I am not an expert on clearances at all, so I'll leave that to others. We ended up putting our microwave right next to our fridge, since we mostly use it for heating up leftovers. If you use yours in the same way, that's the spot I'd recommend. We didn't do anything built in, just a small one on the countertop. Will the left side of the island be where you would normally keep cookbooks? Will they be easy to consult there? If so, I'd go with shelves. I see low shelves like that as unlikely to be a "display" focal point, when you are likely to be giving folks some beautiful countertop to look at instead. (Another idea would be a wine rack, if you are red wine drinkers.) If you want to use baskets instead of shelves... I associate the wicker baskets with potato and onion storage. I would look for the kind that slide out on wooden rails, rather than just having baskets that sit in the opening. I have always imagined that the basket would scratch up the wood if you were pulling them out often. If you were doing that use, I'd face them along the galley rather than on the end of the island. There's also a photo floating around here somewhere with an island that has a built-in cubby for a roll of paper towels... it strikes me that you might have a good use for that on that corner of your island, since it's right near the fridge (where spills often start).

In this plan, I think you have to figure out exactly the island components-drawers/where do they open?/overhang-how much?/stools-just one or 2 or none/where would you put 2 stools? I'd favor a curve at top of island,and allow for 1 or 2 stools at top. You have 46 in across-do you see 21 in deep base cabs butted so each can open on both walkways, or 24 in deep cab opening on 1 side and a bookcase or something on the other side at reduced depth? The areas where doors/drawers open has to be factored in. the frig can probably go in either of the spots you mention, but the island's details are critical. My choice would be fridge on right,but place 15 in or so of counter to the right of it, do have a stool or 2 at top of island and maybe a third at top on left side,but can be pushed under[this one's for the cook when resting]. Then figure out what sizes/types cabinets and where they are positioned/how they open in the island,and if it all fits together.this is some work, but you'll get a wonderful feature for your space.

@herbflavor Very good point. As for the sink basins, they have not been selected yet, but they will be big enough. @rhome410 Good food for thought, integrated, more or less, in to this new iteration. @springroz I really like the idea of a prep sink/prep area. Especially with where the fridge and stove are now, I think it will be a easy pull out of the fridge and place on the island. The island can also be a staging are for foods going to the stove. Not that you do not raise some valid points, I just see this working better for us. Ok, here is my latest iteration. I do not even want to know what version I am up to now. This kitchen design thing is more difficult than designing a network/phone/IVR for multinational call center :P Notes and stuff: - Loc A: 2 shallow drawers for cooking utensils. An open vertical area for cookie sheets, cooling racks, etc - Loc B: 1 shallow drawer for alum foil, parchmnet, plastic bags and the like. 2 deep drawers for regularly used pots and pans. - Loc C: 1 shallow drawer for flatware. Pullout for garbage - Loc D: 1 or 2 banks of 4 drawers - Loc E: Full height pull out for garbage and recycling - Loc F: Appliance (Mixer) lift and a bank of 4 drawers - Log G: Narrow (12") drawers or a door (or both) and an open corner. Message center, home phone, charging center, etc. This will also be the "flex area" for expansion. The way I see it is that I will have the cabinet and corner fitted with a sacraficial peice that the counter will be glued to. When/if the time comes that we want a wider fridge (up to 48"), we just remove the cabinet section, attach a new sacrafical peice and put the cutdown counter on that. It is all very simple in my head, not sure if I typed it out as simple as I see it. - Basement steps: When I go to look at the house again today, one thing I am going to look at the feasability of mounting a recessed MW in the wall there as well as trash and recycling center. Either to eliminate one of those area in the kitchen proper or to suplement them. There may be some other things I can do there to. (Recessed buffet and/or dry bar area or other convieniance. - Dining room wall. I know I can open up the doorway to a full 10'. Currently at 3.5' (I have it on here as opened to 5') and the partial wall is 6.5'. I may explore the potential of opening it all the way to the angled storage area, for a total of 13.5' of opening in to the dining room. I think the design is all coming together nicely. Thank you everyone for the your feedback and suggestions. Please keep them coming. Jason

One more question for you. The window in the former kitchen is already framed in and I am getting ready to place the order for the windows. It was framed at 72" wide by 54" high to make room for the counter. Now that we are moving the kitchen, do you think I should make that window 72" wide by 72" high instead. It is an easy fix. Windows are set at 8'2" with 10 foot ceilings. Just curious of your thoughts. If we put a counter and cabinets on that dining wall, it would make sense to have a window that height. But if we don't, I am worried that it will look weird. What do you guys think?