Hmm... an interesting layout. I have never seen this version of the three major appliances in a straight line going across the kitchen! What jumps out at me as the first thing that I would change is getting your outlet covers to match their surroundings. I know that is cosmetic but the one on the end of the peninsula, yikes!!

Have you looked into possibly having your demo done by a Green company that could re-use the granite and flooring? We are looking at that and are surprised at how inexpensive that option could be for us. Plus you can get a nice tax donation on all of the items they are re-using. It seems such a waste to throw out what otherwise is a very nice kitchen.

But you are right, the appliances being lined up like that would drive me nuts too!

My recommendation would be to pick one of the three major appliances, pick the best spot for it and then start putting things into place around how well that makes your cooking process flow.

The cabinets in that kitchen and the counters are goreous. But I cannot imagine why there was no ventilation hood built in so any redesign you do should include adequate cooking ventilation at the very least. I hope you are able to save as much of the current kitchen as possible because in many respects it is absolutely gorgeous and in immaculate condition.

Good luck!

the cooktop where it is seems very dangerous to me. with just me alone! not to mention kids and dogs. my dog would have her little footsies up there and her nose to see what's for dinner...

the outlet covers bit me too - those on the BS also. things like that bother some people and others aren't bothered by it.

I think the kitchen will flow so much better with the stove on the oven wall rather than the island.

I agree, your cabinets look very nice. It's too bad there aren't more drawers, but do you at least have pull out shelves? Your granite & backsplash look very nice as well...but I do agree the kitchen is a little dark...but the big windows in the table area do help.

I do have to say that I am very glad that you're taking the cooktop out of the island...the safety issues alone are worth it, but you can also add a range/vent hood now w/o making it an overwhelming presence in the kitchen (which is probably why you don't have one right now...definitely a case where someone let aesthetics trump function.)

Which cabinets, exactly, are you replacing with the range & hood? Will there be 9" to 12" b/w the range and the doorway? If not, that may not be a good idea and may not even pass your local Code. (You say you're adding 12" ones on either side of the hood so I'm hoping that means you'll have 12" on the door side.) It's generally recommended, btw, that your hood be 6" wider than your range to increase its capture area, not required, just recommended.

One issue that I do see, though...the DW will be in the path b/w the sink & range, making it an obstacle when open...both for getting around it to get to the sink and for prepping. The most common place for prep is b/w the range & a sink (water source)...and that means your DW will be in the way.

Is the cabinet to the right of the sink 24"? If so, I'd switch it w/the DW to move the DW out of the way. If it's wider, would you be OK w/the sink moved slightly to the right so you could put that cabinet there & the DW on the right (it might actually center your sink on the window)? Upper cabinets should not be an issue as there's a window behind the sink & some of the counter run. There are plenty of cabinets on that side for dish storage...it would actually put the dishes closer to the table area.

For the Breakfast bar, are you just putting cabinets on the other side so you have storage on the table side? That sounds like a good idea if you never use the Breakfast Bar (it is pretty close to the table area, so I can see that you might not use the bar much). If you're keeping the peninsula, that's what I would do. The nice thing about that peninsula is that it offers a large expanse of workspace that your island doesn't (and cannot b/c you don't have enough room in your kitchen for a deeper island.)

Have you found the location of your refrigerator an issue? I'm asking b/c the island is a "barrier island" right now and will continue to be so after your planned changes. The island is a barrier b/w the refrigerator & sink as well as refrigerator & cooktop right now. When you put the range in where the ovens are, it will no longer be a barrier b/w the range & ref, but it will still be b/w the sink & ref. A possible solution to that is a prep sink, but I don't think you want to be prepping on the refrigerator side of the island b/c it's the main path through your kitchen...so a prep sink may not help. Yes, it would offer an alternate place for prepping or washing hands, but I'm not sure the loss of work & cabinet space would be worth it.

These are some things to think about... Now, on to the flooring & colors.

Flooring...like you, we opted for tile in our Kitchen & Foyer b/c of 2 dogs (standard poodles)! We have a friend w/one standard poodle and they tell us that she did more damage to their hardwood floor in the Kitchen & eating area in a year than their 4 kids did in the previous 10 years! We don't regret the tile at all. So far, no problems standing on the tile and in the summer it is wonderfully cool...even the dogs like to sleep on it! In the winter I always wear slippers, so the tile floor isn't a problem then either. Surprisingly, our male dog likes to sleep on it in the winter as well.

