Thank laxsupermom! I keep going around in circles...I'm on layout 17 now. I generally use the pennisula as a landing space for the fridge now. I like having the DO out of the walkway, more room to get the stuff out of the oven and to get people around the oven when it's open. I'm thinking putting the MW in a shelf below the counter. Then I would have my cookbooks in the shelf above. Maybe the phone and message center (don't have a new place for that stuff) could go over there on the counter area. Malhgold -I don't like the stainless steel hoods, too modern for me. I'm trying for a beach cottage feel. I did think that since I could direct vent out the back of the hood, I could put glass cabinets above the hood. Or consider stacking the mass of cabinets on the left with glass on top.

It's nice seeing these alternate layout ideas. Thanks! It gets my mind thinking in a different way. To answer some of buehl's questions: - Appliance sizes will be 36" wide fridge and 24" wide dishwasher (changed since my picture, both very recent and will be staying) - The heat register by peninsula can be moved. No problem there. - The way family and friends come in is through mudroom. Mudroom has an entrance from exterior and from the garage also, so the groceries come in through here and are put on the table. It's very handy because it's close to the built-in pantry, upright freezer, and the fridge while I'm putting things away. We will be tearing out the ceiling (office tile ceiling in two areas, damaged sheetrock ceiling in another) so when that is torn apart the thing we would be willing to change is to put a partial wall of some sort over in that stair area if it made something more functional, but not completely block any stairs. Although the room upstairs is currently used as a bedroom, in a few years when my daughter is done with college and moves out, it will be back to a living room which will be nice to have easy access from the kitchen. It's a long way around going another way (the house is big). It's also the shortest route to the 2nd bathroom from the kitchen. - Window over the sink is 39" off ground and the other two are 23-1/2" - I will have DH make a sketch of main floor layout so it's somewhat in the right proportions compared to what I would come up with.

Thanks for the response. I guess maybe I'm not using the right terminology. I had the idea that an 'integrated' sink meant that it was made from the same material as the countertop and just kind of all 'welded' together but I guess you are saying that any kind of sink can be 'welded' to the countertop in the same fashion? (I know it's not really welding but glued, attached, whatever the right word is?) On the range, it is full depth so no piece required across the back. So I just need to be sure the fabricator makes the edges as described above and uses the tape and all should be well? It's an induction range so not super super hot like some of the big gas ranges.

Sorry, for the late reply. I just saw this. No, we've had so many other issues come up with the build that have required all my attention, I haven't had time to focus on this. I do plan to use 30"-36" sinks. I will let the final cabinet layout dictate the sink sizes, so long as we are in that range. If I have an extra 3" of wasted space, I'll go up in sink size, or if I need a few inches for the trash can, I'll go down a couple inches on the sink. The main thing I haven't decided on yet, is whether they'll both be apron sinks or one apron and one under mount. Or, one stainless steel and one fire clay/ceramic/etc? Oh boy, I guess I have a little more left to decide than I thought! I think lead time and prices will point in the right direction on material! LOL! @vevmom, if your island is 10' long, I think the 33" sink will work nicely. That is still less than 1/3 of your island. I think bbtrix's photos above are great for helping to visualize this. (Thanks again bbtrix!) That island is 8' long with a stages 45. You'll have 2 more feet of island, plus a smaller sink. Let me know what you decide.