Your new kitchen sounds great! A few thoughts:

1. What is the distance between the fridge and the end of the peninsula? I don't know what the gridlines represent.

2. Is there a reason for that jog in the lower right? You could have three full seats at the peninsula without it.

3. For all that countertop, you have relatively little space between the range and sink, where most prep happens. If you keep this basic layout, you could either edge the range further away from the sink, or put a prep sink in the peninsula.

Thanks so much Marcolo!

The distance between the fridge and peninsula is 42", I think, assuming we get the fridge to a counter depth equivalent. Our new fridge is standard depth (purchased because our old couldn't quite hold out for the remodel). But our contractor is hoping to be able to set it back into the existing exterior brick wall which will now back to the new small mudroom. If he can't get it back to near counter depth, we may need to shorten the peninsula.

Do you have a suggestion for the best opening width there into the kitchen cooking area (between the fridge and peninsula)? Especially since this is the entry to the cooking area.

The jog in the lower right is due to the house entry foyer on the other side of that wall. We might be able to move this wall back a bit to minimize the jog.

We'll definitely look to edge the range further away from the sink to increase prep area.

Thanks again for your advice!!

What are the two boxes in the corners next to the entry into the DR? I was wondering if you could extend your counter down to the jog in the wall. It would give an extra 24" to 36" of counterspace b/w the range and the sink.

Another option would be to move the counter down another foot or so, leave the range where it is, and add a corner prep sink. This would give you plenty of prep space on both sides of the prep sink, including the "prime" space b/w the prep sink & range.

Right now, you have a lot of counter in the "wrong" places and not enough in the "right" places...meaning, there is very little workspace in your Prep Zone b/w the range and only sink while there's a lot of space (peninsula) too far away from the sole water source. [Regardless of what's "planned" ahead of time, Prep Zones usually end up and work best b/w a water source and the range/cooktop or next to a water source directly across from the range/cooktop (island & prep sink arrangement, with no more than 42"to 48" b/w the island & range/cooktop).]

Refrigerator...you will only be able to recess the refrigerator into the wall so the refrigerator carcass/box is even with the counters. To be able to open the refrigerator fully, the doors & handles must stick out past the surrounding cabinets & counters. This means the doors + handles will most likely stick out approx 6" past the counters. Aim for 42" b/w the end of the peninsula and the handle(s) of your refrigerator. (I have only 32" and it's far too little!)

Why does the counter in the corner between range and sink jog inwards like that? It deprives you of prep space. What's the point?

Other than that it looks pretty good to me.

The 90-degree corner angle (I think that's what you're referring to, IdeaGirl2), opens up the range and prevents "crowding" of the range by the corner. It doesn't really deprive one of prep space b/c of the corner. With the angled cut, it's difficult to reach the corner and it's wasted. This way, more of the corner is used & there's less waste so the net is not lost prep space, just a better use of the available space.

BTW...I speak from experience about the prep space, my mother has the angled corner and the back is pretty useless b/c it's just too far away. She stores things not used often in that deep corner. OTOH, in my old kitchen I had the 90-degree corner and the entire corner was useful.

Oh, and with the 90-degree corner instead of the angle, it's much easier to reach the cabinets above!

Holy smoke Ralph! You are very close to doing the same project we've just done!

Our original kitchen had garage on right and the entry was adjacent to garage. We didn't even have your gable roof to add some interest to front of house. We put the gable on the addition. The original corridor kitchen is now an open hall and we've made our new G kitchen within the bumped area. It is oriented the opposite of yours and the peninsula has a second sink in it. We added a more elaborate front lobby with an 8 foot coat closet. We ended nibbling 3 feet out of the garage to get it all in and we bumped out 12 feet. You can find a great deal of the project here on Flickr but the Flickr account has hidden the first pages because I've overloaded it so you begin well into the demo and rebuild.

Have fun stormin' the castle!

Here is a link that might be useful: Florantha Flickr project photos--begins after addition has been added.

