Bk I assume you are working w/an architect - Agree that you are on the right path with nailing down this last part of the design - I live in an old colonial and have only a powder room downstairs it is the worlds tiniest! That said, I also know it is the most used in the house I understand kids/stuff issue - My solution (because we also have a tiny mud area) - was to have a cubby for each child in the basement - regardless of the size of mud area/cubby it will be filled - typically with things that may be out of season - so the 2nd area (basement) has been helpful in the kid/organization - Just a thought - Also each time you remove a wall you are increasing budget I'd see if another solution can be found 4 mos for a project of this scope seems to be quite aggressive to me. We were 6 mos out of our house & the scope was not as large - I had GC, subs, KD and was on top of everything - still took 6 mos. Are cabinets ordered? appliances, windows, fixtures? granite ideas etc.... I don't mean to add more stress and not that this is not possible - but if things aren't ordered/chosen - I would add 25% more time - oh, and add 25% more to the budget - soon you will be hearing "Guess what we found" when you ck your worksite - that ALWAYS means more $$$$ - In a project your size I think code may require hardwired smoke detectors & a carbon monoxide as well again more $$$ - if your house is plaster HOLD on to as much of it as possible - your house will be noisier when the replace the plaster with 1/2" sheetrock - In areas where you do use sheetrock require 5/8" rock - which will be some improvement & is fire rated - Not to mention the lead dust issue - no demo is more messy than plaster - Ok - I just go back to my own reno - & wish that I had been prepped somewhat for what I was about to embark on - Best to you

really appreciate all of your thoughts. the long counter was an idea of an interior designer who suggested it for a modern clean line sort of idea --our house is mid century modern architecture and materials will be warm contemporary ie slab cabinets, simple quartz counter, etc. I suppose its a matter of function over form and the counters are over 12 feet long (including the cooktop) if we do plan on right, the prep area on either side of the cooktop would be around 3 feet --I presume that is enough. Lastly, another option would be to put the oven in the back wall with pantry but I wonder if that would look too unbalanced. Any final thoughts?

Thanks so much for the comments. I will have trash and recycle bins in the pull out in the island. Good idea to put another trash can under the sink. I was planning for the dishes and glasses to go in the uppers to the left of the range. The decorative pieces on each side of the range are pull outs for oils and spices. Silverware in the first small under counter drawer to the left of range. Cooking utensils in small drawer to the right of range (yes, I would rather have this in island - but no room) Pots and pans in roll out drawers to right of range. Lazy susan and pull out shelves in tall pantry area for food. What am I missing storage wise? I do have a pantry around the corner where I can store seldom used items. Island I have a good size drawer under the microwave. It is a microwave drawer so I think it is better on top. I thought about putting it by range, but now I think it will look better on back side of island. I can not make my island any bigger than 63" This is because there is a doorway on both sides that pen me in. I really have to get three barstools (three children) on the back of my island. I am thinking of putting a curve on it. Can I curve it and increase it from 12" to 15" overhang? Would this be better? Also, I don't want corbels under to hit knees, can I have supports with out seeing them? Thanks so much for your input!! (By finalizing my plan I feel like in one way I am finished, but really I am just getting started!)

Primary questions: Did I miss anything major? I know this is a personal preference question - but I would love to hear what you may like - or dislike - about working in this kitchen. We have only been in our house 1.5 years, and were cooking in apartment kitchens (or going out!) for 10 years prior - so while I baked/cooked a lot growing up, my 'adult-cooking-life' has been limited. I want this space to grow with us and our family. Door to patio: I gave up a corner countertop/cabinets for the door to go outside to our grill/patio. Do any of you have a door directly to the patio in your kitchen? The main door to our backyard will be in the patio, but I don't want to carry raw meat, etc. through the family room to get to the grill. Am I over-valuing the door/under-valuing the countertop? Pantry: I gave up more cabinets/countertop for a big, open 'pantry' with countertops and sliding barn doors. 3x8.5 feet (internal measurement, with ~48" opening.) I envision this working like a small apartment kitchen - small sink, microwave, blender, coffeepot, etc. will 'live' in here, as will open shelving for pantry storage. Doors will close when we have people over or at end of day, but this will be where I send my son to find his goldfish snacks & get a cup of water, make coffee in the morning, grab noodles, heads of garlic & canned tomatoes from to make dinner, etc. Countertop will be ~24" on sides and ~15" along the back wall. Shelving above will be ~12" on back wall, above the sink (probably on Some dishes will be stored here for point-of-use - coffee cups, mug of spoons, cereal bowls, kid/plastic cups/plates, etc. Does anyone have similar or have you seen similar? Need to decide if I should use cabinet maker or container store or builder for the shelving. Countertop will be same as kitchen. Potential Pantry layout: I'm working on layering in the 'incremental function' and the 'pretty' - anything you would recommend adding? My list is already long as I've searched & scoured Gardenweb, Chowhound, etc ... just curious as to what you might add to this layout. Tapmaster, Sweepovac, UCL, motion toe-kick lights, etc. Drawers with flour, sugar in the island; baking pans above ovens, utility with electric, etc. Thanks so much!!