I'm not sure what you mean by your style. Do you usually have eight people working in the kitchen (more counterspace) or three sets of china (more storage)? I guess what I'm trying to say is that I would let function rule.

Yes. As long as you have a work area wide enough for you to stand at comfortably, I say go for it.

Ellaf, modern styles seem to have more floor to ceiling cabinets (at least that's what catches my eye). To achieve that I would have to give up counters.

I don't really need the extra cabinet space I would get since I'm more of a minimalist but 20' of counterspace seems more then ample. A part of me is reluctant to shrink the counters from 6' to 4'. I really want the ultra modern look that floor to ceiling cabinets have, so I'm just unsure and wanted to hear others thoughts.

It's really hard to say which I prefer with out seeing the layouts. I can tell you though that I have a 6' prep space on my bakers table and it's glorious. I can lay things out, plate, whatever... without problem. LOVE it!

Do you have a possible floor plan you could post? I think where the counter space is located, is just important in function as how much total counter space you have.

If the counter space you are giving up is across the kitchen or on the opposite side of the island from the rest of your work areas/sink/stove, you might not miss it much. It is all about the context of the total plan and how everything flows.

This was the original plan we came up with. If we do the floor to ceiling cabinets, we will put them on the ends of the sink counter. We would also put full cabinets on the frig wall to instead of a traditional pantry.

Would it fit your vision to put the floor to ceiling cabinets on just one side of the window and leave the other side with a wider length of prep area? If you could make it work from a form perspective, I think it would be a good compromise and add a lot of function with the increased prep area.

Everyone cooks and preps differently, but I personally wouldn't be happy with losing the counter space on both sides of the sink to the extent you are looking at. If the range wasn't in the center of the island, it would be different, but as drawn, it seems like there are multiple small prep areas that are all broken up. This would bother me personally, but might work for your lifestyle.

with what little cooking I do, yes. but I'm thrilled to think I'll have 3' straight of counter top in the new place - lol! with 3 other areas of about 1-1.5' each.

so, I think it depends on the kind of cooking you do.

maybe compromise and put them on either end @ 24" wide?

Westie, we considered putting the floor to ceiling cabinets on only the left side. We were concerned though with the overall look of the kitchen, since it is even on both sides (the kitchen will be very open to the entire house). Though by having the tall cabinet on the left side of the sink, the right window wouldn't be as impaired.

Desert. We have though of shrinking the side down some but it would still only give us 6" more. Better but I would still have to question it.

I can imagine some times wanting a long run when I'm baking with my granddaughter etc. I'd still be able to use the island seating area, but it wouldn't be that convenient.

that'd give you 45" on either side of the sink plus 42" on either side of the range.

or

move the sink a bit to the left and put the range to the right of the window. cabinet on far left floor to ceiling
and full length of island for counter top.

I understand your concern as far as the overall look of the kitchen. If it were me, I would have the cabinet company draw it up in their 3D software both ways, with the full height cupboards on both sides and just on one. Seeing it in this perspective might help you decide if you could make the compromise in your vision or not.

Also, one other thought...I know you like the idea of the full height cabinets for their modern look, but depending on the finishes you are selecting for the overall space I think you could achieve that same look without putting a full height cabinet on that wall at all. A very modern backsplash could be a great focal point, give you the design direction you desire, and keep the functional expanse of countertop. Houzz.com has some wonderful pictures to browse and give you ideas of more modern kitchen spaces for inspiration. My concern is that having that many full height cabinets in a smaller space might actually be a little overwhelming. Your pantry/refrigerator could give you the look you have envisioned, and a jumping off point for the rest of the space, without necessarily replicating it everywhere in the space.

Just looking at it and not hearing a need for the additional closed storage, I'd make the fridge wall and pantry talls to the ceiling but leave the long run with counters the full length. Walls of full length cabinets don't feel more modern to me than sweeping expanses of counters. Actually, the more open it is and the more unbroken lines you have, the more modern it would seem to me, but I'm sure not a design expert.

Ever since I saw coastal modern's kitchen, I haven't been able to look at another kitchen the same. I wanted modern before but after that I HAVE to have modern.

Examing the photo (and others), I noticed that it was the full wall cabinets that to me makes it much more modern. I wanted to carry the full cabinet at least some to the 15' window wall. I cringe at giving up these cabinets but I also cringe at giving up 6' long countertops.

coastal modern's kitchen..

