One of our peninsulas is b/w the DR & Kitchen w/the refrigerator opening into the passageway. The last cabinet on that peninsula is a 4-drawer stack containing, top-to-bottom: * Flatware * Plastic wraps & bags * Extension cords * Bread. The flatware is used most in the DR and at the peninsula, the leftovers are handled either on the peninsula or to the right of the refrigerator, and lunches are made there as well. The end of the peninsula has a decorative door. (No decorative doors on the back of the peninsula b/c people sit there and (1) stools hide anything you have there, (2) I didn't want to reduce the overhang clear space at all, and (3) it saved $$$ (my DH really liked that one!) The peninsula on the other end is b/w the kitchen & small hall to FR with the ovens across from it and the cooktop in the base of the "U" close by. The last cabinet is a 3-drawer stack with, top-to-bottom: * Potholders * Cookie Cutters, Rolling Pin, etc. (all baking tools) * Miscellaneous (candles, ice trays, popsicle molds, etc.) That area is my Baking Center and that drawer stack is b/w the ovens & cooktop. The end of this peninsula also has a decorative door. (The back of this peninsula is also a functioning cabinet next to the wall + decorative door panels.) HTH!

Thanks. Two totally different options. Suzanne: Sorry for the confusion. I like that rounded look, but need to coordinate with an upper countertop shelf... as in Prospect's photo. Prospect: That raised level was on the top of my must-have list. Your cabinets and setup look very similar to ours, so I can really see how the transition would work. Did you need to place a bracket in the middle of the span? Also, how wide is your upper shelf? Thanks again:-)

For our peninsula, I wanted something more decorative on the dining room side than a row of cabinet doors, but I couldn't find much inspiration. I ended up looking at photos of islands and used some of those ideas to make our peninsula. Jbrodie's island is gorgeous. I like how just the corner is tiered to hide clutter. Also, she made use of the raised part of the tier by putting a tall cabinet there. I bet it stores wine glasses. You could just put a panel that matches your door style on the raised part and have the lower counter-height part be bookshelf. Somehow you have to transition to the higher part of the tier. Here's a neat way of using the end of an island or peninsula. It shows a cubby over a decorative panel.

Thanks, Mtn! I've been looking at those tables all day! The sizing would work and I love the style, but have two concerns: 1. Are they a tiny bit theme-y with my other stuff? I love to decorate in the summer with my collection of sea shells and glass floats, and of course I am a one-trick decorating pony in that everything is blue. I don't really want to have a theme. 2. My cats may shred the lower level, even though they are typically very good about leaving our furniture alone. I suppose if that happens, I could always replace the caning. Arapaho, I didn't mention storage, but I could take it or leave it. It's not a requirement, but I might be able to put it to use if it's there. Thank you!