I'm a little confused. Are you tiling under the island or not? Why do you have to? Are you tiling under the other cabinets?

Are you sure with your mock up that 38" is too high?

Our DIY island is 37 1/2" and I too was concerned about the height but its great. Only you know if it would work for you.

I'm confused too. You will have to tile the floor completely first and then set your cabinets on top of that if you want your appliances to actually be removable. So why wouldn't you do your island the same way? Simply cut the hole for the required electrical to come up through the tile and into the cabinet. With standard 34.5" cabinets, and a 2" top, it's only 1/2" taller than the standard 36" tall cabinet height. The height is always measured from the finished floor height, which is on top of the tile to the top of the counter. 36 1/2".

Aren't you standing on the same 1" tile that the island is so that it won't matter? I'm not sure I get why the floor is part of the problem!

You're standing on the tile so it doesn't count.
Take 1/2" off the top of the cabs and you'll be ok.

Duh, ok I'm obviously dealing with brain overload and had one big brain fog!

Of course you all are correct and I am embarrassed! No wonder you're confused.
GreenDesigns, we are not replacing our existing perimeter cabinets and they were not tiled underneath. We are going with dish drawers in order to compensate for the inability to remove them. It was the only solution we could come up with. The range will sit 1/2" above the counters, it is installed that way now and doesn't seem to cause any issues.

Sorry about the dumb question and can't believe I've spent a week in this funk and never, ever realized the obvious.

((((susied3))))

Just thought I'd give you some hugs, because I can deeply relate....no worries.
I'd have everyone rolling on the floor if I were to even begin sharing some of the crazy things my mind/brain has caused me during our remodel!!

More heart-hugs ((((susied3))))
angelight

susied3...we've all been there ;) :)

Well, obviously DH missed that too, or he's learned to keep quiet (the smart ones learn that fast!). Just tell him you figured out the issue and the cabinets are ready to install over the tile.

I've been there too! It's so easy to get wrapped up in the details.

What about your refrigerator? What about your range? You need to tile under them for the same reason as you would under the DW....

You will need to lift these appliances up to be able to get them out once you push them in and down into the "holes" you're creating for them by not either tiling under them or installing plywood under them to the same thickness as the flooring.

"...The range will sit 1/2" above the counters, it is installed that way now and doesn't seem to cause any issues. .."

If the range is 1/2" above the counter now, does that mean you've already tiled and that you've tiled under the range? Or, are you saying without the tile it's already 1/2" above the counters?

The good thing about DIY is that you can take a break. We found that when we couldn't figure something out or seemed unable to make a decision it was time to take a break. Take a few days off and then go back to it.

Maybe you guys needs to laugh and have some fun. Here is a link you may enjoy. Be sure to click on the links in the posts.

Here is a link that might be useful: Funniest kitchen threads

Thanks you all.. I feel like a dope....

Thanks for the cyber hug, angelight, glad to see others relate!

Williamsen, I Think DH just tunes me out until the time to actually address the issue. He has been busy installing the hood and insert while I've moved on to the island and mumbling grumbling "I don't think this will work, I think the island will be too high" he hasn't said anything so I think he hasn't heard me. He is the "doer" and he gets focused on his task and ignores my musings. Oh we'll, in our FIVE year project, we've learned when and how to tune in, tune out!
I will say, the hood is gorgeous and works like a charm, and a torpedo wouldn't budge it. He's slow, but does things perfectly.

Buehl, he tiled underneath the refrigerator and freezer. We have new cabinets for them. The range is not tiled yet, but the new counters will be thicker than the laminate there now, we have put the soapstone samples up next to it and it stands about 1/2" above with the tile underneath. I'm assuming that is ok?

Thanks debrak2008 for those links! If we can't laugh once in a while we would go nuts!

Thanks all

Our counter height is 39 1/4". I am 5'11"", DH is 6'7", kids are all tall too, this height is perfect for us for chopping, mixing, everything.

Hi, Susied3, I'd wondered if your kitchen ever got done! I got a little lost on the height conversation, but it sounds like you got answers that helped.

Just to add my 2 cents' worth in case it helps any more, we made the cabinet boxes shorter in our island in order to have the finished height I wanted (33 - 34") and still have a very thick top. Are the island cabinets completely finished, or just boxes at this point? Can you lower the toekick height if that will help get nearer the overall height you want?

Be sure to let me know when you show pics! :-)