Funny, I don't consider a whole wall of cabs like that "modern". And you know that Coastal has mentioned her limited counter space as a definite downside.

If it were me, I wouldn't give up the space on both sides of the sink in your layout. But thats me. I also think that seeing a rendering of your plan in software rather than a graph drawing would help. Rhome put my drawing in her software and I couldn't believe how much it helped me visualize.

I'd you do decide to give up counter space at least you've gone into it with eyes wide open. I agree that using the backside of your island would be inconvenient. It's your kitchen though!

Ok, this is just my opinion, but I think part of what makes coastal modern's kitchen work it the mix of all of the elements and materials, not just the bank of tall cabinets. By having full height cabinets on either side of the window, you would actually be losing one of the great features of your inspiration kitchen. The backsplash shown on that window wall, gives such a great punch of color and really brings together the other well edited accessories in the space.

One other idea, is your floorplan such that you could close up the opening to the laundry and move it down to where the pantry currently is, or to another location? This could allow you to really mimic the layout of the long wall of tall cabinetry in coastal modern's kitchen that dead ends into the window wall. I don't know how much flexibility you have in your current floor plan?

I know how hard it is when you have a vision of a certain look in your head and you are trying to make it work in your own specific space. My new build kitchen has unfortunately grown much too large as I am trying to fit all of my own visions into the space!

I've got the original plan on 3D but haven't created one of the other. I'll do the 2nd plan and post them both tomorrow (my DH is giving me the it's time to go to bed signal).

I'm hearing a pretty resounding keep the long countertops so I'm leaning towards getting the modern look other ways. I'll have to figure out other ways.

It's funny Breezy that you see things one way and I see it another way. Neither of us are wrong, just perception. It's good though to know that the tall cabinets are really just a perception of mine and not totally real.

What makes that space contemporary for me is the slab door fronts, the clean sharp lines of the form, the sharp contrast of the counter with the eased edges (no bullnose or ogee edges) against the darker cabinets, the strong linear horizontal and vertical lines and no cabinet mouldings. Not the wall-to-wall cabinets.

If you were to do this same kitchen but with frou-frou glazed cabinets with vintage pulls, multi-level crown mouldings, marble counter tops, and curved legs on the island you would have a more traditional kitchen.

Look at your finishings for the contemporary look.
I wouldn't go back to counter space of 4' for anything.

Well said blfenton. That's what I would have said if I hadn't needed to hurry up to get DS to bed. Those are the things that read modern to me, not floor to ceiling cabs.

I didn't mean"funny" like an insult! Just my perception like you said.

I know how hard it is to want a specific look you've just seen in your own kitchen and not be able to get it. I love Alabamamommy's twist on a white kitchen. I just don't have the layout, space or scale that she has so her look doesn't translate to my house. I'll have to find my own twist for my space.

Looking forward to your renderings.

If you pull out the lower cabs on the sink wall, then you would not have quite the same look, but the counters on each side would then be larger. You have the aisle space to spare.
Actually, I'd consider it either way ;)

If you really want a modern look, do one side full height and put open shelves on the other. Both have clean lines and are modern.

I was thinking along the lines of what blfenton said. Since you said you would cringe at the thought of losing the counterspace, and you wouldn't have stuff to fill all those cabs anyway, being a minimalist, sounds like you'ld more regret losing the counter space in the long run. I bet you will find a way to have a wonderful modern kitchen that is also as functional as you want it to be - good luck!

The responses are overwelming to keep the extra countertop space. The more I think of giving up a 6' of expanse, it scares me off more then not having quite the look I was going after.

After ogling coastal modern's kitchen determining why I loved it so much, I came to the conclusion it was the full height cabinets. When I place my hand over the window wall, I saw an ultra modern kitchen. When I placed my hand over the full height wall of cabinets, I saw a contemporary kitchen. They worked devinely together and likely softened the area to give it both a sleek sophisticated look w/o being too utilitarian.

That said, long expansive counters also give off a sleek look too, while providing great functionality to the kitchen.
Blfenton, I know exacty what you mean by if I changed cabinets, decor, etc, it would be a different kitchen. I think it's the modularism that takes it one step further for me. European kitchen design are the cat's meow for me.

