You would have minimal space for an island if the wall remained. But looking at that reminded me of Jsweenc's kitchen that you might want to look at. It also seemed too narrow for an island the way she planned, but it worked out very well for her.

The plan is too small to examine very well. From the little pics I see a lot of cabinet doors, when I find drawers much more useful and comfortable to use. I have almost all drawers throughout the kitchen, but left doors on the island. I am now changing those to drawers, too.

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

I agree, Rhome... I think I knew in my heart of hearts I was hoping for too much with an island! If someone can give me tips to increase the size of the plan, I'd be happy to try!

Did you look at Jsweenc's pics, because I thought you might be able to use the wall space and maybe a little to the far side of it to open it while also creating some storage like she has on the far side of the island. I think your spaces might be similarly sized.

I can see where it might work, but I am a little concerned about the difficulty in taking down that load bearing wall as we plan to DIY as much as possible.
The space above the range is open because we liked the look of an overmantel that Lowe's showed us in a design with Kraft Maid cabinets, but this design was done by a different company that doesn't have as much in the way of specialty features (corbels, etc)We would have to create something on our own of go with a more contemporary stainless range hood.
Do you think the work triangle works? In addition to additional storage, we wanted to create more counter space which this certainly does, but is there such a things as too much? That area along the window wall to the left of the sink and around the peninsula looks a bit like a landing strip....

The work triangle is big, but not terrible.

Yes, there can be too much counter space if it's in places you don't need it, especially a problem if there is too little where you truly do need it. If you don't have a particular use for areas of counter, they tend to collect junk. Is that area between the fridge and pantry going to serve a purpose or be more decorative?

Instead of the 'as-wide-as-possible' set of uppers to the left of the sink, I would do a little narrower (a 3-door unit instead of 4) hutch-like piece that go down to the counter if you don't need that expanse of counter there.

Also, this is a personal opinion, but I'm not a fan of diagonal corner cabinets, especially that don't have wall cabinets on each side. I think they look large and awkward...like it's supposed to have a cabinet on the left to finish it off, but doesn't. I would do a cabinet with a 90-degree front, so the corner has an appearance more like those in your inspiration pics.

That was kind of my fear with the counter runs. As it is, I'm the only one in the household who ever clears a counter of clutter or wipes one down! My thoughts around the area between the fridge and pantry centered on storage for glasses and dinnerware near the fridge, the peninsula seating, and the table. The pantry was placed there for access to cereal, pet food, school lunch prep, snacks, and so on as the FR is beyond the kitchen seating area and is used quite a bit.
I agree about the corner cabinet. It is bulky and crowds the corner. I currently have a blind corner cabinet in my kitchen (wall cabinets) and it doesn't bother me at all. Opened cereal is what you see when you open the door an I manage to hide the new umopened boxes in the blind corner!
I have another question if you don't mind...This plan shows 30'' cabinets which is the reason there are so many in the plan- they don't hold a lot. I hesitated with a 36'' height because I didn't want them to abut the ceiling especially with concerns about how level it might be. Do you think it would work anyway, if I dropped them 1/2 an inch or so an topped with molding? I really don't want space to collect dust or install a soffit there.
Thanks again for your help.
Buehl, Bmorepanic, boxerpups, and friends- feel free to join in and lighten the burden I've placed on poor rhome! ;)

If you go with 36" plus trim, placed where you want them to end in relation to the ceiling, how many inches do you have between counter and the uppers? I would try to go with 36" if you can. And I hate a dust collection area up there, too.

Storing your dishes over by the fridge seems a long way from the dishwasher to me. Some things stack, but others you have to carry 1 or 2 at a time. As I said, I'd do a hutch to the left of the dishwasher where you have those uppers and store dishes there. The area beside the fridge would be good for a breakfast/snack counter or some kind of serving spot.

I'm betting you're not getting a lot of help because your plan is too small.

I really like your first inspiration picture...could you do something like that with your upper cabinets, on either side of the sink? It would also get rid of that diagonal corner cabinet.

I think you have too much countertop, to the left of the sink. Just turn your island in inspiration photo 1, and make that your peninsula. It would be about the right size and then you'd have plenty of room for your stools, etc. I'd probably take off about two or three feet between the dishwasher and the peninsula...and move the peninsula closer to the sink area.

The back wall is great. I like the fridge there...in fact, what about a prep/bar sink under the wine rack and maybe the microwave in the pantry area (maybe built in towards the middle, with pantry above and below? This would make a wonderful snack area for the kids and keep them out of your work area, while you cook.

Would there be room for a window seat or anything in that second window? Very nice plan :)

Debbie- Would you mind if I "borrowed" your first inspiration photo? It has the perfect shade of cream on the cabinets to go with my inspiration photo.

My kitchen would be a regular L-shape, with a big table in the middle...and a few chairs around a woodstove at one end. The cabinetry wouldn't be quite as fancy, since my "dream" is a farmhouse kitchen. Here's my inspiration picture.

{{gwi:617005}}

I just wanted to ask you if it was okay, so I could use it for cabinetry color, on the forum. It's a lovely kitchen, but I wouldn't be using granite, and I'm going for a more unfitted look, with plate racks and some open shelves, along with some cabinets. I'd love an Aga, but I don't think it's in the budget :)

Oh my Heavens- please feel free! I either borrowed it from someone else who posted it at one time here or it may even be a GW member's kitchen. I just look and look and relentlessly save pics to my Favorites file instead of doing the smart thing and putting them all in a folder! Can't wait to see what you put together. I don't see us moving forward before spring so maybe I'll live vicariously through your adventures. (Thanks for the encouraging words! Every little bit helps!)

Thank you, Debbie. That's so nice...and I promise to tell everyone it's your photo :)

I'm still in the planning stages, too, but it's fun to get ideas and try to help other people. Your kitchen is going to be beautiful!