Colors....I'm not sure what your plans are for the existing cabinetry...you say you're "...drawn to light cream cabinetry and black counters...". So, are your perimeter cabinets staying the same color or are you painting them a creamy color?

If you're concerned about light, you could put in a lighter backsplash, that will, I think, make a big difference. Oh, and when you replace the granite, I recommend you do not get the 3" or 4" backsplash piece. It will save you $$$ and look much better if you put in tile (or whatever you use for the BS) to the counter.

We have cherry cabinets w/Absolute Black granite countertops that we love. But we do have a very large window in our kitchen that brightens it up considerably during the day and plenty of lighting for nighttime.

Buehl, thank you for your thoughtful response.

Actually I do have about 10 drawers. But, I agree--more would be ideal. And yes, I do have pull out cabinets.

In our area (DC Metro) many houses are built with this stupid island in the middle and many have not followed the kitchen design points. It's frustrating. Without ripping out my entire kitchen, I just don't know if I could make as many changes as I'd need to in order for this to be a 3 point kitchen.

I'm removing the entire island. I'm having a custom piece made to serve as an island. Like this one:

http://st.houzz.com/simages/7784_04-7734-traditional-kitchen.jpg

That way, I can move it when I need to and use it for other things in my house.

I am removing the two cabinets over the double wall oven and the 3 cabinets/drawer to the right of it. My ventahood is 48", and we are putting in two 12" cabinets to either side of the hood. Does this make sense?

To the right bottom of my sink are 4 drawers and another cabinet.

Yes, I'm putting cabinets under the breakfast bar that we don't use. I'm extending the granite out an additional inch to fit more cabinets in there.

I'm having all of my cabinets painted a creamy white of some sort.

Thanks for everyone's input regarding the outlet covers. I'm one of those people who don't really notice it. ;)

Here is my inspiration:

http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/2-simplicity-kitchen-1107-xlg.jpg

Natashak...Ah! Yes, I know all about some of the ridiculous building ways in the DC area as I also live in the area...in Maryland. I looked at a 1.3 million dollar house and it had those standard base cabinets w/the fixed half shelf, the few drawers it had only had 3/4-extension glides that didn't operate smoothly, drawer fronts that weren't straight, and the ubiquitous island that had a cooktop that not only had no workspace or landing space on either side but it had seating w/less than a foot overhang (9"?) and on an aisle approx 40" wide w/a refrigerator & desk on it as well! (Out of curiosity I asked if you could upgrade the cabinets and change the layout and was told no!)

I like the idea of a portable island...workspace when you need it and can be moved when you don't or if it's in the way.

BTW...I wouldn't worry about a "3 point kitchen" so much as looking at your work flow and zones. Workflow normally is:

Refrigerator/Pantry --> Prep Zone (sink/counter) --> Cooking Zone (Range/Ovens) --> Eating area or Cleanup Zone

I don't know how you currently work in your kitchen, but usually the Prep Zone occurs where there is a water source and if the range is nearby, b/w that water source & range. This means you would normally go from the Refrigerator to the countertop section b/w the range & sink, then to the range, then to the table, and, lastly, to the sink & DW.

What did you think about the idea of moving the DW to the other side of the sink?

you do have a good sized window over the sink and windows in the dining area so with whitish cabs it should be a much lighter looking kitchen when it's finished - even w/ a dark countertop. I know many here have mentioned that the dark counters show the dust tho. it depends on where you live I think and your air filter etc. I live in the desert with LOTS of dust/dirt blowing around - I'd never want a dark counter. Areas are different, and so are people!

I think moving the dw (if possible) would be a good idea. would keep that activity away from the cooking area. and there's cabs on that end for dishes since cabs on the other end will be going away.

I wouldn't do a 'double' BS either. If you want the 4" or so edging around the counter top then only do a tile BS behind the range area. Paint the rest of the area. Some people like the 4" or so BS and some like the full wall between cabs done.

those outlet covers might work out fine with the new cab color. some people replace them with ones that match the cab/wall colors and some sand them lightly and spray paint them to go with their cabs/wall colors.

you'll just have to be aware of how you prepare things - fridge to counter, to sink, to stove etc. there isn't really a good area for a prep sink tho - possibly the peninsula top - if you prep there. or if someone else might be helping you (like the kids). The main sink is very close tho - only you can determine if it would be worth it to you.
It wouldn't be to me.