krabbypatty: Glad you're finding that your plan is workable. We do like our kitchen--we spent $ on the "infrastructure" in order to get the space--a high priority. A goal was to not have to say "excuse me" in my own kitchen. Each of the vital areas--sinks, breadboards (cutting boards, range--have two exits from them so that no one is trapped there, with the possible exception of the most used cutting board/breadboard which is in the crotch of the peninsula side of the U. The "sandwich station" pullout next to the refrigerator has proved to be a really wise idea. There we cut tomatoes, butter toast, open and cut cheese, pour milk into cereal, serve ice cream, plunk grocery bags. We're really enjoying the freedom to spread out. The dehydrator's been resident on the countertop for 2 months yet we still could do other activities. (It goes into storage pretty soon, as soon as storage closet gets shelves and a door.) Recently two couples joined us for dinner. I went to one corner and zoomed up some blender salad dressing. Went to another corner and pulled out materials for popovers and heaved them into the oven. Two women and I all messed with veg peeling and cutting on the peninsula and built two casseroles and a salad. DH puttered around with two marinated Alaskan salmon and headed to the grill on the deck and bothered no one. Various adult beverages were served in appropriate glasses at the top of the G and yet I could continue working and orchestrating, uninterrupted. Used dishes began to pile up but it didn't matter. Our flatware box was open and ready on the peninsula all through the dining room meal and was consulted twice. Afterwards,well meaning helpers began messing with the dishwasher and I didn't care. __ Drake the Lab claims to run the place. We've developed a new command: "lobby!"so he will leave the G and go to the very spacious T between the two corridor halls and take his blinkin' dog chews or whatever with him. He loves to carry about wood hunks or plastic pop bottles. Also a nested pair of large black plastic flower pots, one inside the other, a clumsy toy that has survived for 3 months without being torn apart. Needless to say, I'm concerned for the future of the oak floor, but hey, DH chose it and he installed it and Drake is HIS dog. Buehl: Not sure if I've ever seen your kitchen. Thanks for the photos and the description of the scouts in the kitchen. That brings back fond memories. Good of you to work with these kids. Many children today don't much exposure to real cooking. Or proper understanding of eating with others. Sounds like your well-planned islandless kitchen is up to all kinds of adventures.

I think I'm going to agree with June on this one. You are spending good money to purchase a hood that will be a focal point. Pendants over the island are going to 'muck up' this view. Put a small pendant over the sink as many have suggested. This is a case where more is not better. If you are feeling like you need more pretty hardware in the kitchen, perhaps focus your attention on cabinet pulls. I'm not a PRO, but that's my opinion, FWIW.

@badgerbldg You have an adorable kitchen. I wonder if just changing the backsplash counters and maybe update to brighter lighting might be all you need for a good refresh. Cat-ky is on to something your cabinets look like a nice quality. @User Funny I always thought that tile would be cheaper than a slab backsplash. It was my GC that pointed our for our area of the country it might be the same price doing a slab backsplash. (Good tilers were tough to find without a long wait to our project) We could have gone with tile but fell in love with our stone. It ended up being cheaper than the tile and labor would have been. I was surprised. Now this might not be the case in other parts of the country with plentiful tilers. @Patricia Colwell I had no idea you couldn't use quartz for a backsplash. That is too bad. I am glad I learned this, I almost went with quartz for my own space. Its funny they show it in photos but I trust you that it is probably not a good product for backsplashes. Such a shame. Carrara Caldia Quartz Houzz photos Photos of Cambria Colton Houzz user kitchens with honey cabinets and white counters Honey Oak Cabinets and Tile discussion

The builder is providing red oak wood for our cabinetry. Originally we wanted a white kitchen but we discovered that the grains are very visible even after priming. We do not want to upgrade to any other type of wood and are thinking of painting our cabinetry black but are afraid that it will make it look very dark considering there are no windows in the kitchen (just one across the great room and another one in the breakfast area). Looking for expert suggestions on what our options could be. Thanks!