One possibility would be to swap the living room and the dining room. Since the current living room is larger than the current dining room you could still keep some comfortable seating (couch and upholstered chairs?) against the front wall for a keeping room/dining concept. Then your new dining areas (kitchen and dining room) and living areas (living and drawing room) would have good flow between them, which would work well both for family and entertaining. You could also add some builtin bookshelves in the drawing room or new living room to create a library area to add another fun element to the living areas. These bookshelves could be against the long walls in the drawing room, around the window with a window seat in the living room (former dining room), or built to create some separation in the open area between the drawing room and living room/stair area. Your plan seems to show some sort of builtin there, but I'm not sure what it is.

1. Keep only what you need or want and avoid duplicates. Ahh. if only life were only that simple. You move in together with a "relationship" and your partner's "stuff" is "nicer" so you sell everything. Well, ladies and gentlemen, if it doesn't work out, if it wasn't "yours" before you moved in you'll have nothing when you move out. Consider all options. Store items of "yours" for a while that you'd like to keep, just in case. :) Store Grandma's antiques that you like that you may regret selling. If you Hate the antiques, sell them. 2. If your new abode is only YOURS.,,.keep only what you love and eliminate duplicates.

Bev! the electrical plugs are different in the UK(!) the OP will need to buy UK wired appliances IN the UK. Misguided info to give the OP... Read up. http://www.uk-yankee.com/guide/expat-guide-uk/electronics-compatibility graham: try contacting some of the bigger international companies such as GE, LG, Bosch, etc and get the question directly to them. An old friend had one in her London apartment years ago so I know it is possible but will take some sleuthing. have you tried this place http://www.appliancecity.co.uk/products/fridges-and-freezers/american-style-fridge-freezers/

I would consider putting cabinets on the short wall where the utility wall is. Have your stove there centered on the area. Move the sink so it is centered on the long wall where the cooktop is now. Put the fridge on the end run of cabinets closest to the dining table. That will give you an L shape kitchen with a nice work triangle. If you have your heart set on an island remove all the wall cabinets and install a large island. This is not the style of your kitchen but it does show the layout I described above. L shape cabinetry with stove on short end, sink in the middle with DW to right of sink with cabinet above it for dish storage and the refridgerator on the end run so it is out of work triangle and conveniet to the dining area for serving or work triangle for prep and cooking. Island can be any style you desire. L shape with island and open across from island; you might consider this layout if you desire an island. Something like this?