I can't read the layout. I tried to enlarge but it's blurry then. from the drawing of the sections it looks like either side of the stove is a bit small - is that on the lower wall that looks like it can't be expanded?

Thanks for looking.
I was afraid of these might come out blurry. These are scans of my drawing and they are hand drawn, so they don't show up as well as a CAD drawing. I'll try to get these in better tomorrow (it's late on the East coast).

The cabinets on either side of the range will be approximately 14" each--according to the cabinet maker this is the maximum I can get on that wall.

If I were you, I would most definitely switch the locations of the stove and fridge. As desertsteph already mentioned, the space on either side of the stove is very small--too small for comfortable prep and landing space. More than that, though, your stove is sticking out into traffic between doorways. The cook is going to be seriously bothered anytime anyone else comes into the kitchen. Also, an open oven door will be a real safety hazard, especially since, with no landing space, you'll have to carry anything from the oven across the room, probably leaving the door open.

Having the fridge there instead would allow for snackers to come in and out of the kitchen without bothering the cook. Having the stove on the other side protects the cook from traffic and makes prep areas much more convenient. I would also put the wall oven under the counter there and lose the warming drawer or move it to the peninsula.

If it's possible, I would make the pantry door come out even with the new fridge location. You'd lose the pocket door, but you'd gain some storage along those walls. I can't tell what's in your pantry, but if those are shelves, I'd suggest making them shallower and have them wrap around more.

Finally, again, I'm sure it's just because the plan is hard to read, but in the overhead view, it looks like the upper cabinet to the left of the sink overlaps your window.

I spent several years doing drafting, that is a really nicely drawn plan!

I agree with holligator, switching the stove and fridge will help keep any traffic through the kitchen away from the cook.

Let's see if this works better, I had to adjust my picture to get a closer view, but I'm not sure it will be any clearer.

I think this might be better.

I immediately wanted to swap the stove and fridge, but then realized the wall oven was right there, and it'd be too close to the stove, too. I know it's not as convenient, but can you consider putting the oven under-counter? That really is way too little on each side of the stove. Moving the fridge will, in addition, make it easier for others to access without getting in your way.

I hope the above picture is better. Thanks for all your comments so far. One of the reasons I put this plan out here was because I knew some of my thinking would be challenged and it would force me to look past what I have been close to for a long time and see where I might need to make changes.

I will look again at the range placement and talk it over with my kitchen designer. In defense of the plan, part of the reason we created a "Range wall" was for the looks, but it is a look I really have visualized for this kitchen from day one. Does it make any differenct that the space between the range counter and opposite counter is approximately 5-feet and the range is offset from both the sink and refrigerator?

Holigator, I did consider moving the pantry door out at one time. A neighbor of mine with the same floor plan (her's is a slightly smaller scale than mine) did do that, my DH did not like the way it looked so that one is out. The wall oven is part of the planning for later years as we expect to be in the house for a long time plus a smaller oven will be our day-to-day oven while the range oven will only be used when we have larger crowds. I do think moving the warming drawer to the penisula is a good idea.

joshct, I told my designer(she's a friend of mine) what you said about the plan, and she said that made her day!

Here's an alternative plan I drew up. The biggest issue I see here is that there is no immediate landing space for the refrigerator. Thoughts?

What kind of doors on the fridge? French doors, side-by-side, or if single door, which way will it hinge?

French door and side-by-side don't benefit from counterspace beside them anyway, as the doors block access.

I think it's more important to have room to work on the counters, and be able to set things off to the side of the stove without fear of people bumping them, or having them fall on the floor, than to have landing space immediately handy to the fridge. To get to 'landing space' from my main fridge, I have to go around it's door and carry things across to the island 5 or 6 ft away. It's rarely a problem.

Not only does this latest idea improve your work area and work flow, you won't be walking across the room with a pot of boiling water to drain, and, as I mentioned previously, other family members and guests can access the fridge without walking into the busy kitchen work area.

In defense of the plan, part of the reason we created a "Range wall" was for the looks,

Looks won't matter much when you're trying to accomplish something and you're aggravated or someone walking through gets burned. And I don't see how you'd be able to enjoy the look of that wall much, since it's not visible from anywhere but the other side of the kitchen...? Not trying to be critical, but just point this out, so you're not giving up function for a look you can't really enjoy from anywhere.

Thanks again for your comments.

In the second plan I would most likely get a left-hinge door so that the door opens to the corner of the penisula. I measured this morning and it would be a little under 5 feet to that corner.

Currently, my fridge resides in the middle of that wall with two small counters to either side and the biggest thing I don't like about it is that the side of the fridge is my "view" when I walk in from the den. I was trying to open up that side visually.

I was also concerned about making the main hallway extend along that wall and creating a visual barrier as we enter the kitchen from the front entry and bedrooms.

I put up boxes on the counter to see how this will feel if we go with this plan.

I like the most recent plan much better! You've solved most of the problems with the original plan, and improved function considerably. I don't think you'll really notice the distance between the fridge and peninsula. Also, if you have side panels next to the fridge, the view issue will be minimized.

Oh, yes!! This is much better!!

Re the "view", you can put art there! Or a mirror/chalkboard/menu/sign/cloth covered bulletin board/wallpaper accent/lotus gate/seraglio panel/pretty cabinetry that invites you in. It's plenty "open" across the bar, and that's where the view through to the door is anyway. Beyond the fridge/oven stack is a wall, so it's just foreshortening the end a little.

Re the landing space issue, there's nothing more useful than a folding teacart for scooching the brining gigantabird out of the fridge, and wheeling it over to the counter--or to be your counter so that you can just turn around and plonk it in the oven. And you can use it for moving a gazillion pickles and condiments to the seating area too, if you don't have minions.

This version is a very nice kitchen.

Okay, so it has been awhile, but it looks like we may be ready to move forward, finally. This has been quite a process.

First, I had to mourn the loss of my first plan and accept the criticism of what had been in my head for a very long time. I appreciate all the comments that sent me looking in a better direction.

Then, I had to live with my second plan to see if it would stick. I placed boxes where cabinets would be, marked with tape where cabinets would begin and end, I walked the plan, cooked the plan, re-arranged the plan and measured and measured and measured the plan. I consulted cabinet makers, kitchen designers, friends, and the man on the street.

I got the blessing of my contractor and cabinet maker--they both assure me everything will fit!

Lastly, and most importantly, I had to convince DH that the second plan would work better--I made the mistake of getting DH's go ahead on the first plan before posting to GW.

I'm not entirely sure he is convinced yet, but when he asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said, "I want to do the kitchen the way I want." I guess it was easier than shopping for a present! I'm laughing here, but this really is the way things work around here sometimes.

I expect to order cabinets next week. I'm hoping to post construction pictures after the holidays.

Merry Christmas!
Miss Stella