If you can forgive the clutter, here's a pic (wall on the right separates kitchen from DR & will be removed).
TIA!

Here is a link that might be useful: View of Kitchen from FR

Coleslaw- Can you post actual room dimensions? It looks like the kitchen and dining room are both about 12' x 12' or 12' x 13'? I think you could have an L-shape kitchen (maybe with an island) or a U-shape without...maybe with a small cart or work table.

Could you modify the peninsula into the family room, so you could use stools with it? That would give you some informal seating for the kitchen. Are you making an arch to the dining room (with a bit of wall on each side) or taking down the entire wall, left of the basement stairs?

I think your picture is very helpful and if you want to take a few more that would be great. Don't worry about the clutter, it's just nice to see the other views of your space. Hope this helps :)

Hi Coleslaw,

I really tried to figure out your current layout and restrictions based on the drawings and pic but I'm still confused about the basement door/stairway area. Can the doorway to (an office?) be closed off? This walk-thru area is such valuable potential kitchen real estate!

Are you certain you want to open up the wall between the kitchen and formal DR? As an old house lover, I hate to see original walls in a Victorian come down--yes, between a kitchen and added-on FR, but an open-concept kitchen/formal DR seems strange to me. Does your DR have wood floors you will try to match? This will be a BIG space if you open it up.

I'm trying to envision what you have in mind--kitchen+ island w/seating + a big farmhouse table (in current DR area) or something like that? In this case, I would eliminate the peninsula and have cabs and counters there, with a wide doorway into FR.

It might be wise to consult with an architect, if you haven't already. Someone who "gets" the old house thing and keeps it all cohesive.

It is a fun challenge to figure out kitchen layouts in these old houses!!

Would you consider having your current DR space be your family room and have your current Family room space be your new DR space. I also agree with Shanghaimom, that a formal DR is more expected in a Victorian. Just an idea.

Please embed the images in this thread. Reviewing the photos and your notes in one place would make it much easier to provide feedback. You can find the instructions for doing this at the link below. (I tried to do this for you but that function wasn't available to me.)

I'm with shanghaimom and dilly - open the kitchen to the FR works but opening up kitchen to formal DR goes against expectations for a Victorian. Might be a big negative come resale time.

Here is a link that might be useful: Posting pictures

Thank you so much for your input everyone.
So, the kitchen from FR to LR is 177" (14.7'). From the FR to the framing before the basement door is 113' (9.4'). The width of the kitchen is 136' (11.3'). The DR is 14.7' long and 12' wide.
I am very open to suggestions re: making an archway into the DR v. taking most of the wall down. The DR is probably the nicest room in our house so, that's why your input is so helpful, I do want to be careful not to ruin that space.

Does an extra pic or two help? I think I currently have an "L" with a peninsula(?).
Thanks again for your input - I really do want to make sure I get it right and do a reno with integrity. We were planning on getting a structural engineer but we have not hired an architect.
More pics to follow.
Thanks for your thoughts.

I'm attaching more pic

Here is a link that might be useful: Window Wall

Hi, please bear with me as I try to figure out how to post more pics at once. More thanks. And thanks Lisa_a for taking the time to post these directions for me. Here it goes...

You did it! The photos are immensely helpful.

Sooooo...I would not knock down the DR wall. Your dining room is beautiful. Gorgeous floors--with an inlay border, even?? Spend the big $$$ you would have spent on that header on something else. Like the biggest double-hung window you can fit in over your sink. Go up to the ceiling with your new cabs. The little window and soffit over the cabs make your room seem so much smaller than it is. Get some quotes from local cabinetmakers--they can build around all the surprises you'll find and make it look like the kitchen has been there for a long time. Often for LESS $$ than stock cabs.

Below, a great thread for you to check out...very similar scenario!!

Here is a link that might be useful: old house-open up, or not?

I'm one of the few people, who might think that taking the wall down between the kitchen and dining room could work...except that the kitchen will still be open to the family room. I don't see those three rooms working well, together. If you closed off the family room (and the noise and toys) then an open kitchen/dining area might work...as long as you could match the wood floors of the dining room, and bring them into the kitchen. Then, you'd have to bring all the kitchen finishes up to a level that would work with the beautiful features of your dining room...and keep the kitchen almost spotless, most of the time. Not an easy thing to do, even without kids :)

That being said, I really like the idea of keeping the wall between the kitchen and dining room and consider reworking the family room area. I realize you have a step down, but that can be perfect for taller (adult-sized) stools. If you get taller stools, I'd recommend heavy stools that are weighted on the bottom, so they don't tip at all, when kids climb up on them. They're a little more money, but so worth it for safety.

How big is your family room? Would you have room for a table or corner banquette, where you have your armoire, now? That would give you some informal dining and still have some space for toys and TV. Maybe a flat screen (it doesn't have to be huge) across from the sofa? With your lamp fixture over the armoire, it looks like that might have been an eating area, at one time.

Given that you live in a lovely Victorian, with wonderful details, I think this would be a much better choice and much more popular, if you ever decide to sell. Remember, the kids will get older and you'll be glad you have that formal dining room, when they're old enough to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners...without the plastic dishes :)