Thanks everyone. I didn't cross reference our other thread because I was hoping to get some fresh ideas from folks not constrained by what we're already considering. But maybe that creates confusion!! Buehl knows from looking at our other thread that we're considering the option of taking out the wall (or at least part of the current masonry/load-bearing wall) that would let us expand the 11' part (like pushing the far edge of the island flush with the widest part of the old room and still have room for seating/walking behind. If we didn't do that, then we might have to lose the island idea or make the space a U instead. So many decisions. How do people decide?? Other thread here: Here is a link that might be useful: Other layout discussion

OK - I may have gotten a little carried away...but here's a layout with what appear to be all your wants. I don't see a pantry, so I added cabinets behind the island as well as b/w the DR and TV room for extra storage. You actually have plenty of storage in this kitchen! The base cabinets on the top wall are 27"D (but could be as deep as 28.5"), the upper cabs on the top wall are 15"D. There are two excellent Prep Zones, although I would prefer to prep on the island facing everyone! (Prepping is 70% or more of the work/time in the kitchen; cleaning up is 20% or less.) The Cleanup Zone is out of the way of the Prep and Cooking Zones and there's no crossing through the Cleanup Zone to get to the Refrigerator or MW. With an undercounter MW like a MW drawer, you don't lose counterspace or have anything in the vertical space b/w the counters and cabinets. There's a nice stretch of counter to the left of the ovens,for a snack center or even a tea/coffee center (43" of counterspace). The ovens are in a 31.5" wide cabinet - the reasonable minimum needed for 30" wide ovens (which I assume the wall oven is at least - I don't know how wide your steam oven will be). There's a 42" wide counter-depth refrigerator - hopefully that will allay your DH's concern about a counter-depth model... In the DR, the table can be moved a bit to the left, especially if you don't put an outside door in the DR. Moving the table to the left will give you a few more inches b/w the shallow cabinets and the table. Note that the cabinets b/w the DR and TV Room are 6" taller than standard - that means the counter will be 42" high (bar-height). The cabinets + counters not only give you more storage space, but they also provide you with a separation b/w the DR and the TV Room as well as provide counter space in both places. The cabinets are 12" deep, but the counter is 15" deep. The TV Room has a sofa and chair - the chair can be moved to view the TV or stay where it is for conversation and visiting. (I even added end tables :-)) A note about the doors - I don't understand why you don't like the "line of sight" from the front door to the back door. The problem is, that middle section is the ideal spot for the back door - no obstructions, easy access to the kitchen, and out of the way of all work zones and seating areas. It keeps the traffic out of everyone's way - it's the perfect location! Put up some nice window/door dressings and you'll have a pleasant view for anyone entering your home from the front door. I wouldn't want the door to be in the kitchen (in the 8' span) b/c it would draw everyone through the kitchen to get to the backyard - the last thing you want in a kitchen! The island will help direct people around, but inevitably, some people will choose to go through the kitchen (b/w the island and perimeter) and get in your way - especially if someone is sitting at the island. If you absolutely must have the door there, then I suggest a sliding door with the opening as far away from the kitchen as possible - so that would mean the bottom of the 8' span. The rest can be windows. It's still going to be an issue, though... Here's the layout (select/click on a picture to see a bigger version): I labeled the cabinets and counters with suggestions for storage and usage - but you should tailor it to what would work for you... Here's a zone map:

Dorado Soapstone recently opened up a distributorship in Shrewsbury, MA. I was there the other day looking at their soapstone and will be back there again as they are getting in another shipment of the Minas stone I am looking at. They are really wonderful people. So helpful and so low pressure. I was there for several hours oiling different stones and comparing them. Here's what I can tell you about their stones. The Beleza has some green in it unoiled, but when oiled goes black. When unoiled there is a ton of movement going on in the stone but no veining. When oiled there is very little movement, some green, but mostly black. The very green stones even when oiled are Porte Alegre, Sao Luis and Iguazu. Porte Alegre is a very soft stone and scratches easily. It has a ton of wide white/green veining. Sao Luis has no veining and a consistent green pattern to it. Oiling seemed to bring out the green. It is a very hard stone. The Iguazu is another very hard stone. It is gray when unoiled , but when oiled very green with some black and white veining. If you like green it is very pretty, but you would have to want green. Jucca is a light gray stone that turns darker gray/charcoal when oiled. It has hardly any veining. The Minas is gray unoiled, no sign of green. When oiled it is black with white veining and a slight hint of green in some parts of some stones. I oiled one slab of Minas and it was pitch black with only one white 4 ft. thin vein running across it. It was a very quiet stone. The slabs I am waiting for have more veining. All of the slabs were very large for soapstone and would never need a seam in an island (unless you had one huge island) except the Iguazu. Those slabs were on the smaller side. I personally would never want my island to have a seam, but I know several people on GW who have seamed soapstone islands and you would never know if they didn't tell you. You might want to see if you can get a quiet Minas slab shipped to you. They are a nice size stone with either very quiet veining or a medium amount of veining and a dark black color. Good luck.

Curious what you decided. Having the same dilemma with our planned l-shaped island. 113” long on one side, 60” on the other side of the L- whole thing is 36” wide. Looking at 8” pendants _ do we need 4 or 5. The 60” side is essentially our dining spot with stools, the longer side has sink/trash/dishwasher. We will also have 4 recessed over walkways and under cabinets lighting along 2 walls.