Cyn, That is the way I had it arranged prior to this set-up. I really liked it, except for the fact that it was akward to always have to sit sideways to watch the TV, or sit in the chair apart from DH, KWIM? Plus, the TV was lost on the huge blank wall. Thanks for the compliments on the baby pics. Good idea to save the chair for grandbabies. I'm a person who gets rid of everything, but i like the idea of saving the chair & ottoman. So my 4 year old and I rearranged this morning, and I like it! The only tricky part will be running the cable over the fireplace somehow, but I'll let DH worry about that. (Why can't somebody invent wireless cable/satellite? It would solve so many decorating problems! LOL). What do we think? Better, right? Ad Lissa, you were totally correct about the fireplace wall being a different color. I was cleaning the walls today and noticed the difference at the corner. I can't believe I've never noticed that before. It is just a shade darker. So what to do with the fireplace? And this huge blank wall behind the couch? And the train table will be brought down to the basement when DH gets home, promise! Do you think I should seek out a square ottoman/coffee table type thing? What about an area rug? New seating area. Fireplace is to left, not visible. I moved the toybox and hung the painting on the wall. View with fireplace and curio cabinet: Chair seating area in front of window. I realize this is dark. My iphone does not have a flash. The TV is angled in the corner to the right of the chairs. blank problem wall: (there is about 3.5 feet between couch and wall, a corridor over to chairs) naked fireplace (and family dog): This is so fun, thank you for all your input!

Hi Tartanhabit, I definitely see the haze and agree with others that clearing that up might resolve the problem. Also agree with lyfia that it could be shadows. I am AMAZED at how much different tiles and paint chips look when I place them under the cabinets. Even if it doesn't look like they are in shadow, there is clearly a different quality of light back there. But problems aside, I love your tiles! I think they looks terrific with your cabinets and counters and I hope you're able to clear things up. They will look super when the haze is removed. What brand/color are they?

I see that only part of one person's back would be toward the living room. If you don't like that, though, you could put a cabinet facing the living room on that section and only have seating on the angled portion...Or eliminate the smaller section and go back to a rectangle, but then it's really disjointed from the kitchen. I don't think it would look right to do the island, especially the angle, if it didn't match and line up with the wall angle. In the first plan, the angles are offset from one another, as well as being at different angles, and I think that would look odd...like you meant to match and 'missed.'

OK - I may have gotten a little carried away...but here's a layout with what appear to be all your wants. I don't see a pantry, so I added cabinets behind the island as well as b/w the DR and TV room for extra storage. You actually have plenty of storage in this kitchen! The base cabinets on the top wall are 27"D (but could be as deep as 28.5"), the upper cabs on the top wall are 15"D. There are two excellent Prep Zones, although I would prefer to prep on the island facing everyone! (Prepping is 70% or more of the work/time in the kitchen; cleaning up is 20% or less.) The Cleanup Zone is out of the way of the Prep and Cooking Zones and there's no crossing through the Cleanup Zone to get to the Refrigerator or MW. With an undercounter MW like a MW drawer, you don't lose counterspace or have anything in the vertical space b/w the counters and cabinets. There's a nice stretch of counter to the left of the ovens,for a snack center or even a tea/coffee center (43" of counterspace). The ovens are in a 31.5" wide cabinet - the reasonable minimum needed for 30" wide ovens (which I assume the wall oven is at least - I don't know how wide your steam oven will be). There's a 42" wide counter-depth refrigerator - hopefully that will allay your DH's concern about a counter-depth model... In the DR, the table can be moved a bit to the left, especially if you don't put an outside door in the DR. Moving the table to the left will give you a few more inches b/w the shallow cabinets and the table. Note that the cabinets b/w the DR and TV Room are 6" taller than standard - that means the counter will be 42" high (bar-height). The cabinets + counters not only give you more storage space, but they also provide you with a separation b/w the DR and the TV Room as well as provide counter space in both places. The cabinets are 12" deep, but the counter is 15" deep. The TV Room has a sofa and chair - the chair can be moved to view the TV or stay where it is for conversation and visiting. (I even added end tables :-)) A note about the doors - I don't understand why you don't like the "line of sight" from the front door to the back door. The problem is, that middle section is the ideal spot for the back door - no obstructions, easy access to the kitchen, and out of the way of all work zones and seating areas. It keeps the traffic out of everyone's way - it's the perfect location! Put up some nice window/door dressings and you'll have a pleasant view for anyone entering your home from the front door. I wouldn't want the door to be in the kitchen (in the 8' span) b/c it would draw everyone through the kitchen to get to the backyard - the last thing you want in a kitchen! The island will help direct people around, but inevitably, some people will choose to go through the kitchen (b/w the island and perimeter) and get in your way - especially if someone is sitting at the island. If you absolutely must have the door there, then I suggest a sliding door with the opening as far away from the kitchen as possible - so that would mean the bottom of the 8' span. The rest can be windows. It's still going to be an issue, though... Here's the layout (select/click on a picture to see a bigger version): I labeled the cabinets and counters with suggestions for storage and usage - but you should tailor it to what would work for you... Here's a zone map: