That is a HUGE budget type of project. Moving things around in a condo is difficult to impossible, and always twice the price of a single family home renovation because of the red tape, restriction on noise and working hours, and site access.

You need first to talk to the condo board to see if they would even allow building alterations like that. If so, then you need to find out who has done work like that in the building and hire them. Having a extremely generous budget for this will be they key. You can do lots of things with a high budget that a low one finds impossible.

You might be better off accepting that the DR is a jewel box type of room, and treat it as such.

Sophie is right. Living in a condo or townhouse, you automatically forfeit your right to make decisions like this on the fly or without proper authorization. Anything you do affects adjoining townhouses that part of the same community. If there is a HOA, I would start by reading your CCR and requesting a meeting to discuss your plans. The process is most likely going to be slow since you will need a majority to vote in your favor, and good luck with that, because people usually don't like others changing the status quo and making them do work to see if this is even possible with their existing rules and codes. Please take heed and do your due diligence before picking up a sledgehammer, or you might find yourself in a world of hurt.

My advice, make this room as nice as possible without moving walls and save up for a single family home.

I don't have an extremely generous budget. I was actually trying to save money since I knew I was going to renovate the kitchen eventually, but I was thinking about spending $1000 on a Solatube in the DR. I thought if I did something with the wall in the kitchen during the renovation I could avoid getting the Solatube. So if this is a close to impossible task, any suggestions on updating the kitchen without moving appliances/modifying walls?

I only see one light in this room. Is that right?

Yes paint cabs, repaint walls, and undercab lighting will do wonders. I would also change out the island fixture. Or just start with lighting and go from there.

Fyi, You will also need permission to cut a hole in your roof to install a Solatube. You may end up paying more than $1000 in fees and repairing the roof if you do this without anyone knowing.

Donna T:

You may be able to get what you want psychologically with out too much trouble. Maybe put the microwave on the countertop, remove the upper cabinet, and cut a window there.

Thanks. That's great advise StephE. I'm also looking for some more detailed suggestions - counters, floors, cabinets, light fixtures?

How many light fixtures do you have in the kitchen?

Your island seems very different from your other cabinets, like it was added later.

True Joseph - that's a thought. . .

Two light fixtures - one over the island and one over the work area.

Everyone I know suggested bringing down my wall when I moved in, because open floor plans are all the rage. The wall is structural so only only part of the wall would have been possible and I would loose precious storage. I got use to it after awhile, after I made other minor changes. Your biggest issue is lighting, as in, you have almost none.

Here's the lighting changes I made. Replaced florescent ceiling light and added under cabinet lighting.

Well, I also have a florescent light over the sink, and, of course the stove light under the microwave. You are right about the island being different. I added it when I moved it - it's a Craigslist find. The top on the island is Corian. I painted the island gray, with the thought of painting all the cabinets to match it - good idea? Bad idea?

Nice StephE! I think the light paint and lighter countertops helped too.

Yes I think that would be lovely. Those were my thoughts when first looking at your cabinets and island. You wouldn't believe the difference with also changing the microwave light with an LED. It's a special bulb that I can only track down on ebay overseas, but was worth the wait.

You seem to have some DIY skills, can you switch out fixtures as well? If you can, you'll save some $$.

My counters are exactly the same as before. Tired granite, but I don't mind it as much now. I would love to do some major changes in the bath too because it also has the same dated granite and lots of travertine, but it makes little resale sense.

The plan is to sell around retirement, then take the money I made in Cali and move to somewhere much cheaper like Oregon.

Oh sure. Changing fixtures is something I can handle.

You got skilz then. Paint and lights are your friend. It's going to look great once you are done.

StephE did you resurface or replace your cabinets?

Nope, just painted. Same exact cabinets.

I see the boob light now. Yeah all those lights have to go lol.

New lighting, Oven (Induction), new faucet, lots of paint (walls, ceiling, cabinets), added roman shade, added slow close hinges, undated hardware, replaced garbage disposal. That's all.

LOL. Now Im never going to be able to look at it the same. Thanks!

That's what they call them, sorry. It's a $25 fixture.

I had it worse in my master closet. Bare bulb with a ceiling fan boob cover barely hanging on under it and a pull string coming from the middle. Terrible. I can't believe what some renters put up with.

StephE did a great job! How about painting your lowers and the island in a dark color so the black appliances jump out less? Then do the uppers in white to match your crown molding. Removing the chair rail would eliminate some of the choppiness. Taking out the short backsplash and installing a new one that fills all the walls below the cabinets could make it a stunner. You might insert glass and lighting in the smaller cabinets over the micro and sink. Under counter LED's and some retro fitted track lights in the ceiling would brighten it up a lot.

Great ideas decoenthusiaste. Never thought about taking out the chair rail. Definitely want to put in a nice backsplash but not sure what kind or what type of countertop to go with. I also need to decide on a floor. Currently linoleum. Hardwoods in hall outside one door, carpet in DR outside other door. Anyone have any suggestions?

Definitely not carpet in the kitchen! No seriously, I think it will be difficult to find a matching wood and I personally would not feel comfortable with wood flooring in my kitchen, but different strokes..

Tile in the kitchen, kind and color will depend on your other choices. I wouldn't do porcelain wood tile right next to regular wood. What's under the linoleum? Make sure you aren't messing anything that might have asbestos. If it's concrete underneath, maybe have some refinish, stain, and polish them.

Counters, why not the same as your island?