We have four farmhouse style sinks in two different houses, and all present the same problem. It doesn't have anything to do with the material as two sinks are concrete, one stainless steel, and one composite stone. With the two kitchen sinks it's very frustrating spraying out the food particles from corner to corner. Food particles go from one side to the other, and it's very difficult to corral them to the drain. The two concrete bathroom sinks don't have enough slope, so when shaving and brushing teeth, the water and material flow to the opposite side of the sink. It's annoying to wash a 3' wide sink every time it's used. And gross if the sink isn't cleaned from side to side after every use. As a compromise, we're installing a farmhouse concrete bathroom sink with two drains and more slope. As I evaluate many things in life, a, farmhouse sink is a solutions looking for problem.

Bravo to all these amazing creative minds. I hate wasting stuff that still has life in it. By the way, though I have read that some pallets are treated with a fumigant which is toxic. Generally, make sure pallets are stamped with “HT”, which means they haven’t been exposed to chemicals (at least not in the treating process.) Avoid unmarked pallets or those with “MB” for methyl bromide. Well, if anyone wants some really nice, bargain 2nd hand windows we just pulled out of our 12 y-o house to make way for a sliding door, and you live around Melbourne Australia, please check them out here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/112070272414?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

I'm definitely a tea towel changer! I have a bazillion of them. I have a few knick knacks and salt pigs and things, a couple 1920's/30's art deco plates on the wall... I can't stand the 'magazine' look... it's like no-one lives there, so I obsess about NOT having the 'The Block' or 'Grand Designs' look.

Without knowing where your house is and the climate So climate permitting I would open up the the house from the front living/lounge right through to the rear kitchen deck removing the doors as I have shown and creating one long family room. Don't keep those views for when you have visitors or when you might use that front room, I believe in using the whole house everyday not just for special occasions, It's a bit like saving the best crockery for special occasions The current Living room is perfect as that, which can be closed off during the evening and left open during the day letting light and easterly morning sun in through those beautiful windows. I count myself very lucky to have water views, my house opens up to this which is such a lovely calming outlook that I never tire of. As has been revealed you have a beautiful house with more rooms than were expected and find it hard to go with a combined laundry pantry with so much available space. The new kitchen needs to balance with the number of rooms and size of your house. It's OK to change your mind it's your house and better to do so now before anything is finally locked in.