BalTra- Hi! This is the hard part, when you're still mid-construction. I assume the drawer fronts will match the side of the peninsula? I like that look, with the Hoosier...which really looks great, in your kitchen!

This is just me (and we all like different styles) but I would replace those uppers...they just look too contemporary, with the Hoosier. The dining room table looks too big for the space, too.

Instead, when you put up the microwave, over the range, maybe add wood upper cabinets along that entire wall. If you want some sparkle, I would use plain glass...not divided, frosted or seeded. You have to work with the more traditional elements, like the grid windows and Hoosier, so I would keep all the kitchen elements very streamlined and simple. Not contemporary, not too fussy...just simple. I guess that's called transitional...but I just think classic, simple, elegant.

For the table, I'd find something in a lighter wood or maybe white base with wood top. Are you still doing a banquette on one side...because that would give you some softness and some more color, with the cushions. Outdoor fabrics are easy to clean, durable and surprisingly comfy :)

One thing I am confused about...you say you're not doing stools, but you show stools, in the picture. And, the overhang doesn't make much sense, without stools. If the countertops are still plywood, maybe cut that one off even with the back of the cabinet and give yourself more space for the dining chairs. Just a thought...

How about a long row of the blues hung so that the line formed by the upper edges continues the dominant line of the fridge wall, then a shallower floating shelf running across below them? Maybe in a metal to match the trim on the cabinets or maybe a simple surface echoing the cabinets below? Does Ikea have something? Maybe a series of stainless?

For the fridge wall, could you harvest some of the wall depth, 3+ inches, say, and frame out some boxes (Ikeas?) very shallow to just project out a couple inches more with those blue doors (I like them!) or whatever you put on your lowers, or even a third material that looked right? Again, keeping an eye on the lines formed by the tops.

Actually, I think that whole wall needs to be styled to work together. The two doorways that look as if they're in different houses are enough of an issue even before a fridge door and storage doors are added in. If the room behind had some space to borrow, you could recess a microwave/coffee niche over a mostly recessed counter and storage below (like above, but instead of all the way up the wall).

I love the functionality of round tables, but they look their best in square or squarish spaces. In that oblong space, I personally would like a long oval to turn people toward each other a bit and incidentally ease walking around it. A long oval is on my own list for when a nice one falls in my lap for almost nothing. I can't see the shape of your island top for sure, but the table curves should echo it, at least some portion if it's an ellipse.

I'm a layout person, so I feel a little overwhelmed for you, and will likely be NO help. But I think I'm feeling the same as Rosie has expressed... There is a lot going on here... A lot of different personalities.

I love the Hoosier, but I feel like it should have had a place planned in or it needs to go. Although, I think it 'goes with' the arched doorway. -Just not the inset fridge.

I think I am being influenced by the lack of doors and those uppers, mixed with your lighting, sink, and cooktop, that, all together, give a very contemporary vibe that may change with your choice of doors. With the little space you have, I'd like to see the area around the fridge to be designed as a whole and with efficient use of the space.

Do you want to incorporate those horizontal glass uppers? I like Rosie's idea to put them in one line and have a shelf underneath. But they don't seem to go with your description of liking cabinets to the ceiling. Do you like or hate open shelving?

Will the piece of furniture behind your table stay? Your table is not just rectangular, but slightly arched. Your peninsula is arched, too, but different? I feel like I'd want the table centered on the window, but the peninsula overhang look like it will prevent that?

Lots of odd questions, that I hope don't make you feel worse. And BTW, I didn't get the email you said you sent... via the forum, I assume? Maybe just try sending to my blog email, which is RHome410 at g mail dot com. (the g and the mail go together... it's just my lame attempt to avoid crawlers from finding the address)

BalTra, your original inspiration picture was very contemporary (and beautiful!), and I wonder if you could find another place for that fabulous hoosier? Then you could do sleek cabs next to the fridge as you suggest, and design to suit your storage needs. I like Rosie's idea of continuing the blues and a floating shelf.

From your original inspiration photo, there were two colors of wood I think. And there was some wood that went to the ceiling. Are you thinking about that still?

I love the hoosier!

Somebody more experience should double-check what I'm about to say to make sure I'm not saying anything crazy....

Could you use the same wood tone and grain as the hoosier on the bottoms to marry the hoosier into kitchen? They could be simple slab doors. I think they would look great with soapstone.

Then, could you put IKEA Abstrakt white doors on the blue door cabs and bring them across to the left?

So happy to have you all chiming in already! Yippeee!

So, to clear a couple of things up:
1. OTR micro/vent: it's gone! I hated it and sold it. I'll eventually get a hood - once I figure out how to deal with the design of the wall.