I redid my kitchen about 2 1/2 years ago and this site was very helpful. I still lurk all the time! My kitchen is VERY similar to yours! My advice to you would be to move your stove closer to the peninsula for more prep room between the sink and stove. I did that, and am very happy. I would also advise you to put a small prep sink in the corner of the peninsula if you can. I did not, due to budget/plumbing. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it would come in handy!

I LOVE my beverage cooler in my peninsula. In frees up a lot of space in my refrig and all my friends love it when we entertain.

We moved our refrig more into the kitchen and put a pantry on the end of that run. LOVE IT! Got that idea from this site. Maybe that will also help you with your refrig?

We also put a window at the wall end of our peninsula and are very happy we did.

Good luck with your kitchen. I will enjoy watching your progress!

Barb

Here is a link that might be useful: Barb's Kitchen

bump--I can't get Barb's kitchen to show, sigh

OK, I'll try again! It's from the Kodak Gallery. Hope this time the link works!

Barb

Here is a link that might be useful: Barb's Kitchen

Barb, link still not working,

I'm so sorry. I guess a link to the Kodak Gallery just isn't working. I'm not too good with this, so I apologize.

Barb

I keep trying. This is as far as I got. Can anyone help me? Or is it impossible to post photos from the Kodak Gallery here?

http://www.kodakgallery.com/imaging-site/services/doc/3961:764662865209/jpeg/SM

Barb

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen

Thanks for the great comments everyone!

Buehl, the 2 boxes in the corners by the entry to the DR are pantries. Here's one more pick of the current layout to better visualize.

We're opening up the space between the kitchen and DR and the opening (about 7 ft) is still framed like thru the rest of the house (similar but smaller framed opening from DR to LR).

Moving the peninsula back to the wall jog may push our seating area back into the smallish DR. But moving the range down a foot or so toward the peninsula looks very doable. Do you think we'd need a 2nd sink with that move?

We'll strive to keep that 42" opening by the fridge.

Ideagirl, not sure I understand the corner question. Are you thinking something other than a 90 degree angle is best for the countertops?

Thanks for the pics Florantha! They are definitely similar layouts. Are you liking yours? Hopefully, you're snow is over and spring comes soon in St Paul.

Barb, I'd love to see your kitchen if you can get the photo links to work. How much extra was the 2nd sink with plumbing? I'm not sure how big your kitchen is, but I wonder if we'll need the extra sink if we move the range a bit like you and others have suggested. Hadn't thought of a beverage cooler. Do you have a counter depth fridge? The single window on the south will likely move down to be in line with the peninsula. Is that what you did?

Do you all think we should keep the peninsula one level? Also, any thoughts on adding an arched/curved window over the 3 casements in the front.

Thanks again for all your comments and suggestions. Please keep them coming. They really help.

We added a corner prep sink in our peninsula and love, love, love it! My kitchen is so much more functional with it. Part of the reason is that my cleanup sink is across the aisle from my Prep Zone, but it also provides an "always ready for prepping" sink for me when there are dirty dishes in the cleanup sink.

We also never contend for the sink during meal prep...we used to in our old one-sink kitchen.

Even if I had your layout, I would put in a corner prep sink knowing what I know now. But, it's up to you.

When I get home tonight, I'll see if I can find out how much it cost to add the plumbing for it.

I had to do some talking to convince my DH of the need for the prep sink, but he now says it's indispensable.

Here's my kitchen.

Right now, there isn't room for the 3rd seat as you show it. You need another 8 or 9 inches of depth in that alcove to utilize it for seating (it should be at least 32" deep).

I was going to suggest removing the pantry and moving the peninsula down to the jog. It would give you much more room. However, it will "ruin" the symmetry you have right now and if form (appearance) is more important than function to you, you won't like it.

What you can do is change the corner cabinet in the peninsula to a 27" to 30" wide cabinet and turn it 90 degrees so it faces the seating side. Note that you will only gain about 9" of the 12" space b/c you will need approx 3" of filler so the drawers & doors on the cabinets in the corner area will clear each others' handles.

Next, make the 21" cabinet an 18" cabinet.

