Ok, so some updates -- First, yes there is going to be a vanity/sink in the downstairs powder room, not sure where it went to in the digital version :) Thanks Mrs. Pete! Here are some thoughts on your comments: - I'll give some thought to the living space. The thought was the fireplace on the North wall, and the TV wall-mounted on the East wall. I thought about TV-over-fireplace, but from what I can tell, even though it's a popular option the ergonomics of it are kinda yucky and I'm not sure I'd dig a TV above the fireplace. Anyone else with thoughts on this issue? - The refrigerator is indeed across the kitchen, but only "just" across. The "kitchen triangle" max of 26ft between the sum of all sides is well satisfied by the current arrangement. It might not be optimal, but we're working with a pretty small area. Nonetheless, I do have a separate kitchen thread going on in the Kitchen forum and will continue to work that thread and keep the fridge location in mind. - Regarding front door definition, do you mean the definition of a distinct entryway? Just want to make sure I'm understanding. - By the stairs will be a combination of base cabinets, a full row of uppers and a desk area. The pantry is "West" of the fridge. - I concur regarding the space issues upstairs and think I have some ideas. The master closet is modeled after my folks' walk-in. It's cozy, but they do fit hanger rails on both sides, and with 9' ceilings, should be able to get two rows in there. - The laundry/mud room is "West" of the kitchen and has the washer/dryer and a sink. - The master bath is very much a work in progress. We just decided on adding 2 feet to the house and haven't yet refined the Master bed and bath. Which brings me to AnnKH's comments - Agreed on the master bath (see above). We're definitely still working on that room. - Regarding the kids' closets, I'll definitely look on incorporating the reach-in closets in lieu of the walk-in's. Definitely could save some space there! - Regarding plumbing, I agree, it's not optimal, but I couldn't think of any better way to run things. Any ideas? Thanks everyone for your comments!

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?]

Thanks for all the help so far. Work and life have been busy for the last week so I've neglected my kitchen plans, but my architect is back in town and we are meeting with her next Tuesday so I am back on it today. A couple of new thoughts/developments since I last posted after looking at appliances and considering the input of my husband (which I do actually do occasionally, especially on kitchen stuff as he is the more frequent cook!). - instead of double ovens and cooktop, we will likely get a 36" inch range and a speed oven/microwave mounted somewhere on the lower cabinets (I like the 24" Miele, but all others seem to be 30" wide so may go with another brand like GE just to make any future replacement more likely to go with existing cabinets). - on northwest wall we are now considering a 24" or so cabinet with drawers that we can use as a landing area for junk drawer type stuff and maybe a glass cabinet above so we could use it as a bar area for parties. Then the rest of that wall will be a framed in cabinet. I want to install a countertop at regular height (see inspiration picture below) that we might keep a regular microwave on, soda stream etc, and then have room for (non-built in) bar fridge below if we find we need extra cold storage. I think the closet itself probably needs to come out at least 36" inches from the wall to give a little space between the countertop and door, but I plan to use 2 of my 24" doors opening to each other on this closet so the opening will be wide. - I am getting a free built in 15" ice maker from my work. After debating keeping it in the basement, I think I want it in the kitchen (it's nice) because we use a lot of ice. - We will then install a insta hot/filtered cold faucet on the sink, which has me wondering if then we will want a separate prep sink near the icemaker for people getting water (we drink A LOT of ice water in our family). I forget if it was mamagoose or someone else on another thread that suggested the idea of a corner prep sink, but that kind of appeals to me because that is where our current sink is and while I don't want it for my main sink anymore I think it makes good use of space I'd probably under use otherwise. So given all that, does anyone have any suggestions for me before we meet with the architect. I'm still unclear in my own mind what the arrangement of major appliances should be. Here's my pantry idea picture (although this looks deeper than I am envisioning). Here's my existing plans with some additional measurements.

Thanks for all the great comments! Yes we have 3 kids, 11,13,16. So not as big of a concern about 3 BR's up in our case. We did look at a plan with a a MBR and aniother on the main floor but ultimately decided on this one, The window in the kitchen is south facing and is 3 2'x4' widows mulled. Hopefully that let in enough light. I do hope to carry at least a little light thru the large pantry window as well. It is 3'x 6'6". We will likely have that door open more often than one would think.. Teenagers arent the best with closing doors and drawers :) I like the idea of limiting front materials. I will have to think about how to do that. Thanks for the suggestion on the bathroom door, that is an easy fix. As far as the upstairs storage areas, those are only there bc the roof line creates them. Seems a shame to not put a door in to access an area for storage even if it isnt terribly useful. But I agree, I wont be. However we will have an upstairs heater in the one to separately heat the upstairs. Our basement will be unfinished and will function as the main storage area so storage isnt a huge concer.. Additionally there will be a workshop above the garage with 8 ft ceilings that isnt shown very clearly on the plans. The 4th BR closet is quite small but it will be for my 16 yo boy who doesnt need much room. We could look at chewing into the BR space a bit to make it bigger for sure.