Just FYI, I was also concerned about the electicity issue. I have the ISE. I bought a "watts up" monitor and plugged the instant hot into it and the watts up into the wall and monitored it for over a month. Using regularly for tea, several cups a day plus occasional other uses, it cost about 2.00-2.50 a month here in CT. When I stopped using it daily the cost per month went to the 1.50-1.75 range. I surprised it was as cost effective as it was, which must be attributable to the insulated tank. It would be interesting to calculate how much the same use would cost heating water in a microwave or stovetop, but I would guess it would not be less than the instant hot. Too much work to figure out also for a 2.00/mth expense. :) Sue

How many people will cook in this kitchen? I personally really like corner cooktops, but, if installed as you show it, they don't have much "butt-room." If more than one person will cook, you really need about 5" lateral room on either side of the cooktop. This winds up eating up a lot of room -- something like 53" along the walls. (Even a 30" cooktop set the way you have it eats up a lot -- something like 46" minimum.) On your plan, is there any reason the fridge cannot slide away from the sink to create some more counterspace? Your plan does not leave much room between the range and sink. If it were mine, I'd move the fridge and then scootch the sink away from the cooktop.

Duly noted re. the aisle widths. So, we shall see what feels right. Turns out the extra 12 inches of dead space behind the fridge and ovens I thought I would have to play with, is in my Dining Room, not the 1st bay of my garages :-( I plan to install a Sub Zero 42 inch built in side by side. It will NOT be fully integrated. So, a lot of my appliances, (food processor, juicer, etc.) are 14 inches high. If I make the counter between the fridge and ovens (baking counter) flush with the pantry doors I will have 12 inches (give or take) behind the countertop of dead space. Could I make that countertop 36 inches deep, and then hide those appliances behind an appliance garage, and keep the hutch countertop free for putting stuff down when removing or placing items on the shelves? Then I would still have 24 inches of available space to work on.

Why doesn't she 'balance' the cabinets on either side of the stove, so they're the same size? Isn't that part of design? Where does the wall end to the left of the stove? Does it go all the way to the back side of the sink run? If so, I think I'd add cabinets there to balance the entire wall. But I don't see a reason to have the cabinets flanking the hood and stove to be different sizes. I agree that the hutch design isn't good. I wouldn't do the thin cabinets on either side of center on the top or the bottom. Was this design your instruction to her? I think the problem with the fridge wall is the drop of the upper over the cabinet. I don't think it's necessary, and all should be level, and the doors designed to look nice together. I agree that 36" would be narrow for baking, but for using the mixer in order to use the island across as main baking workspace, it serves an important purpose. There is no reason those cabinets facing the stove can't be 24" deep so that your sink is in the right spot. Your work triangle would be GREAT if the sink was put where you asked. Maybe the other cabinet sizes need to be adjusted. She has now insisted on charging you by the hour, instead of the original agreed fee, right? And has given you plans that need revision and more time... You've reported that she has given you argument and attitude previously, and I think she still might be...