Then, combine the 9" from the corner cabinet and 3" from the 21" cabinet, and move the range down 12" toward the peninsula and fill that space with a 12" cabinet. You could use that cabinet for cutting boards and/or cooling racks, cookie sheets, etc.

This will give 36" of prep space to the right of the sink and 24" of prep space/cooking workspace b/w the range and corner. Much better than what you have now.

What this does not do, though, is make the peninsula a convenient Prep Zone...it's too far away from a water source.

A G kitchen has three corners, which in your case is three lazy susans I think.

We put lazy susan in only one--the corner nearest refrig.

We burrowed in from the peninsula side--regular cab shelves there--and from our lobby closet (your middle corner)--a boot storage unit behind the long coats.

When we avoided the lazy susan cabs, we got more lower cab on the range wall. In our case, this is pots and pans and hotpads and casseroles. You also saw our knife and utensil storage over the short drawers either side of range in the Flickr photos.

My question about the corner cuts wasn't about why they existed, it's just about why they are "set back" from the surrounding cabinetry. It looks like the countertop on those corners is set back a couple of inches from the main countertop. If they were flush with it I think they'd be more useful.

I think that was a mistake or a function of the limitations of the software...or maybe no counters placed in the corners?

If you look at the 2D layouts, the corners are "normal".

My peninsula is all one level and I am glad I did it. I centered my window over my peninsula and am very happy with it. I put my 24" beverage cooler in my peninsula starting right after the 36" lazy susan, opening up into the kitchen, not on the stool side, with a 15" stack of drawers on the end. My GC suggested putting the MW beneath the counter in the peninsula rather than a beverage cooler, but I decided against that since I do not care for MWs below the counter.

I do not have a counterdepth refrig. My GC built a 27" depth "surround" around it with a 12" wide 27" depth side-opeining pantry on the end of that wall. My refrig is more in the kitchen and further away from the peninsula end. I have a bottom freezer with one door for the refrig. Very happy with it. My peninsula "opening" is 41" and it is fine.

I never got an exact price for the prep sink. At that point we decided to put the brakes on spending any more money! Besides using the prep sink for prep, I also wish I had it when we entertain and put a bar on my peninsula. I don't think you "need" the prep sink, but it would be nice!

My sink wall is 139 1/2", my stove wall is 144" to the end of the granite, my refrig wall is 108" to a doorway.

I read through instructions how to post a photo and I was trying it out on the "test" forum, but no luck. I'll keep trying today.

Can't wait to see your kitchen. It's going to be beautiful!

Barb

We really like our second sink on end of peninsula, which is large, but then, we've got a little more space than you have I think. It's the place for large item washing, for washing garden produce, and is right there at hand when we're chopping. It allows handwashing for garage mechanic work. It also allows us to fill the dog bowl, the floorwashing bucket, etc without disturbing the double sink and its ongoing story. (My goal was that the second sink would hold a pumpkin.) You will find treatises by me on the GW regarding pull-out chopping boards/breadboards and I would of course advocate them for you, at the least one between water and range and one for baking.

As for the windows I envy your all-same-size windows and would urge you to put a window above them if you can. Trapezoidal or triangular windows are hard to work with but a nice rectangular one placed horizontally is what I wanted and didn't get (long story). It's easier to put shades on a rectangular window. The high window's light would have penetrated the deep room better. We have a very dark dining room adjacent to kitchen and we're delighted to have brightened it up with our new windows but it's still dark.

We don't want to own a built-in beverage cooler, on philosophical grounds as well as simply not needing it. We can cool a few beers or white wine in regular refrig. We buy or make ice and use the second sink or a bin on the desk for party beers. We store beer in garage which is cooler and we don't drink much pop and never buy bottled water. If my children lived here and were still little I would not want them to grow up thinking that cold sweet beverages are important or that plastic bottles are needed when there's a faucet nearby. (They are now adults who drink tap water for refreshment and don't have diabetes.) I wouldn't want more than a few bottles of white wine cold at any time--not good for the wine. There's more in basement in old well pit, cool and ready.

bbtondo...have you read the "Read Me" thread? There's a topic titled "Posting Pictures".

