Let me try that again. . .

I just posted another question about the option to put in a built-in/cabinet microwave instead of the OTR Microhood combo. While you're already considering my overall layout question, I would love any opinions on that issue, as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Choice between OTR MW or MW in wall cabinet

should we assume that no doorways or windows can be moved? Is that a banquette that backs onto the family room? Two things quickly jump out at me. The flow from the frig means you'll be passing by the range to the sink and back to the range. Not a deal killer in a normal sized kitchen but not the most convenient. I think you may end up doing most of your prep in the corner between the range and sink. I don't know about your family, but I had two boys... in my house, that computer/desk section would end up a dump spot. Are your boys more disciplined?

I like how the fridge faces the aisle and you can get from fridge to stove and sink and back in a straight path.

Is there a reason for the island shape? It seems it could be as wide at the stove end so its fridge side edge is even with the side of the cabinet to the right of the range without crowding the aisle, and it would be more useful as prep space. I hope that makes sense...In other words, if you squared it off, it looks like it would still fit fine and be more useful work space.

Maybe it's just a style preference, but I don't see how the island shape or the angled cabinets help you (they don't seem necessary), but do decrease storage and counterspace a bit. If you like how they look more than what they take away, then that's OK.

I would much prefer a separate microwave in the bottom of the upper next to the fridge, or in a drawer unit there in order to have better accessibility to the microwave, better visibility and reach when tending the stove, and the better ventilation.

Thanks! I really appreciate your time and comments!

@Remodelfla -- doors and windows can't be moved. (Well, I guess the window over the sink technically "could" be, since we're replacing it with the remodel.) I realize that the placement of doors (and number of them) make this a tricky space.

I expect that I will do much prep (prepping veggies, seasoning meats) between the sink and range, which is why I pulled the range to the right compared to our current configuration. Big things (baking, carving meats, etc.) I would still expect to do on the island.

I am also anticipating that (realistically) the desk area may become a "dump spot" at times, but it has to be an improvement on the current situation where every surface is a dump spot. :) The upper cabinet there will hold file boxes, trays, etc. so hopefully we will contain bills, school forms, and the like better than we do now.

@rhome- thanks for the vote for the cabinet MW! To answer your questions, we widened the island for seating where it's past the cabinets on the fridge wall, to preserve a traffic path -- that's why we angled the cabinets at the end of that run, and the angled cabinets near the porch door are for overall symmetry (I could be talked into giving up the angle near the porch door, though.)

With the angles, there is 49" between island (narrow part) and cabinets on fridge wall. If I squared the island, taking another 12" for the island, I would worry that 37" would be way too tight. (The aisle behind the range is 42", and between sink and island is 39".)

Thanks again for your ideas and your time!

Here's just a thought... what if instead of the angled area next to the frig, you did a narrow depth pantry with bifold doors. I had a 24" deep pantry and hated it. Things always got lost in the back. Then where you show your pantry now you can have a counter and MW above it. Would make a nice snack, sandwich making area for the kids then all they'd have to do it take a step and sit down and snack away.

Thanks for the ideas - @remodelfla - do you mean eliminate the 30" pantry w/pull outs next to the fridge and replace it with a counter/MW, etc.? Interesting idea - I'll have to think about that one!

I know you are mostly asking about your layout, however, I want to comment on your Bosch appliances. I have the exact same combo. The dishwasher is great, quiet, and I got it for about $150.00 when Massachusetts did the "Great Appliance Exchange Program" last year, so I am very happy with it.

The range is nice also, but it is the black enamel that surrounds the cooktop that I am not happy about. I wish I had purchased something from the 700 series that had all stainless on the cooktop. There is nothing, absolutely no product or scrubber that can be used on that enamel. I am learning that even a paper towel can scratch that black enamel. So, if I had it to do over again, I would purchase a product that is all stainless around the burners.

I do enjoy the 5 burners and the grates- I hope you don't mind the FYI....

Thanks, Traceee -- that's really important information. I would definitely be bothered by a tough to clean cooktop. I'll look into that further or consider the SS top. Do you have the OTR Bosch MW, as well? If so, do you like it?

Hi jgs! I have a Whirlpool Gold OTR MW and a Whirlpool Gold Fridge. I am now looking at replacing the OTR MW with a vent hood. I was rushed through my reno and naive. We made a lot of structural changes with our modest budget, and after a year, I am ready to get back into the kitchen and finish up.

You are lucky, you found the GW forum before starting your kitchen reno, I did not! The fun of cooking with the gas and the grates is to crank the heat, sizzle, chop & drop, and steam up the kitchen! If this is how you cook, re-visit the vent-hood! That's what I am doing now after a year.

Oh and I got like about $300.00 in rebates from Bosch for the 2 appliances! My appliance guy had all that info!

Happy researching!!! It'll be worth it!

Yep... that's exactly what I meant jgs!!

Wow, Tracee -- that testimonial is REALLY making me think seriously about the vent hood! I know that the conventional wisdom would already tell me that vent hood is better than micro/hood, but if you're changing after one year with the OTR, that's something!

