If you're prepping on that small space b/c of lack of water, then your new layout is not correcting that problem. Either you need to concede that you won't be prepping at the sink and plan accordingly, or do something about the lack of water...i.e., consider adding a prep sink to the island even though you like the "unbroken" look. I don't think making the counter BB is going to solve the problem....which, btw, will defeat the purpose of having an "unbroken" look. And remember, this island is going to be much bigger. If you think your kitchen is going to be a multi-cook kitchen, then a second source of water isn't a bad idea. I'd add the sink on the end of the island facing the cooktop...close to the outside aisle. This way you can bring food from the refrigerator directly to the island and prep. You will then also have a source of water near the cooktop. I wouldn't put the sink in the middle since then it is going to break up your workspace and if it's in the middle you may not be able to have someone working at the cooktop and the sink at the same time. The overall layout is pretty good...although I do think you need more space behind the island where the seating is b/c it's a major thoroughfare....I'd like to see at least 4' As I'm sure you've read on other posts, I think the MW should be in the perimeter of the kitchen along w/the refrigerator...both should definitely be IN the kitchen but easily accessible to snackers w/o interfering w/work in the kitchen. Is that wall b/w the refrigerator and oven necessary? You say the hutch is actually 5' wide...is it b/c the wall is actually longer than you show? You asked if storing dishes separately and far away from the DW is a problem...I'd have to say yes. I would actually like to see a narrower hutch and move the refrigerator down the wall some (toward the table & chairs). Then, I would put your MW either undercounter (MW drawer?) or mounted next to the refrigerator on the kitchen side. What are all those little walls along the hallway that leads to the stairs? Is that small cabinet(??) across from the island 9" deep? What did you plan to store there? It might make an acceptable Message Center--not the best b/c I think it should be at least 12" deep, but doable if you have nowhere else. Is that a desk I see next to the chair in the TV room? Will you actually use it? Or, will it just become a junk collector? Many people here have said they'd never do a desk again b/c it's usually better at attracting junk than being used to pay bills, etc. A Message Center provides space for phones, charging station, keys, calendar, etc. so you may not need a desk.

Sorting my thoughts about pantry -- I like to know what I have and be able to find it easily. It would irritate me to open up multiple storage units to find what I need or inventory what I have or need at the store. I'm kinda willing to open two and that's it. I would rather have stuff on shelves than drawers or pullouts for food storage. Don't want to be looking at the tops of the items (and I'm way to lazy to relabel them) or have to walk around something like an open pull out unit to be able to see what's in both sides. I'd rather just take stuff off shelves. Don't get me wrong, if it was a cabinet pantry v. no pantry, I'd certainly take it and be grateful. Drawers are fixed sizes and are just not as flexible. Want to buy that large size of cereal? Too bad, won't fit. Paper products, pet food, or stuff that comes in larger packages are examples of things that may not fit in drawers or pullouts. Some kinds of pullouts can be reconfigured, but that can be a pain - stop putting stuff away, empty the target location and adjust a shelf, bin or pullout, put the stuff back. In your original kitchen plan, the thing about using the dining room wall is that the food storage is a bit far from the likely prep area on the island - up near the range. This can be an ok situation for an organized chef - the type that gets out everything first and wouldn't mind carrying a basket to and from the pantry. But if that doesn't describe you, like it doesn't describe me, that kitchen plan is a recipe for a lotta walking and some frustration. Like 20 to 40 feet of walking for everyday stuff like a cup of milk or the forgotten can of chili beans. You can duplicate some items in a nearby cabinet. In fact, in the original layout, you have enough upper cabinets to duplicate most food products. Then the pantry itself becomes a place to store overstock and little used kitchen stuff. Lastly, everybody's interior image of "pantry" is different. My ultimate pantry is close to this... found on Design Sponge Each person will try to talk you into their internal image because it works for them. If you or your spouse has a completely different image, that's ok! I have no internal image of "butler's pantry". I'm kinda puzzled by why people who don't entertain a lot have one. Maybe if I had one, I'd figure it out, but I'm not in the price range for that!

Okay, I am back at it today!! I really appreciate EVERYONE'S input. Sujafr, I will see about a cord cover...cord comes right out of the middle of the lamp!! Things like that bother me, too. Teacats, I always have appreciated your advice. Les, I moved the photos....Gosh, girl - you must be really good at doing puzzles and mazes. You have an amazing ability for spatial relations esp. when you are just seeing in 2-D. Not the duck yet - will have to get DH to help me with ladder. LOL - "quack me up!!" Igloo - too funny about dead animals but honey, most of our dead stuff is at lakehouse or duck lodge!! I am in the South - and your room just "ain't" done until it has a big ole deer head on it!! Really, I have to say that my Mississippi kin folks have done it quite tastefully. My MIL puts a Xmas wreath around her deer head!! He is great conversation!! FIL is going pheasant hunting so I am asking for pheasant feathers for Xmas decorating and I REALLY want stuffed Dead Pheasants on my table for Thanksgiving. Are you getting how quirky I am!! I gave you 2 options for the pics above the sofa. Or I could just leave the 3. They all need to be lowered/straightened but that/s another day!! Can I stuff our little "squirrel hunter" and put him on display!! LOL DH would definately go for that one!! Thingie on right is just sitting up there. It has 2 holes in the back and is a PIA to hang!! What do you think about using the chair as a plant stand?? Smiles:)

I agree benjesbride. But I've been trying to find a way to make it work and can't seem to. I'd really appreciate some ideas here! :) What I'm struggling with is trying to keep some balance between the upper cabs (eg I put 29" on either end and put 4" space on either side of the window) and to balance the upper cabs with the base cabs beneath each of them (I tried my best to center each upper cab over the base cab beneath it). I played around with reducing the width of the two cabs beside the hood and that would mean reducing all of the upper cabs by a couple inches or more to maintain the symmetry and balance. Do I need to maintain the symmetry and balance to make this wall look nice? Or is there another way to make it work? Another option is to get a narrower hood. But I'd really like to keep the 36" hood to better protect my upper cabs from steam damage.