I think a big blackboard would be a great idea. I have used chalk/white boards in the kitchen in the past and they become really handy for reminders, shopping lists, and even just silly messages left by visitors and family. I prefer an old fashioned chalkboard over a white board, it just looks nicer.

When you had the corner cab which you hated, was it a Lazy Susan? What did you hate about it?

The corner was a diagonal upper with shelves. It was e Land of Lost Stuff. When we moved there was stuff in there we hadn't seen in 4 years. It was dark and deep, couldn't see to the back of any of the upper shelves.

I haven't had an upper with a lazy Susan. I did like my lazy Susan base cab tho.

Thanks!

18" upper should open away from hood. I know its just ikea 20/20, but the reason is so it won't hit the hood when fully open.

The ref in that position will block your view of the family room while doing prep/cleanup. This is ok if that's what you want :)

Storing glassware above the micro = kids can't reach it. If you are height challenged, you may not be able to reach it either (micros are about 18-20" deep and about 12-15" high). With a wall micro like that, actually the kids might have trouble reaching it also.

Maybe put a full height, full depth cabinet between ref and patio door instead of the shortie. Micro sits on shelf (they do have a fixed shelf you can buy, its in the store version of the catalog) with doors over and drawers under? Micro could end up being at about counterheight.

That could allow for the glassware to be above the micro. It could be ordered patio door, 12" gap, ref, full height micro cabinet (with perhaps a wider cabinet (like a 30" one), 6" gap to window. If full depth is scary above the micro, you could step back to wall cabinets above it. or use wall cabinets flushed out to the front line.

With the ref moved a little bit further, it allows more space for kids cruising the ref.

Full disclosure - I hate corners. So for the base, I would put a wider drawer unit on both sides and blank the corner by installing filler. Depending on your handles and such, it can be as little as 1.5" on both sides. I know its heresy, but I really don't like them and every gadget that is supposed to make them work.

The uppers over a corner - the best way I've seen is build a little square in the corner (finished size 1 foot by 1 foot or whatever dimension you need) covered with drywall. Wall cabinets from one or both sides just but up against it. I can't reach that part of an upper cabinet over a corner anyway so I don't mind doing away with it.

If you like the pot rack idea, just do that, and leave the rest of the wall open. That is my other thought about the 18" upper on the far side of the hood - depending on what you're thinking about storing there - you could cut it in favor of something like a tool rail with a shelf above.

I like the blackboard paint for the blank wall. You could always have some art or something artsy like a graphic or wallpaper pattern mixed in.

Back paint a section with magnetic paint or have a section with KVISSLE (how to make that plural - its like trying to make Beetlejuice plural) instead of the blackboard paint.

Here is a link that might be useful: KVISSLE-KVISSLE-KVISSLE

Is there a way to frame off and inset the black or white board into the stairway wall a few inches, so you're not sweeping things off as you go by? If inset you could have little cubbies/shelves for keys, maybe charging stations, and a bulletin boards with calendar, flyers, etc. without, like I said, everything overhanging into the walkway and getting knocked asunder.