100K budget? 150K? 200K?

Not at all! This house is older and the resale wouldn't cover a 100K renovation budget.

If you're looking for other people with the exact floorplan, you might have better luck asking on something like Nextdoor.

Is that your living room? Are you planning to add a breakfast bar/counter of some sort with stools/bar area? Or just open it to the main living space?

Since your floorplan is common, maybe check out the realtor sites (like Redfin) to see if anyone has remodeled, and then visit during an open house.

One question to add to the top of your list: is that a load bearing wall? If so, how much would it cost to take it out? (I’ve heard it’s $$$, like in the tens of thousands, just to do the structural work of moving a load bearing wall). Moving appliances can be $$. So changing the floor plan in a significant way, comes with a high price before you even look at cabinets, counters and new flooring. (Plus, the flooring transition can be tricky between the two places. The cleanest look is for the exact same flooring between the adjoining open spaces. Can you exactly match what is in the next room? Or can be happy if they don’t match?

Your kitchen appears to be looking into another room, with a fireplace. (The family room?) What if you open the floorplan to that? Looks Iike the walls could stay in place and you can relocate the cabinets, sink and dishwasher.

FWIW, although everyone and their uncle is dying for an open floor plan, there are some pros and cons, including ones you’re aware of (like fewer walls to put cabinets on). I recently read an article (here? Elsewhere?) where someone wrote all the reasons she does not want an open floorplan. I’m in the camp that I prefer to keep my dirty dishes out of site. Plus noise travels more freely back and forth.