I am updating a small rental unit in an up and coming urban neighborhood. The building was built in 1959. The unit is just under 850 sq ft and includes a walkout basement with storage and laundry.

The kitchen is almost 13'X13', so relatively large for the unit. However, all of the workspace is in one small corner of the kitchen!

The kitchen includes a back door that opens to a shared back yard, a window over the sink that looks into the back yard, a large southern window with views of a mature tree and garden, and a doorway into an awkward hallway that leads to the living room, 2 bedrooms and a small bathroom.

I am primarily interested in improving the overall function of the kitchen and the home, whether that includes increased storage, a built-in eating area or open-plan living.

The sink and range will remain in their current locations.

There is a large, blank wall on the western side of the kitchen that calls out for increased storage and possibly a better opening into the living room for better overall function. Some of the ideas we have had for this wall include:

1. a wall of storage, including a broom closet, the refrigerator*, a pantry and some cabs with countertop

2. some storage as above but to also include a peninsula that opens to the living room

3. removing the wall altogether for open-plan living

Some notes about these ideas:

*If we move the refrigerator, we will install cabinetry and countertop in its current location to increase workspace around the range.

**The western wall is structural and we are aware of the increased concerns and expenses that entails.

***The south-facing window sits at about 40" from the floor, with a sill that juts out 3"

Photos include the current state of the work L undergoing cabinet resurfacing, a hand drawn layout, the view from the living room into the awkward hallway with the kitchen to the right (you can see the side of the refrigerator), and the big, blank western wall. (The doorway visible in the last photo opens to the living room.)

In addition, we are looking for cabinet, wall and backsplash finishes that will help to update the existing santa ceceilia granite.

Thanks so much for your time and suggestions!

Ronna