Law- I understand about wanting the cooktop and ovens close together! It is much easier, than hauling hot pans around the kitchen (and dodging kids in the process LOL). Here's another idea. If you're using a CD fridge, why not take advantage of that depth and put it closer to your work area? I put the fridge next to the door to the deck (close to the table and easy for kids to grab drinks). You still have the beautiful bump out window (for light and herbs) with the sink centered underneath. I put the dishwasher between the fridge and sink, but others might like it better on the other side. Whatever you decide, have you thought of DW drawers, rather than a raised DW? It gives you the standard countertop height, but a quick load can be put in the top drawer. If bending over is a problem, maybe a DW drawer on either side of your sink, with the trash moved to the island? The cooktop is now on the other wall, facing the kitchen table, where you can really see the backsplash and decorative elements. The ovens are on the wall to the dining room, with a nice countertop/landing space, next to them. I left your pull-out, since it brings the oven doors over to a better area, not right in the doorway. The doors to the dining room are moved over a bit, and the desk/storage area is smaller, but still there. On the island, you could put a prep sink, if you like, or use it more for a work area. It's really up to you. Same thing with the microwave. You could put one in the island, but with younger kids, you might want the kind that locks. For me, I also have back trouble at times (so literally feel your pain) so I'm planning to have one oven with the cooktop (or range) and one raised oven with the microwave over it. I have this oven/microwave set up now...and I really like it. Hope this gives you some more ideas for your kitchen! Oh, and sorry this is kind of rough...still getting used to paint, but hopefully you get the idea :)

squigs and ajsmama, that's good to hear about Natuzzi. Whoever was suppose to come was a no show. Anele, I know it is an amazing price. Especially for they being motion ones too. Though I was disappointed the loveseat only reclined on one side. He said all recliners were in good working order, but of course I would have tested them before I bought them. I have a busy day tomorrow morning and will be out of town from the afternoon on so I'm just going to be happy with what we have for now. What I really want is a reclining loveseat where both sides recline so hubby and I can snuggle. Right now we each have our own recliners with a table inbetween. That's no fun.

I can definitely relate to your situation with your DH. My guy has a really tough time with any kind of change. That anxiety and his inflexibility used to exasperate me to no end, but over the years I've learned to be patient and give him time for an initial period of resistance. In turn, he pretty much always calms down and remembers to trust my judgment and competence. Especially when he sees that I feel very strongly about something, he almost always relents because he now knows that I research the heck out of every decision I make. We each have our areas of interest and expertise. Some of mine are home projects, organization, and child rearing and his are financial and health related. We participate equally in decision-making, but we recognize our partner's greater degree of interest and knowledge in certain areas. Sorry for the rambling! You just got me wondering if your DH is very averse to change like my own. I've already asked him to get a prescription for some sort of tranquilizers for when the house gets torn apart. ;) I just know your patience and generosity will pay off and you'll end up with a space that you both will enjoy.

Gorgeous pics and very reassuring! My kitchen is tiny compared to yours, but it's nice to see the mix of white and oak. The stain has been a real struggle. I had a long conversation with the cabinet maker about a pale gray stain. He seemed to get it...promised me a test strip with natural, 3% and 5% gray stain. When the sample came it was a weird dark gray/black stain at full strength on flat sawn oak!!! We've decided to go natural for now, which was my husbands preference. I don't know if I'd trust the cabinet maker to do anything a little different.