Thanks for the thoughts, Glenn. I agree, 1/3 seems like too much. I called around to other contractors and discovered that 10-15% is more typical in my area. Unfortunately I had already signed a contract for the install prior to even thinking about diagonal. So if I have my heart set on diagonal, I'm stuck paying 1/3 more, like it or not. :\ I probably misspoke when I said "structural" issues. I really meant cosmetic, such as the sagging/gapping you mentioned. Those are unacceptable to me, and they appear more likely to occur in a parallel install. I've read a lot of conflicting advice about this though. The "by the book method" demands an additional 1/2" subfloor or other bracing. But some contractors (including mine) will say, "Yeah, but that's not really necessary -- you won't have problems." It's a head scratcher. As to the perpendicular layout looking wrong, that's what I had thought too. Yet my contractor insists that _most_ of their installs go in that direction, in order to "open up" a narrow room. Looking around my small neighborhood, almost all the houses with hardwood floors have an installation parallel to the long wall. I'm left to conclude that my contractor has not done any installations in my neighborhood -- only in bizarro world. :) As to the direction of the diagonals. I suppose there would be more traffic entering my rooms from the central kitchen area than the front door/foyer. However, I still prefer the idea of the lines leading from the foyer to the opposite corners of the house. I'll have to give that some thought.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I would like to keep the main sink on the east wall so I can gaze out the window when doing dishes. And yes owls4me I did put the fridge on the south wall because the main traffic pattern is from the dining room, and I was trying to avoid having the fridge doors open while people are trying to walk through that aisle. I thought the wall oven placement would be ok in that isle since it is used less frequently (since I also have a range. I switched the microwave to the other side of the range, and slide the south wall cabinet run down further per the suggestions. Some have said the trash is too far from the prep sink. I was assuming having it close to the main sink would be more desirable? Bmorepanic, I love the idea of a window seat on the east window. Great way to add some personality.

All -- thank you so much! If I could send you virtual Gift Cards to the restaurant of your choice, I'd send at least a $100 for a decent meal and couple of drinks :) (Sigh, I know I'm too cheap, been in New England for too long.... ok fine, make that $200 for a really nice meal). Your feedback was hugely appreciated and ever so timely. I took today off work and worked on the plan (said differently, wasted the WHOLE day), and have submitted it to the cabinet shop/company I am working with. Once I have their plans, I will post. Changes today -- aisle widths have been a concern to me. I reworked my island layout (see below), which includes current widths. I also trotted up to the attic and measured my faithful old round table and chairs (to be used in b'fast area, and before you ask -- I like the table, it has a lot of family history, and hopefully will refinish it :) ). Based on how we would sit in the old kitchen, and how we will sit in the new, we sit facing out the window. We have a nice, long sloping lawn (before, used to look at birds a few feet away at bird feeders, we will miss that). I have always love the idea of a command center--i.e., you're prepping away in front of your guests, so this does appeal very much to me. From Drop Box While not optimal between desk and island, I believe it's something we can live with. Marcolo -- Thanks so much for chiming in, I hoped you would! Long hike to pantry -- good point. Will consider other locations for this. Fridge clearance - point take. (Half day spent on reviewing panel fridges) Fridge swapped. Drawers - I take your point re 1 shallow, 2 deep. However, one of my goals for the new kitchen is organization - I love idea of home for creme caramel cups, for example -- why I liked the idea of more, shallow. Remembering that you can compartmentalize a larger space... will take longer to sink in. Cabinet over fridge to be pulled forward, definitely. Angled corner cabinet -- another point taken. Wait for drawings from cabinet co. In the meantime, please ignore ugly jog in countertop (s/w not cooperating). Enough storage for flatware/dish/glass -- definitely unsure about this. I think I measured loosely and thought I'd be fine - but right now, in temporary kitchen, I'm storing things on top of chairrails, so... have lost track. I've added a cabinet to the left, and both are configured for a 4" drawer, and then two ~8 " drawers. Yes to the MW drawer. Brianadarnell - good questions/comments, all. THANKS! Straight upper cabinet wall, check:) Swapped fridge and went the (virtual) pricey route of the built in Liebherr. Regarding beverage fridge -- DH has asked for only 1 thing in the remodel; a beverage fridge in the island for his -um- malt beverages. Unfortunately, hampered by the requirement to provide seating on the island for our two kids and three neighbor friends, I lose out on being able to place essential items such as warming drawers, and unfortunately, even more important items such as - um - redundant malt cooling storage facilities. To accommodate DH, I am placing the overflow malt beverage storage unit as close as possible to his work zone (read GARAGE/OUTSIDE). As this unit may need to contain beverages of a non-malt nature (read - wine), rest assured that this unit is capable of cooling appropriately. Also, there is also primary location of fridge, for 'overflow' storage. The pantry/laundry room will be open to the kitchen (no doors); there will be sorting drawers for the laundry (scroll up to see picture); when laundry is brought in and dumped on floor / countertops, it should be sorted right away. (Currently, we open the door to the basement, and toss down.... rather nice!). The range wall is an outer wall, the garage (to the right of the kitchen). This is the room through which we will normally enter and exit. There will be a mudroom, with coat storage and storage space for the hockey bags :) -- beyond that is the 'fire room'; we're in New England and keep a fire going here in the wood burning stove for most of the winter (Oct - April; it's a long period). Large storage for big pots and pans - hopefully, most of these will go below 48" cooktop; current plan is 4 drawers; 2 on top, 2 below. Hi Houseful -- as always, thanks for your input. You're right about the M/W, have moved to the right of the ovens. The plan is for pull-out laundry bins (to the left of the washing machine); laundry is dumped on the floor or C/T and then sorted into 1 of 4 bins (whites, colors, darks, delicates). So, hopefully, laundry won't ever sit out. Rachel -- Wall is gone, LOVE the idea of symmetry/tiling right side. Thanks! bmorepanic -- you get the Platinum Gift Card; please select the meal/venue/virtual Gift Card of your choice! I spent the day reviewing your aisle notes/recommendations; they were so very helpful. While not perfect, my plans have been improved due to your input. Good catch on the angled wall in the pantry; another casualty of the original plan vs. reality.... I've adjusted the island towards the stove per your 36" suggestion. Your advice re. larger cabinet size is appreciated and will be reviewed carefully. My only comment is that if you have tons of space in a new kitchen (egad, you should see my former (combined) baking station/coffee station/dish cleaning/prep area/library,etc. -- all crammed above a 24" cabinet) - then there might truly be a place for everything.... On my plan, when 'pullouts' are designated, I plan a handle which can be tugged to pull out the cabinet (vs. open cabinet, then pull out). I'm obviously not calling this the right thing. Thanks, I do very much agree that the double motion should be avoided. Good points on the opening issues. Double ovens will receive 1" filler to the left. Would appreciate any feedback on items in final drawings which don't seem to be paying attention to this. You have a knack for really understanding a picture. Thank you for the comment regarding pulling out the hood as well. This, I hadn't yet considered. Designov - would like to see your layout; hope you are able to post. Fridge wall removed (I'm pretty sure it is not load bearing; DH dbl checking). I don't think I have room to put DW to the left of clean-up sink; will keep in mind. We are getting cabinets from Conestoga. They offer an RTA cabinet and GORGEOUS doors. Onus definitely on you to make sure quote is accurate. I have received quotes from Lowes/Kraftmaid cabinets (6 visits over past 2 years), as well as Omega/Dynasty and alternate Kraftmaid dealer. I really love the door styles available and feel if you put in the work, you can get a terrific product at a lower price than the big box stores. Computerklutz - would love to see your kitchen/progress as well, please do post pictures once your counter tops are in. (Fingers crossed between now and then that all goes well!). After reading your post and others, I spent a good deal of time reviewing fridge's. Thank you for the heads up. Also -- regarding the microwave -- did you put in a MW drawer at a lower level or a regular MW? From what I've read, people seem to like the MW drawer... but since I have an unopened MW drawer in the basement, I would very much appreciate your feedback! Best regards to DH.

The problem with planning to do all your prep on the island is that it's too far away from the range plus it will entail quite a bit of zone-crossing (crossing the Cleanup Zone when moving b/w the Prep & Cooking Zones). Most people find they prep where (1) there's a water source very close by and (2) near the range, usually b/w the water source and range. Can the DR door be moved? Do you have a refrigerator picked out? Most standard-depth refrigerators are closer to 36" deep when you include the handles. Then, you must include the air space/clearance required behind it. The final depth of a standard depth refrigerator can be over 36" in many cases. I'm asking about this b/c you show a 30" deep refrigerator...the depth of most counter-depth refrigerators. Could you recess the refrigerator into the wall at least 3"? That would help. (If it's recessed into the wall but not so far as into the room behind it, you should gain 3" or so.) If you can move the DR doorway...how about something like one of these? [Corner sink...to get a sink bigger than 24 or 25 inches, yes, you would need a 42" sink base. Did your DH say why he doesn't want a corner sink?]