Your links do not work, but I think I've corrected the problem, see the link below.

As to corner vs island...personally, I would prefer the corner not just b/c of all the safety and venting issues in an island, but b/c I like the look of a corner range/cooktop! But, you may not have the room in your layout...I need to study the layout.

I'm running late, so more later.

Here is a link that might be useful: Capesunseting's/AmFam 's Public Gallery

I don't like the island cooktop because you say you'd need to put downdraft ventilation there, which is not a worthwhile use of your money, nor is it effective at exhausting. Also, as you've mentioned, most of the time that we'd like to be facing our family/guests would be doing prep work (i.e. the thing that takes the most time in cooking). And finally, I am always confounded by people who think they're going to be looking up and out while cooking. I tend to look down at what I am cooking so that it cooks properly, doesn't burn, and I don't burn myself either. Who are all these people looking up while frying/sauteeing/boiling/stirring stuff?

I don't have too much time right now to look at your plans, but I did give it a quick look. I am concerned at your lack of counter space/landing space near the cooktop (if I am seeing it correctly). I am wondering about whether you can switch the corner cooktop further down the counter and instead have a corner sink. I am a big fan of corner sinks--they provide a lot of room underneath them, they use space that ordinarily would be "dead" space, they allow plenty of room for a faucet especially if you want a single side-handle style faucet, and allow uninterrupted counterspace elsewhere. I realize you likely want your sink at the window, but it's something to think about.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread about Corner Sinks

If I have to vote on these 2 designs, I'd vote for cooktop on island because i think the fridge and cooktop are too close together. ALso it looks like there is a sizable space to the left of the cooktop to do prep while things are "simmering". I once had a cooktop on an island and didn't have any venting (ceilings were also vaulted)but it worked out fine, pendant lites needed cleaning more often:)

However, did you ever consider moving the fridge to the right of the sink (left of door to deck), then putting the cooktop on the wall with the fridge and having a completely free and clear island? Be sure to get a counter depth fridge--with that budget you can afford it. You could also do a skinnier sub zero fridge and then have fridge drawers in the island to make up for lost space. Of course, DW would be to left of sink.

Back for a few minutes! Do you have a layout that shows the various dimensions of your kitchen space? That would be most helpful... If you don't have one already, just a hand-drawn sketch on graph paper to-scale is fine. (Scan it in or take a digital picture of it and load it into Picasa.)

From the "Read Me" thread:

Layout Help

We often get requests to help with layouts. Many of us enjoy doing this but it would help if you can post a copy of your layout, preferably to-scale.

• The best place to start is to draw up your kitchen (to scale, if possible) either without cabinets & appliances if you don't know where to start or w/your proposed new layout if you have something to start with. Regardless, measure and label everything...walls, ceiling height, widths of doors & windows, distances between windows, walls, doorways, etc.

If you cannot move plumbing or gas, mark them on your drawing as well.
Mark all doorways & windows (w/dimensions) and label them as to where they lead. If they're actual doors, mark how they swing.
It also would be helpful to see the connecting rooms, even layouts so you see how they interact with the kitchen and/or extend the kitchen feel and flow.
Make note of traffic flows in and out of the kitchen

Make a list of things like:

• What are your goals? E.g., more counter space, more storage, seating in the kitchen (island? peninsula? table?), etc.

Do you plan to merge two rooms/areas (e.g., Nook and Kitchen into a Kitchen only)
Where are you flexible?

• Can windows or doorways change size?
• Can they be moved?
• Can windows be raised/lowered?
• Can any walls come down?
• Does the sink have to be centered under a window?
• Does it have to be under a window at all?

Do you bake? Do you want a coffee/tea/beverage center?
What appliances do you plan on having (helps to figure out work flow, work zones, and types of cabinets...upper/lower vs full height, etc.)

• Range or Cooktop?
• Single or Double or no Wall Oven?
• Warming Drawer?
• MW? (Advantium, drawer, OTR, countertop, built-in, shelf?)
• DW? Standard or drawers? If drawers, 1 or 2?
• Refrigerator CD or standard depth?
• Vent Hood?
• Other?

Sizes of desired appliances (e.g., 30" or 36" or 48" cooktop; 36" or 42" or 48" wide or other Refrigerator? Counter depth or standard depth refrigerator, etc.)
Pantry: Walk-in or cabinets?

***** Very Important *****

Is there anything you:

• Can't live without?
• Definitely don't want?
• Would like if you can find a way?

This information will be valuable to not only you, but also any Kitchen Designers you may hire or talk to. Additionally, if you've been haunting the site, you'll notice that we also help with almost all aspects of the remodel, including layout help.

If you do ask for help, then all of the above information will help us help you. Sometimes we stray from what you think you want to give you some ideas that you might not have thought of, but it's your kitchen and you can veto...

I have an arrangement that's very similar to your island idea and I LOVE it! ADORE it! Wouldn't change it for the world!

I have a dead corner by my cooktop, but I chose to leave it dead. It's hard to get to space in the best case, so low utility. And as you point out, it's expensive space to use -- so low utility, high expense -- a lousy combination. If you don't absolutely need the space, leave it dead. And if you don't know if you need the space, find out. Measure your stuff.

Though I have focal-point windows across from my cooktop, I went with an island hood anyway. Better performance and a great-looking hood. Plus, when I'm cooking, I'm not looking out the windows, but rather at my food, or sometimes, a bit lower at the faces of the folks sitting opposite me. Again, NO regrets. There are some very low-visibility glass hoods that really won't get in your way, and that circumvent the drill-through-the-slab issues.

As to 'how dangerous it is' to have your cooktop on an island... Well,only if you don't plan it well. If your cooktop counter is 24" deep and you have seating directly opposite at the same counter height? Well, I'd call that poor planning. My cooktop counter is 30" deep, and though there's a seating area directly across, there's an extra 18" of raised countertop between guests and the cooktop. Yes, they could reach into a hot pot, but they'd really have to try.

The one concern I did have with your island cooktop plan is that it loks like there was a stool on 'your' side of the seating area. If that's for you while you cook, then fine. But if it's intended to be for a visitor, then I wouldn't like that at all. That seat is just too close to your work space... FWIW, my family has four members so we have four barstools. But it's almost never that they're all filled. I'd suspect you could get by with one fewer stool than you have people if that's not where you'd normally eat in your eat-together meals.

As to your soapstone and white cabinet vision -- Well, that is a little inconsistent with a modern ranch house. Does that bother you? If it does, you can find other materials that will give you a similar feeling without referenceing a time period that's inconsistent. If it doesn't bother you, then go for it!

Are you familiar with Dwell or Atomic Ranch magazines? These feature all things mid-century ranch house style (a very hip, very popular style right now in Portland, Oregon). It might give you pointers of what you can do and perhaps what you should avoid. While it's good to follow your heart, you should have a kitchen style that makes sense for your home. It should compliment it, not detract from it. HTH

thank you so much for your advice. i am currently in the process of reworking my design and reviewing contractor bids. i will continue to search the archives for great ideas!

I think your layouts look fine. if you're going to have a gas stove then you probably do need to put the stove in the corner and vent to the outside.

one thing I think I see (could be viewing it incorrectly) is at the end of the counter along sink wall - to the right of it- the counter just seems to jut out there (a stool under it). I'd wrap that around to meet up with and secure it to the wall.