What are you willing to do— your budget. Can you afford removing the wall between both rooms and redoing kitchen? This is quite costly. Can we see another angle? Are those beams real or faux wood?

You looking to remove kitchen wall there?

Entrance and opening is to a formal living / dining space

Want to open kitchen space more. Update kitchen. I think reimagining space is too costly. Beams are solid oak.

You need to give us sone clue as to what exactly you are planning and your budget . IMO the first thing to do would be to remove the overhead cabinets in the opening and that soffitt but then you will need to rework storage in the kitchen . Post a to scale floor plan of the kitchen to start .

Images of kitchen.

Layout

Want ideas on colors. Thinking of a banquette sitting.

My goal would be to brighten rather than open. I would remove the shelves on the right of the FP and wall mount TV there above a credenza 25% wider than the TV. Paint the room in a brighter white and replace/add LED lighting in the 3500-4000K range before you select any colors. I would replace all the lower cabinets with drawers. Here's why:

Close the wall left of the fireplace and put a counter depth fridge there so it is close to the dining area for those times when you forgot the mayo or milk at the table. Between the fridge and wall ovens, put a pull out panty, unless there is one we can't see. Need pix of the eating area to help with other ideas, but would plan on replacing the cooktop with a induction one.

The 'visuals' of the hanging cabinets, and shelving unit that are near the fireplace "take away" from a good focal area. I'd drywall the upper area that shows from fp room / and remove the small shelves too. Then on the table you might like a metal table lamp. :)

I didn't say dark though -- you can have color to brighten, as decoenthusiaste said. Nothing wrong with whitewash, etc.. of beams as was said too.

You can I think have a better vibe for your home with new entry light, maybe a softer tone for ceiling fan, etc.?... and place the tv above a console to the right?!

Not joking this is a classy, all-around brightener, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and traditional Oushak and Kashan rugs.

Bashian Elmsford Area Rug, Taupe, 7.9'x9.9' · More Info

Is this a rug or wallpaper

A rug. Many times a photo will have a link to a product - you click "more info" to get there.

House has much wood, but benefits with high ceiling and light, and mountain views too.... seems a bit like your house. :)

What about this chalky gray island?

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Just posting idea to consider toasty color for your wood beams. Ok too to consider that it's a temporary or permanent blend with kitchen floor.

Luxury Urban Loft Ceiling Fan, Aged Nickel, UHP9061, Amelia Collection · More Info

Does this hood come in the 2-sided type you see over an island, and usually modern? maybe it could be in the middle, over the stove, opening the look... a pot rack to one side?

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Love these ideas. I had not thought of painting the beams and those colors are so pretty. The mix of cabinet colors

Which colors do you mean, and how would it change things?

The chalky grey island with the darker cabinet mix. I think I may do them all in the grey color. And the cream hood

It’s the same counter tops that I have

Like someone earlier said: get rid of cabinets and soffit over range and open that up plus get rid of cabinet to the right of the FP.

I have thought of doing that. I just love to display my son’s trophies.

Maybe trophies could go on fireplace shelf. Would that look tacky?

I think it's time for a cabinet upgrade. after 50 years, I'd say it's time.

removing walls can be costly IF its a load bearing wall. no way of knowing until you get someone to take a look at the joists.

merely painting the walls, or some beams isn't going to do much for an upgrade.

those cabs coming from the ceiling should be removed and if you could open up that spot, you might have the space for an island. hard to say.

in any case, it's going to be a hefty budget to do this.

if you like things the way they are, then sand all those cabs, fill the holes, paint them and add new hardware. do a simple tile backpslash,

let me show you some pics.

if you took this view

and removed those ceiling cabinets, brought in a vent hood, painted the cabs, new counters

You could have something similar to this. (ignore the peninsula on the left here)

you'd still have your bar top

don't overlook butcher block. you could use it for the bar top, over by the sink area.

around the stove, find a remnant piece of granite or quartz. it's a small area. you can find left over pieces for a song.

Now take this shot. remove that scallop, find yourself a better ceiling light.

here's a similar set up. Butcher block countertop, painted cabs, penant light, farmhouse sink, subway tile. remove the upper door panel and put in glass.

or, remove one of the uppers and do open shelving.

Look into Pre-Fab quartz or granite countertops. cost is about $500. they cut them on site.

maybe try something liek this over on the other cabinets.

take some plywood and build a fridge surround so that the side of the fridge isn't exposed like that. remove that useless upper cab above the fridge and build something that comes forward.

see this wood piece around here? (plenty of DIY's online on how to do this)

diff ways to do it, but this is a basic look. hides the fridge, and you have storage bove you can use. (doesn't have to be for wine)

lastly, get some Grout Renew (After steamcleaning all your tile and grout) and lighten up the grout on your tile

Wow!!! That gives me so many ideas. Amazing. Thank you!! Everyone’s idea has given me options where I was stuck. Yay

What kind of hood do I purchase. It will face the living room and not wanting a huge eyesore. Something that blends into the space or a ceiling hood. Since those ceiling cabinets will be removed.

you will need a certain type that is only supported from the ceiling. I don't know what all of those look like so you'll have to research it. (Ceiling Mounted Exhaust Hoods) and it must properly vent to the outside (not up in the attic space). Plus, they have to be supported from the ceiling so there will need to be extra support work done, plust the ducting. if you have a second floor above that space, you might not be able to do it very easily.

https://www.prolinerangehoods.com/blog/how-install-range-hood-vent-ceiling/

If you're going to move anything, I'd move that stove top to the other side, if possible. who wants to cook in the living room?? (maybe switch stovetop/fridge) I realize it would take some money to move but it's electric, right? Shouldn't be too difficult. Then built the surround cab for your fridge and move that next to the wall oven. The wall opening wouldn't be open completely, but it would be opened a lot more than it is now. and no giant vent hood!)

