Honestly, I think the kitchen you have now is very much in keeping with the rest of the house (that I can see). Are you certain that such a traditional kitchen is appropriate in such a modern house? I don't intend for this to sound mean or insensitive, I just can't envision the dark, traditional cherry cabs looking "right" in that space.

(Stayaloft)You are correct! As the house sits now it works.

But we will drywall over the squares on the staircase, add traditional white base moldings and built in bookcase with a mantel surround on the fireplace wall. New traditional windows. We love the footprint of this house, the high ceilings and the location with its lake view is beautiful!
(photo of what we want it to look like after)

(Current living/great room)

Can I have those hanging pendents? LOL We also have a kitchen with a vaulted ceiling and getting enough light can be an issue. There are lots of people that would love that kitchen, but I completely understand if it is not your style. Curious, how old are those cabinets?

(dekeoboe) The house was built in 2003!
I am re-using that awesome stainless steel counter with the integrated sink and the upper cabinets in the laundry room. Very excited to reuse them, I think they will look great in there! We will be selling the dual fuel range, pendant lights and hood on craigslist! I know someone will want them.

Let me know when you list them.

Frankly, I'd save the money, time, hassle and stress and just keep the kitchen you already have there. It really works in the space and does not need improving unless there is something functionally wrong that I can't see.

I'd used the money and energy you will save on decorating some other part of the house or getting fabulous artwork. Go on a trip and enjoy your family. Having just lived through a reno which included a new kitchen, I would never put our family through that again unless it was truly needed. Wanting a different look may not be worth the effort and strain it would take to get there.
Seriously.... this is nice and renovating is very hard.

Will there be a wall or other thing that will prevent 'front door visitors' from seeing the open kitchen? That would bother me and that's because kitchens are often messy, by function.

The house is beautiful as it is, I mean stunningly beautiful and I'm sure when the "sold" sign went up on it there were a lot of people who love modern homes that cried. In a spirit of honesty that only one netcitizen can say to another -- work with the house not against it. Or at least live with it for a while and see if you don't fall in love with it the way it is and then come up with changes that will enhance it instead of making it embarrassed to show it's face in public.

I think the fact that you are a traditional girl who's fallen for a modern home has the makings of a really great love story -- but only if you can love it for who it is and not by trying to change to be something it's not and never will be.