Hmmmm....DW is in the middle of the Prep Zone...it would work better on the other side of the sink.

The Trash would also work better b/w the cooktop & sink than where it is now. It puts it next to the Prep Zone (b/w the cooktop & sink), next to the Cooking Zone (next to the cooktop), and next to the Cleanup Zone (sink & DW). You may not need two trash pullouts if it's on this side.

Switching Trash & DW is a win-win situation.

Another option is a prep sink in the island, next to the MW drawer, perhaps. But, you'll probably also want a trash pullout then (2nd next to sink in island). There will still be some zone-crossing and DW issues when using the ovens. It looks like you have 48" aisles, so having the DW across from the island won't be too bad.

Questions:

1. MW Drawer...I could argue either way...

2. 9" cabinets....
******* Cutting Boards next to refrigerator...OR...spices
******* Pizza stone next to ovens (stones are too heavy to be stored above head height...think what would happen if they slipped out of your hands and hit you in the face/head)...OR...Cleaning supplies

3. Prep sink...Yes, if you keep the current DW-Sink-Trash configuration. You'll also need a second trash pullout next to the sink to have it accessible from both the Prep Zone (island now) and Cooking Zone (cooktop)

4. Upper cabinets...Probably OK since you have so much other counterspace.

5. Corbels under hood...they'll work if they match the style of the kitchen and cabinets...ornate only if that's the style, plain if you're going for a less-ornate look

6. Two trash pullouts...If the DW & Trash are not switched, yes, you'll need two.

Thx Buehl, you have the best advise. I have trouble thinking zones but once they are pointed out I can see it.

Summary
1. So MW could turn and face the cook top

2. I like the cutting boards and pizza stone idea for the 9" cabinets

3.Can the DW fit between the sink and the corner? I was trying to keep the sink in front of the middle window. Your thoughts on fitting the DW between sink and corner OR moving sink under window closer to cook top with trash in between and DW to the right.

4. Corbels will be more transitional -not ornate like the ones in the inspiration photo -I was focusing on the crown around the bottom

Thx Your ideas help me so much

If the windows cannot change and it's important to you that the sink be centered and under the middle window, then the DW will not fit on the other side. Wanting it centered is not a bad thing, it's just something that means more to some than others. We all have things that are important and are worth some compromises. FWIW, my DH was very insistent our main/cleanup sink be centered in front of our bay window...and I think I agree with him, although if it meant sacrificing function I may not have.

In your case, if you put a prep sink & a second trash in the island, I think it can be an acceptable compromise since you have wide aisles. Yes, there is a "danger" of backing into an open DW when working at the island, but with... wide aisles (important here)
the fact that the cooktop is away from the DW (so you aren't moving toward the DW when going to the cooktop)
it looks like you have approx 36" b/w the open DW and the edge of a prep sink (if the prep sink is in the left 18" space on the islands), leaving you with enough room to work at the island w/o the DW getting in the way

...I don't think it will be that much of an issue.

Since most trash & recycling occur while prepping & cooking, I would be sure to make the trash in the island a double-bin pullout. If you don't recycle much or don't mind walking the recyclables over to the other side of the kitchen, you might be able to get away with a single trash bin in the island, but I don't recommend it. The one by the cleanup sink could be a 12" or 15" single-bin trash-only pullout, but then it would affect the "centering" of the sink under the window!

BTW...it helps if draw in the open door...most DW doors are 27" tall, so draw in a 27"tall x 24"wide rectangle to show where it opens into the aisle...that will tell you how much space there is b/w the open door and the island for walking past the open DW as well as how much room b/w the door and the prep sink in the island. (Line the "bottom" of the DW door with the edge of the DW square, not the countertop edge b/c the DW door opens from the DW, not the counter.)

Our DW opens partially into a 47" aisle and there's plenty of room to walk by it. It's partially b/w the end of the peninsula & counter on the other side and we've never had a "roadblock" when the DW was open.

So, go and draw in the open DW door and, while you're at it, do the same for the open refrigerator, MW drawer, ovens, and trash pullouts.

Yes, the MW could face the cooktop. Since it's a cooktop and not a range, there won't be an open oven door to worry about being in conflict w/an open MW drawer. My MW drawer is the previous model (i.e., not one of the new, bigger ones) and opens approx 16" past the countertop. So it would stick out 16" into the aisle. If the aisle is 48" wide (or even 45" accounting for counter overhang on both sides), that leaves you with a 29" (45" - 16") walkway b/w the open MW and the cooktop...plenty of room to walk by. And, since MWs aren't open for very long, I don't think the fact that it's open while someone is working at the cooktop will pose a problem either.

I do like the crown around the bottom of the hood.

I think Buehl has given some great advice, I just thought I would chime in with another opinion for consideration.