But, if you're stuck for now where it's at, then look at ceiling vent hoods, or, maybe look into a stove top w/a down draft (those need special venting ducts too, but at least you won't have a giant hood from the ceiling) .

Honestly, moving the stovetop is the best choice. move it to an exterior wall and you can vent directly to the outside.

have you looked into RTA cabinets?

Or, check Craigslist for older oak cabinets that you can paint. I've seen people sell an entire 1990's oak kitchen on there for $300. cabs are usually solid wood and in better shape than what you have. All you'd have to do is paint them.

Or, Ikea kitchens can be an option.

You will need to shop around for some bargains, but it can be done. I could prob redo your entire kitchen for under 5K using those skills and a lot of DIY.

If removing the uppers- a versatile hood could pave the way for future plans [whether new cabinet fronts, etc...]

Idk right size and all that, but possibly an investment now, can 'satisfy' until later.

Durable 7-layer copper finish is rust and weather resistant - for indoor and outdoor kitchens.

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If you and your house of ceiling beams, etc...suit wood emphasis of ArtsCrafts-

if you can find an affordable item, e.g., a Tiffany-inspired lamp, it might lift your "decor morale" and even direct color / style choices yet to be made for kitchen, etc.

So, is there any element in the house that has to be changed right away? Houzzers might be able to help along more easily than your current issue.

That’s beautiful. I’m going to look into IKEA for cabinets too.

I assume kitchen's nearby amber door won't change-- possibly this type from Ikea could be a near-blend, just less amber... Many say 'don't. so maybe for brightness, white cabinets?

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I like light rustic brown from Ikea.

Or grey and beams ok with wood floor.

Then painted River, and also Revere Pewterlike your light floor.

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Wow color... different style but appetizing? called Bittersweet.

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everdebz, that is pretty! Ikea one is nice too.

Mend, you may be able to get some help w/the layout if you go to Ikea. or even places like lowes or HD. if you go over to the Kitchen design forum here on house w/your pictures and a really good floorplan w/measurements, you might be able to get one of the pros there draw you up a new layout. (which seriously, if you're going to do this, you really need) You have a great space to work with. Do it once, do it right. (interest rates are still low at the moment. if you need a little help w/equity line of credit, pull out a little bit)

Beth, do you think it's "not worth it" to even look into an "island style hood"? assuming the layout is ok for some years to come [with hood over the current peninsula]..

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/torhamn-2-p-door-corner-base-cabinet-set-natural-ash-20313509/

if she is going through the expense of getting new cabs/countertops, then I'd move that stove top. it's in a horrible position.

Doing a ceiling mount exhaust hood isn't cheap. There are structural issues, to contend with, cost of the unit, and then you have that eyesore in the middle of the wall.

She has an electric top. simple enough to switch over to the exterior wall and vent outside.

That's what I'd do. Cheaper option. she could do a simple vent hood (less than a few hundred)

although, I did find this one for $400 for the ceiling mount. so maybe cost isn't a big deal

if she did one w/the glass sides and this curved appearance, maybe it wouldn't look so obtrusive?

or, you have something like this

just depends how far op wants to remodel

There are some great larger galley style kitchen remodels to be had! (with the banquette seating on that other end)

I like the stove on that other wall,,,move the sink or the fridge if need be

As long as you have Beth with ya, and others too - what is thought about Ikea's sort of minimal, timeless look, though bamboo!?

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/rooms/kitchen/froejered-light-bamboo-kitchen-doors-pubef012720

in the right house, I think it's nice looking. a more contemporary, scandi, modern-boho type of home.

I like this one, from the previous comment, better. maybe not the gray, not for this OP's home.

The gray with the wood is gorgeous. That would be fantastic if I could get someone to draw out a floor plan. Next to the kitchen is a formal and formal living. One wall which is by fridge possibly could be knocked out and kitchen extended

Where could I show a layout of the kitchen to possibly get a new re design? Definitely getting banquette seating. The breakfast area is a nice size

Makes me happy to think of a redesign vs an upgrade

over on Kitchen Forums or Kitchen design.

just grab a tape measure and measure your floor, the walls, windows, and write it on a layout.

basic layout.

use graph paper if possible.

In fact, they have the rules of what to do over there in order to get help.

mama goose gw is actually really good and has a list of things to do to get help. I just can't find where she wrote it.

You are amazing