Hey, Georgiagal. We went to Oneonta to look at rock during our build. There are three stoneyards right there together once you get to Oneonta. Lamb Stone Co, Brown Stone and Oneonta Stone. There's another one called Alabama Wholesale Stone. Closer is Garner Stone. It will cost you more there but you can see the types of stone. Of course, Pike's is closer to you. fyi, you can always go somewhere and find out the exact name of the stone you want and call the Oneonta places on the phone to have them deliver. We just bought three dump truck loads of bark from Perrin's and the old man wasn't there. I think his health has really detetriorated over the past year.

hi there--i just wanted to say that we are about to put in a bigger window and eliminate the corner cabinet, and have an off-center sink. I really want the light and also the coutner space, as you said. It should be done in a week or so--I will try to post pix! Our stove/sink/window layout is the same as yours. also, I don't want to muddy the waters...but just wanted to throw in the idea that maybe no one ever uses your kitchen table in the current setup because of the peninsula, which blocks it off and makes it seem far away. The peninsula seems closer to the action and homier. But I think in your new setup you will have plenty of room for a table, if you want to consider going that route. A nice big table would fit on the wall where your hutch setup is going...if necessary you could make the french door one wider door, maybe with sidelights, to increase the usable space there. You could make up the lost storage from the hutch by having an island with more cabs, and maybe even have some hutch type cabs still on the wall behind the table, with a built-in seat in between. (sorry I am not drawing this like all these software whizzes!) keep in mind that the new island will be more in the middle of things than the current peninsula...and so will the people sitting there. Depending on your cooking style that may or may not be a problem. You could still have a spot for a couple of people to perch at the island, and actually eat at the table (and save your knees!). Just a thought.

I agree that you have a lot going on, but it's wonderful so far. The thing I would avoid is having too much stuff or detail on that mantel and let the fireplace be the statement. I saw this and thought it looked great, but am not sure if you can reach the mantel to light candles or turn on battery operated ones. I think they make some remote control. The other option I'd consider would be a large painting there with nothing else on the mantel. Not sure what to do with the niche. If you don't do candles on the mantel, then I might do some remote control ones in the niche. [Contemporary Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Woodinville Interior Designers & Decorators Interiors Okay, maybe cows aren't your thing, but something bold like this :) [Traditional Porch[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-porch-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_726~s_2107)

cpartist, thanks for taking the time to do this! Yes, I definitely considered putting it under the window as that's a nice big stretch of space and it would leave the island clean for prep/buffet/homework. Because I have to save some money for potential construction surprises, I'm trying not to add a 2nd sink in the kitchen (strictly for $$ reasons - I love the function of a 2nd sink). The reason I kept it in the island was that the drawer at the far left of the island contains the plates/silverware and the coffee bar contains the cups/glasses (I wanted them there as it's an easy path to the dining room and for someone to set the table or grab a snack without disturbing the cook/prep). And it makes sense for those areas to be adjacent to the dishwasher for easy unloading. I could put dishware/cups storage along the west wall, under the window, but you'd have to go around the island to reach that stuff (which is fine as long as no one is sitting at the island or prepping in that space, but still a longer distance). I also like the pivot factor of being able to access water from the long dry prep area as well as from the cooking area. The Kohler Stages sink is 45" long, so it takes up a good stretch of the island (and allows me to place dirty dishes inside the sink). I'd make sure I got a faucet with a long stretch so I can easily twist from prep or cooking to add water. Besides the DW/dish storage, I kept the sink to the right of the island as I'd often use the long prep wall to make a mess (several people could prep there, where it's out of the way, and we've been known to make several types of cookies at a time so it's good to be able to have space to lay it all out) and then serve the food atop the island's eastern/southern half, where it's an easy path through the French doors to pick up plates and food, or pass plates through to the outside ledge for wet kids who you don't want inside the house. Great ideas! Thanks for making me revisit this and please feel free to poke holes if my logic or flow is faulty.