Thanks again davidtay; I did about a week ago and the closest I could find that was waterproof and had the most amount of lumens per foot in an rgb led strip was listed below, see link. Based on my calculations it would produce 244 lumens per foot and I would assume that's in white mode, although it's unknown which color temperature. That would be bright enough to not need a separate white led run on it's own switch. I would also need a 12 volt 40 watt 4 amp power supply and a controller. If my math is right at 16.5 feet costing approximately $160.00 add a controller and power supply it shouldn't be much more than $200.00? I wonder if this would work. By the way I have one more cabinet to build then onto the doors. eam Pattern 180 degree Color RGB Current Draw @ 12 Volts DC 3295mA Current Draw per Foot 201mA Water Resistance[1] Weatherproof IP65 Number of LEDs in Unit 300 LEDs LED Type 5050 SMD LEDs per Segment 3 Length 500cm(197in) Lifetime 40000 Hours Lumen 4020 Lumen Max Run[2] 1 Polarized Yes Price Per Foot $14.38 Standards And Certifications CE/FCC/ISA Approved/ROHS Compliant/UL Listed Strip Width 12mm Suitable for Vehicles Yes Total Power Consumption 39.5 Watts Type Flexible Light Strips/High Density Operating Voltage Range 9~14.8 VDC Wattage per Foot 2.5 Watts Wavelength 470 nm/525 nm/626 nm Wire Length 48.26cm(19in) Dimensions: 500cm(196.85") x 1.2cm(0.47") x 0.275cm(0.11") Here is a link that might be useful: Superbright led rgb strip

Awesome thanks for the feedback everyone! Houseful, yes I am avoiding structural changes as much as possible. We have a log home and are unwilling to cut it up too much, so whatever doors and windows and major walls are there, are there to stay and none will be added. DH refuses to even consider making more. So that's why my current layout took me months to plan, also because I really want the range in the island so I can look into both the LR (there is a door at the far end of the DR looking into LR) and the mudroom while I cook. I was keeping it open because DH will want to bring it small projects to work on in there, and we might out in a small table for the kids' arts & crafts, and that way I can keep an eye on everything while in the kitchen. Dancingsams what copper finish is on your hood? After getting samples we are going with the Antique Copper, it looks so pretty in person and does NOT show marks as the brushed and polished samples do. Can I ask you for your hood specifics? Size, island/wall, blower etc? I've only seen these online but fell in love before even planning the rest of the kitchen. There is a picture online of a brushed copper wall hood with lip band, "straps" and rivets, and I want that exact design in an island hood and the Antique Copper. Quote so far is 6k and I have nothing to compare it too... Does that sound right to you? Thank you so much for all the feedback!

Thanks so much for all the great input! @einportlandor - I get it! :-) I'm really, really uncertain about the peninsula which is why I was really pressing for input. It does seem a bit awkward to me.. just sort of unnatural. I do like the extra countertop space... can never have too much of that. I might just end up adding one more cabinet next to the dw and keep my pub table. We like the counter height seats, if it becomes problematic in the future, we can always get a lower table. The view is better from counter height though! @rantontoo, @benjesbride & @bpathome - the wall between the DR and kitchen is loadbearing and has hvac. Expensive to remove. Regarding the view: We have a better view from the LR slider and from 3 seats in the DR, we have that view too. I know the DR looks pretty dark in the pic I posted, but it's not that bad. It gets tons of light from the slider in the LR. Since the windows in the kitchen and the LR face west, we have solar shades and use them in the afternoon to cut the glare and heat. We wouldn't lower the window. Here is a picture from the table which shows the tennis courts and clubhouse in our view. It really is a small ocean view.

We do not use our LR at all so the plan is to move the DR there, which would be visible to the left when you walk in to the front door. The old DR would become almost like a pub-esque room extension of the kitchen. We would have a large bar cabinet on the back wall and high top table and the new counter height bar connecting to to the kitchen. Here is a sketch of the layout. The current cabinets are original maple pickled pink. The old backsplash was baby pink (we were advised to go dark to tone down the pink in the cabinets). We added hardwood to the entry steps and LR/DR. Kitchen is also the same hardwood. We don't want to move but not willing to spending $50k+ on our dream kitchen in this house either. Looking to improve what we have to make the space more usable for our young family.