Any photos of the space? dimensions? For those of use unfamiliar with "pranzo" and "taverna," can you fill in what those spaces are currently used for? is there a living room somewhere? what is the "disimp"? what other uses do you need -- for example, do you work from home? have kids?

In the US, that space would probably be used for a laundry room/mud room since the back door is there. But as @acm said, pictures and ideas for what uses you might have for it would help.

Here is the layout with dimensions

Thanks for the responses! Ok here are photos and translation of the rooms!!

Taverna is like a party room. This is where u would hold all the parties with friends and family. But for me why have a room only for parties? I want to make this an everyday room.

Ok it’s not letting me add more photos. So here is just definitions
Soggiorno = family room
Disbrigo = currently used as an office
Lavanderia = is a washroom with a shower, sink toilet and bidet. laundry room in the little nook
RIP = currently empty. we want to move the laundry in this space and create a door to the backyard.
C.T = where the furnace and boiler are
Cucinino= main kitchen that i hate b/c it is so narrow
Pranzo = dinning room
Entrata = main entrance way
Dis. = smaller kitchen that is meant to be used for the taverna parties. But I would prefer one big modern kitchen with an island.
Taverna = party room
Disimp = just an empty room with a door to outside divided from the taverna with sliding doors. we could remove to doors to make the space bigger.
WC = washroom with just toilet ,sink, bidet. Would love to add a shower.

We have 2 boys so a playroom would be great. I was thinking to convert the narrow kitchen into a pantry but i dont need that large of a pantry room. I would love a closet to store coats and shoes since we dont have that in the entryway. Perhaps convert a room into a movie room or a guest room?? Ideas welcome!!!!

I figured out how to add more photos!! Taverna

Small kitchen for Taverna (called Dis in diagram)

Main kitchen (called cucinino in diagram) And I am liking the idea to convert this into combo laundry mudroom! But there is a window not a door to the back. We would need to turn the window into a door which is also a good idea b/c there is currently no door to the backyard

Dining room. Called pranzo in diagram

Family room. Called soggiorno in diagram

Bathroom with laundry room. Called lavanderia in diagram

Taverna bathroom called WC in diagram

I would try to remove the smaller walls around the kitchen and small kitchen. Make that area a full kitchen and butlers pantry. Move the dining room table into the large room with the fireplace.

Interesting plan. Your contractor said to knock take down the load wall, but could it be done with large supports and maybe posts/beams?

That being said , I know nothing of Italian architecture, so speak to the right people.

Good luck

Hi Debbie, how would you lay out a kitchen with an island once removing the smaller walls? The engineer said any disruption to the load bearing wall is not advised since it is made from concrete.

That is where you must take your guidance from. Homes are built differently there. First find out if it can be done. If not, then any further discussion is not worth it. If you really want a big kitchen then move it to the room with the fireplace taverna and make the old kitchen into the dining room. Then you will just have the other room for a family room space.

Not sure what that hobby room is, but maybe that could become part of the space and could be for sofas/chairs.

The key here is what can be done structurally first , then what areas can electrical and plumbing be moved to if you were to consider relocating the kitchen. Once you have those answers, then you can start on the kitchen.

If you need more advice everyone will be happy to help, but since we are mostly in the US, please convert the dimensions.

Good luck!

Mary S, I think your idea of the laundry/mudroom with a door to the backyard sounds great!

After watching Kylie Flavell (YT) renovating a home in Italy, I think the regulations and restrictions would discourage most anyone from tackling a job like that. The woes they've gone through just getting workers on site, a year's wait on a 5000 Euro very restrictive pool permit and the filthy mess the workers made everywhere is disheartening. Plus, she's expecting her first baby in about a week! She's very upbeat, but you can see its wearing on her, and she's trying to keep her emotional and tempermental Italian husband encouraged about the setbacks as well. Your floor plan makes the "Hobby" room look like the easiest to open up. Combine that with Debbi Washburn's idea and see if the engineer thinks that is feasible.

TV is always exaggerated to get people to watch. We know lots of people that renovated their homes including my sister-in-law. We plan on doing most of the work ourselves.