Just a couple of opening thoughts:
Where are you eating?

Can you put the pantry door into the hallway and then put the fridge where the pantry door now is? And then do a corner cabinet in that corner (or not).
If you could the fridge to the current pantry door location you would have a nice work triangle.

Maybe move the range down a bit so that you are not butt-to-butt with the sink and range.
Where do you plan to do your prep work?

Sorry, had to leave but am back. Sooo...
Where your fridge is now - you wanted a fridge drawer - is that as a drinks fridge - because you could then put that where your fridge currently is and use that area as a bar/drinks center. This is an option if you move your fridge to where your pantry door currently is.
Put a pull-out trash where ever you are doing your prep work.

Others have the knowledge to completely redesign your space. I don't.

Another option is to, again move the pantry entrance door to the hallway (sorry but I just find that using that wall as a pantry door is a waste of wall space when you have another access -unless there is something I don't know about the plans), move the range down, put cabinets where the pantry door now is, and then put the fridge directly across from where it is now.
You gain counter space for prepping. And the fridge is closer to the work space.

Blfenton - thanks!!! I agree about the pantry door. I like the idea of moving the door to the hallway as that will give us the same amt of storage. I actually have this settup now and reaching around the corner has never bothered me. If we move it to the corner I'm trying to envision how to maximize the storage space. Maybe making it look like a corner hutch with doors? Both great ideas - thanks! I was thinking a fridge drawer in the island or near the stove and then keeping our cooking produce in there. I've heard people say this works out great. I'm also bothered by turning around and having the sink right there. I like having it in the island (there's no other place, really) but I also want to turn around to my prep and not the sink. Lastly, our architect said we have enough room to make the island 4X8, which we'll probably do. Oh and our eating area is that room with the big X, the big x is because it will have a higher ceiling :-)

Thanks again, and keep any other ideas coming! I love this site :-)

In your kitchen - what do you have planned for the lower left corner? Is that 12" deep shelving split between the family room and the hallway?
If you move your fridge to where your pantry door is now - then your current fridge location could be bar center, or more pantry space, a counter-height desk/message center - whatever you want.
I notice that you have a centering line right through the fireplace, sink and range - is that how you want everything placed?
If you're going to enlarge your island, what about moving the sink up a couple of feet.(toward the eating area) That would take it out of the way of the range, give you turning around space, a place to take stuff out of the fridge and put it right into your prep zone. Leave the stove where it is.
The DW would have to go on the other side of the sink as you probably wouldn't want to stand in front of it while prepping. That way dishes could go straight into the DW from the eating area. Try to fit in a pull-out trash on the lower side of the sink..
In the 8' island how big is your sink cabinet? If its 36" and you need 24" for the DW - that only leaves you with 3' for drawers and trash. Putting a DW drawer that is taking another 24" seems like a luxury to me. However, for me it was all about drawers and counters and I know that others are designing for different reasons.

Hmmm, I don't know why that line is there? :-) Maybe he (architect) wants it centered but I don't know if that is a priority for me. I think we're going to have plenty of space for all of my drawers (love drawers) on the counter run to the right of the stove but it is funny how when you break down the length in the island like that it seems small and it's 8'! But it's more that we're putting large items there. I like the idea of the beverage center where the fridge was too. I'm thinking my extra dw isn't going to happen. Maybe when my kids are older and we don't have so many of their little friends running through the house daily I'll spend less time using the DW!

Are you still working on your layout?

Hi Buehl, Yes we are. Still working away! The island is 4x8 now, but we're still trying to figure out the pantry (if it should move) or what. If you have input, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I see that the 3/4 adjacent to the kitchen is set up as handicap accessible/ universal access. I think this is a good idea, is that intentional or something the architect automatically did?

If so I would widen the bath door to 36" and the openings into the kitchen and other rooms to 36" if they are not already.

If you put the pantry door in the hall I think you just have to flip the L arrangements of the shelves.

I like the suggestions, blfenton.

That lower left area should become useful space. Wall oven? Cookbook shelves? Workspace with pullout chopping/work board?

For a multi-cook kitchen, be sure you think about children becoming adults. They take more space than you might think. If your kids are active in cooking and if you give parties, plan for space of 4 adults minimum. You will need at least 2 sinks and you will need at least 2 work triangles anchored at the range and refrig plus work spaces away from the main theater of battle.

Wholesale change here...Put cooktop on island at current sink position (centered on fireplace with dramatic? ordinary? hood above) and move that refrig as suggested. If you put one-bowl sink near refrig on outer wall and double cleanup sink on opposite end of the outer wall in same position, you'd have plunk space either side of sinks, lots of space between sinks and behind the range person, and a straight shot from dining area to the dishwasher zone next to the cleanup sink. Main prep zone would be to right of current range position; secondary prep zones on many sides of island. You would lose the potential for fancy hearth-style range treatment but you'd gain efficiency. This also puts the grocery bags near the front door (if that's the primary entrance for them) and if that is a larder pantry, it puts food offload there also and refrig is right there.

Personally I'd restrict the island depth and increase space between the island and outer wall. Five foot aisle?

If you need an idea for using wasted space inside the island, remember table leaf storage.