chloe's mom--
do you need the storage space? is there enough room to make the table comfortable and still provide access to the pantry?
one idea: rather than pay for customized shallow base cabs, use wall cabs (which are 12" standard) for both the bottom and the top (perhaps using something w/some glass in it fo the top part to lighten the feel w/ negative space)...it would make it seem more furniture-like as well than an extension of your kitchen...

It certainly wouldnèt (hey, something weird going on with my keyboard!) be an ideal workspace as it is tight with table. And I am not pressed for storage (but one can never have too much), but I though that it would be a good place for servittes, placemats, my kettle (so that no one gets in my way when I am making my morning coffee), and a place to put my every day dishes....

I was thinking of using upper cabinets - in either white, aluminium and glass, or grey, and then a little countertop.....I wonder if I can get pull out basket thingies for such a shallow spot....or would it be a good place for my nice spice jars.....and is 12 or 13 inches deep enough for a crock pot to stand on....

Chloe_s_Mom...the shelves you see in this pic are all 12" deep

As you can see, you can fit a lot on them!

But, is the alcove only 12" deep, meaning any cabinetry there while 12" deep would really only have about 10-1/2" or 11" of interior space (depending on the thickness of the walls of the cabinets)

12" - 3/4" for back wall of cabinet - 3/4" for front (unless they're frameless) = 10-1/2"

Wow, you are certainly able to fit a lot on those shelves! Very good idea!

Here's a link to what I was thinking of - I'm keen on a countertop, and have checked out some sideboards (like at IKEA), and they are a bit low. Given that I have a tight space, and young kids, I wonder if I could get something with sliding doors? Not sure about the uppers - I could always leave it open (I do love my wall paper).

I noticed that my cupboards in the kitchen stick out a bit, but are standard depth. Hmmm, if I don't need it for food (I have a pantry unit in the basement), will shallow cupboards be of much use to me? other than for storing crayons....and paper if stacked on its side....

Here is a link that might be useful: one example?

They're a bit deeper than your 12", but my mother has full depth uppers and lowers both in the dining room and breakfast room, and lots of tall people never conk their heads. On the big iron chandelier, yes, but not on the upper cupboards. The countertop is for putting stuff on, and is not a great workstation. Very useful for taking down dishes, acting as a sideboard, etc.

In other words, yes to all your storage issues. The only trouble with the coffee would be where the steam would vent.

I'm assuming that the kettle would vent directly onto my lovely wallpaper and peel it off (boo hoo!) - hadn't even thought of the hot steam issue.

Pllog, is the countertop deeper than the cabinets?

I've been looking at photos of built-in hutches - they seem to be along the same lines of what I was thinking - but a common theme seems to be to have the base cabinets slightly deeper than the uppers.

Any thoughts on whether I'd *have* to use the same colour and style of cabinets? I do have that knee wall providing a break in the cabinet run....

Okay, as I mentioned, I've turned the table in the other direction (it is now perpendicular to the patio door). I measured, tonight, 48 inches from the edge of the table (long edge) to the wallpapered wall. Is 36" from the edge of the table to a set of cabinets ridiculously tight? Maybe I should try sticking a dresser in that space and see if it gets in the way....?

I would put something there and see if you feel comfortable pulling the chairs in and out. I don't think that space would be useable with someone sitting in those chairs. 36" is the minimal aisle recommendation without any seating.