I like both range elevations but each would work differently based on the backsplash you would choose. Try to picture your favorite bs and see if it is rectangular or square. The less prominent profile would work with a horizontally designed bs and the narrower one with the more vertical type.

I do not know if this is the front or back of your house, but it seems like you could do with fewer uppers to get a bigger window in your kitchen.

Thanks diannalo, for your input. The kitchen is in the back of the house. The main sink elevation is west facing (overlooks backyard) and the prep sink elevation is east facing (front of the house). The window locations and sizes can't be changed because they line up with the windows on the second floor (and they're already in).

Please define "classic" for us.

By classical, I mean "of an architectural design that is simple, reposeful, well-proportioned". I suppose the look I'm trying to achieve is what KDs call transitional.

Hi Sillybilly, it is a great looking kitchen and I guess it is hard to answer your question because what is busy and traditional to one person is not so for another. However, just my 2c on your questions:

- Leaded glass uppers: definitely traditional IMO.
- All uppers in leaded glass: definitely busy and very traditional, IMO.
- Your island elevation: while it works really well with glass in the cabinets, it is traditional. Therefore you could simplify it.

Overall, I think that if you want transitional look, then you will certainly need to simplify the lines and detailing a bit.

All said and done, I must say that I think this is a good kitchen for French Country style. Looks like you need to ask your KD to tone it down a notch, to make it more according to your taste.

My suggestion would be to revisit the design and start with simple lines. Something like Shaker cabs etc. Then, depending on how much classic look you want to bring in, you can go on adding detailing as necessary.

Sometimes, you can achieve a desired effect by simply focussing on key pieces in the kitchen such as refrigerator etc.

Hope this helps! Best of luck...

Are you saying that you want plainer lines? a different muse? Can you show us any kitchen examples you like?

I'm an antiques nut, but I'm married to a guy who doesn't much like antique houses and only tolerates my manias. Our house has always had to compromise for both, but the exterior isn't old fashioned in any sense so I don't think it sends a mixed message. Inside, I have to tame my historic side so that I can live today; most of the house is slightly modern but with intentional references to past. Do you have a similar contradiction in your situation?

Your existing designs are very much on target for a French Chateau style house, esp. if done in medium colored natural wood. Not sure why you are balking on making a kitchen that matches the house. Is this resistance happening elsewhere in the plans or only here? There is a danger in making a kitchen that is a mismatch with the rest of the house, so you need to be very clear to KD so that you are not dissatisfied at end and yet the house has integrity and logic.

Here's an example of a room that would puzzle me, from Traditional Home Magazine. The island has two previously independent highly decorated demilune cupboards on the ends with center of island stained to match, a very ornate kitchen item indeed. But the cupboards in the background are plain white with plain lines and hardware and a mod backsplash. Portions of the room are indicators of a servant's kitchen but yet the island says this is the owner's showplace, and the backsplash is intended for someone else apparently. Whose room is it?
{{!gwi}}

If the leaded glass in your plan is too over the top for you, consider panes of plain or decorative glass. One thing that has been noted in threads lately is that the fashionable small upper cupboards with glass fronts are mostly for "show" so you need to decide ahead of time what you are trying to show off. How much of the contents will you want visitors (and self) to see and how much to camouflage? Decide this before you decide on glass details.

Although this kitchen cited below is NOT transitional or traditional, it does use an interesting decorative glass in the upper glass little cabs for an effect that is very high-end in appearance. Try clicking through other choices on this vendor website to see other glass options. In another thread, I posted a list of some other glass vendors, which gives a good idea of what's out there.

Here is a link that might be useful: decorative Bendheim glass at top of mod kitchen cabs

Do you have a file of inspiration photos? I like leaded glass- love french chateau- but it's hard to say (for me) how prominent it would appear. You could always swap out some other lower doors for decorative elements like leaded or water glass or chicken wire. I'd refer back to pictures of kitchens that have this. As for the canopy- I like the arched one but I am ending up with mantle b/c my kitchen isn't big enough to pull off the archy on. So personal preference- I like the break in boxy. It looks like it will be fabulous though!

Too me 'classic' is a traditional look that suits the home, which seems like where these designs are going. If you want it less traditional and more transitional, I'd guess you might want to simplify...Less decorative detail on the end of the island, maybe simpler glass for the cabinets, etc. But remember that what may look busy in smallish drawings will probably not look so much that way in full, real-life size. For example, the 1st range area looks simpler and cleaner, but I thought that maybe that big rectangle over the hood might look too expansive and plain in the actual room.

One thing I noticed is that the aisle between the island and the dishwasher seems a little tight. You might want to mock it up to make sure it's a distance you're comfortable with.

