Thanks everyone for all your replies! So, I guess I am suffering from dream kitchen delusion. I look at pics of many of the homes in the "How's your build..." threads and wonder about actual size and space. It seems that most of you who answered are working with or living in a space similar to my proposed space (21 x 16, plus a little bump out for a table). I want and dream of a giant square space, but the reality is I am limited by my DEP-allowed footprint, and I know my house can't be all kitchen, even though I'd sometimes like it to be. Bevangel, your space is very inspirational - because it functions so well. I am all about function in the kitchen, keeping people out of the work zone, yet having an open, airy, 2+ butt kitchen. whallyden, thank you for the elevation pic - it's very helpful, and the layout is similar to what I want. I'm assuming that 16' space includes a walkway behind the island (where the stools are)? Lav - we have been in limbo for the past year, but have a new architect now, a new engineer, a new direction... So, I'm hopeful, and glad to be back on the boards. Heading over to the Kitchen Forum now to post a plan and see what happens... Maybe someday (oh my, did I say that?), I'll be able to join everyone here posting in one of the "How's your build?" threads. That's my goal. :-)

Not sticky-backed at all. In fact it looks almost like packing foam, but thicker and stiffer. I like that it cushions the drawers and pull-outs where I used it. It muffles some of the noise when I put my pots and pans and glass bakeware away, and cuts down on the rattling when I open/shut those same drawers/pull-outs. It keeps my electric fry pan, my stand mixer, my food processor and its assorted parts from sliding around when I open or close their pull-outs and my cutting boards from doing the same in their drawer (not to mention protecting the wood from the mineral oil I use on my wood carving and cutting boards). I also ended up putting some pieces of CC on the bottom of my tray cab. I don't know if sliding my baking sheets and cooling racks in and out would have scraped up the cab floor or not, but my pizza stone stored in that cab surely would have, so I put pieces of CC on the cab floor on both sides of the divider. Is it a must have? That's up to you. Oh, and they do pretty much stay in place.

This was my post on one of the 'Washer/Dryer' threads: Posted by lolamina (debmacjake@comcast.net) on Wed, May 14, 08 at 1:07 Can't speak on the washer/dryer combo...I have inclination to steer clear of 'combo' anything. But just purchased LG 7188 dryer (w/all latest bells and whistles) and I'm thrilled. Service, as for anything we purchase that we can't fix ourselves, is a concern...but if you take an up-front view of how often service has been needed on specific appliances...that greatly reduces it as a prominent decision factor. LG Clothes Dryers just received the 2007 J.D.Power and Assoc. HIGHEST RATING of ALL MAJOR BRAND clothes dryers! We searched for weeks, read hundreds of reviews, and really did our homework - LG hands down for best performance and best value. Also highly rated by all the 'subscription' consumer guides. Before you listen to any one persons 'service experience' and apply it to the entire Brand...get Pro-Active and see how often service is REQUIRED for your MODEL. Best bet until combos (one machine to do it all!) are perfected, side-by-side and stackable models may well out-perform and require less service. Good Luck!

The contractor arrived Jul 14 (DH and I had previously removed hd floor in FM and 2 layers of linoleum in kitchen). Initial work involved installation of a fireplace wall so FP could be installed. We had "moved out" of both rooms completely, but could still use range and sink until July 28 when he could no longer work around them. As of yesterday...Sep 9, all the cabinets had been installed in the kitchen, all windows and doors have been moved/installed; all ductwork and electrical and plumbing moved, all recessed lighting installed in both rooms, drywalling and mudding completed. The remaining work is installation of cabinets in the butler pantry area (actually coffee bar and beer making bar), 2 undercabinet lights and puck light installation, crown molding at top of cabinets, installing sinks, handles, window and door trim, 2 new interior doors (just replace) granite fabrication and installation, back splash, and a remove and replace (incl tile floor) in the powder room. The last things will be sand and varnish floor and reinstall dw and fridge. I am figuring about another 3 weeks....which will make about 11-12 weeks total for a major kitchen redo, and major FR redo and powder room. The contractor is basically 2 people, with an occassional 3rd, but brought in subs for plumbing and drywall. Also the contractor himself had finger surgery in week 2. The work is meticulous and precise!!! The contractor a pleasure to work with.