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens! [Help keep on Page 1]

Thanks for all the great suggestions and comments!

Buehl, you (and others) are really making us think about adding a prep sink to the plans. Given our kitchen layout/dimensions, do you have a recommended size for a corner prep sink?

We care about form, but function is still priority. I'll try to draw up a plan with the penisula moving down the jog in the wall to see how it looks and works given the proximity to the DR. I definitely get moving the range down toward the peninsula, but I'm having trouble following your suggestions for changes in cabinet size and orientation. Are you talking about the lower cabinets between the range and peninsula? Which one turns 90 degrees toward the seating area? I'll look again with a clearer head, but any further description you can provide is appreciated.

Florantha, thanks for your suggestions about removing lazy susan(s). Can you explain more about "burrowing in" from the peninsula to add lower cabinets?

What do you think of the arched window above the casements in the gable in this similar house in our neighborhood?

We're considering adding something similar above the 3 casements in the front of house/kitchen above the sink. We think it will look good from the inside, but not as sure about the look/view from the outside/street.

Barb, I think we're strongly leaning to the one level peninsula. I wonder if moving the fridge closer to the sink would help us. We definitely need a pantry (which are currently against the 30" walls adjoining the DR), but maybe we put one past the fridge if we move it up like you described. I'd still love to see your kitchen if you can get your pic to post.

Thanks again everyone. We really appreciate the input!

By burrowing in I mean that we have no access to two of our corners from inside the G kitchen. One is accessed as a regular cabinet from the sitter side of the peninsula. You hardly know the cab is there. As I said, this is for party gear. The other is accessed from inside the coat closet behind it. We have bought an Elfa freestanding metal rack that holds two mesh baskets which just fits inside it. The inside of the burrow is the inside of the cab corner--the maker did not put a back on it because he knew we were planning this. DH has put mitered oak trim around the hole on the closet side of the corner burrow and it looks very intentional. There is no cabinet door to the burrow. As I said you have to move coats to open out the mesh drawers but that's not going to happen all the time, just in spring and in fall when we move boots in or out of their airy cubby. During winter the heavy boots will live on the floor of the closet, below the short coats. Our hope is to reduce chance of mildew and increase access by storing boots by the front door instead of in old basement cupboard. We have a lot of boots because DH is a hunter and we do a lot of outdoor activities. I have dressy boots, Will Steger ones approved for winter reenactor events, rubber boots, you get the idea. I'm also going to store my heaviest, clumsiest mittens in my bin. DH's bin has boots plus lots of orange items.
___

The window above is charming. Does it fit stylistically with the rest of your facade?

Buehl: Yes, I've read the posting photo thread quite a few times, and just can't figure it out. I've also tried a few test photos with no luck. My kitchen photos are only in the Kodak Gallery, and are no longer on my camera card nor saved on my computer, or I would put them on Photobucket. I'm thinking that it's not possible to insert a photo from the Kodak Gallery in a posting. If it is, and I'm just not "getting it", I'm sorry.

Ralphs95: I think having a one level peninsula is a good idea. I know a lot of people here recommended it to me for various reasons, and I am happy I did it! I also think that moving your refrig further towards the sink wall with and "end" pantry is a good idea. I got that idea from someone here, just can't remember who, it was a a while ago.

OK, I'm trying this link ONE MORE TIME. I tested it, and it worked for me. Good luck!

Can't wait to watch your progress!

Barb

Here is a link that might be useful: Last Try!

I know, I know. The link doesn't work. I swear it did when I first tested it! I am so embarrassed, and I won't waste anyone's time trying to link photos again. I have been defeated....

Barb

YEAH!! Copies photos from Kodak to computer to photobucket to here!

Barb

bump

Florantha, thanks for your explanation. We're not sure about the look of those windows from the outside of the house, but do like the light and look from the inside (within the vaulted gable).

Barb, thanks for making the effort to get your pictures posted (success!!). Your kitchen is beautiful!! It definitely gives us something to learn from and shoot for. It's great to see kitchens like yours and Florantha's that share such similarities to our design.

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas.