Sounds like a pretty typical inspection report for a home built in 1930. Seems to me that this wanna be buyer doesn't have a clue about old homes and thinks they are being cute by posting this report. For a price in the ballpark of 150,000-165,000, I'd think this is a very fine house!

Buehl, thank you so much for doing that alternate layout for me. It really helps to see it. I actually really like the way it looks (although I might move the wine tower to the south wall or ditch it). It allows the less attractive range and ovens to be out of the direct sightline and lets me have the back wall full of tall cabinets and appliances like in my first design. The funny thing is, as much as I like it aesthetically, it might not work as well for us. I expect the aisle between the north wall and the island will be a prime traffic area, especially if kids and guests have to walk to the far east end of the kitchen, past the range, to get drinks from the fridge. The east wall is probably a more protected spot for cooking at the range, and keeping the ovens in the southeast corner means they will not open into the middle of a major traffic path. Cheril27, my preference is to stand on the north side of the island while prepping, so I am facing south, but can easily look west into the other room. The sink may actually force me to work on the south side of the island where there is a longer, unbroken expanse of counter. I know GWers really like prep sinks, and I can see it being useful occasionally, but I also see it being in my way a lot, which is why I wanted to tuck it into a corner. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by moving the sink to the middle of the island. Do you mean moving it further down the north side, like where I show the trash pullout or drawers, or move it the center of the shorter east end? I figured having the prep sink on the south side of the island across from the big sink would be pointless, since the 2 sinks would not be very spaced out then. I do occasionally look for Gagg ovens on ebay. I noticed several GWers comment in other posts that the Gagg warranties do not start until install, but MIL was told by the person who handles sales of BSH appliances to employees that the warranties for Gagg, Thermador and Bosch start running when they are delivered to us, even if they sit in the garage for 5 months waiting to be installed. Thanks for reminding me about the 18" wine towers. I originally wanted one to the far right of the sink, since it would be very convenient to the dining room, but DH hates the idea of a 24" deep tall appliance in that spot. If he is standing at the clean-up sink, he does not want a "big, hulking thing" right next to him and blocking the view into the next room (never mind that there is a support wall there anyway). Sandn, what kind of prep sink do you have and where did you buy it? Breezygirl, I appreciate the feedback because it makes me think. Right now, I cook a few meals on weekends, and re-heat leftovers or take out on work nights. We do want to start cooking more though. It is funny to me how many times I have been told the prep spaces in my various plans are small, because to us, they are huge compared to what we have worked with the past decade. I do want to get things right with this kitchen though, as I hope we are in this house for many, many years. DH is so upset with me that I can't just pick one of the many design possibilities we have discussed and just stick with it. He tells me it will never be perfect (because I can't fit what I really want in our space) and I should just be happy with 85% perfect and move on with my life. We have always made whatever kitchen we have work, so he doesn't get why I am stressing over the best possible layout (despite the large amount of $ it will cost and the fact that we plan to live here for 20+ years). DH is really pressuring me to go with the revised design I posted yesterday and not make any more changes, even little ones that don't affect our appliance order like swapping the DW position. He is getting very upset with me for re-visiting design decisions that he considers have already been made. He thinks I am flooding our unborn child with negative stress hormones because of this remodel and agonizing over decisions. He said this morning we should either go with the design I already have (no more changes) or put a complete moratorium on kitchen design (i.e., I can't shop, discuss, or even think about (LOL) the kitchen) for at least 5 months. Of course, if we delay, we lose the 40% discount on appliances. Like I am not stressed out enough without ultimatums. The kitchen design started out as a fun research project and has just become a miserable task. The custom cabinet guy called me yesterday afternoon to see if he could pick up some magazine pictures I had mentioned and to see if I have made any decisions. At the time, I was feeling pretty good about my design (with the changes to the island) so I agreed to meet with him today (in about 1 hour). He will give me 3-D color renderings of my design and a quote for the cabinetry. If I keep making changes, he will also think I am nuts. The last kitchen design we did with him was much easier. It was a smaller kitchen with a decent layout, so we decided not to move the appliances more than a few inches to save costs. I did one sketch of the cabinets showing exactly how wide and tall I wanted everything, and that was it. Having a blank slate is so much harder.

