we finally left, and locked the main door, the number ( which we never even knew it had lol) fell off one screw, and hung swinging side to side on the one screw left, it was number 13! :o sent shivers down my spine when that happen! Soooo.. just in case like I said! Then we have lived in other places which had number 13, and we have seen building with no 13th floor or 13th room .. so depends I think where you go.

I live in NH ( work in Boston) and know that there are many design studios/ contractors in your area that do amazing remodels for $$$. But before turning to them, make appts and visit stone yards in your area and get a feel for the type of countertop that you'd like. The inspiration for my whole kitchen reno came from a 4x4 piece of Silestone I saw in a paint store. ( In Canton MA there's the new Cosetino Center where you can see slabs of quartz Silestone.....great place to get inspired!). When you get to stone yards, ask to see their remnants. Maybe your kitchen or bath is small enough that you can find a stone remnant and save some $$? ( did my master bath counter with marble remnant....saved money and got something spectacular). Once I had seen the Silestone slab and gotten a sample, I picked out a wood grain/color I wanted for cabinets; after much online research, I realized that Lowes carried the brand I wanted. Like you, I did NOT want big-box but it turned out to be a great decision. Worked with a very committed and knowledgeable kitchen designer and ordered cabinets and Silestone thru her. Opened Lowes CC and got 5% off everything and they threw in other discounts too. The stone was fabricated in NH by very reputable company and the cabinets installed by a guy with 30 yrs experience. NO rookies, lazy-asses or incompetents were sent by Lowes. I hired my own carpenter and electrician/plumber for laying floor, backsplash, lighting, outlets, new sink....etc....These are guys we've known for years and trust. Good Luck with your reno, take a deep breath, trust YOUR instincts and watch your budget. DO NOT RUSH to make decisions and if you feel like you're being bulldozed, just step away and say "thank you, I need to think about this".

I found this other thread! I'm getting thrown off by wall, sofa and floor color being so similar. I want contrast but not color- since there isn't any other color in your home. I don't do much permenant color in mine. Art & plants You don't always need color to un-blah a room, do you? ://ballarddesigns.scene7.com/is/image/ballarddesigns/T_WithoutZoom?$w400$&$src=RW246_BLK