Lots and LOTS of suggestions there! My idea is big, (and expensive), no tinkering with whats there but rethinking the use of the whole space. I think it would be great open the whole thing up by removing the laundry from current position, removing all the dividing walls and using all the space for longer kitchen and island, running parallel with the back wall. Extend the kitchen cupboards the length of the family room to include laundry-in-a-cupboard, then put the loo under the stairs off the living room, backing into the left hand end of the kitchen. The whole space would be open, with the kitchen a tiny bit further to the right (because of loo position). Big glass along the front, paint all those beams white, no timber interior wall, Gorgeous! Big job though! How game are you?

It keeps life interesting to have a Summer setting taking advantage of the view and outdoors, then a Winter setting keeping thoughts inside. The room seems large enough to cater for a few seating arrangements. A 3-seater sofa and two armchairs (which can sit together with a small table between) and a coffee table in centre (to cater for kids play time (have a shelf underneath to quickly hide toys in a basket. Then in Summer the 3-seater with it's back to thecupboard wall - although leaving traffic space and maybe a table where the heater was for flowers and framed photos. Then a decorative chair or two to add spice - even a couple of dining chairs look good against a wall, they can look like artwork. Image 1: this is a clever way to hide a TV. Image 2: interesting chairs together Image 3: Great wall unit and tonal colouring. TV's come as mirrors and artwork these days. Image 4: Dining chairs against the wall and walk space behind sofa to outdoors. A TV is behind the sofa, so not being the focal point.

Thank you differentways I have been astounded how generous you (and OKL and Kate) have been with your time and energy drawing these things up for a stranger. I am happy with the big bedroom windows and don’t have privacy concerns because the house will be well set back from a very quiet road with very little foot traffic, we will establish greenery, especially up closer to the road, and we will have good window treatments for night and getting changed etc and if someone catches a glimpse into an empty bedroom as they drive by during the day, well that won’t be too exciting for them or me - they won’t glimpse a Monet on the wall that they would be enticed to steal! Might still prefer the laundry under the stairs, but this does show an option. The porch/ entrance area is a generous (maybe too generous, esp with view/ sitting area as well), but could easily be trimmed up to suit. Thanks again for doing some elevations to give a rough idea what it could look like, including providing one in a light palate to compare to the darker palate given earlier.

What a charming home! I would not let the existing fireplace dictate the back half of the house. Depending on how the ceiling levels at the rear work I would consider relocating the laundry and powder room into the centre of the house where the kitchen is currently located. Re-use the fireplace for storage. Build your new kitchen immediately adjacent to the central laundry overlooking the new rear facing rooms. Perhaps engage a professional designer to assist you on the way, Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visits on Zoom