Thanks to all who gave their input. I truly appreciate you taking the time to help me out.
A little background to my situation: My home is a new custom build and I don't have a designer. I've been scouring magazines and the internet (particularly this site) for inspiration. But with a house that has 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, living room, dining room, office, mudroom, great room, kitchen, pantry/servery, and laundry room to make choices for -- the task has been daunting, to say the least. Oh and I'm doing this while I'm raising 5 kids -- one being 4 months old!
To answer some of the questions above: When my husband and I first went to the KD showroom, we both gravitated toward this leaded glass. We really like it. But I don't want it to look too busy; I told my KD that I wanted the kitchen to have some personality, not look like the other kitchens in the custom homes in my area, look in place with the exterior of my home. My husband really likes a more ornate, traditional look and I used to as well. However, lately, I like things more toned down. I guess we'll end up with a compromise.
Florantha, thanks for the sample pic. I agree, that is a very odd combination in a single kitchen. I hope my kitchen will not look mismatched. I'm not balking traditional style; I just don't want it to look over-the-top. I think I really like my design; I'm just afraid to make a mistake on such a huge investment. Reading others' reviews allowed me to clarify my choices to myself. So thanks again!

You might want to look at this kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: chinkle's kitchen

I love your floorplan! It's great and what a nice baking area :)

I'd pick the second option for the range hood. It looks better with the curve over the fridge, at least that's MHO.

It sounds like your kitchen is a lot like some of Candice Olson's kitchens...basically well laid out, traditional/classic cabinetry, with some more transitional touches. I like the way she combines a lot of classic lines, with some punch in the lighting, the hardware, the faucets, etc. that jazz it up a little bit more than the average kitchen.

I think you have a beautiful kitchen and the leaded glass is going to look great!

This Candice Olson kitchen reminded me of yours, just because of the cabinet colors and the little nook for baking. The glass tile is a little busy, but I love the different hardware that she uses. One kind of pull on the drawers for the ivory cabinets and another for the island. I also like the different countertops :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Candice Olson kitchen

I think the consensus is to choose the curved canopy over the range. I wrote an email to my KD today about my concerns. She wrote back and reassured me. She advised that my finishes -- hardware, paint and stain selection, granite and marble choices and lighting can set the tone of what kind of style is expressed. She even photographed a couple of design boards to show what she meant. Unfortunately, my husband preferred the traditional option and I chose the classic option...

Florantha - coincidentally, I was looking at chinkle's kitchen the other day on this site. I can't remember how I ended up looking at it. It is pretty.

Lavender floss - thanks for your vote and your vote of confidence. How do you know about Candice Olson, are you Canadian? Sometimes I love how she's transformed rooms, sometimes I think yikes. I agree, those tiles are busy but everything else is tasteful.
The little nook is actually meant to fulfill many functions. I'm hoping the "baking area" function of it is functional, as you noted. I love to bake -- when I have time. Another purpose for that area is to be a small prep area for the kids if they want to make a snack. Since the area is close to the fridge, pantry and has its own sink, they won't be underfoot when I'm preparing a meal -- at least, that's the plan... It'll also function as the area guests can use if they want to help. I'm like still_lynnski, I like to have my kitchen space to myself when I'm cooking. In the past, in my small kitchen, I allowed people in the kitchen because the're just trying to be helpful, but it drove me a bit batty. Also, that's where I'm planning to tell my husband to use as a meal prep area. I'm blessed to have a husband who enjoys cooking and he does it often. Unfortunately, he makes a huge mess while he's doing so (and doesn't clean it up) . Unless you're sitting at the far end of the island, you'll barely be able to see the mess in the nook. It's a bit of a concern since the kitchen is visible from the family room and partially from the dining room.

As you can see the kitchen layout was thought out ad nauseum. This small nook was actually quite the headache for me. At various points it was going to be another walk-in pantry, a built-in breakfast seating area, and some other silly ideas. I'm so glad that I nixed these ideas. I think the way it is now will be much more practical for my family.

Please keep your comments coming. I'd like your opinions on how to finish the area above my fridge. Again, I'm thinking that it's too traditional. Should I keep it as is or should I do something else?

My parents built a home in 1985. The entire house has leaded windows and transoms:

In the kitchen, they have three built-in corner cabinets with arched doors. Those doors all have leaded windows similar to the above - the pattern begins near the top, and has the same/similar pattern). I took Mom lunch this week, and I started talking about her kitchen and how even though it was 20+ years old it didn't look dated. (Although I do think it would benefit from new knobs.)

I don't think having the leaded doors in your kitchen will ever look dated. I also vote for the second range hood.

I didn't want doors over my fridge and given a do-over, I would put the fridge out of the room! But I do enjoy having the shelf there to display pieces. (Linked below)

florantha, I remember seeing that kitchen when it first came out. Although I love the idea, I agree - it does not go with the rest of the kitchen.

Look forward to seeing your kitchen progress. I hope you'll share photos.

Here is a link that might be useful: my kitchen

I so hate being the thread killer!

Allsion, Sorry I made you feel like the thread killer. I've been super busy this week, so I wasn't able to respond. I really appreciate your response and input.
BTW, I love your kitchen. I've seen it before on another thread.
I will share pics when I get to that stage.