Well, I would do what it looks like it says in your floorplan. Put a banquette against the wall and slide the table up to it and add a few chairs. You really need a pedestal table for this to work, but it would be very convenient.

As for lowering the peninsula, I would at least lower the seating side and use the chairs. Then, you could turn them and use them at the table, when needed. This would give you two seating/eating areas, but you wouldn't have stools bumping into chairs. Hope that helps :)

Thanks for the response, lavender_lass! I was just reading through your latest post for your farmhouse and the layout of your kitchen.

The seating areas you've created for dining in your home are thoughtful & I was looking for inspiration in that thread!

I like the idea of lowered seating for the sitting side of the peninsula. It was nixed earlier in the design phase because I had planned a peninsula cook top.

The dining table is where my DD spends most of her time doing various "projects" (the latest was creating a tiny swimming pool for her marbles, miniature rubber baby, and doll house dog!)

Would you position the banquette against the wall? Or under the window?

Thanks for checking in!

In your space, I'd put the banquette against the wall. I like the way it looks in the layout (above) and a pedestal table would make it so easy, to slide in and out. You might even be able to reuse your table top and put it on a pedestal base. I used to see those all the time, in the unfinished furniture stores.

Have you seen Zeebee's thread? Scroll down to the bottom and look at her plan...it's similar and shows the back wall (island instead of peninsula) and banquette on the opposite wall.

I like your blue walls, recessed fridge and pendant lights. You have such nice freestanding pieces, too. Are you going to have any upper cabinets? What about a backsplash? And...what are you using for the countertops? Everything looks great, so far :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Zeebee's thread

Zeebee's thread is PERFECT, thanks lavendar --

I've been holding off on final finish decisions, mostly waiting to save more cash. But I'm fairly certain I'm going with:
soapstone counters
maple cabs - natural finish
sheet of glass for backsplash.

I'm following your progress closely. It's going to be lovely.
Now going to follow Zeebee, too!

BalTra, it's nice but in no way does it fit your notion of flexibility. Both the banquette and the island would be built in. Neither could move an inch. Plus, given your square footage limitations, why build in TWO small dining areas? Maybe just a seat at a nice-sized but not large island for kiddo or a friend to keep you company?

But you don't want a "large" "formal" table in your kitchen for everyday meals--of course not. Precious few would. How about instead a nice cozy table for 2-4 that expands to hold 8? Handsome enough to dress up but with a tough finish that doesn't showcase fingerprints? Or the table you mentioned that could be separated into various parts and put back together as needed? Or a table that lowers and raises as desired? All are ways to design in comfort and flexibility instead of building in inadequacy.

You could, of course, if you wished also have a fine-quality banquette-style seat that's super comfy to pull the table, or a piece of table, up to; I'm thinking more of a custom couch for dining, though, which doesn't have to be bolted to the wall and floor. With your table pulled over, or pieces placed at the ends and in front, it would allow friends to dine or lounge for hours.

rosie -
You make a very good argument against having the two fixed seating areas and "building in inadequacy."

Perhaps if I take some depth from the peninsula - make it 30" deep instead of the current 39"; or 33" -- that would provide a little more wiggle room in the dining space.

The peninsula *is* unlikely to be a real sitting area, especially with an eating table of some sort in the adjacent small space. Though I used most of the peninsula space when I had a dinner party of 10 to lay out foods as they were ready. I do have a couple of other surfaces to use for this, and could definitely use space for people to walk around more freely.

Thanks for your thoughts!!

Baltra,
I have lived in couple houses where the peninsula seating was inadequate to have the dining area next to it. I always felt that the peninsula should have eliminated the seating. The seating for the peninsula was really not useful in my two places that I lived in and I NEVER used them for seating! They just took up space from the dining. I would have preferred that the space was given to the DR.

That seals it!
Thanks, all

Narrow peninsula on the way. Regular counter height.

How's it going?

Hi bmorepanic - enjoying our crazy-early Sprummer Season??

Still pondering the layout. I moved a couch into the DR to see what it is like having that sort of seating in there. I love it! Everyone congregates on the couch and hangs out, chats while I am in the kitchen.

For now, I'm keeping my eye out for a deep bench-couch. Possibly one that can double as a bed in a pinch if I have family in town. I agree with kaismom and rosie that having a fixed banquette in the room would limit my options.

I'm going to take depth from the peninsula in favor of a bit more room in the dining space.

I've only been in this house since August. Am a case study in the wisdom of getting to know a house before furnishing or altering it. I love that I'm going slowly with the kitchen; the longer I spend there the more I know about how I use the space, how the light changes, etc. However, I made the (not terrible) mistake of purchasing furniture pieces I love without a master layout plan.

Still, I'm so happy here. My own space.

Great. I love that the sofa is working for you.

If I ever find "the one", we're going with a sofa in the dining room too. I'm looking in the consignment/junque stores but haven't found it yet. It needs a certain feel and an affordable price!

Would it be more comfortable for a visitor to sleep in the living room? Do you want to wait for them to wake up before making coffee?

Yes to coffee first & a gentle wake up for guests!

I have a comfy couch in the LR, which would be first pick for an overnight if the guest room is taken.

What kind of sofa are you looking for in your dining room? One that is tall enough to be a bench for dining table, or do you have the space in the dining room for it to be separate from dining area?

Have you been to David Edward? They make their furniture here in BAltimore, and it's of incredible quality. They have a program called "Access Excess" where they sell their more random pieces: custom work rejected by the buyer, first run idea pieces, showroom pieces, etc. You can see some of it online, but there is more in the warehouse. See link below. The prices are insane ($325 for a $2800 banquette I just saw online). They are willing to reupholster and you can pick from some gorgeous discontinued fabrics.

Here is a link that might be useful: David Edward Access Excess

Thanks for that tip - they have some really nice chairs and they are perfect for dh.

I'm looking for something frenchified or curvy for the dining room.