I agree about the MV placement. IT looks very awkward. I also think that there are too many staggered heights. Many people who have appliance garages don't like the corner ones due to the limited space( because of the pie shaped space). Place the MV next to the DO or next to the fridge. It really looks like an after thought where it is currently as it is disconnected from where you would use it the most.
One other note....do not rush the design process. This is the most important part. The appliances can be change( and usually are within ten years) and the counters, backsplash is dependent on the finished cabinets...The hardest thing to change is the cabinets, so this is where you REALLY want to get is right and being pressured either by the cabinet maker or yourself is a huge mistake. Going through a renovation and realizing that somethings aren't perfect is inevitable. IF you take your time and explore your options and make what you feel are the best choices for you and your kitchen it will minimize the imperfections. You spend too much money and have to live with the space for too long to not do your best and that takes time. I am sure the on-forum KD will tell you the same thing as they have repeatedly emphasized this issue on the forum. Do not rush the cabinet layout......

What about a MW Drawer next to the double ovens?

Do you really need to have a bi-level island? Single-level islands are much more useful.

buehl: Yes the island will likely be all one height...The island will get a workover after I get the perimeter finalized. It was put in the design this way initially, because we thought it would give better definition to the kitchen space since everything is so open, but I agree after reading all the posts about raised islands, function is better than form here.

footballmom: Thanks! I know I must not rush this...however, we have to do it now or wait until next January....What would you suggest for staggering heights? Maybe just go down with the run between the corner and DO?

Any suggestions on whether or not to go all the way to the ceiling with the taller cabinets or stay down 6" for lighting or interest? (8" ceilings)

That would be 8 FOOT ceilings :)

I think overall your design looks very functional.. a few thoughts

1) the microwave seems like the focal point of your kitchen. with so many beautiful elements, i'm not sure i'd place something like a microwave where it could become the center of attention. Could you put the microwave on a shelf in the island? In place of the microwave you could have a shelf or glass cabinet for pretty items like vases or decorative bowls and a slightly larger cabinet above it for more functional storage space than the tiny cabinet will provide.

2) the staggered heights is an interesting idea, but I think since you have various depths in addition to different heights, it becomes a bit chaotic. I'm not sure I would mix both depths and heights lest it look haphazard.

3) I agree with the comments about the bi-level island.

4) I'm not sure I'd have cabinets touching the counter around the range. That's an area where I like to have counter space to prep food, place food that is ready to be cooked, transfer food to platters/serving dishes, etc. It seems you will not lose much functional storage space if they were shorter.

I know you didn't ask this, so feel free to ignore my comment, but it seems like you have a large number of small cabinets. I find small cabinets pretty limiting for storage. Have you worked out what will get stored in each and made sure you have enough large cabinets for all of your large things?

In a previous kitchen, I had an upper corner cabinet and I hated the functionality of it. I was always losing things in the front corners and the cavernous back.

I'm not a fan of staggered height cabinets, so I can't really offer you much there. What is driving the now-or-January timeframe? With the cost of custom cabinets, it would be awful for you to regret rushing decisions.

Cabinet height: With 8 foot ceilings, I think it looks more dramatic to go to the ceiling. Right now, there is too much going on. I would raise everything to the ceiling to give a neater look.

Microwave: I would move it. I think it stands out - to the eye - where it is. How about just a corner cabinet and move the microwave. I really like how the angles in the corners mirror each other - it looks nice. Also, because of the angles, I think a corner pantry where the bathroom is would look great. Kinda hidden, yet the angles work together. You could even use a cool door on the pantry like a blackboard or glass.

Hope that helps...