I'm going to get playing around with the design some more. I was thinking of looking putting the upper cabinets horizontally stacked three high. The top row would extend clear across above the window. It may close the kitchen in too much, but it's just a little time on the computer (I already live on it as it seems).

Breezy I know you didn't mean it unkind, and I didn't take it as such. I didn't mean to be curt, if that's the way it came across.

Dianalo, I thought of deepening the counters too and still will keep it in mind. I'm only 5'3 though and the reach for the upper cabinets can already be tough (and here I'm going for higher cabinets yet). The island though can't be moved too much further since the family room is closer then most. It's acceptable now but I'd love to have a foot or two more to spare.

A few of you indicated doing it on one side. Again, I'll try something like and see what the look gives me. I'm not talented at placing things balanced but not equal.

Westie, we can't move the laundry door. It's our exit to the garage and really can't be rerouted properly. Thanks for thinking out of the box though, as that's where I think the best ideas come from.

FYI, a modern (loft) kitchen with less floor to ceiling cabinets. As others have said, it's the finishes and the detailing that makes it look modern

Here is a link that might be useful: movie set kitchen

We have a lot of countertops plus seating on back of peninsula and a little table nearby and a table height built in desk that can be used for serving or prep. I figure that we can have 6+ people working in the immediate area and we've tried it out a few times already with positive results.

Our first priority in design was working zones, the second priority was increased space in general to omit the "excuse me, coming through" that is so irritating, the third priority were green issues--sensible electricity usage, earth-friendly heating and windows, insulation, composting--and fourth priority was ergonomics and elderly-friendly. By stating our priorities, we omitted a lot of foolishness that might have otherwise intruded. We could have achieved any decor style using the floorplan we developed (and sufficient cash).

It's so interesting to hear visitors describe our new room. Of all its features it's the counterspace that awes. Although our goal was a 2-cook kitchen, we can tolerate many cooks, many preppers. We went "no uppers" on our longest wall and put in windows just so that we could cut down the impression that cabinets were ruling our lives.

In those floor to ceiling walls of cabinetry in photos, there can be an oppressive quality unless it is diluted by airiness and lighting and materials in other parts of the room. Same problem whether room is French Countryside or Bauhaus. Having sufficient passing space along the wall of cabs is essential--treat them as if they are indeed a wall and allow at least a full aisle of space between cabs and items facing them and passing space be available if there are pull-outs.

I also urge that walls of cabs be conservatively employed in small spaces--the smaller the room, the more cautious you need to be about not making a scary space. Think about a street with skyscrapers on both sides. How does it feel? How is the ominous negative feeling defused by city planners...or is it?

Old time butler's pantries had tall cabinetry on both sides of an aisle, but they were short and they had two escapes to wider areas right there as you stood in them and often a window.

Do you have a coffee pot, toaster, toaster oven or any other small appliances? If so, where are you going to put them, in your plan? With 4' counter space, figure on some of that being used for these types of items, not to mention cannisters, bread box or any other possible 'clutter' that many of us seem to end up with...at least I seem to :)

I like your plan and the big window is going to be beautiful. I would emphasize the window and do something beautiful with the backsplash. It will look very modern, with the right finishes and I'm guessing (?) shiny stainless steel appliances and those big pulls. Very pretty and sleek!

I completely agree with blfenton -- it's the clean and linear design, the flat cabinet doors, the squared edges, the materials, the colors and contrast -- even little things like bar pulls that read modern. Like I said, the long clean line of counter run is consistent with that. Chopping it with floor to ceiling at the ends, not so much. I think you can have that one full wall easily enough - and that is actually more similar to coastal modern's kitchen than doing the wall plus the ends of the long run.

Now, if you were doing a studio, very open loft, boat or travel kitchen and wanted to conceal it when not in use that would be a different issue.

Lavendar, our countertops are on the almost embarressingly bare. I'll have to find some things to "clutter" the area to give it a more modern (and not stark) look.

Many of the modern/European styles I've looked at have no backsplash at all. I did see one backsplash for a modern kitchen that really caught my eye that was paired up with white quartz...I found myself caressing the counters and cabinets (even with my DH watching).