Foxy01, So much of what you're posting is now in progress in my kitchen. We decided our project had two parts: the structural, and then everything else. We removed some ceiling and wall patches early on to get an idea of what we'd be facing once the structural work started. We hired an engineering to design the structural changes and then interviewed framers/carpenters with good structural experience who knew how to translate engineering drawings and calculations into reality. We just buried a beam into floor joists because I told the engineer to design it that way. I hired a KD to help me draw up floor plans and cabinet elecations to fit the space, with and without the structural changes. Cost $1200 and worth twice that. I'm my own GC and the subs that are working out the best are the ones who listen well, are responsive, & willing to talk through issues to find the best solution. Its concerning that you're not feeling good about your KD and that your GC is AWOL. You realize that the GC or KD are marking up everyone's work, including the cabinetry sub right? If you find your own they don't get the markup but you get exactly what you want. Angie's list is a great resource for contractors and subs. Word of mouth, too. I'm getting 3 estimates on everything. I'd consider getting a new KD and maybe a new GC too. I haven't read any issue in your post that's impossible so if I were you I'd be asking myself ... what's the nut? Are you changing the scope? Are there still too many variables to create a scope? Are you changing your mind too much? Unable to create a vision that others can turn into a plan? That's what a good KD can help do. One KD (read cabinet sales gal) proposed manufactured cabinets for a price that turned out to be exactly double the price of the fully custom cabinets I recently ordered. I found my own cabinet guy. He won't finalize measurements for the breakfast corner uppers until the plumber finishes moving the drain line and water pipes and duct work we discovered inside the wall we removed. That was our plan from the beginning; finish the structural work and then plan the cabinets around them. Turns out moving the pipes will be easy; moving the drain line will leave a small bump out behind one upper but I expected that. I did a lot or preplanning like you did. ItÂs overwhelming at first to have so much to learn and wrap your arms around. To capture those swirling questions, write them down, sort them into categories and then do what you do well: research until you're satisfied, document your results and check 'em off one by one. Set up files by category. Talk to others who have done their kitchens, subs you are considering, friends in the renovation business & yes, this forum. Good you have a solid recommendation for your GC but I encourage you to find someone you feel you can work with; preferably someone who wants your business, that you have personally referenced, and who returns your calls and emails. Hold onto your deposit money until you have the right people for the job and can foresee yourself working with them throughout the project. Don't let anyone pressure you to sign anything, including your check. Good luck, Foxy01. It will be wonderful when you come out the other side with the new kitchen.

GW faves in my four month old kitchen: 1) My soapstone counters (Belvedere)-a hard, durable variety, with gorgeous green inclusions. So sensuous to touch! Four months later, and I still find myself petting them. 2) M.Teixeira, the soapstone distributor and fabricator. Friendly, accommodating, professional, and expert fabricators. They made the whole process seamless, despite having to hold my slab for many, many months. 3) All drawers, especially the pots and pans drawers under the cooktop-so convenient! 4) The large drawers under the main sink-contractor fought me in this, "You'll never know if you have a leak!" But, I love them! They hold so much...all my cleaning stuff, dish washer pods, plastic wrap, tin foil, wax paper, dish towels, rolls of tall kitchen bags, paper towels, blue scrubbie sponges, etc. Not having to deal with the big cavern under the sink, and aftermarket pullouts, is dream. 5) Miele Combi Steam Oven. Oh, how we love this machine! It cooks everything to a juicy perfection! Pork chops, chicken, fish...you name it! Veggies come out with just the right amount of crunch. Great for reheating, too. We use our microwave far less than we used to. 6) Surpah Over the Sink Mat. Handwashables drain into the sink. When not in use, it's rolled up and stored in the top drawer, under the main sink. 7) Bosch 800 Series dishwasher. Brilliant interior configuration-accommodates a variety of bowl shapes and sizes, love the upper silverware tray, it cleans beautifully, and is so quiet! Thank goodness for the red light that beams on the floor. Otherwise, I wouldn't know that it's on! 8) Double pail garbage pullout. So, so, so more convenient than the pail under the sink I used to have, and cleaner, too. A bonus...for some reason, there's no garbage-y smell, like it had under the sink. Also, with a recycling pail behind the trash pail, I'm no longer hoofing it to the garage, every time I need to discard empty glass, plastic or asceptic items. 9) Tray divider in cab above the double ovens. It's where I keep all the different pans and racks that came with the combi steam oven and the convection oven (both Miele), in addition to an assortment of trays. 10) A second sink. Though it's smaller than the main sink, I'm not going to call it a prep sink, since prepping takes place in both locations. In my wide galley kitchen, it's mighty convenient to have a sink on both sides of the kitchen, especially when two cooks are working at the same time. Thnaks to all who contributed these ideas, and so many others. I am eternally grateful for helping me create a beautiful, functional kitchen.