I'd suggest moving the prep sink to the extreme upper right hand corner of the island it is now on (And maybe turning it 90 degrees). This would allow it to be used in the cooking zone without crossing and going around the corner of the island. Buehl, I think, has chosen a prep sink on a corner that is accessible from two sides - a really excellent idea, I think.

On of the reasons to have a prep sink is mid-cooking hand washing (after handling meat, for instance) so proximity does matter. If you're reluctant to lose drawer space on the end of the counter you could look into having a "handicapped" drain arrangement that angles it sharply back and away from under the sink before going down to the trap. With a relatively shallow sink you'd maybe lose the depth of an upper drawer on one side, but could keep two lower drawers for stuff without a problem. The advantage of having the prep sink right at hand and across from the range seems worth it to me.

HTH

L.

Not me Liriodendron! That would RHome410. I have a corner prep sink - but it's a corner cabinet on an inside corner of a peninsula. RHome410 has a prep sink in a corner of her island w/the faucet situated such that it can be used from either side.

Something to note...47" is not enough space b/w the island seating and the table. It should be at least 54", 60" is far better.

L-thanks for the advice... I had thought it would be more beneficial to have the end of the island fully accessible for prepping. The prep sink will be round vs. square if that matters (probably not). I may have to rethink the location.

buehl-Yeah, I knew someone would notice that distance! It is not ideal but not sure what to do about that. We have the same issue currently and have been able to deal with it for years but perhaps we really need to fix that distance. Thanks!

Any other suggestions or comments I should think about?

The big question... is there a better layout for this space entirely? Or are we on the right track for the most part? We have a heavily wooded back yard so light is an issue. Have wondered about getting more windows on the range wall side but am worried about the expense.

Thanks again for the help!

I don't understand the reason for the slanted wall on the fridge wall. Your original floor plan does not have a slanted wall, so why would you take down the dining room wall and then build it on an angle? Its seems like a pantry could be incorporated in this plan without having to have a slanted wall.

"***Instead of a range, we plan on a 36" rangetop and microwave/combo wall ovens to the right of the rangetop." This is going to change the look of the range wall and I am not sure how it will look with a wall ovens / mw stacked between hood and window. IF I were you, I would mock this up in your renderings to see how it looks.

"If you look at my main floor plan, we are removing the foyer closet and opening up that space for a foyer table of some kind (possible built ins)."
As someone who has no closet in the foyer, I dislike this idea. When you have guests, it is nice to have a place to hang coats, etc. (assuming you use mudrm closet for daily use). Unless you live in a warm climate, consider this decision carefully. IMHO, I think your plan to squeeze in a small coat closet that is walled into the kitchen space but opens to the foyer is less than ideal as well. Do you really want a quirky little closet instead of your nice tucked away closet that exists now? If you take out your existing closet will you have the banister for stairway showing? That is the only possible reason I can think that this change could be beneficial. But again, just my opinion.

Your layout is somewhat similiar to mine. Where your fridge wall is, my DH wanted to slant the wall as well for optimum tv viewing. I am so glad I won that battle.

Good luck. I think you are going to love the openness you your new kitchen.

Could you do away with the raised bar area and then lengthen the island a little with a rounded end that will accommodate 4 stools? I believe you'd be able to use one piece of granite that way.

Or another thought would be to angle the island to flow with the angle of the walls. I quickly did a mock-up with shapes in photoshop to illustrate what I meant above (and no, I didn't measure and only spent about 5 mins on it, but just wanted to give you the general shape I had in mind when I saw your space).

Dilly - One of the reasons for the slanted wall is to ensure that that the fridge is close to the action. If we brought the cabs all the way against the far dining room wall, it seems that the fridge would be way too far away from everything. Of course, I'm sure there could be other designs that would fix that but we haven't seen them yet. We are meeting with the KD and our contractor again in a couple of weeks to work out some other design possibilities. I wanted to be able to bring some of my (*your*) ideas to the table.

I've included a rendering of the range wall with wall ovens. Not a very good rendering, but you get the idea. I do lose the symmetry that I had without those ovens there, but I'm not sure that matters. Also, this is where that 2 foot jog is so the front of the ovens will be even with the new window wall in the old dining room. Make sense?

As far as the closet goes, my thought was a 4-ft. (or so) closet would act as a beginninng point to the kitchen, if that makes sense. We didn't want the kitchen to be "in your face" as soon as you walk in the door.

Thank you for taking the time to post. I don't mean to argue your good advice, I just wanted you to know our thinking behind some of our decisions so far.

Stacy - thanks for your island ideas. We should definitely consider something other than what I show in my OP.

The whole thing is too many straight lines and angles. If you go the wierd angled walls for the fridge area, then the island shold have some curves. I think a piano shaped island would be the best fit here with the layout as pictured. And with a LOT more clearance between the seating and the table. That's NOT walkable as is.

Green- Thanks for the response. We'll have to think about adding some curves to the design. Hadn't thought of that. I know the clearance between stools and table is terrible. Do you think that having a round table would make it better? Or do you think it's more important to get some curves into the kitchen itself?

I had the same reaction as Greendesigns to your last view. The seating almost feels like a 'barrier' to the kitchen. Kind of unfriendly, if that makes sense. Love the idea of the piano shaped or at least some curves that invite you into the space.

Thanks, deedles. That makes a lot of sense. I can see now that the island seems like a wall that shouts, "stay out!"

Any other comments as to overall layout and functionality?

bumping for some weekend ideas.