second pic

The second one looks great and you're not blocking access to the fridge. I like the curve, too!

The pantry is a nice looking feature, but is there very much storage? I'd be tempted to put a cabinet pantry by the fridge and have the freezer in that space. Usually, you need to access the pantry more often than the freezer.

You could have an 18" pantry cabinet, fridge and a small pull out cabinet/drawers between the fridge and dishwasher...with maybe a small upper cabinet above. That would balance the little cabinet on the other side of the sink/window. Just an idea :)

I like the shape of the second one better. Your island is a good size and I think the curve of the second plan softens the size of it without losing anything. The curved island, as mentioned gives you better access to the fridge freezer and a more welcoming/easier transition between the DR and kitchen.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I was wondering about easy access with the square island and fridge/freezer. I am doing a "craftsman" style feel so I thought I needed to stick with the square but I can't seem to figure out the cabinets under the island.

I didn't think about separating the fridge/freezer. The panty is in my "stairwell" so it will be pretty gib and I can walk into it. It will be almost 4' across so I think it will be a lot of space for me - which I need. Is the plan deceiving as it says 12" shelves? I think my architect meant deep but I could put deeper shelves in.

I find myself wanting to orient your island the other way. Then you can build out the back end of it for seating in whatever shape you want.

I'll have to play with the island orientation. I never thought of changing the direction.

Hi, Jillkristine. If I were going to do a lot of family dining there, I think priorities 1, 2, and 3 would have to be a shape that allowed us all to gather around close so we could see and hear each other as we ate and chatted, exchanged glances and giggles. Something like the first one.

The second looks very pretty on paper but makes me think of strangers grabbing a quick bit at a diner.

bump

Unsolicited opinion: The area for the "living room" appears to be an afterthought.

Thanks javachik. Now that I look at the plan it looks like that. We are renovating our 1968 home and that's where the living room was. I used to have the dining room table turned the other way but wanted it different in the "new space" I am not sure what I will end up doing with that space. Now you have me thinking....

The dining area is too large and the living area too small. Swap them.

Then take your island, re-orient the direction, and create a peninsula coming out from the post by the pantry. That will be the breakfast seating area. Then do a smaller butcher block island in the middle of the kitchen. As it is, the large island is too large and dominates the space, but the overall space of the kitchen isn't quite enough volume to carry of the size of that island successfully. You're trying to take up the volume of the kitchen as a whole with "island" when what you really need is more "perimeter". Making a peninsula will give you "perimeter" and work better for your proportions.