Aloha, take a look at this kitchen:
http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/best-new-kitchen-00400000053350/

Could you do something like this, i.e., have a floor-to-ceiling cabinet which folds back to reveal counterspace? You could build it 30" deep and still have the depth for a 24" deep counter.

I hear you on your reaction to coastal modern's kitchen. It's the only one that's ever made me think I might want a modern-styled kitchen!

So I have literally been on the computer all day working with the 3D software.

I have come up with what may be a great alternative.

I could purchase three 39" wide x 15" H upper cabinets stacked on top of one another for each side. My DH could build a lit open shelf above all this that is about 11" high connecting both sides together. It would be similiar to what coastal modern has though ours would not be as high.

I can't figure out how to get what I came up with to show you. Perhaps, I can print and scan it in.

This would leave me 16" between counter and cabinet which I actually prefer. I realize that's not standard, but being only 5'3", I'd love to have things lower. As I said before we don't store things on the countertop.

We have 9' ceilings and I love cabinets to the ceilings giving the visual height (even though I'll never be able to reach them w/o bringing out a ladder).

Well, since I see my kitchen mentioned here I thought I'd chime in!

I have not missed the extra counter space that I replaced with wall of cabs. I now have more storage and never liked to have things hanging around on the counters anyway. I have a huge center island/workspace that I do all my prep on. If I had it to do over? No change. It works for me. Good luck with your decision-it is purely based on personal preference and how you use your kitchen.

Coastal modern I hope it was OK with you to post your pic, it is my gold standard for modern.

Your stretch of counters to the right which looks like about 6' and the side of the island looking like it has 4' would be ample for me. If I did the full height cabinets, I wouldn't have the long stretches like you do. I'd have more countertop just not as useful.

You said you had a KD but it sounded like it was a lot of pulling on your part. Do you think you could have gotten that look w/o the KD's help?

The 2 walls are 13' each (the L part of kitchen). The sink wall has 5' of counter space on each side of 36" sink. The Island is 5 x 7.5 feet. The counter on the left of sink has 3' visible space and 2' that goes into that big swing door. (I hope this makes sense!) I also have 40" from island to sink and cabinet wall.

If I could suggest one idea in your plan for more storage: is there any way to add cabinets under your island on the side where the seating is. You could reduce the space between island and sink wall to 40" (if this works for you) this could be an extra 8" added to the depth of island. Then if you can extend the island top a bit more, and add cabinets to the back side as well, this would increase storage space for those things you don't need everyday. I'm not sure if you can tell from the pic but there are 3 big cabinets under my island where the chairs are, just like I describe above.

As far as getting the look without a KD- I think if I had a good custom cabinet maker that was open to new ideas it could have been done. I am also working on another project with no KD, just the salesperson from cabinet dealer and it has been a challenge. Thank god for my home builder/GC who is very good at making my standard size pieces look custom, and by coming up with ingenious ways to fix those measuring errors made by cab salesguy!

Hope this helps you!

Aloha- when I read your post originally I missed the main point! I didn't realize you would be putting in full floor to ceiling cabs to flank the window. My big mistake. I would vote against this also. If you look in any of the Metropolitan Homes, Dwell mags (to name a few) many of the Euro-inspired kitchens are showing a lot of asymmetry to their designs. (note my window wall) Most modern kitchens I see do not have any upper cabinets at all and show expanses of counter space. So true it is all in the finishes! I can see the left side of your window as a possible floor to ceiling wall, being at the end leading to laundry. Then the visual will continue over to the fridge wall. Start by eliminating the pantry closet for tall pull out pantries and concentrate on making this your wall of cabinets with integrated fridge. On the right side of the sink use open shelving or glass to really emphasize the asymmetry. This will be esthetically pleasing if the right side leads to the living space.
More to think about :)

Coastal modern, thank you so much for highlighting all detail for the different aspects to your kitchen.

I'm not concerned about storage since not only do I not have a lot around, the adjacent laundry room has just about as much storage as our kitchen does.

We've struggled (emotionally) bringing the island in and having only 4' aisle. It's too tight (going into the great room) to deepen the island.

I've been looking online for modern kitchen a lot. I'll take your advice and find magazines that specialize more in these types.

Your kitchen is trully perfection! My son classified it correctly as EPIC. You really have a gift to have put that all together.

Thanks for all your help!