2. Fronts: Lavender, I haven't chosen them yet. What you see on the end of the peninsula is standard ikea plywood. VG Fir, slab style from Scherr's is likely. Or possibly white cabs b/c my space so small.

3. Peninsula. Templated for a quiet soapstone (YUM!). I decided to change the shape from the rounded to a rectangular. The rounded shape protrudes too much into the dining space. So, no overhang.

4. Seating. Seating a peninsula I'll not do. I did have stools for a little while, but they just felt redundant with the dining table chairts. Would still like banquette, just not sure how to design so that it doesn't interfere with the peninsula.

5. Furniture. Would love an oval shape or round dining table.
I do love the buffet that is sort of shown in the photo. Now it is under the DR window where if fits perfectly. It was a steal (custom piece the customer didn't want anymore) and if it just doesn't work, I'm okay with not using it and can easily sell for what I purchased.
Hoosier. It's been with me for years and years. I'm sentimentally attached. But may or may not work. /if not in my kitchen, It will make a fab piece for my laundry room.

6. Horizontal uppers. I think those should go. They just don't fit in style-wise. Again, I can find use elsewhere in the house. They were on super-sale, I think they are pretty, love the soft close mechanism on them. But not the right direction for my space.

7. Inspiration. Sigh. Still love the Original Inspiration Picture. But I couldn't get the countertops down.
The GW kitchens I love, there are so so many. farmgirlinny (soapstone + VGFir), melissastar, jump to mind right away.

lavender, you nailed it with the 'transitional' simple elegant. Banquette would be cool -just can't see how to fit it.And fwiw, I love your style ! :) Having a lot of fun following your progress in planning right now. Especially like what you've come up with for your eat-in space. I like the idea of plain glass uppers.

rosie, I like the idea of 'harvesting' some of the wall depth. And I agree about the odd competing styles of the doorways. The wall is a load bearing one, and I likely can not push anything through it without cost beyond my means. But would really really like to recess the microwave and toaster oven. Long oval. Keep looking! Peninsula will be squared off now - for less intrusion to the DR.

rhome: spot on with the arched doorway and recessed frig/hoosier.
I'm wondering whether the table could fit against the window now that I will not have an overhang on the peninsula. I'd like that. What would you do with the rest of the DR space, then?

claybabe - definitely want the wood going to the ceiling. Likely not two different woods. Struggling with wood vs white cabs in my interior row home. Kitchen / DR get light from southern exposure only.

pawa - If the hoosier stays, I think I'll go with a complementary wood for the cabs - or white.

Door style: slab if VG Fir; slab or a little texture if white painted.

Here are a few, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT (don't kill me if you were involved - generously - in the discussion with my original inspiration kitchen. I still love that one) inspiration pics.
Apologies if one is your kitchen and I don't credit properly.

In this one I like both the uppers to ceiling, a few open shelves, and especially love the cabinet which goes from ceiling down to the countertop. Wondering whether such a thing could hide my micro/toaster? Should work well at the end run of cabs next to basement door.

Similar cabs-to-counter

I like these "uppers" Not sure how to translate to my space. But I do appreciate the natural wood on lowers, painted uppers.

farmgirlinky. Love everything about this kitchen

And wonder whether I could swing something glide that wall around her frig on my frig wall?

Sweet and simple. Landing space for frigerator, a little more storage (would be in place of hoosier, though)

A favorite pantry

Simple

This is what I was thinking with the blue glass horizontals:

THIS is the tile I would have if I could afford it. ~$44 ft/sq. It would cover all of the wall that doesn't have cabs. Definitely one of the aspects of my original inspiration photo I love

ps - I'm not at all upset about this process. Actually enjoying it again after taking a break.
I hope my ideas aren't too all over the place for any of you to make suggestions.
Its on the LAYOUT for the walls that I really need help!

And your vote on material for door/drawer fronts.

Bedtime!

Nice pictures! I'd combine the wood and white cabinets, to give you a lighter look, but not too light. The wood will give you the warmth and work well, with the Hoosier, too.

I'd put the banquette on the wall, where you have the hutch, opposite side of the table from the peninsula. That would let you slide the table over a bit and have seating on the other side. Maybe a little hutch, under the dining window. I would still think about trimming the countertop, over the peninsula, so you have more room for the chairs!

As for the fridge, I would try to wrap that with wood or white trim, to give it a bit more stature and have it match better, with the Hoosier.

I think I would try a banquette type thing - dump the low buffet or move it under the window and put a settee-like-thing - the petrie sofa from Crate and Barrel or another type of mid-century sofa from consignment diving.

If that worked for you, maybe try a server or a high display cabinet beside the counter on the short wall-let between the dining room and the kitchen on the dining side.

