Agree with much of the above regarding island size, not doing open shelves near the range, not enough counter space, etc. All very good advice. How much do you cook? Is your kitchen for use or for show? I would NOT get a Miele coffee system. The coffee is not that good and a pain when they need service. The best American coffee is actually the least expensive - a Chemex pour-over or an Aeropress and invest in a good grinder like a Solis Meastro so you'll always have fresh ground. If you really want a machine then look at either Nespresso or for just American coffee a Cuisinart drip w/ a good grinder. Given the lack of windows, make sure you have good lighting. Not just a lot of it but pay close attention to color temp (you'll want something warmer so more towards 25k) and color spectrum. Anything less than 92 CRI color spectrum will not be pleasant and ideally you'll want 94 CRI or better. Place downlights approx over the inside front edge of counters so that you light your work area well with as little glare and shadows as possible.

We just put an under the counter microwave in our new kitchen island and LOVE IT. Tell your husband to get over the bending down issue, unless he is 7' tall that is not an issue. Do not like the microwave by the sink, makes the area seem crowded and would be too far from the prep area by the stove. IF you did an under the counter microwave I would put it at the end of the island near the ovens. I will say that the way your kitchen is set up in the floor plan you posted is nice and very workable. You have a good prep zone and clean up zone and I think the island is close enough to the refigerator to act as a landing zone if you don't want to use the area next to the sink. I am also one of the people that did not want anything in my island (like the cooktop or sink). You have good prep space on each side of the stove and good access to the sink from the dining area. If you keep the sink and dishwasher as in the first layout you can use the closest end of the island or the cabinets/drawers to the right of the stove for dish storage for quick unloading from the dishwasher. I actually like having my silverware and dishes nearer to the food prep area to grab a spoon for tasting or get dishs or bowls to serve from the stove. I would also make the cabinet between the sink and the refigerator your trash pull out. Having a trash pull out near the sink is wonderful for after meal cleanup. The one big thing I would change (having just done my own kitchen) is to make ALL the lower cabinets drawers. I did this and you can store so much more and get to it way easier. The lower cabinets in my old kitchen were standard doors with pullouts inside. Did not like this as much as the drawers, you had to open both doors then side out the pullout. AND If you did not get the pull out pushed all the way back in when you finished, it would mess up the inside of the doors.

I would do stainless, it will let light bounce around, and you are not stuck with 1 brand to have the finishes match.

Depends on the white, if it doesn’t match the bright white cabinets it will stick out like a sore thumb.