I'm not clear on what the size of the slab is. You say it's exactly the width... So does that mean it's 85 1/2" or 49 1/2"? Or it's the size of the island top as shown with the bow, but it has to be cut down a bit for shaping and edging, so you'll lose some of that measurement?

If you make the top so that the overhang, without bow, is a couple inches longer than the short side is drawn, will you be able to have the ends of the island made deeper to correspond with the change?

Sorry for not being clear. The slab is 48" so we clearly won't be able to do the bow as drawn. I don't want to decrease the size of the slab, or the island, too much because the kitchen is rather large. Should we just trim the counter top into a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than it would be with the bow?
What about the supports beneath the side of the island that has the overhang? What do we do there? Will this look strange if we don't do the bow?

The supports won't look strange without the bow, I don't think. But your cabinetry is right at 48" with 3/4" overhangs planned beyond the cabinets on both back and front, if I'm reading the plans right... So no matter what, the whole thing will be smaller. I think I'd cut back the shelves underneath the overhang, so you have closer to the 15" recommended overhang for counter-height seating.

But will you always regret losing the bow, which will decrease the visual mass and seating configuration of your island? Is there not another option for the countertop piece?

Honestly...look for another slab. Your husband is going to regret not having the bow and it sounds like you'll have other problems with it being such a tight fit. And, you're still deciding on perimeter countertops. Figure out what you want on those...and make sure your new marble slab works well with the entire design :)

Just found out the slab is 55", not 48". Do you think it's ok to just have it be 53" or so deep by 84" long? Would that look odd?

Just don't put an edge profile on the two sides that are flush with the cabinet base and it won't look weird at all. It will look intentional.

Why can't I put an edge profile on all sides if I have no bowing?
Thanks.

I think I would make the shelves shallower too, and narrow the width of the entire island a bit.

I wouldn't give up the bow. The little curve on our island is one of my most favorite things about our kitchen.

I'd lose the bow, but then I wouldn't have had it in the first place for seating. It only makes seating sense if you have one lefty and one righty. :P Otherwise it just means you have to sit crooked to get yourself lined up to it.

So if the island is 53 inches at its deepest part of the bow, is that a less than three inch bow (from 49 1/2 to 53")? And is this piece of marble spectacular or do you have limited places to look?

i can't get another piece of marble now--too late. i love it though. i think i'm gonna lose the bow, lose the overhang, and have the cabinet guy make the island rectangular and have the slab overhang the same amount on all four sides of the island. i've just browsed houzz and it seems that this isn't so uncommon. i just hope we don't regret not having seating at the island.

Why are you doing this, when all you have to do is give up some completely useless bookshelves behind people's knees?

I'm worried that all the sudden are you giving up the seating, especially if you're not sure about it? Not only will you not have that option, your island surface will be a lot smaller...for projects, buffets, etc. If you've thought about this plan for awhile, it's best not to make big changes too quickly. REALLY think about it. Options are good, and it looks like you have plenty of room.

I'd keep the seating and the bow and lose the hard to get to storage in front of the seating.

Gosh - I wouldn't give up seating at your island! I think you will really regret that. You have little kids right? Think about how easy it will be to get them breakfast there each morning, to have them sit there while you are cooking and they are doing homework, etc.

I would find another piece of marble, personally. I don't understand what you mean by too late? It will take several weeks for your island to be fabricated and the countertops will go in much later than that. Our island countertop (walnut) was just installed a few weeks ago.

I would worry that downsizing the island will make it look dinky - you have a BIG kitchen.

Keep the seating. The bow... not sure about. We have one and it creates an optical illusion when you photograph the front, that the island is bowed. However, when barstools are in, it's fine. We use this seating all the time. You have more room at the island and seating is more comfortable, with the bow - it's not like you are lined up in a row.

That said, we usually eat at the kitchen table vs. the island.

A couple comments on your plan. Am I missing it, or do you not have a prep sink? You have the beautiful huge cooktops and plenty of aisle space between them and the island. We have a similar setup and have the prep sink on the island - so it's chop and twirl and toss into pan. I love this. Also, we have 42'' between cooktop and island - this is fine for multiple people working in the area, I've found. I don't think you will see or access the front of the island, with barstools in place.

This was a while ago:

More recently (not our backsplash, just photoshopped option), with stools in place:

Keep the marble and add another material for the seating. There are many islands that are a combination of stone and wood. Search Houzz and you will see some great ideas.

Giving up seating is a major decision. Be very cautious in making a decision that may have an impact on how the kitchen flows and fits in your lifestyle. I loved having the kids sit at the island while cooking when they were young. The last kitchen had no island or eating area and I felt very lonely. The kids are gone, but when they come home they will sit around the island to talk to Mom or they may just pitch in!

Ok, I slept on it and thing you all are right. Would it be odd to have an island 53" x 84"? I say 53 because I figure they have to take away an inch on each end for edging maybe. Anyway, I'm gonna lose the bow since I never liked it to begin with.

So, now I'd love help designing an island with seating on one side for the slab I have since it's been purchased and I love it anyway. Please advise. thanks, everyone, for talking some practicality back into me. :)

As mentioned before, get rid of the shelves/storage, where the seating should be. Whatever it is, will probably just get in the way of people's knees and get kicked by little kids (since their legs often dangle on stools). I'd replace it with an easy-to-clean beadboard and I think you'll really like your island! :)