Another vote for a proper hood. I currently have an OTR micro/convection/hood...and the only thing it does adequately is nuke things. I would NEVER call it any sort of ventilation device. I can't wait to have a proper hood and not wake up to the aroma of what I cooked for dinner, or breakfast the previous morning...it lingers that long.

Bumping up to see if there are any fresh eyes on the Forum today. Still interested in comments on overall layout, appliances, etc.

Honestly, I am leaning towards keeping the OTR/MW (Bosch 800 Convection) based on convenience (we use the MW quite a bit and don't want to walk across the kitchen every time we use it) and based on our cooking style, which may not require top-notch ventilation. I know that better ventilation is preferred, but this may be a case where the tradeoffs (convenience and space) outweigh the benefits.

I am particularly interested in ideas about how best to use the upper corner space (traditional angled cabinet, abutting cabinets with "dead space" as in the current plan, or another idea.)

Further, based on our current layout, should we be ok without filler strips between the pantry (full overlay) and the Kitchenaid CD FD refrigerator?

Thanks for any and all suggestions and opinions!

Thanks!

Bumping up to see if there are any last comments before we finalize our plan. (Particularly since layout guru Buehl seems to be back - congrats on passing your PMP exam!)

I've also posted a thread on granite selection today (see below.)

Thanks for all who commented so far!

Here is a link that might be useful: Granite Choice with Cherry Cabinets

I really like your plan! :)

The only thing I would suggest, if you don't want your microwave, over by the fridge, what about a slide out, in the island? A vent would be much better over the range...and you're not reaching over the hot burners, to take things out of the microwave.

As for the corner storage...do you mean the uppers? It looks like you have a lazy susan (my favorite) in the lower cabinets.

The only thing I would recommend (and you may already have this) is some glass uppers. Depending on your storage...possible ideas are the small upper cabinets, one on either side of the range, the cabinets above the desk (love the brackets) or maybe the last two uppers, closest to the banquette.

I'm going to go see your granite choice, now...I'll get back to you later :)

I like the European gold granite...it's so rich and really picks up the color of the cabinets! Are you using stainless steel appliances? What about the backsplash?

As for your upper corner storage, I don't know if I'd use an angled cabinet...I'm not sure you have the space. I think the way you have it drawn, looks really good.

Hopefully, Buehl will stop by with some great ideas :)

Well, I'm not Buehl, but...

Do you mean the current plan shows a blind corner upper? That you reach that back space from one of the doors?

I would not want one of the old angled-style corner upper cabinets, but would prefer one that has a 90 degree/L-shaped front. It offers a larger opening for viewing and reaching, and isn't so deep...and doesn't intrude over the counter at eye level. But be aware that going that route will change door sizes from what you see in the elevations.

After looking at how mine works, I think your fridge door could possibly bind on the pantry door after reaching a certain open point....Best to look at the model you'll have in person and/or check installation specs.

Lavender - thanks for the layout and granite feedback! Rhome -- thanks for your layout ideas (and forgive me for not calling on you specifically for advice, you obviously know what you're talking about!)

My question was about the upper cabinets -- @lavender, I am SO looking forward to our new lazy susan base. It will have an adjustable shelf with the lazy susan attached (so no center pole to interfere with objects) and I can make the top shelf taller for appliances, and the lower shelf shallower for bowls, etc.

As for the uppers, the plan currently includes a cabinet opening fully on the sink wall, abutting a blind corner cabinet, opening on the range wall, that goes into the corner. My KD said that she could change the design to a 90-degree-opening shelf, like this:

Rhome, you're right that the cabinet sizes would change -- the KD suggested using 21" uppers on either side of the range for symmetry (which would necessitate changing the lower tray cabinet to 9" instead of 12"). I still think it might be worth it for the increased access to the corner space. We currently have an angled cabinet, and everything gets lost in it -- I just pulled out a 4 year old cake mix last night! Never again!!

The KD insists that we don't need a filler between the pantry and fridge, but I'm not convinced. The Kitchen Aid CD French Door doors swivel somewhat when they open, so I'm not as concerned with a problem when they fridge is opened -- I am more concerned with not being able to open the pantry doors fully to access the pull-outs.

Oh, good point about the pullouts. They need to get past the doors and their hinges. I think most can open with the doors at 90 degrees, but check with the KD...He/she should be able to check the cabinet specs and verify.

Well, DH overrode me on the upper corner, so we are still going to stay with the separate cabinets, one with a "blind" corner.

However, I have to admit I agree with his thinking -- the "double" door would be more unwieldy to open and, since we're not likely to use the cabinet for a single use (i.e., all dishes) it would be convenient to have separate cabinets.

Also, having the "blind corner" layout on the uppers allows us to have about 4 more inches of counter space between sink and range -- that extra working space will probably be more useful on a daily basis than the added access to the upper corner would be.

So, after asking the KD to rework the upper corner, we're going back to the original plan. I think she is going to want to give up working with us for Lent. :)

But what you give up at Lent is supposed to be a sacrifice. ;-)

I'm sure you're far from the worst she's seen.

Thanks, Rhome-- that's what she says, but I can't help thinking it's like one might say, "oh, nooo, you're not crazy" to a crazy person, as one slooooowly backs out of the room and then runs for safety. :)