What is the 'tan' on your plan?

Are you saying that the large 'dining' room/living room would only be used at weekends for entertaining? If so, it seems a waste of space, space that certainly shouldn't be given up with the result of losing a pantry which you want. Make the house work for you.

Ellie, the "tan" is my shorthand for tan sofas (which we already have)!

Yes the large room would just be used for entertaining. A large room dedicated to entertaining is what we really want to achieve with the space, however we need the kitchen to work too. I'm thinking if the pantry won't work then perhaps I could use the utility room as a place to hide messes whilst cooking.

Hi Gina,
The access to cloakroom needs to be rethought a bit too if you want your guests not to see the mess in this area - also you don't really want them walking past your laundry either.

There are a few plans you could browse through on on pro page that might give you some ideas (click on my icon to get there)

This is the sort of project that we could help with if you were after a concept planner / freelance kitchen designer. ( we don't sell product)

Sorry need to zoom off again - just popped in on a coffee break ! Looks a fab space to work with !!!

Hi OnePlan :) hoped you might chip in!!

WC location was our other big dilemma but I think off the utility is the only place we can put it really. We have actually asked for it to be moved to the other end of the utility so that the back door can access the patio. We had also wondered about making a lobby off the kitchen with two doors off it - one into WC and other into utility room. But I decided I would rather have the working space. But now you have me visualising guests walking into the utility when it's covered in mess and I'm rethinking...

Unfortunately I have to say we don't need a concept planner - we are very pleased with the architect so far. He has nailed the upstairs layout and the basement/garage (under the house), and the elevations look bang on... we just need a few details finalising downstairs!

Thank you Jonathan!! Really appreciate you taking the time to do that. We had toyed with the idea of putting the dining room at the back but ultimately felt that the kitchen wouldn't get enough light - hence opening it up towards the back.

Hi Gina,

I'd be happy to assist in visualising your proposals in 3D. Please have a look at my profile and website to get an idea of the quality of rendering we can offer.

Bernard

xami.co.uk

The walk in pantry is not the problem - I think the layout your architect has come up with works well. The only thing I would change is the access to the downstairs loo to come off the Bar area rather than through the utility - easily done.

Hope you're having fun detailing the kitchen and all the other final finishes. Enjoy !

Thank you for the idea! I wonder if the pantry could be accessed off the back wall too...

Is there any chance you could use some of your private sitting room space for a downstairs w/c? Having it off the entrance hall will be easier for guests to access.

And another idea to throw in... I see you are happy with your 2nd floor plans, but...... have you got space for a laundry up there? I have recently done this and am loving it! This would mean you could have a spacious pantry / 2nd kitchen where the utility is drawn, and use that as your 'messy' kitchen! ;-)

Hi Gina. Does the WC fit under the stairs? I would move the family table by the bifolds so you get a garden view and extra space for dishing up.The pantry can either go in the utility or at the other end of the kitchen. The pantry become bar with the music area opposite. Can you build a window seat in the bay and then have 2 sofas at right angles to it with a coffee table in front. Then have a small sofa to the left of the hall door as you walk in and then one opposite it with an upholstered footstool in front of the fire?

Would definitely rethink the WC arrangements - having guests having to access this via the kitchen, or just yourselves just on a daily basis, seems a bit impractical.

The sitting room is a panelled room in lovely condition hence we don't want to open it up completely to the kitchen or use it for WC. It's kind of a bit of a waste of space but it is too nice to tear apart!

Re putting laundry upstairs - I thought about this but decided that if I had the laundry upstairs I would still want a mudroom/ cleaning room downstairs so it makes more sense to consolidate them. Plus it's nice to have the access to/ view of garden. Hopefully this isn't a decision I regret :)

Minnie - stairs go round a corner so there isn't space underneath unfortunately. Again the hall is panelled so don't want to mess around with it. Love the idea of a window seat in the bay - will definitely see if this could be a possibility!

Just got the latest plans through with pantry removed and toilet/ utility separate... I think I will ask the architect to put an alcove into the hollow wall in the lounge for the music. Other than that I am pretty happy with it. Just about to check all the measurements to see if it works with the sofas!! Thanks all for your input much appreciated :)

Looks perfect Gina - the rooms flow easily and connect well. You need to start on all those lovely final finishes now - let us know if you need help with any of those too. Nicky

H Gina - One Plan is asking very good questions regarding the kitchen - have you decided where you are getting this from? You will need to put much more detail into this in a separate design discussion. Also seating needs to be rearranged but I would do this again as a separate discusssion as it will depend on light, direction of the sun for each space - when you use these spaces, who and what they are for etc? Hope this helps Nicky

Thanks again all, some very helpful ideas coming out of this!

Am wondering about using DIY-kitchens.com for the kitchen as they seem to be really good quality for a reasonable price. I will make sure that I have max worktop space by having the least possible tall units in the kitchen. We have always been into entertaining large numbers so I am pretty confident about what I want for the kitchen. Can't wait to start designing the detail. :)

I have used DIY Kitchens for my kitchen. They are on a par with Wren, Howdens etc. So if you go into a wren store that's the sort of thing you'd be getting (but about 25% cheaper).