I've been looking at so many pictures lately, I can't seem to find what I'm looking for when I try to go back to it, but if you still want to fill the space above the two cabinets, I recently saw a DIY wood soffit with crown that looked really good (not your typical 90's drywall soffit that sticks out a bit), it was similar to the bottom picture hollysprings posted with the small portion of wall above the cabinets. I'll keep an eye out for the post, I think it was on a blog somewhere, but it's something you might consider. I like cabinets to the ceiling, too. I think keeping it simple above the cabinet helps draw the eye back down in the spirit of the 2/3 to 1/3 proportion while closing up the dust trap and giving you the clean look you're going for.

I'm not sure I'm following all your issues, but I'll address a few things I see. First, I would not mix cabinet brands within a piece, if that's what you're saying in that last part. That seems to tempt fate and ask for problems. I'm more non-matchy than most, but that goes too far for me to want to try it (you'd have to deal with differences in construction, differences in finish, possibly wrap the IKEA in another brand's panels -- sounds like you might wind up spending more and not getting as good a result. I'd rather figure out something creative or add them later if I had to. But what do I know? Second, have you looked for ready-made or salvage/resale islands or cabinets that could become islands? Even resale cabinet bases from a kitchen display? Same for the hutch -- you might find a piece that fits your needs ready and waiting for you. I see a problem with what you are thinking on the island layout if you select all your cabinets. Your bookshelves onthe back will likely be 12" or so deep, but the cabinet and drawer are likely to be 18, 21 or 24" deep. In case it helps, my island sounds like it is a little longer, but it has a 24" drawer, a 15" trash pullout and a 30" sink base -- all 21" deep. The back side are 2 13" deep cabinets with doors and shelves (like an upper). Across one end, we put a 10" deep open bookcase. My hutch has 15 " drawers on either side of 24" drawers (fridge drawers, in my case). The top has 15" cabinets stacked above shalow drawers that fill the space between the usual upper and the counter. There is an open bookshelf with a valance in between the two uppers and a crown across the top. We put leaded glass in the upper doors. If you are trying to match existing cabinets, I would work with the same manufacturer or a dependable custom builder. And keep in mind that older cherry will likely have darkened and matching over time is going to be difficult. Consider painted or a noticeably different finish and style to go with instead. My island and hutch are both knotty cherry, and I really like the old furniture feel with it. I would also consider paint or colored stains to get a different look and furniture feel. If you are going to do something different, make it decidely different and not just enough to look like a mistake or a later addition that didn't quite work. Good luck --- always lots of things to think about and sort out in any kitchen. Here is a link that might be useful:

Bottom line: You will need 25.5" for each wall cabinet run (24" cabinet + 1.5" counter overhang)...since you already have the appliances (including DOs) you're locked in to that depth on both sides if you put them in the approx locations in your original layout. You need a minimum of 36", preferably 42" for each aisle b/w counters...whether b/w wall runs or island & wall run. For a galley (i.e., no island), you really should have a 48" aisle since all the traffic + kitchen work will happen in one space. So... No island, the minimum width of the kitchen should be: .....Minimum aisle and no traffic: 25.5" + 36" + 25.5" = 87" (7'3") .....For ideal aisle of 48" or Traffic b/w island & one run of cabinets: + 12" = 99" (8'3") Island w/24" cabinet only (no seating): .....Minimum aisle and no traffic: 25.5" + 36" + 28" + 36" + 25.5" = 151" (12'7") .....For one ideal aisle of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one run of cabinets: + 6" = 157" (13'1") .....For two ideal aisles of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one or two runs of cabinets: + 6" + 6" = 163" (13'7") Island w/18" cabinet only (no seating): .....Minimum aisle and no traffic: 25.5" + 36" + 22" + 36" + 25.5" = 145" (12'1") .....For one ideal aisle of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one run of cabinets: + 6"" = 151" (12'7") .....For two ideal aisles of 42" or Traffic b/w island & one or two runs of cabinets: + 6" + 6" = 157" (13'1") Island w/24" cabinet, seating on one side, & minimum aisle (36" b/w non-seating side of island and other wall): .....With run of cabinets behind the seats and no traffic or counter behind seats: 25.5" + 36" + 40.5" + 48" + 25.5" = 175.5" (14'7.5") .....With run of cabinets behind the seats and either traffic or counter behind the seats (but not both): 25.5" + 36" + 40.5" + 54" + 25.5" = 181.5" (15'1.5") .....With run of cabinet behind the seats and traffic and counter behind the seats: 25.5" + 36" + 40.5" + 60" + 25.5" = 187.5" (15'7.5") .....With ideal aisles: 25.5" + 42" + 40.5" + 60" + 25.5" = 193.5" (16'1.5") If you have only one wall run of cabinets, you can subtract about 2' off each of the above measurements... Now, some questions... (1) Where does the door lead that's to the left of the range? Is it used a lot? (2) The door on the long wall w/the oven cabinets...does it lead to the DR? Is the DR used a lot? (3) The open area at the opposite end of the kitchen from the range....is that the Den/Family Room? When everyone was working on my kitchen, a comment was made that a kitchen that's 11' or 12' wide is more difficult to work with than one that's 9' or 14' wide. The 11' or 12' wide kitchen it too narrow for an island and too wide for the traditional Galley w/a 4' aisle b/w the cabinet runs. So far, no one has disproved this... whew! A lot of #s!!!

Here's some photos from shortly after we put things in. Ikea cabinets. Our fridge is only 33" but we made the fridge opening 36" wide to accommodate a larger one down the road someday. (Of course 9 years later we still have the same old fridge.) The countertops are a bit higher than the standard 3' too. https://www.flickr.com/photos/camandkirsty/2279073488/in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/camandkirsty/2279073504/in/photostream/