1. I think I prefer the MW Drawer facing the fridge. I did mine facing the fridge specifically because most of my MW stuff comes directly from the fridge to the MW to the table. I like the way your layout lends itself to someone using the MW without acutally having to enter the kitchen. I agree with Buehl that your aisles are wide enough but with teenagers especially I think I would prefer to keep them out of the path.

2. 9" spaces - Next to the fridge I would probably do a pullout for extra fridge bottles depending on your family's habits, maybe 2 liter bottles of pop or gallon water/juice jugs, etc. Think about what you tend to go through a lot of that you want cold when you go to use it. I like Buehl's idea for the other one but I think I would do a pegboard pullout and hang oven mits and hot pads in it so they are handy next to the ovens.

3. Prep sinks - Unless you move your main sink I think one would be really nice next to the MW. I also would put an instant hot water dispenser at this sink.

4. Upper cabinets coming down to the counter... I really like this look and came very close to incorporating it into my kitchen. The reasons I changed my mind were cost, counter space in front of them and couldn't think of any real functional purpose of how I was going to use them. I would be a little hesitant to do them in your design mostly because you are then limiting yourself for landing space for the ovens. You will have to turn and use the island for cookie sheets, etc. THis may not be a problem for you. I guess it depends on what you plan to store in the little drawers, etc.

5. Wall sconces on either side of the hood. I think this would be a very nice touch and I think you will need the lighting there as I think those areas will be highly used.

6. I agree with Buehl on the trash pullouts. If you do go down to a 15" pullout next to the main sink I would put a 3" filler pullout to hand dish cloths from in the extra space.

I really like your plan and can't wait to see how it all comes together!!

Thanks Buehl I love your suggestions!

I will draw up the kitchen with appliances open -it will take me a bit to do this, I hope you check back later -I love your input and practicality!

I did want to bounce my prep sink pro/con list off you

Pros: I like to prep, It would be nice to prep and talk to people at the island, in LR or just look out into backyard, I like the idea of a larger prep sink that I learned about here

Cons: I want a wood top and DH worries about wood and water, I also always pictured an uninterrupted island top

Also, the kitchen windows can't change -they are 3 equal sized windows and I would be OK moving the sink under the first window. DH has that engineers mind and would like it centered. And now you have me thinking about a prep sink -so many choices!

I will play with the layout and try the different suggestions

I am glad you like the crown on the hood

hx Mthouse -I must have been typing at the same time you were. I will play with your suggestions - I am better visualizing new ideas in the space rather than on paper.
Thx for your opinion on the sconces -I think I will have it wired for them and then it won't be a bid deal to add or delete them later.

Do you think it would look OK to have the garages down to the counter on the fridge side but not have the cabinets come down to the counter on the oven side

I am back to really liking the prep sink idea

OK see what you think:

Questions and comments:

1. Is the sink where you both suggested?

2. I think I will go to a 15" trash pullout and a 3" peg board for towels/dish stuff (although I did not draw it). What about 15" trash and put the extra 3" onto sink cabinet so I could order the large silgranit BLANCOPERFORMA sink which needs 39" cabinet? I like the prep sink that matches this sink best. Thoughts?

3. I forgot I wanted the pantry next to fridge to pull out towards microwave -I think it is OK with MW opening into same aisle -thoughts?

Let me know your ideas, please

I think it looks great!

Your sketch is inaccurate as far as there will be conflict with the oven doors and trash pullout, but I wouldn't worry about that.

I don't think it is bad to have the appliance garages on the fridge side and standard uppers on the oven side... but I'm not a freak about symmetry (sp?), hopefully others will chime in with their opinions on that, or maybe start another thread for just that question.

I'm not familiar with that sink, but if you love it and have another place in mind for dish towels, etc. - Go for it. However, I wouldn't worry about the prep sink needing to match the main sink. Most that I have seen on here do not match and I think they look great.

I don't think the pantry pullout should conflict with the MW in that aisle.

This is much better. I looked this morning without time to respond, but the prep sink fixes my concerns. I don't think any of the doors that open into the aisles are conflicts that will be a problem. I wish your ovens could be at the other end, but this seems to be a decent compromise. I agree that the appliance garages down to one side and the other end at regular upper ht will look fine. I always look at plans and see if I'd enjoy working in the space with my family...If it would 'work' for us. We have big demands on a kitchen, so it's normal for a kitchen not to quite work for us. But this one looks like it would...Good for one worker or several, and fits guests/family, too. :-)

Thx Mt,

I am not that attached to that particular sink and I like the pull out dish towel holder idea. The original sink size will allow for sink to be centered under window.

I also lean towards the asymmetry of appliance garage on one side and standard uppers on the other -it would be interesting to see what others say. It would be more practical.

Thx Rhome I value your opinion -I am getting excited about how it is coming together. I can picture myself cooking there too!