In our remodel, the new kitchen will be visible from the entry hall thru the dining room and our solution to create a buffer is to install a french door with sidelites.
This option keeps it light and bright, but gives enough definition to the spaces. We'll probably keep the doors open often enough, but it will be nice to know we can close them when needed and still have light passing thru.
Cheers!

A kitchen visible from the entryway can be a huge plus if executed properly. Many would argue that the kitchen has become the heart of the home. Immediately anchoring visitors to your "heart" can make them feel "at home"!

You truly need to do a little reading on feng shui principles to determine how you would like to apply them. Hiring a practitioner/consultant will give you their expertise, though like designers, each has their own approach/style/character.

Take a look at Johnny Grey's website. He likes to design open plans incorporating kitchens into a cohesive living area. You might get some ideas there.

You want to account for flow and space/activity apportionment as you design your space. The approach to the kitchen should be layered or "landscaped" so folks are not seeing/walking into your "cooking triangle." You can do this with sitting/eating areas transitioning into mid sized bars (42" or so) or cabinets (42-54") to channel eyes and feet as they journey into your kitchen proper.

Sounds like a really fun project. Good luck, but please do some reading and research. You will find it both educational and rewarding as you take some control of your living space.

Our kitchen is visible from the foyer through the dining room arched openings. That's the big reason I wanted a more furniture like kitchen, especially the island:

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Here is a link that might be useful: house tour

We had our kitchen open to the entry in our last house and I hated it. But it was directly in front of the entry, which was only 3 or 4 ft in itself. Now we can see our kitchen from the front entry, but the entry is a much more gracious space, then there's a hallway, and the kitchen doorway is across that. It's much less of a problem for me. We put a glass pocket door to buffer the view, but the only time I close it is when I want to buffer noise.

Our house is small. From the front door, you are 'in' the living room, facing the kitchen sink and dining room table. The living room/dining room/kitchen are essentially one big room that is essentially half the entire house. Here's what I like about that: First, I can watch TV while standing at the sink washing. Second, even though I'm 'working' I can still participate in the action going on in the room. Third, as soon as I come home each night, first thing in the door I gaze upon the heaven that is our new kitchen. Initially, I was worried about creating a 'buffer' zone too, but now, I'm so glad there isn't one.

First, this question is pretty tough to answer in the abstract. No, your guests shouldn't walk into your front door and think your entire house is the kitchen. However, showing a little leg may not exactly be an epic fail either.

Seccond, I'm curious to hear about any research demonstrating that feng shui consultants are among the top 1 percenters in income, due to their ability to put a red envelope with a new penny in it under the right houseplant. For those who belong to the culture feng shui originated in, it may be something more; but for those who pick up a few "principles" from TV shows and magazine articles, why would you base your house plan around such a thing if you don't even know what it says?

So we have a 1935 colonial that's about 1700 sf. The kitchen was completely blocked off from the rest of the house save for the dining room door. The flow of the house was horrible (must have been a 1935 mentality) so we banged through the 'in your face' closet that you walked directly into when you came in the front door. What resulted is a short hallway leading into the kitchen. Best decision of the remodel. Now we can get into the kitchen right from the front door. Yes you see the kitchen at the hallway's end but it is soooo much better for the way we live. Just my 2cents.

LOL, Marcolo!!!

There is a building in Hong Kong called the "Building of a Thousand Orifices" that speaks quite capably to your sentiments.

Feng Shui is simply another tool in the box, but it can be a fun one!