That's the thing.... Humidity in my area of northern California is below 20 percent right now....very dry. With the ceiling fan and the sunny windows, one would suspect that I'd be watering often. In other parts of the world, with more humidity and more gloom, one would think that a porous mix would be *even more important* than it is here. I can understand folks desiring a more moisture retentive mix for the Summer season....but not for the Winter. I'd rather water slightly more often in the Summer, in order to have the perfect mix for the Winter when the real problems face those of us in more northerly climes. Josh

Some people like a low Microwave because the kids can easily get their own snacks. But then if they're very little you have to keep them out, and if they're very big it's not an issue :) Whichever, most people prefer the MW near the fridge rather than anywhere else, so it's probably best where it is if you don't want it in the island. The other thing that concerns me a bit is stylistic. There's a lot going on with the cabinets on the range wall. Kind of like the hutch area and the hood area are competing for attention. I'm not sure the purpose of the pillar cabinets (if it's just that you like them and we talked you out of putting them by the range, that's a good enough reason). Personally, I'd simplify it and make that whole bank of cabinets the same height, letting the range hood take the height. I also would make the two corner cabinets the same height. It would be nice if the only ups were the hood, valance and fridge. But that's all personal. Some people like simple. Some people like interesting. I've only stated the above to give you a reaction to think about. I'm not saying that the design is bad. No matter what it'll be a lovely kitchen, and I think it'll function pretty well with the current layout (sometimes larger is harder :) )

In option 2, I think the the 1" noted next to the sink is the architect's shorthand to indicate the 12 inches required on either side of corner to allow for the 36" cabinet required for corner cabinet to accommodate a 3 bin rotary trash recycle. (I will try to post link to it) http://www.specialtysupplies.com/rotary-corner-recycling-center-p-3601.html I agree with edlakin & others that we could certainly put trash in island. My thought is to have a small trash under sink for the somewhat messy stuff that doesn't go in disposal & to have bigger trash+recycle in the outer corner of island- that way kids & guests don't have to come into main work area of kitchen just to throw something in trash. DH woke up this am saying he thinks corner sink will be a pain b/c when standing at sink w/dishwasher open you will have to turn a bit behind yourself to load dishwasher. So now he wants to lean towards option 2. Quick discussion w/architect last night, he said we could steal some from the pantry desk area to widen aisle to better accommodate dining/seating area but not so sure I want o go there. No way to have it all huh? Thanks again for the advice so far & any else you have to offer before we meet w/architect at noon!

Rugged Suede is the color on the peaked wall that divides the rooms? That's a very warm grey or a beige with grey and you are trying to pair it with cool greys -- onces with more blue. The warm undertones and cool undertones are going to accentuate each other when you put the two together. I'm not sure I understand what look you are after -- lighter/darker contrast or beiger/greyer contrast. If you are happy with the Rugged Suede, have you considered just using that color at a ligher value? You can have the paint mixed at a percentage of the formula for a gallon of Rugged Suede. If you try to mix it yourself with white, you could have trouble matching the color if you need more. Lowe's here has Sherwin WIlliams colors -- if you want a different color rather than a lighter shade of the same color, try looking at something like Requisite Gray or Wordly Gray. On my monitor, they look good with the Rugged Suede photo. If they aren't right, maybe they will give you an idea of the direction to look. You could also look at Anew Gray and Mega Greige -- Agreeable Grey if you want something lighter. If that doesn't help, give us a better idea of the look you are after. Grey means different things to different people and in different contexts.