Yes, measurements would help. Thank you aldrea1 for other explanation, though. That helps too. It sounds like you are going into a total gut-job! I love this! Great opportunity for your creativity. Also, it looks like you have a petite sized stove. With total remodel you can upgrade to a standard size range. Is this part of your plan? Are you going to replace any appliances? It would be good for you to keep sink and stove in original locations. It is complicated to move the stove's exhaust fan and the sink's plumbing. Not impossible, but probably $$$$$$$ and a lot of hassle…. So, I would start planning with those items--stove and sink on current walls. Wherever you put your refrigerator, it would be best to be sure side view is hidden. If refrigerator stays in current position, you could make peninsula a little smaller, so wall on the right of kitchen entrance could extend further and hide refrigerator edge----Or, move refrigerator to another location… Not too far from sink and counters, though. That would cause you inconvenience. You want a work triangle with not that many steps in-between. Do you currently have a dishwasher? Or are you planning to add one? Not much creativity in placement of a dishwasher---needs to be near water source and drain.. Are you doing the work yourselves or hiring a contractor?

Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

I'm no architect, but I agree with yours. Instead of large windows in the loft above the garage, what about a high, short, but long window....non opening? Here's some examples

We began this renovation process, first looking at a range of photos of the bones of the home with our client and about her expectations and "Ultimate Investment Goals" for her project (family home or rental, long occupancy or flicking property, ideal uses, pets bedrooms required etc). We then looked at the structure of the existing home and its potential. With a few tweaks to the layout, we could gain 30sqm and by pushing the exterior wall out at the back and side on the ground floor we could gain another 40 sqm by taking a 3 bed 1 bath single car garage to a 4 bed 3 bath, two lounges and study with double garage. There where some aesthetics that benefited also - the house was brick base with nobly brown brick. Our extension removed most of this and the remainder we rendered, the upper floor cladding was leaking and had a heavy concrete tile over it by changing to weatherboard and tin (longrun) roof the loading's on the existing foundation where similar so no existing foundation needed upgrading. To give it a modern spin we used a block for the fire boundary wall and used stack bond pattern to front and back. Our client Debbie works with raw food as her job, making gluten-free vegan food, so her kitchen space was very important. With the kitchen landing close to an internal corner we decided to make it wider than normal along the back wall hiding a step in the exterior wall and helping connect the two living rooms with a Stainless bench on the island this helped to break up space and provide a central gathering point for entertaining. Finally, we upgraded all the wiring and plumbing and gave it a good paint and carpet throughout. We conducted weekly meetings throughout the entire process of the renovation, not only to discuss options and check we where on the right path with the design but to enable a spread out approach to the loads of decisions that go into a build/renovation. Check out the before and after images below. Along with a video of the final product. Before: After: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CvHS6nNxzk&feature=youtu.be Check out the entire project here!