Congrats on your new space. I would swap out the base door cabs on the range run for all drawers. Also, since it's a hike from the frig to the sink...right past the stove; I'd add a prep sink on the bottom inside corner if you can.

I agree with Remodelfla about the prep sink. Everything looks great and you got the fireplace! Congrats on the start of a beautiful kitchen :)

Yes, I think a small prep sink might make things work better. Remodelfla, did you mean on the island?

Thanks Lavender_lass - its been a long road and I am exhausted from decisions, but I think its finally coming together!

If I were to add another glass door or two, where would they work? The island faces the great room, so the range wall is the main focal wall. I was thinking of a glass door on each side of the mantle hood, but would they fog up from the heat of the range?

I agree with a previous poster that you should consider drawers over cabinets on the range run of lower cabinets. Also, on the range run of upper cabinets I'd figure out how to hinge the two cabinets flanking the range hood so that they open away from the range hood (so the one on the left hinges on the left; one on the right hinges on the right)so you can easily access items when cooking.

Agree with everything above. Prep sink on island (and add trash to island if you can), drawers on the range run, and open uppers away from the range.

If you can't move the range down a little to accommodate two single uppers opening out, then consider having slightly larger uppers to the left of the range such that you have a double cab beside the corner and a single opening out to the left of the range. That will at least give you one handy cabinet for storing your oils and spices and such. And functionally you might be better keeping the double cab to the right of the range anyway if that's where you're planning on storing glassware and cups for your smoothies and coffee?

I would consider moving the dishwasher to the left of the sink and trash to the right.

Re. the prep sink, I think I'd put it on the right inside corner myself. I know that gives you two sinks relatively close together, but it would let you have the trash on the left inside corner so that it's handy to people at the coffee/smoothie bar area without them walking across your path when your prepping at the sink.

Nice space!! Good luck with your reno.

I think Taggie is right about the dishwasher. That way one person can clean, while the other is cooking...if you're that lucky! :)

Did you turn the island? Are you going to have the seating across from the range or across from the sink, or both?

Can you add the floorplan for the entire kitchen? I want to see the fireplace!

Thank you for these great suggestions!

Lav_Lass - yes, I turned the island and now seating will face the range, I think 3 stools. There will not be seating on the sink side of the island.

I will try to post the entire revised layout. It's all coming together.... at last.

I'll have to wait until tonight to post the entire floor plan as I don't have the file handy right now.

Should I get a cabinetry wood valance for over the window? It's a 4 ft. bay window.

I'm thinking that the ceiling's drop to that wall will give you a nice cozy, enclosed feeling without a valance. A valance continues the line of the cabinetry, of course, but it also furthers a feeling of separation of the cozy kitchen world from that on the other side of the window.

Would adding one after everything else is in be an option?

Oh how exciting Dilly! You are just a few months behind me in this process and I remember you agonizing over the initial layout.

Ditto on prep sink in island (b/c otherwise the fridge is so far from the sink), trash near the prep in the island, and as many drawers as you can afford. Did you look at Buehl's kitchen inventory layout map? Whoa. But she suggests making a list of everything you have and deciding where it should all go before you order you cabinets so you make sure you are planning your space for your stuff and everything will have a home.

I would NOT do a cabinetry valance above the window with sink. I think of that as being kind of a dated look (our '79 kitchen had it) plus it blocks some of the light and who doesn't love sunlight? You could take the backsplash tile all the way up that wall or do a simple window treatment. I just think people end up taking the wood window valance out a lot to give it a more updated look which is why you are doing the reno to begin with so why pay money for something that doesn't add to the new feel. I could totally be wrong though and perhaps some people can post awesome, updated-looking kitchen with wood window valance but that is just my two cents.

Congrats again!

Dilly- I agree with Belle, about the wood valance. What are you using above the banquette? I always like a bit of color/pattern, so what about a fabric valance? You could put the rod at the top, which will keep from blocking the light and make the window seem taller. If you need any blinds for privacy, the fabric can hang down, just enough to hide the blind.

As for glass uppers, what about over the microwave? It will give you something pretty to look at, from the banquette and keep the microwave from being the focal point. Another idea might be the upper on the sink wall, closest to the banquette.

I don't know if it's too late to change any of the uppers (besides glass) but I would LOVE to see a plate rack with mug hooks below, where the two uppers are, to the left of the range. One regular upper on each side (and I think someone said the right one should swing towards the range) and the plate rack in between. Of course, I love open storage and that doesn't work for everyone...but how handy to grab a plate and serve dinner or a mug and pour in cocoa :)