Definitely remove the arch. I would close those half-walls so they meet the upper walls. It's nice to have that division between rooms, but not half-walls. Now is the time to make changes. You'll be glad you did, when it's finished.

I agree. Remove the arch and it should't cost much at this stage.

Ditto. Modern = NO arches.

Here is a modern kitchen with windows that have arches: Also a modern kitchen with an entry that is arched: An arched detail in a modern space: I think the way that this arch is finished makes the difference: Another clean line arhed entrance: These columns work because they are over sized:

A little off topic, would these arches work with a craftsman style home?

It would be really easy to remove the arches at this point and shouldn't cost a lot. Do it now if you want to. The job of your builder is to make you happy, as you are the customer. I like the arches, but agree that they do not lend themselves to a modern/contemporary look.

Unfortunately, Our builder is extremely rigid and pricey and will likely charge thousands of dollars to remove the arches. I forgot to mention earlier that there are arches between the living and dining rooms as well so if we get the kitchen ones removed we will also have to remove the other ones to keep the symmetry.

Also, the pics houasson sent are of modern looking arches, if you look at our pic we will have three arches not just one, along with pillars above the half walls.

We are waiting for the builder to give us a quote but if it's in the thousands we will not be able to afford the removal.

Any ideas on how we can work with this existing layout and still make it look modern and go well with the slab cabinetry?

Do not want to close the half walls completely as that will take away from the space and make the pathway into the kitchen look even smaller. At least with the half walls, there is still some openness.

Are you doing a lot of color? Is the trim on the arches painted white? Can you paint the wall a funky color as an accent? What about the pillars? What are they made of? Do you have a lot of stainless steel or any concrete in your kitchen? You could wrap the pillars in stainless steel or make them concrete.

Take a look how the arches were finished. For example, the Burger residence has very smooth rounded edges. I think that is what makes the difference. At the very least, you'll have an eclectic look. But I agree that if you are just taking down the arched tops and not the half walls - even for two areas it should not cost much it can't be more than an hour or two of labor. It is just removing the arches. Personally I think it will look fine.

I am not a builder (I am a kitchen & bathroom designer) but from what I can see of the framework, my guess is that you could safely take away timber up to that large horizontal beam so don't be scared to take the arch and the half walls out. I've just re-vamped my own house and build on in a big way.....my suggestion is that you take to it will a crow bar yourself. It's great therapy.

Yes, if the arches are elsewhere, if they are "smooth, and clean" you can make them work. Do you like the arches, per se? If you keep the arches, I think modern furniture with curves would work.

Here's some more arches turned modern. It depends on the finish. Smooth is nice and modern. Maybe make the columns square and have them clad in something? Like the porcelain tiles in the photo below? Could you work a similar look for your kitchen to living/dining room? Stainless steel?

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Leave the arch and look at these two pics maybe it will spark an idea
Traditional Kitchen design by San Francisco Architect Rossington Architecture

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wildfan - The pillars and the arches will most likely be in white, the pillars will probably be made of plaster/or whatever the standard material is. Yes, we would like to have an accent wall in the family room eventually. We will be buying stainless steel appliances for the kitchen, not sure if I like the idea of wrapping the pillars in stainless steel :(

anthip - Yes, we were thinking about maybe asking the builder to not put the pillars in so we could put square dry wall there instead to give a more modern look.

annette - There's no way the builder will let us do anything to the property, I wish it was as simple as taking a crowbar in and removing it ourselves!

@houssaon- the pictures you attached are beautiful but not very modern. Theyre definitely more dated, and contemporary.
@ Christian2012- i would imagine that the style of the whole house should be the same, and not a traditional kitchen in the midst of it. That would really clash...

If you remove the three arches, you could install display shelving in a staggered arrangement that would accomplish separation with openness at the same time. You can add beautiful modern vases, sculptures, etc to give it a more modern feel. The builder would need to fill in the pillars to have two side walls to nail the shelves to.