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opinions on island plan, please. And a boxerpups challenge?

13 years ago

Some progress: maple hardwood floors are in(!) and perimeter cabinets should be installed in a couple of weeks.

BUT, my island saga continues... The goal is an island that gives me much needed counter space and storage but also incorporates comfortable table-height seating for three (4 in a pinch). Earlier I toyed with the idea of a separate island and table but decided after multiple mock-ups and help from the folks on this board in an earlier thread and offline, that an integrated table would make the kitchen less cluttered and provide better aisle clearances, etc. We also toyed with not having seating at all in the kitchen (we use our DR for dinners now anyway) but that was nixed for multiple reasons. Island height seating is out (was in, out, in, out, in, and finally out! LOL!). Anyway, the current plan, which drops down to table height over the open shelves, is here (showing cabinets only, the countertop will add another 3 inches of width):

DH has been wonderfully supportive of all my choices so far because whenever he questions something (he is a very visual person), I just show him a picture of something similar and he gets comfortable that it won't be "weird". It goes something like this, every time:

Me: I want to do dark stained cabinets and a white-ish countertop (or pendants on a rail, or a pyramid hood, or whatever).

DH: That sounds weird, are you sure?

Me (scrolling through pics on internet): See, it will look something like this.

DH: Oh, ok. Looks good! Whatever you want, honey.

The problem is, I have not been able to find a picture of an island with a similar setup (I've tried google images, HOUZZ, nothing!), so DH is convinced that it looks weird, and--dare I say it--"phallic." I don't see "phallic" AT ALL. Maybe the drawing, but it is a DRAWING, not the actual island and we don't plan to hang upside down from the ceiling much looking down at the footprint, right?

So, finally, my question is: can he possibly have a point? If so, can you think of a different/better design for the island that accomplishes the goals? Or, better yet (boxerpups??), can you find a picture of an island with this configuration? If no picture, is there some easy-to-use rendering software that would let us "see" the island in 3D? I've tried sketchup and Interiors, but am useless with both. DH will be fine with whatever I choose in the end, but I think I'm letting his comments influence my confidence in this island design a bit... The closest pics I have found are these below but both have the circular table coming directly off the rectangular island, which to me makes the eating area a bit cramped.

Soliciting all thoughts and opinions from the brilliant TKO minds at GW...

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Comments (13)

palimpsest
13 years ago
The person opposite the open shelf will not really be able to sit there because the change in counter height will be right at their left shoulder, and they have little knee room.(The shelf also impinges on the persons legs to the left of it). I think it would be more comfortable all around if the open shelf disappeared or was 12"x12" instead of 15" x 22".

I actually made my entire island 30" h. and that works too, for what we use it for.
roms
13 years ago
I'm not sure how much space you have around the island, but here are a few pictures I found. (I've never tried this so hopfully the you can see the pics)

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
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adel97
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Palimpsest, I agree about the seat across the shelf being less than optimal. That seat is what we consider the 4th "in a pinch" spot that I mentioned in my post. The three of us rarely eat together at the kitchen table. When we sit down together, for dinners or weekend lunches, we use the dining room. However, DH and DS always have breakfast together in the kitchen (I am long gone in the mornings by that time) and DS will use it for after school snacks, etc., alone or with a friend or 2. So I am ok with the 4th seat being a bit cramped as long as 3 can sit comfortably around the table, which we can. What do you think about my DH's concern?

Roms, thank for the pics! It does seem like the "wrap-around" table like your 2d, 3d and 4th pics show, is the more common option. I may have my cabinet guy work on something similar. I am limited to a "bump out" at the end of the island due to aisle clearance, though.

Happy new year!
dianalo
13 years ago
I first thought the open shelving was below the island, but now am not sure....
Could you add a pull out, like a keyboard shelf or cutting board for if there is a 4th person there?
I would definitely do chairs without arms or backs if possible. Cute stools would fit well. A curved bench or 2 would be fabulous as it would allow extra seating if need be.
adel97
Original Author
13 years ago
Dianalo, yes, the shelf is under the table. The idea was to have something (besides the pedestal) to help support the tabletop without adding extra legs.

