We found ourselves in a similar situation years ago. Here's what we did: We contacted the architect DIRECTLY who created our home design. Now, the situation was slightly different from yours in that the architect was not "in house," but it was the same in all other respects (he got refernces from the builder, builder built his homes, builder delivered payment from the homeowner, builder did not include any of this in his contract to build). We told him that this is where we are, here's what we need right now, and here's where we need to get to. He was very pleasant (that's helpful!) and we indicated that we didn't have any interest in starting over with a new designer, we may still need to make some modifications to the plan, etc. The designer was more than happy to send us a contract so that we designated exactly who was a party to the agreement and negotiated terms that were agreeable to us all. In essence, the contract acknowledged that the architect had already received payment for drafting the original plan, and it set forth specific pricing terms for an array of additional services, i.e. additional meetings, copies of the plans, modifications. To this day, this contract is in effect and we know that we could go back to this architect directly, cutting out Builder A, if we ultimately decided to build and/or modify the plan. This was a win-win solution for us and the architect.

I didn't mean to post and never revisit. It's been a busy weekend. rosie - I see what you mean about the strong line. I think a radius would probably be better here. I'll see if I can get some cardboard to template out the radius beginning shy of the outer wall, that way I can better visualize what it will look like. Thanks for that input. So brackets would probably be better for support, you think? live wire oak - we have 3 kids ages 11, 9 & 7. We don't "entertain" as such, unless you count my kids' friends. I envision this area would probably function as a homework/laptop perch or snack spot. The microwave lives in one of the cabinets in this pillar, on the kitchen side. Budget was a huge issue for us and we've done mostly DIY to this point and cash, no credit. For that reason, we chose not to futz with the structure or the HVAC and electric that runs through this area, thus the huge u-shaped pillars. We're too far along to add another sink, but as I mentioned before, we are not entertainers or drinkers, so for us, that would be a waste of space. This area used to be a pantry. Before: During demo: There is about 52" of space, so enough to fit only two stools comfortably. Annie - great minds think alike! I have planned all along to have shelves installed to house my cookbooks. I have a few near the future stove area, but the rest of my collection will finally have a home (yea!). I loved the pictures you posted. Our microwave is positioned similarly to the first picture when looking out to the family room. I plan to use the 2nd picture as an example to the contractors. Thank you so much for being a sounding board and helping to keep my sanity. DH has been traveling for work so much, I barely see him except for weekends. This will continue for the next several weeks, so I hate to bug him with all this kitchen stuff when all he wants to do is spend quality time with the kids and me. At the same time, I have a goal to try to be done by Thanksgiving. It's all gone on far too long and some of it due to my dragging feet on making final decisions. K

cpartist, thanks for taking the time to do this! Yes, I definitely considered putting it under the window as that's a nice big stretch of space and it would leave the island clean for prep/buffet/homework. Because I have to save some money for potential construction surprises, I'm trying not to add a 2nd sink in the kitchen (strictly for $$ reasons - I love the function of a 2nd sink). The reason I kept it in the island was that the drawer at the far left of the island contains the plates/silverware and the coffee bar contains the cups/glasses (I wanted them there as it's an easy path to the dining room and for someone to set the table or grab a snack without disturbing the cook/prep). And it makes sense for those areas to be adjacent to the dishwasher for easy unloading. I could put dishware/cups storage along the west wall, under the window, but you'd have to go around the island to reach that stuff (which is fine as long as no one is sitting at the island or prepping in that space, but still a longer distance). I also like the pivot factor of being able to access water from the long dry prep area as well as from the cooking area. The Kohler Stages sink is 45" long, so it takes up a good stretch of the island (and allows me to place dirty dishes inside the sink). I'd make sure I got a faucet with a long stretch so I can easily twist from prep or cooking to add water. Besides the DW/dish storage, I kept the sink to the right of the island as I'd often use the long prep wall to make a mess (several people could prep there, where it's out of the way, and we've been known to make several types of cookies at a time so it's good to be able to have space to lay it all out) and then serve the food atop the island's eastern/southern half, where it's an easy path through the French doors to pick up plates and food, or pass plates through to the outside ledge for wet kids who you don't want inside the house. Great ideas! Thanks for making me revisit this and please feel free to poke holes if my logic or flow is faulty.

Do you mean panel ready - i.e. one that would use the style of your cabinet doors? If so, both Jennair and Kitchenaid make a French Door model that is panel ready for about $3000 give or take. The cost is obviously more since you need to also purchase the panels from your cabinet supplier as well as door handles for some reason. They are also 72" high so they look more built in than other refrigerators which are shorter - I believe 69" is the normal height. If the reason you want a quiet front design, is because of the SS, then perhaps a panel ready would fill the bill. I have no real input on F&P except that when I was looking at refrigerators, the salesperson said to avoid because the service network wasn't stellar. That may or may not be a factor in your area.