javachik, I LOVE how you marked up the layout. One issue with that is that our contractor is building out the wall by 3 feet to exactly where you suggested putting in the fridge, so that would block off the hallway and bathroom from the kitchen and dining room. Aside from that, I'd still do the island, just a smaller one, and still orient the table lengthwise, it would be tighter but it's New York, things are tight anyway. If anyone had suggested the layout you did earlier, I'd have probably asked the contractor to put in columns around an island instead of building out the wall. since posting originally, I bit the bullet and hired a designer to come in and nail things down so we could order cabinets, and we ended up sticking with the one-wall kitchen and making the island 3 by 6 feet including an overhang for 3 stools, and making the focal points of the kitchen the fridge and range, with an undermount sink in the middle and a hidden dishwasher next to the range. I think it will look clean and be functional with access to the stove and sink and fridge from both sides of the island, and a lot of island prep space. As for the cabinets issues, the designer worked with the contractor to tighten the area behind the wall so the counter-depth fridge will only stick out 3-4" inches past the cabinets, which should work. I think this kitchen will work. They did suggest a small prep sink on the edge of the island closest to the fridge. I loved that idea but it added a few thousand to the project and budget is so tight already, and I wasn't sure if it would make the kitchen "awesome" or just end up being a pricey semi-error. So we didn't pull that trigger. As for storage space, the contractor is building closets on an angle into the space next to each pocket door, so we get storage without losing flow. I can't picture it but hope it works well. desertsteph, I thought of your suggestion so many times and ultimately rejected it because (1) the bay window in the dining room is perfectly symmetrical and a gorgeous look from the dining room, and an angled door would ruin the detail and look (if anything I'd put a door between the 2 bay windows, and make our deck wide enough for the door there, but I priced it out and it added some crazy number that we can't afford (turns out neighbors with decks who have converted windows to doors all have doors off the kitchen or middle of bay windows, none on the angle) and (2) the kitchen window is long and lets in a lot of light, so putting the counters in front of the windows would mean bricking up the window partly and losing light which is so important; I couldn't pull that trigger.

Yes! Lots of us do. I have three. And plenty have varying counter heights too. Have you looked in the Finished Kitchens Blog? That's where records of our kitchens go. (Not mine--it's not quite done yet.) I have 3, actually. I don't recommend it, but in the busyness of my kitchen it's not too bad, and it was necessary for function. I've got to get a better picture than this cluttered one, but this is the most cleared it's been during the not finished yet. The far counter is handmade tile, the island surface is a soapstone because getting custom tile to fit around the sink would have been nightmarish (though theoretically possible), and the table portion is sunflower seed husk board because it had to be lightweight. The table folds down. You can see just a bit of the bracket underneath on the right hand side. The perimeter is 36.5" high, the island is 38" and the table is 30". The table is strong enough for rolling dough, but I decided I'd just wear tall clogs and roll on top of the island. I think. Haven't been able to bake yet.

I'd need to know: 1.) Depth of the sink 2.) Height, arm length, and 3.) Species of the reacher (bonobo, chimpanzee, etc...) A 48" peninsula that has a 20" deep sink with the faucet mounted behind it (another 3" perhaps) brings that faucet about 24" away from the reacher. Assuming the faucet rotates enough to reach my cup, I could probably do it, and I'm 5'3" with only a fraction of the reach of a chimpanzee. BUT if you have to perform primate acrobatics in the kitchen, there's an issue with your layout. Have you considered back-to-back sinks?

I think your best bet would be a very narrow table against the wall, with a couple of chairs. I’d do some searches like ‘eating table small room’ ... ‘eating area small apartment’ ... etc. Apartment Therapy might have some helpful articles, too. I like your thinking ... wanting to turn a challenging space into something usable. My first apartment was a “studio apartment” — I had only a tiny corner in the living room for an eating area. No window, just looking at an ugly wall. I think it could be a nice, charming space. And yes, I think a bistro set would work fine, too. Once you get whatever you decide, then see how/where a reading chair might fit in.