This is a large space that you can really do so much with. I voted to use the garage as a games room. You can keep the workshop if this is something of use to you, have enough room to park the car and create a fantastic games room with a seating area, fridge for drinks and incorporate a TV and sound system. Something like below.

Hi there, Personally, I would definitely paint your fire place/ mantle. I think they are both very lovely but really could do with a lift. The only trouble is, how easy would it be to strip, prime and repaint these two. The next question is - what colour scheme is this room or do you hope it to be? I think sticking to a neutral tone would be best, but if you have a bold taste then you will need to pick up a few samples and see what would work best! Thanks, Claire

Dear Ocean and Lynn, I'm happy to help property owners if I think I can give a helpful, concise answer or point them in the right direction. Although this is a valid design dilemma, it is one of several types of question that I should think many professionals on Houzz will avoid. This is a technical query which requires detailed knowledge of specific products and circumstances, in which giving inadequately informed advice could be problematic. These are usually best addressed to manufacturers of specific products or an architect / designer / installer who is engaged to deal with the project.

It would be a shame to remove such an unusual bay window. Very few windows go right down to the floor like this. In many ways this creates quite a modern look as well as being a beautiful original feature. Have you thought about extending directly out from the kitchen, incorporating the utility (and maybe part of the covered passage?). This could be 2 storey with lots of glazing/bifold doors to the garden with lovely views back of your spectacular bay window. Take the wall down between the kitchen and bay window room to make it all open plan whilst retaining an interesting shape. If you still want a separate utility this could be put into the rear area of the garage, maybe with a WC. Upstairs, you could put in a shower room in part of the existing bedroom 3 next to the bathroom and with the extension it would be a good size bedroom, probably large enough to be the master with dressing room area. This should help to increase the value of the house by creating what everyone wants for a master bedroom.