The lack of bench space, and I'm not sure which category of the poll that fits into. Layout maybe, since we'll need to move things around to make it work. Our kitchen is enormous, but it's all storage - one whole wall is floor to ceiling pantry-style cabinets. On the other all the stovetop and the sink take up a full half of the bench top, so there is just enough room for one chopping board and bowl on what's left when you are cooking. The crazy thing is, it's not even a tiny galley kitchen, but the space in between the two walls is only just big enough to squeeze an island in, so we are trying to decide between being cramped, or knocking down walls and completely remodelling. Can't quite bring ourselves to pull the trigger on the latter, though, as all the cabinets and cupboard are in great shape.

Hi Bath Bespoke It looks like the vertical section of the staircase was slotted in the gap between the ceiling and the base (stringer?) in one piece - did you have to widen the stair treads to do that? There’s quite a gap between our current spindles and the ceiling/floor as the stairs go up. Is it possible an extra stringer was clad on to accommodate said verticals? It looks such a lovely and simple solution but suspect all components need to be spot on to get it right!

Hi Sarah, Huge rug under dining table - big yes! As I mentioned before, just make sure it it doesn't have a deep pile and is fairly easy to clean / hoover. This will break up the black considerably! The rug size needs to be big enough to pull all your chairs out and they still sit on the rug - that's the minimum right size. Just a thought about finding the right paint colour for your walls and cabinets to brighten everything up. When my family took a trip down to cornwall, we stayed in this lovely cottage in the country-side. The cottage had small little deep windows, so didn't get much light in. However the cottage was so bright, warm & crisp. It had been painted a white that really really worked - white can be tricky to get right. So I called the owners of the cottage to see if they had a paint can laying around so I could find out the exact colour. It was straight Brilliant White - standard paint you can get for kitchens, walls, ceilings, masonry, etc in whatever finish you need (matt, sheen, semi-gloss or gloss). I've used it a couple of times sinse to freshen up or update an area, to make small spaces pop, or just to bring a whole space that crisp - perfect white look to show off art and objects (it is one of the few whites that can do so well as art and objects usually look dull or get lost with a plain white background). This might help with your project as it is the best paint for reflecting light and brightening your areas - but it is bright - so you will have to do a test area to see if it is too bright for you, in which case go with a white toned down from that. Think the rug(s) & the paint colour change of walls & cabinets will work the best for you since you've spent a lot on your interior already and your husband likes it as is - it is hard to justify large costs when your partner thinks it is great and you've already spent a lot.. Good luck!

Opening up some will surely help. Like Jonathan said, there are many many options. I changed the hallway, some coat space, double glass door to let in more light, loo. Then kitchen with pantry, as there are plenty full bathrooms. Backdoor for muddy/wet shoes on the side. Since it is such a large space, how about a massive sofa in the lounge? And window seat, if height allows. Keep the downstairs bedroom and bathroom, as it can be a playroom, a guestroom (b&b?) or even future master bed. I did open up the dressing area, to make it brighter. Washing machine could go anywhere, I drew them there, but it would be quite the walk with hampers, so might it be an idea to place it upstairs (eaves storage perhaps?). Upstairs I opened up the study, as the master bedroom ate the window. I tried keeping most loadbearing walls (or which seemed to be) though the chimney on the left had to go anyway. Kept the landing storage, for linen, towels, seasonal clothing, christmas decoration, there are always things that need a place. Certainly move the heater though (if it's still there). Also think about heating, insulation, efficiency. Things that will make it more comfortable and pay themselves back in the long run. Planning is key. Hope it will help with creating your future layout and dreamhouse pleasures.