http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath

Since you're wanting to take down walls and cut holes into the exterior of your house the first thing to do is speak with a professional. You need to ensure the inside walls are not load bearing walls. The exterior walls need to maintain enough integrity to hold up the house. Then balance you wants with your budget. Paint and lights can be a DIY.

Already done so, the walls and windows are all good to go. Just need design ideas to tie it all together. Thank you.

To address the question asked, instead of either directing you to another site or a professional, I would like to ask a few things. What style do you like? What makes you happy? What are you looking for in this space?

I really like the bones and all the woodwork, but I can see it needs an update. I feel like the yellow isn't complementing the space. If I understood you correctly, are you thinking open shelves around window? Are you changing flooring? Are you wanting to stick with the other woodwork, aside from painting the cabinets?

Hi Jennifer, great questions. I like the clean lines of contemporary and the comfort of farmhouse. However the house is a center colonial so I don't want to forget the style of the house. Mixed bag so to speak. I also like some fun elements. Sophisticated but some spla

sh of interest somewhere.

I would like to have a comfortable space for kids and guests to hang out and cook. I would love to have a couple of shelves to display some items - not too much but maybe two somewhere.

We are thinking to adding more windows. The window above the sink all the way to the right towards the sliding glass door, taking the three uppers off.

I had seen a kitchen with less upper cabinets and I liked the feel of it. It was airy and felt homey.

A eating nook or farmhouse table with bench or larger pantry would be great but I don't see how we could make it happen.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you and it looks beautiful!! I think there is nothing more beautiful than the look of nature from outside - so I would like to have as much as possible inside. This will make chopping vegetables so much more fun.

Dishwashing is a bore but I love my backyard!