Thanks everyone...
danielle: The cabinets that touch the counter are 8" deep spice cabinets and are about 3" away from the range top, so while they don't stick out too far into the counter, I could just axe them....They are there to sort of box in the range area for future tiling of the backsplash in that spot only. You are right I don't want the MW to be the focal point...at the same time I think it would be too low in the island..I'd prefer eye level, so maybe leave it on the counter next to the WO or put a shelf over there.

arlosmom: Not sure how to get wider upper cabs..I've played with narrowing the 2 outside of the C/T, but then the 2 by the fridge and corner were almost too wide looking. Right now they are 16.5" wide, the 2 next to C/T are 15.75", and the pair over the center equal 38".

As to the staggered heights, maybe if I left them the same height (like 6" down) between the frig. and corner, and along the back wall and raised the corner, frig and WO?

Sorry, I was posting over you...Your idea for the pantry is exactly what we have in mind!
If I move the MW out of the corner, would I still leave an appliance garage under it? Of course it should come out much smaller without the MW and being the same height as the surrounding cabs.

Any more ideas on cabinet heights and/or microwave placement, or whether or not to have an appliance garage?

I would raise the fridge, corner, and WO cabinets to the ceiling, leave the other cabinets 6" below that. If you're putting crown molding on, that'll work as long as those 3 cabinets are deeper than the rest (ask me how I know :-)). I'd take the MW out of the corner cabinet, maybe put a glass door in, leave it open below instead of appliance garage. Move the MW to counter (or shelf if you're tall enough, don't want kids to reach it, want more counterspace there) near WO.

If you want to accentuate the range area, you could raise it 3" from the cabinets on either side, but then you'd have to bump it out too in order to use crown on top. You will need molding of some kind at the tops of the cabinets going all the way to ceiling to hide any gaps - tops of cabinets are likely not all the same distance from ceilings (or won't be if you have them made perfectly level - my ceiling is off 1/2" from one side of kitchen to other and it's only 2 yr old house). Use the same molding on all the cabinets.

I love my bilevel island, if you want a sink there the higher level hides all the dishes, Dawn, etc. I have my main sink along exterior wall. I thought about a prep sink but only have 5ft on lower level of 9ft island, so decided I'd rather have room for baking. If the WO wall is exterior, how about putting in sink and window there? You could always put the MW in the island or to left of range (if you would be using right side countertop for prep). Or - really dramatic if your budget allows - remove the corner cabinet, put sink there with corner window going down (all the way or close to) the counter. I don't see any windows in your plan, do you get any natural light in your kitchen?

Oh, I love all your suggestions...maybe because after brainstorming almost all night--everytime I woke up anyway--they were very much what I had in mind! I was thinking too of raising fridge, corner, and WO cabs to the ceiling and leaving the rest 6" down. (Our builder has already explained about them being 3" deeper ;). On the drawing you'll notice that there's 4 cabs bumped out over the range and 1 bumped out on the WO wall...I was wondering if I should just bump out the 2 over the range ( and do a corresponding change on the cabs below).Then there would be (4) 12" cabs on that wall, and more distance to the corner. Just a little different look. There will be crown molding all around that isn't on the pics. Also the 12" difference in heights on the pic is too much IMO.

The microwave needs to go! And will likely sit on the counter next to the fridge. I only use it for reheating and thawing.

Windows...there is lots of light coming from the dining area left of fridge and from skylights and windows in livingroom (all southern exposure). The other 2 walls are for mudroom and stairs to basement.

Yes the island will need tweaking this week too...Nice to have a vote for bilevel. It would better define the kitchen as it is wide open to livingroom and dining area...However I understand why people say it should be one height...Still mulling that one.

Thanks again! This helps so much!

If you only need MW for reheating and small jobs eye level isn't necessary. We did an under in our island in our last kit and found we liked well enough we did it again. For someone that uses it a lot to cook etc it could be a little inconvenient. Both kit the cabs were custom and I just finished inside to match. We dressed the opening with a beaded edge, no trim kit.

I like the look of those when I see them! However 6'1" tall DH would not like bending over to reheat his coffee..(I know, reheated coffee is yukky)

Yeah, but it beating using 1 kW/h to keep the burner on for the whole 2hr period til it automatically shuts off. Plus I think leaving it on the burner that long turns it bitter.

I like the looks of the MW below counter level but just can't see it working - I think someone would always be in the way while I'm trying to get the steamed veggies out (that and coffee is about what we use it for, plus hot water for oatmeal, cocoa - beats teakettle on stove!). Or I'd whack the dish or coffee cup on the edge of the counter as I lifted it up and spill something/burn myself. Maybe in a rec room (for popcorn) but not in working kitchen.

Yeah, I think it may end up being a problem....I think for now the MW will end up on the counter...
Not sure yet about getting rid of the appliance garage though.. I think it would make a great spot for my Bosch mixer and whatever else might need a home when company comes, like bread and buuter. Plus it shouldn't look so bad when the whole corner unit is down sized.

If I were to axe the app. garage, would I get rid of the angled lower cab. too and have a hinged double door with a super susan in there? Or would it look better with an angled cabinet like in the drawing?

Thanks for all the advice so far...Cabinet builder comes tomorrow night and I will make final adjustments. I never thought this would be such a journey!

Anybody have any more suggestions on cab. heights or how much should be bumped out around the range top, or what to do with the corner?

Here's what we've come up with:
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It got the microwave out of the corner and put the appliance garage over next to the WO as well.

The dropped cabinets will be 6" lower than the ones going to the ceiling, but with the crown, will end up about 3-4" from the ceiling. Just enough room for over cabinet lighting. Now the waiting game and I hope I'm happy....

Are you putting crown on the ceiling-height cabinets too? Good place for the MW. What are you planning on putting in the little space b/t the fridge and that cabinet that goes all the way to the countertop (to left of range)? Coffeemaker?

Yes, there will be crown on everything.
The spot next to the fridge could be for the coffee maker, that's a great idea.
I would have preferred the MW be there, but with the bump out for the cooktop and the little spice cabs*, I thought it would be too tight, and also I didn't want to take away from the focal point of the cooktop area.
*It just looks like the cabs around the cooktop go all the way to the counter. I wanted to give it a framed look, but didn't want anything in my way to the sides of the CT, so those are 7" deep spice boxes; same width as the uppers above them. I may even just have them unattached to see how I like them first. Then I was thinking about putting tile backsplash just behind the CT in the "framed in" area.
Does this make sense?! :)

Do the spice cabinets touch the countertop? That's what I meant. I didn't notice them at first - that's why I thought you could fit the MW there. But it looks like the perfect spot for a coffeemaker. You could even keep coffee and filters in the "spice" (is coffee stretching that definition LOL?) cabinet right there. I know I'm still looking for a good spot for my coffeemaker - don't really like it on the island, but basket lid lifts up so won't fit under wall cabinet (I used to pull the old one out so steam wouldn't damage uppers anyway), and we wanted it close to sink and trash. So 6ft away from sink on other side of range isn't working. Where is your trash/compost for coffee grounds? I hate dripping the basket across the kitchen.

Are the spice cabs that sit on the counter going to interfere with handles on cookware?

Yes, they sit on the counter there. I could probably put filters in the spice cabs...Might be a little shallow for coffee unless I put a smaller amount in a Tupperware container..That might work. I also have concerns about the height of my current coffee maker. It will fit, but will have pull it out some to fill and make sure the steam doesn't wreck the upper cabinets like it has done in my current kitchen!
My trash pullout is right on that end of the island, so that would work ok.
We're still tweaking the island...Am wondering if I should just go with a rectangle shape instead of the 3 sided one, but I wanted my sink to at least be on an angle to have a better view out the dining room window (large pond out there)which is on the left end of the floor plan.
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Also am wishing I could have the best of both worlds with
part of the snack area raised (for better definition of the kitchen area, beacause everything is so open to living room at bottom of plan and dining room) and part lower for bigger work area--like maybe on the refrigerator side of the island...Boy, this is even confusing me!!