Designer here again.

I see you have plans. That's good. I'd still prefer to sit with a client AND architect to have a real time dialogue that is useful and not wasting anyone's ideas or time. I just don't want you to waste money and go back to architect and find out what you envision is isn't feasible.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a designer but I'm not sure this will work. A designer can give all the suggestions you want but ultimately you need a contractor or architect to tell you what is possible wrt layout and load bearing walls and electrical and plumbing. Do you have plans yet?

I made this mistake and the KD did not tell me this was out of her realm of capabilities. Get your architect to give you a 3d plan of the space. Most can do it quickly using sketch up. Your KD can take the walls, windows, and doorways and fit the necessary elements into the space. But most will not be able to help you move walls and doors in order to accommodate the kitchen you want. Gardenweb kitchen forums is an excellent resource. Those people live and breathe kitchens.

you can get great feedback on the gardenweb forums. do you have any kind of kitchen plan from the architect? if so the kitchen forum can give you great ideas on kitchen layout. And i believe there is a deckrating forum that could help with general space layout, but I haven's spent much time there.

Alternatively most cabinet dealers have KDs who work with the clients to generate the order. Do you know who you plan to use for that? if not you could start by figuring that out - perhaps ask your architect for who he uses / recommends.

Yes, we have designs from the architect. I'm having trouble envisioning how this would work with a huge room encompassing family room / dining room, next to new kitchen, and where we'd put appliances, pantry, island, etc. Would like opinion from a kitchen designer on what makes sense.

Not what you asked but I bought the homedesignssoftware.com program (the interiors one) and played around with a layout for a couple of hours and had much better ideas. It does 2d and 3d. There's also a free app by them if you have a tablet to get started. Odor some traditional things and then tried some totally crazy ideas. It really helps, you can move everything around. Doesn't replace a designer probably but helps. Good luck OP.

I'm a designer but I'm not sure this will work. A designer can give all the suggestions you want but ultimately you need a contractor or architect to tell you what is possible wrt layout and load bearing walls and electrical and plumbing. Do you have plans yet?

Please can anyone recommend anyone with a good eye for layout and
kitchen design -- just to help me imagine how to use my soon-to-be new open space?
(getting rid of walls to enlarge kitchen).