I Like #3 - "matchy, matchy" is what Nate Berkus calls furniture that is matched. He likes a room where there is nothing that "matches" another piece of furniture. I do too for the most part. Sometimes it's not practical but in your case, I think the reason #3 is more "striking" and elegant is that it isn't a precise match. #2 looks "dated" to me - like it belongs in an estate sale and not in a good way, in a way that indicates "it has seen its day". Though it may be that the china cabinet is enhancing the "dated" look. Sorry to mention Nate Berkus (on TV) so much but I like his style and he gives a tip to use a "chest of drawers" with nice arrangement on top as a replacement for a china cabinet. I think I agree on that one too. If you have a lot of china to store, not sure where that goes though. Always must be practical too of course but thought I'd mention the tip.

Jennifer, thanks and thereâÂÂs no harm in looking so go for it =) Hollysprings, thanks for your input! =) ItâÂÂs not what you think. I go to high end showrooms and search internet websites as well ��" I get the name and price of the slab IâÂÂm looking for and start my search again with the private sector rather than the box stores or the very big high end shops. I was originally looking for the exotic carnival countertop when the gentleman said he doesnâÂÂt have that specific one but has a few other exotic types I may like if I liked the Carnivel. I have luck finding most of what IâÂÂm looking for in the smaller private sector. IâÂÂve used similar countertop service providers in the past with no issues (IâÂÂd like to think IâÂÂm able to tell armatures from professionals), IâÂÂve also walked away on quite a few when IâÂÂm not confident in their services. Although I am excited about the price, it is not at all the driving force. IâÂÂve gone as far as coming close to ordering from the states very expensive slabs but decided against it since pictures are not always accurate. Bottom line is most of the time items are expensive due to the very high mark-up costs and a little shopping around helps. My Uba Tuba 16x16 granite tiles in my foyer cost over $20 per square foot special delivered at home depot and I paid just over $4 per square foot (installed myself) and no- not china. Baltomom, yes I was afraid it wouldnâÂÂt be the best match despite how much I loved the granite itelf. Holly-kay, thank you! =) Snookums, yes itâÂÂs black in that area. And yes I really love the granite and just wanted re-confirmation that it will go with my cabinets. Not included sink space, is 20 linear ft of countertop space considered more than average countertop space?

First, I am so sorry for your loss! I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you now. But at least you're carrying on a dream you both had! Hopefully, we can help you with the "bouncing off" part...at least partially since we, of course, could never replace him! I prefer #1. No, I don't like OTR MWs either. However, there are other considerations as well: Oven. I have found that a wall oven is so much easier to work with than a range. I'm probably of an age w/you and while I've had ranges all my life, when I started using our wall oven a few months ago I was so happy at how much easier it was to use...not just taking things out, but also being able to check on something w/o having to open the door or practically get on the floor to see inside! Island. You have an island in front of the refrigerator & ovens. In my kitchen, I have landing space both on the side (right next to) and in front of my ovens and a wall on one side (similar to yours). I find that I use the landing space in front of the ovens the vast majority of the time. You do tend to stand more to the side of a wall oven (at least I do) and it's natural to take something out and pivot slightly to the right (left in your case) to put the item down. To put it on the counter next to it, I'd have to move out of the way to put it down. Even standing in front of the open oven, the peninsula in front is still closer than the counter next to the ovens. So, if you're like me, then I think that even if you had landing space on the side, you'd still use the island! Just be sure you have at least a 42" aisle b/w the island and the refrigerator...to have room to open the refrigerator & be able to (1) stand in front of it, (2) take out drawers for cleaning, and (3) have room for someone to pass behind. We have a 32" space b/w our refrigerator & peninsula (2nd peninsula, we have 2) and while it's enough room for #s 1 & 2, it isn't for #3. [One of the consequences of our KD's mis-measurements...we were supposed to have 42"!] Hood. There is no comparison b/w an OTR MW & "real" hood. A regular vent hood is far more effective than OTR MW at venting. Oh, and it also looks much nicer! :-) MW. Even at 5'10" I find my sister's OTR MW too high to work safely with. You have to reach over a hot stove and, in my sister's case, a flame to get to something inside the MW. It's not at a height that makes it easy to check what you're cooking or stir w/o taking it out. It makes it more difficult for 2 people to work in the kitchen AND if someone is coming if for a snack (or whatever), s/he will be in the cook's way! In #1, both the MW & refrigerator are on the periphery so that others may get to them w/o interfering with those prepping, cooking, or cleaning up...yet they're also close to those same work zones for ease of use by those in the kitchen. Refrigerator. I also echo others' concern about the refrigerator space. If you are basing it on an existing refrigerator, check to see how much space new refrigerators need as yours will not last forever and you will eventually have to replace it. I would recommend at least 33-1/2" of space there. It may mean reducing the counter to the left of the range to 24", but that's still enough workspace, I think, especially as you will have an island in front of it for prep/workspace as well. If you already have a refrigerator in mind, is that enough space for it? Do you think you might get a larger one in the future? I don't really know the future of refrigerators. I have noticed that they appear to be getting taller, but I don't know about width. They could go either way. Sink Wall. Consider doing the sink wall w/the longer distance b/w the cooktop & sink (15" drawers b/w the corner cab & sink). You don't want them too close together for two people working there. That 15" cabinet could be a trash pullout and would be very convenient for the cooktop, island, and sink for cooking, prepping, and cleanup, respectively. You didn't say, but do you have children who will also be working in the kitchen or even friends when you have them over? I personally think that if at all possible all kitchens should be designed so that at least 2 people can work in them. Half-wall. Is it possible to move it out another 3" toward the other room? OR, consider the bump out you show in option #2. Either way would give more room behind the sink and more room for your faucet, etc. With the half-wall, you not only have the wall behind it, but you also lose space back there b/c of the overhang of the counter/ledge on the half-wall. Also, if you intend that ledge be used (and it probably will, regardless of your intent!), then I would consider making it at least 9" deep to have room for things on it w/o them teetering. Sink. This is just curiosity...do you plan an undermount or drop in sink? The pic shows drop in. Speaking as someone who had drop in all her life and now has an undermount...I will never go back to drop in! It's so much easier to clean around and there's no rim for crumbs, etc. to catch on or to clean under/around. I hope this all helps! Keep us posted on your kitchen. And remember, we're here for you if you have any questions or just need someone to vent to! Good luck!

Bklyn, it looks like you are using the same lights as I. Nice. Are those L.E.D light bulbs? Socal very nice. I love that reflection. It looks very bright in there. NO wasted light for sure. Kvetch, you are not kidding there. I can't believe how LONG we have had this cold, snow, and below average temps, and it's not even winter yet. I keep looking at the ten day forecasters outlook and now I see 30's . no 40's. I think I am going to be sick. The ones on the porch I have to water often if I use a fan. If I don't use a fan, it can take a few weeks before they need watering, but they only stay moist thank God. The one in my all season porch, I have to water those every few days because it's much warmer in there, much more sunlight, and I also use fans. LOl. I hear you about window hogging..lol Right now my tree and orchids are competing for the best spot. Jenny, very nice. One of these days I am going to get an Australian lime. Does it produce lots of flowers that smell nice? I would go after the fragrance more than anything.. Laura, didn't it seem like yesterday when we were growing them all outside? Boy do I miss the days when all you had to do was use a hose..((( Yes, all the twist and turns one has to take to get around each tree can be such a pain. Very nice looking too.I hear you got a couple of scale? That's easy to get rid of once and for good. Let me know if you need a suggestion.)