I can see what people are talking about re: the hoosier doesn't fit "the story" of your other pieces. I don't have any opinion about it. Plus I tend to like things that are somewhat idiosyncratic.

For me, the dining table is kinda like a boat anchor - practical, sturdy and weighty but a drag on the water. I wonder if your table needs to be more like the boat and less like the anchor.

I actually don't have a problem with the Hoosier, style-wise (I like contemporary and square-lined older pieces mixed), but placement... Not liking it sticking out like a sore thumb by the inset fridge (or is that the idiosyncratic part?). I wish it had been planned into the kitchen a bit more.

Light uppers with wood lowers would be a way to try to maintain your more open feeling of no uppers... but with uppers. They could be a shade of white, the color of the wall, or something in between.

I love the horizontal uppers in the insp pic... The wood frame helps them a bit, but you might manage the same type of thing.

I kind of wish you'd posted your other inspiration photo with the rest, because I do think there could be some common ground to sink our teeth into. --The wood cabinets, comfort level, the colors, some whimsy/contemporary flair... Farmgirlinky's is such a great example of old-timey mixed with very contemporary.

Could you do the horizontals, starting just to the right of the stove, with wood cabinets to the ceiling above...and then a counter to ceiling cabinet on the end?

Any way to bring the overhang in gently, or extend it all the way along to the window wall without fouling up the dining plans others are suggesting?

Just brainstorming...

It seems as though you are piecemealing your kitchen together.

You are buying things one-by-one, and then changing your mind about them. You then either return the item (like the micro) or you keep it (like your floors) but then feel "boxed in" by it.

So my advice to you is not layout advice. My advise is: Put together a whole cohesive look, and then buy everything together. (OK, except the backsplash.) I think you have great taste, and anything you do will look good, as long as you pick it all together.

Funny thing about the process of doing, it often changes what you want to do!

I like Rhome's advice for uppers along the stove wall. I think you can be contemporary, go lighter with color and sleek with design and have a lot more storage into the bargain. Since this is more of a journey than a completed end product now just awaiting install, I would do that first, and then reassess.

It sounds like you no longer need the curvy island vision for your kitchen, and you could change the shape of the counter top without too much difficulty (sawsall? Jigsaw? Circ saw? or just blue tape to give the visual). With that done I would re-look at the hoosier along that wall. (You have to keep the hoosier, whether it is in the kitchen or elsewhere!)

Then if you have the storage you need, and the look you are after is coming together, decide about buffet (you will also have the island to serve from) and DR table. Consider painting them if you like them but still aren't sure: Lighter, darker, different, any of that may make a difference.

My problem with the current overhead cabinets...their placement. Yes, you could make them fit in, by adding some wood (like the picture above) but you would need to change the layout, first.

Notice that the uppers in your 'inspiration picture' are all one level and go across the sink to the range hood. If you used a microwave/hood combo, you still need those uppers in a straight line, across the top of the sink area. The way you have them now, they look 'tacked up' temporarily, not part of a cohesive line, across that side of the kitchen...and there's not enough room for a double row all the way across, so why have one low one?

I'd take them down and start over, with a solid line, maybe with wood uppers/display above. Then, using your same 'inspiration picture' I'd frame the fridge in wood and have wood shelves/storage above. This will tie it in with the kitchen and it will look better with the Hoosier.

Finally...cut off that overhang on the peninsula! (LOL) I know I've said this before, but I don't know if you saw it. Without stools, it makes NO sense to have that overhang...it just sticks out and gets in the way of your chairs. I'd look for a round pedestal table (or oval double pedestal) and have the banquette on one side and chairs on the other.

That buffet is not really working in the space, IMHO. You could try it under the dining window, but it looks a little too big. Too many large pieces will make your space feel small. I'd stick with the Hoosier and the banquette...and look for a smaller/lighter looking table and buffet. Just my two cents :)

oh so helpful, y'all!

lavender -
wood on bottom, white on top? or flip? If I have to go with ikea fronts for cost, I'll do white on both.
Countertop definitely TRIMMED. No seating there at all. Just to cover the cabinets & nothing fancy. Franklin edge.
Wrap frig. That would really make a difference to trim it.

bmorepanic.
Hi! The petrie sofa looks so much like a sofa I got at David Edward access excess. like this one, but no arms:

rhome.
Oh I think I'd love to use color on the uppers. Will depend on whether I can afford scherr's or go with ikea premade fronts.
Rhome410, you brought up the peninsula overhang too. I really feel like there is not the space for a peninsula with overhang and still able to keep DR space not too crowded.

btw, LiGHTING: I do not like my pendants at all. Another poor choice! These will eventually change. So no design based on these.
Hoosier. I had not planned on using it originally.
Peninsula lights. Don't love them (another chance to sell on CL!)
And thanks for asking for my original inspiration photo.
You hit key points re: what I like about this kitchen:
colorful without being circus-like
naked wood
a bit of whimsy
tile from ceiling on down
upper to the countertop from ceiling
clean lines
transitional style but still looks solid.

