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I'd remove the spindles but keep the wall between the two openings. Install two separate butcher blocks that overhang in both rooms - standard counter width in the kitchen and maybe a foot into the living room.
I think that could work if each opening was a little bigger, but like emm74 mentioned, it would a tight squeeze for two people at each bar. With a single long bar, 5 people could comfortably eat there. With the outlet in the middle and the bar under it, I'm thinking people would have place to sit their phone or camera (holidays) while it charges instead of having to find an outlet near the floor and laying their stuff on the ground. With so much room, I would only need a very small kitchen table in front of the fireplace.
We are looking at the kitchen side, right? I would either close off the wall and expand the kitchen cupboards, or remove the wall entirely.
Yes, it's the kitchen side. I'm not sure if the wall started out closed and the openings were added later, but I sort of like being able to see into the living room and be able to pass things through. The problem with taking the wall down is that it's expensive (possibly prone to error too) and the flooring and ceilings won't match up. I could add hardwoods to the kitchen and redo all the ceilings, but then this small job turns into a $10k+ project. I'm looking to spend $5k to remodel the entire house!
If you don't want to spend the money to open it up entirely, put drywall over the two openings and close off the wall. Two windows in a wall is just downright strange looking no matter how much you try to dress them up with counters and stools.
I would close both openings up. I like walls and seperations.
They do not look nice, and I think it would look better with a complete wall.
If that is the front door in the picture?, if so, I absolutely would close the wall. I think nothing is uglier then opening a front door and seeing right into the kitchen.
but if your set on having an opening, go with one. the 2 openings looks absolutely ridicuous and not appealing at all.
I think that could work if each opening was a little bigger, but like emm74 mentioned, it would a tight squeeze for two people at each bar. With a single long bar, 5 people could comfortably eat there.
Is your intent to use this bar/bars to eat at regularly instead of a table? Because there is just no way that sitting at a bar is as comfortable or cozy as sitting at a table.
Are you certain you don't need a header for structural support? It seems like the door has one, make sure.
Then I would take out the center for sure and open the top of it as far as up to the ceiling as possible. The countertop and stools are a great idea but I would do a nicer one that the just the L brackets for support and a bit larger. Butcher block has kind of seen it's day, don't know if it would a selling feature or not. Might want to explore some other countertop materials.
I understand the desire of opening the wall though. Lots of moms like to keep an eye on the kids while cooking and then for entertaining the access to food and drink is better.
Oh I hope you get rid of the ceiling fan.
But yes what goes on the other side of the wall in the living room?
This is what I see,
Put a wood veneered plywood under the opening on the wall,
Trim it out with molding and finish to match your cupboards or use fake doors
Add a nice countertop
Add Balusters for support, I found large one in the deck department at Menards 6"x6" for about $60 each.
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