Option 1, no doubt.

I think option 1 as well. I have the same perimeter "L" and went for the island in the same location as option 1. dining table is open to the 'west' and great room to the south- almost exactly the same. I don't have a photo to show yet :(

The original plan makes the most sense to me, but if you can spare some cabinet space, make the eating peninsula an island for a more open feel.
In the first and second options there isn't enough clearance between the dining areas.

Do you mind sharing what software you're using?

Start by putting more dimensions on your plans.

Which should tell you, for starters, that #2 will require you to exhale, put on a Spanx and squeeze sideways just to get into the kitchen.

In #3, a 10-foot something room with stools plus chairs is not going to work--you have to edge that peninsula further into the kitchen, which may or may not be possible but is hard to see without dimensions.

In #1 the back countertop is too long and the corner interferes with the DR. You could try shortening it, but also move the sink away from the stove if you're rebuilding anyway to give yourself more prep space. The peninsula is also a problem, with stools right in the middle of the stair traffic.

Marcolo, I am wiping hot tea off my monitor. You got me with the Spanx comment.

MelMarie, I like plan 1 the best, but it does seem that there may be congestion around the stairs w/ the stools right there. What's that off to the left -- there's a powder room, a kind of skinny closet, and another room...were you thinking of the pantry out there, or in the kitchen proper?

Marcolo- you kill me!! LOL! I need that kind of honesty on my layout decisions!! PLEASE!!! :)

MelMarie-My vote is for #1 I agree with Marcolo about #2. The problem with #3 is that the stools are very close to the dining room table.

Again, 3 has some possibilities but you really need to measure out actual dimensions and figure out where real-world cabs and DW etc would go. Also remember to specify whether the window over the sink can be moved at all.

What is that space to the top left, below the powder room?

And which way does that staircase go from this floor--up or down?

I also prefer #1 of the three, except for that bit of counter to the left of the DW. It juts into the dining area and is so far from the rest of the kitchen that I can't imagine what you would ever use it for.

Thanks so much for the comments! It's making me re-think some things already.

Tilenut - I use 3D Home Architect, it's very user-friendly but I find it a bit limited as to what you can do with it.

Marccolo - LOL, your comment killed me, my Spanx are all ready to go! Seriously though, for Option #2, I just threw it together quickly for visual affect, to show the angle, the angle would definitely be further into the kitchen and not quite as 'angled' as shown, again, this program is not good as showing this type of design. I agree with your comment on Option #3, I don't think I like the stools and chairs together in that area. For Option #1, the countertop at the end would likely be not that far to the left, and maybe a pantry there instead - I've been thinking about doing that. And the stair traffic is part of the reason why I was thining of angling the peninsula a bit, to remove the stools from that line. And unfornately, the window over the sink is already installed, so sink is likely staying where it's at in the plans.

scootermom - That skinny closet in the porch is a utility closet, brooms, mops, garbage bags, etc.

ideagirl2 - Below the powerroom will be a locker-room style mudroom (built in benches with hooks and overhead shelving). The stairs to the right go up. And again - I am thinking that the space on the left of the fridge may be a pantry.

I'll re-post in a bit with more dimensions - I'm just on my way out.

Thanks again!