The Island serves as a good go between from one side of kitchen to other - and a shopping bag drop zone to the pack the fridge and pantry. And as a work surface to put hot things coming out of the oven ! If you decide to scrap the island, then you will need a landing /drop zone for these uses near/on the oven and fridge run. Suggest you have open pantry /book /basket shelving on left wall just inside the room entrance door to stop doors conflicting if you intend to have a self closing fire door here . Modern integrated FF's can be placed next to ovens with no problem - usually I'd suggest FF hinge position next to oven side* to avoid blasts of heat going into FF if both opened at same time. Arrangement would also depend on primary users left or right handed status . As main walkway between oven/FF run and seating area at back of island i'd suggest .95m clearance between front of island and hob run and 1.23m between seating and tall cabinets in this instance. Then be mindful of DW placement so as not to interfere with standing room in front of hob as lots of us leave the DW open for some time while stacking ! *Nb. In America they wouldn't approve if you put the oven on that wall as its the main walkway - it would probably be suggested to be placed on horizontal bottom wall . It's quite sensible if you think about it ! For a professional independent kitchen plan that you can shop around with - you can contact an independent kitchen planner (like me) If you like ! Click on my name to be taken to my pro page for examples and prices etc ! You will save much more than the design fee by shopping around and comparing like for like !!! Kind regards Karen OnePlan

If you're still keen on a flexible-function room (i.e. where the middle internal space works as a guest bedroom or family space for example playroom, snug TV room, office, hobby room), my suggestion would be to use pocket internal doors; and/or glazed internal french doors. Then most of the time the doors can be open and part of the open-plan. Then when using the the space as a guest bedroom, the doors could have roller blinds or curtains, to separate the space and add privacy. Consider which way you want the "flexi room" to open up. Rather than open up to the side of the house (near proposed cloakroom); I think it would be nicer if the room opens into the back room or the front room (likely to be much nicer views and better light).

Yes, I meant opening up the right side wall to incorporate that pantry/utility space into the kitchen. You could maybe compromise and keep a pillar at that corner instead of opening it all up fully? Looks like pillar/corner could be at end of island, which I know is not perfect but it could work - gives you an end to the kitchen and provides a little separation for dining table - have a google at extensions with pillars and you might find it would be totally fine. Still a bit more expense as you'd need a steel to go over the larger opening on the right hand wall, but not as much as fully opening it up. Another option for WC would be to put it in the front section of new office (where the sofa is) - separate door from the office space into little loo - and then use the rest of the office as the utility room. The planned pantry/utility could then become office - which I know isn't ideal off the kitchen, but it depends how much you need office to be quiet and away from distractions, or if it's more of a place to charge devices and control/file paperwork. Also an issue with no windows to office (still got rooflight though), but gives the loo the front window (possible issue, I know!) and keeps the loo and utility away from kitchen - or maybe give the utility room the front window so it's nicer when doing laundry. Downstairs loo doesn't need a window.

Its hard to give a full breakdown of options without studying the full plans, your requirements and budgets. This is something you need to do with your chosen Architect. However, there are many options for adding windows and ways of making light bounce around the house, but if your architect has said you can't add more glazing you should ask why. I would suggest it is because it will start to impact the thermal efficiency of your house. North facing windows get no solar gain so by adding too much you could end up with a house that is difficult to keep warm especially if your house is older. You could upgarde to super energy effiecient glazing but of course that will come at a cost. Having looked at your existing plans it looks like your house has already had extensive work done. Unfortunately it doesn't appear like an architect was involved. A lot of the cost of your renovation will be in correcting previous mistakes and even then you will end up with columns in ever room unless you are willing to pay to have that corrected too. The cost could make the option of moving more viable? Did the previous owners also extend upstairs?