Sherride, I own a rental condo that has a very similar layout as your new U shaped kitchen. I hated that kitchen when I lived there for 4 years. I lived there more than 15 years ago. Even when I was younger and did not cook much, I still hated it. Not only that the DR was too small to really use the peninsula for seating. Everytime I go to the condo, I am amazed how crammed the kitchen is for the tenants. My parents also had a kitchen that had not enough seating for peninsula and the DR table. This was in a large house built that way when they bought it. This was a poor design. No other excuse. They lived with it for years but it functioned very poorly. I hear what your DH is saying about the peninsula but it is not a very functional kitchen and DR with it, IMHO. I think the peninsula concept is about 3 decades old and it makes the house seem dated. My condo is about that age. One of the things that you and your DH can do it to go look at new condos and apartments in your city that are about yours in sq footage. Go look at real estate listings and look at open houses. Just go look! You can see how open DR/K feel in these newer floor plans. I think for some people they have to see how houses are in person. After seeing these homes, your DH still insists that he does not like it, then I guess you tried your best. Many homes, even large expensive homes have moved onto the open DR/K concept without closed in DR. I don't think it makes the kitchen feel like an eat-in kitchen at all. It makes the kitchen and DR function as if you have more space. I look at alot of small houses for investment. Small houses that have open flowing rooms live much bigger than closed chopped up rooms. Unfortunately, if you have a small house, you have to accept its limitations. For me, I would opt for the open DR/K and not have the chopped up little rooms. I really like tbb123. I think having a table without banquette seating will make it feel more like a real DR and less like a eat in kitchen, if that is a concern.

Michelle -- are you still working on this? I have the same assignment for my daughter's class. The past few years they have included: * full formal class pic with teachers, * many candids, * individual pic of each child, * individual baby pic of each child (w/out captions -- anwer key at end, a guessing game, really), * write-ups for every grade/teacher (In Mrs. Lucy's Kindergarten class, we....), * a Remember When section, for kids to post both funny stories and on-going pass-times, * a "trends" page (names of popular artists, fashions), * poetry, artwork, etc. * a "In the year XXXX I will be ..." section for each students predictions. * a couple of pages for autographs. Any other ideas from anyone? Any other resources you've found helpful?

Good information, Rosie. Thank you. I have definitely been focused on the "form" not the "function". I've been picturing the room, not working within it. I know it does sound gluttonous to want 2 of everything. To try to justify, we live in a quasi-remote area so I definitely hit the "big city" to stock up, hence needing two fridge/freezers, plus weekly produce from CSA. And with one sink front and center, two dishwashers are intended to be a place to stash and clean everything including pots and pans so there's not much out in the open. I do like the idea of putting a DW on other side; unfortunately, the only water on the range wall is a pot filler so I don't know how easily a drain could be added for DW. Taking away pantries on ends of run, I could have about 49" of base cab to work with, split 24 for DW and a 24 drawer next to range. On the island there is room for a 24 or 27" base cab, preferably drawers, at end after side by side DWers. This could be knives on top and every day dishes below, leaving the range wall flanking drawers for baking dishes, pots and pans and food storage containers with cooking utensils in top drawers. Small appliances in pantry. I feel my prep will be split between island and next to range. Non cooked items on the island (salads, school lunches, pre-prep not for immediate cooking) and by the range for items to be cooked right then. Right now it all happens in a 2x3 corner btw sink and range so I've vowed to not have "corners" in this kitchen!! I'm determined to have the space emote serenity, not frantic, crowded clutter! The pantry is to house items not for daily use and food. (and the microwave apparently, which is fine, I try not to use it for much but others in family insist there be one). With no basement or garage, this room will definitely be utilized fully.

3onthetree Thanks so much for your feedback! as I explained above to isabellagracepan, the renovation will happen prior to moving in because we’re already in a temporary apartment and don’t want to live in the house with the dust etc created during a renovation. I agree with you entirely about seeing how we use the outside space. i love what you did about bumping a mudroom next to the garage! We’re seriously considering that. It’s tough bc we’re trying to balance living space vs more utilitarian spaces that are practical. For example, we have no need for an informal tv family room plus an entire room used for a formal living room. I wanted to clarify something on the floorplan that I realized wasnt on it from the listing green is the location of the laundry, side by side washer and dryer Purple is a full bathroom for the downstairs level. Vanity, toilet and shower. I was thinking since there’s currently a living room and family room, i could make 1 our tv watching space and the other a combo of dining room and small seating area (a couple of armchairs) that could be easily moved when entertaining a larger crowd. Thanks again for your help!