[

[Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Boston Kitchen And Bath Divine Kitchens LLC

Here is photo of the space without hoosier or peninsula lighting:

Ummmm -- pawa.
right on.
I am buying piecemeal. Backwards!
Most of the stuff I have (excepting OTR microvent, buffet table, not quite right peninsula lights) I already had.
The backstory is that this remodel I started fresh from marital break up and right when I moved into my new all-mine house. So, while I've been energetic, I violated the live in your space for a while and think through/prioritize changes.

It's ok.

I needed the project at the time, badly wanted to 'nest,' have it all done . . . probably still do.
That said, now I am ready to be done!

I really appreciate the help you all are offering.

Ok BalTra. I broke up with my husband 2 years ago, and ever since that time, have needed to re-establish the house as my own.

So I can understand where you're coming from.

I'm sorry if my response came across as bossy or mean. :-( I really want you to have a nice kitchen!

pawa, no offense taken at all! I'm here asking questions because I hope you all will speak your mind. And, you happen to have been pretty perceptive! Glad you said it aloud.

Here is the buffet/credenza I have in the DR right now. It fits nicely under the DR window. The top is a ~frosted green/blue glass. Also from David Edwards Access Excess, fyi.

BalTra- I don't think you need that expensive backsplash tile. If you did upper shelves and a few wood cabinets...you could have the look of your first picture, quite easily!

I'd save the money on the backsplash and try to get wood drawer fronts and a few upper cabinets. Then add those chunky shelves and some orange, green, turquoise accessories. You could use the same colors, over on the banquette and chairs :)

I think (hope?) you can find backsplash tile in that color for less. Even though you're going for 'ocean,' by looking at your inspiration pic, it's the color you need, not the texture... and the texture is what you're paying for in that tile.

If you truly like your inspiration pic best, I see MCM(?), and I think the painted uppers don't work. I do think the horizontal glass with fir above, and the ceiling to counter cabinet at the end will.

I finally found your email and am in the midst of answering... Multi-tasking. ;-)

Hi guys,
Just checking back in to say THANKS for the suggestions and ideas.
lavender, rhome410, I will hold off on the tile and invest in the wood cabs instead.
pawa/rhome - emails back on the way! :)
bmorepanic - my eyes are open for a new table. Saw one like this recently:

Enjoy your weekend, everyone! Looks like we have some more nice weither out here!
BalTra

Getting the soapstone's an exciting step, and maybe having it in place will firm up some ideas of where you want to go from there.

You know, the only places I see for running cabinets from the counter to the ceiling (a look I love also) would be: At the wall end of the peninsula--you could wrap the current wall shelves by the back door around the corner of the wall as enclosed cabinets; this would bring that look to your kitchen in a limited way. You could also "frame" the main counter with a narrow, but not too narrow block, at its right end, something I'd want to try to draw up carefully before deciding, though. It would set off that corner and door as separate from the work area.

It seems to me that cabinets to the ceiling are a little problematic aesthetic-wise, just easier to do well when you can run them wall to wall, and yours have to stop short of the right corner and have the stove/hood in the left corner so could only run over them at best.

HOWEVER,
1. You like that one kitchen where the paneling wraps right around the corner onto the adjacent wall as a unifying element.
2. You also like tile covering the entire wall to the ceilling.

Therefore, I'm thinking that maybe combining those 2 devices using tile or other nonflammable material (because of stove), in a color the same or very similar to the upper cabinets, could create a unified and elegantly simple look running right from the stove corner all the way around to finish the kitchen just short of the arched doorway where the Hoosier stands now.

If you wished, this could incorporate a central block of cabinets to the ceiling. All of the exposed wall surface would then be tiled or ?, including behind the hood, wrapping around the basement door and fridge, and then either tile and inset cabinetry OR tile behind the Hoosier to finish up. I'm imagining this look might work better without a cabinet to the counter interrupting the visual flow around the corner.

To lighten things up further, since you do like having no upper cabinets at all, I'm also wondering if the enclosed upper cabinets might be set a foot or so higher than usual and a shallower shelf run below to hold some of the sort of frequently used items that can look nice and not cluttered on display. This would give a bit more openness while working at the counter and lessen the mass, and potentially expense, of the uppers.

Enjoy your installation. Soapstone would completely ruin my look, but I wish it were going in here anyway. :)