Here's ours, which still is not used as a desk, although we're getting closer now that the construction tools aren't here as much. I never thought it should be desk height, but DH did and he won. We have the swiveling t.v. over it so if HE wanted to, he could look at it from chair I think. We still have to decide on an appropriate chair. Currently we have a wastebasket and dog bowls under it. Cute, yes? Items jump from that lower surface to the upper one constantly. I had hoped that it would be a barrier, but it's not. In my thinking, we might as well have had entire surface flat. Cork board between cabinet and desk is now used less decoratively. It's a working message center. That's where calendar hangs, thank-you notes and such are posted and oddball coupons get put. Although there's a "pencil drawer" we keep a pencil mug on the desk. Cabinet above desk is 16 inches deep--allows notebooks for financial statements, phone books, etc. Top shelf is unrelated storage of party gear. A permanently mounted power strip at front of bottom shelf of this cab allows DH to put chargers in here and let cord dangle down so that the device is seen and not forgotten once it is charged. He can turn off power to all chargers with one switch. Lobby is to left of desk. I'm trying to put "things going elsewhere" into the shelves in the closet in lobby instead of on desk--lib. books, stuff for Mom's sr. residence, things going to friends, etc. Otherwise, they accumulate on desk. But that's fine with me--better there than in the rest of the kitchen where they used to cluster, esp on top of refrig. because that was by front door. Because the peninsula is right there next to the desk, I would rather spread out on that to do any work with pencil and paper, but then, I'm a person who needs special glasses to focus on arm's length stuff, so I suppose that little desk just looks like too much work--easier to stand and write at peninsula with my multifocus lenses and squint. I clear pencils and paper and calendar and address book off the peninsula at least twice a day and plunk them back on HIS desk. Computer will never be used at desk, I'm sure. (It moves between peninsula and dining table all the time.) Telephone holder lives on desk, at least for now. I'm hoping to get it wired into a place on wall closer to dining room, but until then, it's here. This cordless phone is another thing that hides throughout the kitchen and has to be put away on desk when I spy it. One benefit of this space: For parties, we can clean off the desk and bulletin board, put up a sign or something decorative like this framed piece, then put beverages here. Keeps traffic out of kitchen. Remember--this is Formica, so it's not going to mind.

Another vote for the desk. It will be a great addition to your salon and the kidney shape is perfect to work with customers. You could probably even take this as a write off once you start up your own business so you may want to ask for a receipt. As others have said, a single chair is much easier to come by. Before finalizing what to do with that corner, first get in the buffet and make sure it works in that space, then finish the decor for that with the mirror and lamps. Only then decide what to do with that other corner. You are a lot like me and go in several different directions at once. Advice to me about 6 months ago was to slow down, take it piece by piece. Well decorated spaces take years to evolve..... If you are looking for several items on a tight budget, try checking out estate sales.

Hmmm...you probably do not want to close up the wall above the current bar...but you could still put a calendar, etc. on the side walls. As to your comments/question, are you saying you will have 41" b/w the desk's counter edge and the island's counter edge? If the aisle b/w the desk & island is a walkway, then 41" may not even be enough room for an aisle. let alone any kind of seating! The appropriate aisle width depends on... (1) how much traffic there is in the aisle (through-traffic as well as kitchen traffic) (2) if you plan to have a chair at the desk (3) whether you plan to use that side of the island as a work station. If you're planning on seating on that side of the island plus have the desk w/seating, then you need a much wider aisle! I would venture to say as much as 5' (60"). If you make it a Message Center or no desk/desk chair on the kitchen side but still have island seating, then I would still like to see at least a 48" aisle with appropriate seating overhang on the island, and 54" if it's an aisle with traffic (i.e., not a "dead end" aisle) OR your overhang is less than 15"; 48" if there's no traffic. As to the "judges panel"...are you saying you would have the desk front be on the other side and have the back of the cabinet(s) face the kitchen? If so, then I assume you're talking about putting decorative door panels on the back of the desk cabinet(s)...and I think that's a good idea. If you're working on a layout, you might want to post here for comments...if you want comments, that is! (Not everyone does, so if you don't that's fine...just a suggestion.)

P, if I understand correctly, you want your nook to be as organized as your kitchen appears to be (I see nothing on your counters or table,) yet it should feel like your space to manage your household's organization and feel like a a space that welcomes you? I'd suggest you Google "home office kitchen" for some images of spaces that appeal to you, keeping in mind ways you can discreetly keep the paperwork and boxes that are probably visually distracting you. Also Google "children's home art gallery wall, as you may want to coordinate the wall behind your desk with your work nook. Are you crafty and do you have time with three small children to DIY any projects? Again, Google hacks for a high-end look that will need with your space, yet reflect your personality and inspire you to completeness necessary to run your home. Lots of good suggestions here, but you need to think about what this space needs to do in terms of function, how it should appeal to you aesthetically, and how you can make it work budget-wise. BTW, what you're doing is what teachers do every summer . Don't be afraid to look at some of their ideas, pictures, and blogs. Carol ETA: Post some pictures, even if they don't fit your budget. I'm sure you'll get some good ideas on how to get something similar less expensively.