The area across from the shelf will house a 14x14x18 Emeco stool (which I have coveted for years and will finally treat myself to) and we were planning on 3 small scale chairs without arms but I love the idea of a curved bench! Where to find one??
dianalo
13 years ago
Try these:
http://www.livinginstylenewyork.com/servlet/the-14341/Latina-49-Inch-Curved/Detail

add a cushion for this one:
http://www.ivgstores.com/IVG2/Y/ProductID-257180-.htm

http://www.mercantila.com/p/modus-bossa-counter-height-banquette-dining-chair?utm_medium=Shopbots&utm_term=www.mercantila.com&utm_campaign=modus-bossa-counter-height-banquette-dining-chair&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=226350&utm_source=Channel_Intelligence_Google

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=banquette++seating&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=609&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18061587168538161547&ei=QU0fTcW0G8aqlAe4g6TgCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CFEQ8wIwAzg8#

http://www.laflat.com/bench-elite-rounded-p-4695.html?zenid=ueq8su8holfgokn04guul5fa70

I think it may be a good idea to see about having one made if none of those work. I was able to find a ton of fire pit type benches, but not as many indoor styles as I expected.
You can try barsandbooths.com because they have a nook set that has too much back. Maybe they can make it backless.

Good luck!
boxerpups
13 years ago
Hi Sharonite,

Sorry I am a bit late and thankfully there are some
great ideas already generated. Palimpest is one
fanastic kitchen guru here.

I am not the kitchen software expert. I am outdated when
I say Autocad's Kitchencad would be a way to go.
HGTV makes Homedesigns, Sweethome3D (i think this can
be downloaded for free), Icovia and Chief Architect...

The pictures posted above are what I have too, sorry I wish
I had exactly what you want to design. Your DH sounds
like a sweetheart and I am sure he will love your ideas.
You are on to something both funtional and beautiful.
Don't give up.
~boxerpups

Ps. I will keep looking to see if I can find something
to help out.
adel97
Original Author
13 years ago
thanks dianalo, the curved benches are giving me ideas for other rooms and tables in my house as well.

boxerpups, the fact that I haven't seen an island like this and even you can't find a picture is telling me something; maybe it's a bit awkward. I am going to play around with sketch-up a bit more and try a design like the second picture that Roms posted but with rounded edges. Your skills are very much in demand today! It's extremely gracious of you to do this for people.
boxerpups
13 years ago
Sharonite,

You have a great idea that can work.

If all the inventors, designers, creative minds... never
took the plunge to make what they could see in their
minds, we would all still be living in caves without
indoor plumbing. You know you are on the right track.
Don't give up you will be able to figure this out. Keep
at it. And another great mind on GW will help come up
with solution ideas that might add to your creativite idea
and you will say...
"EUREKA.. I got it."
I will keep searching too.
~boxer
adel97
Original Author
13 years ago
Boxer, thanks for the encouragement, you're very sweet!

What's in my head is the island in the 6th picture in this idea book, BUT with a lowered seating end. I'll keep working on it...

Here is a link that might be useful: island-tables
hilarymontville
13 years ago
I know that I have yet to post a finished kitchen (and yes, we are finished) but could not resist posting a picture of my island -- I think it's a pretty close match for you to see what yours will look like as far as shape. Good luck (and soon I'll get a post up with all my information).
boxerpups
13 years ago
I found a few but still not exactly what you are looking for...

Kudzu kitchen

Teo Oak

Victorian Kitchen

Jenny Pruitt

Media RB Magazine
adel97
Original Author
13 years ago
hilary, your island is amazing! The shape and the granite movement both contribute to a lovely flowing vibe. It does have the angles that I'm trying to work into mine.

Boxer, thanks for the pics, they are pure eye candy. A taller round table at the end of the island seems to be a popular design. As a short person I struggle to get up on such high stools, but it is a nice look!

I forced myself to actually read the tutorials in sketch-up, spent the day playing with it yesterday, and came up with the these (very!) crude designs. (The island and wall dimensions are accurate but the perimeter is a mess so please IGNORE it. It's all about the island.) The first is the original plan drawn in my original post, and the second is a tweaked version that still gives me adequate aisles using the same cabinetry, just different shape tabletop. I think I prefer the second. Boxer, this may be the aha! moment you were talking about!

Anyone care to vote? The chair across from the rangetop is there mostly for perspective. I doubt we'll keep a chair there, maybe just another tucked-in stool.

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